Having concluded their meeting with the Margravine of Ishurias,
Yuri and the others returned to the Saint-Elmo Trading Company,
where they were shown into a salon prepared for the evening banquet.
When the doors opened, they found a lavishly decorated room within.
A glittering chandelier cast down golden light,
and the dishes arrayed across the table shone all the more beautifully beneath it.
On the long tables arranged in a U-shape
stood fresh-baked bread, meat dishes and stews finished with fine herbs and spices,
their rich aroma teasing the senses.
Musicians waited in the open space at the center,
their instruments already tuned as they stood ready for the banquet to begin.
"Welcome back, Lord Strauss.
We've been awaiting your return."
Gaston spread his arms with a broad smile,
welcoming Yuri and the others warmly.
At his side stood a young beauty with pale blue hair.
Her hair was loosely braided and fell softly over her delicate shoulders.
Touched by the chandelier's light, it swayed ever so slightly,
gleaming with a dreamlike shimmer, like sunlight reflected across water.
There was a subtle allure in her softly smiling eyes,
one that drew the gaze before one quite realized it.
When she tilted ever so slightly, the fullness of her chest shifted with the motion, revealing the briefest glimpse of pale skin.
There was a hint of sensuality beneath her modest air,
and Yuri found his eyes drawn to her without meaning to.
Though her dress was simple, it made no effort to hide the beauty of her figure.
From her slender waist, the skirt flared outward and swayed gracefully with each movement.
"This is my daughter, Elise.
She said she very much wished to meet you, Lord Strauss."
As Gaston introduced the young woman beside him,
Elise offered a graceful curtsy and greeted them in a clear voice.
"Lord Strauss,
it is a great honor to make your acquaintance.
My name is Elise Dioreano.
I am truly honored to have been granted this opportunity."
At the sound of her translucent voice, those around them seemed to fall still for a moment, listening.
"The honor is mine."
Yuri somehow managed to lift his gaze,
then looked Elise in the face and gave her an awkward smile with a slight bow.
Elise then turned to Ophelia, standing beside him, and offered the same courtesy.
"Lady Strauss, it is a pleasure to meet you.
My name is Elise Dioreano.
I am deeply honored to have made your acquaintance."
At those words, Ophelia smiled gently
and answered with a slight incline of her head.
"It is a pleasure to meet you as well, Miss Elise.
I'm very glad to have met you.
I would love to hear more about your work.
And please, Ophelia is fine."
With a graceful gesture, Ophelia smiled
and looked at Elise kindly.
"Thank you very much, Lady Ophelia.
I still have much to learn,
but I would be delighted if I can be of even a little help."
Elise answered with a respectful smile, though there was a touch of nerves about her.
"Lord Strauss, Lady Strauss, please, this way.
It may be only a modest affair, but we've prepared a banquet for you today.
I hope you'll relax and enjoy yourselves."
Gesturing with one hand, Gaston led Yuri toward the seat of honor.
Once he sat down, Ophelia and Elise took their places on either side of him as if by the most natural course in the world.
A soft, floral fragrance drifted up and tickled Yuri's nose.
"Lord Strauss, I hope our hospitality may ease your weariness from the meeting, if only a little."
Elise spoke almost in a whisper, smiling demurely.
The words and the look in her eyes felt as though they had been meant for Yuri alone,
and he could feel his heartbeat quicken ever so slightly.
Crimson wine was poured into the silver cup set before him,
and Yuri, following Elise's lead, slowly brought it to his lips.
By the next morning, clear, fresh air lay over the company's garden.
Yuri had arranged to meet Lily at the entrance,
as they were to visit the tailor's workshop Gaston had recommended.
Ophelia and Aina had remained behind at the company for business talks with Gaston.
Elise appeared to guide them, offering the two a light bow and a gentle smile.
"Good morning, Lord Strauss, Lady Edelweiss.
I shall be serving as your guide today.
I look forward to accompanying you."
Yuri returned her polite greeting with a smile and a small nod.
Gone was the splendor of the previous night's banquet.
Today she wore a simple dress,
but that very simplicity only served to bring out her charm all the more.
Once the three of them stepped outside the company,
Elise hesitated slightly, glanced around, and lowered her voice as she asked,
"Lord Strauss, um... I notice your guards do not seem to be accompanying you.
Will it truly be all right for us to walk there like this?"
There was a note of worry in Elise's eyes as she asked in that restrained tone.
Yuri scratched his cheek, a little embarrassed, as he answered.
"I'd feel bad showing up with a whole crowd.
And even if something did happen... I'm sure we'd probably be fine.
Besides, we're supposed to be keeping a low profile today, so you don't need to be quite so formal."
Though she still looked a little uneasy, Elise nodded slowly
and set off ahead of them in her role as guide.
The town was already brimming with life beneath the morning sun.
The savory scent of bread drifting from the street stalls and the rattle of passing carriages
made the whole place feel vibrantly alive.
Keeping an easy pace, Elise led them through the streets, occasionally stopping to explain what they were passing,
and now and then returning greetings to merchants she knew along the way.
"Once we pass down this street, you'll be able to see the tailor's workshop.
The one I'm taking you to belongs to an artisan my father holds in high regard."
Yuri listened to Elise's explanations while taking in the lively sights of the town.
At his side, Lily's eyes were shining as well, and she seemed to be enjoying everything she saw with all her heart.
"Want to stop by the market afterward?"
The moment Yuri asked the question casually,
Lily's expression brightened in an instant.
Her large blue eyes lit up, and a faint blush spread across her cheeks.
"...Would that really be all right?"
Lily looked at Yuri as though she could scarcely believe it.
When he nodded, she let out a soft smile she could not quite hold back.
It was a smile as pure as a flower coming into bloom,
with an innocence that seemed to brighten even the air around her.
Her soft pink hair swayed lightly and danced in the breeze.
Unable to hide her excitement, Lily almost bounced as she stepped closer to Yuri,
looking up at him with an expression full of anticipation.
Seeing her that way, Yuri could not help but smile as well.
Then he happened to glance toward Elise and found her looking back at him with a startled expression.
Curious, he asked,
"Is there not enough time to stop by on the way back?"
"N-no, not at all. We'll stop there on our way home."
Flustered, Elise waved a hand lightly and smiled,
then said, "Come, this way," and started off again toward the workshop.
Yuri and Lily exchanged puzzled looks and tilted their heads at one another,
but quickly followed after Elise.