After sending Cara a thought message to let her know that I was done with the MMC, she returned to collect us, and we resumed the tour. We're now making our way back to the reception hall on the first floor of her house.
When we arrive, I see Vito standing near the front door with another man that I don't recognize. He doesn't appear to be a soldier or guard of any kind.
Cara, on the other hand, seems to recognize him as we draw near, and she makes the same unenthused expression I saw on her face earlier. Ahh…this must be the Prima of Wellick, Devon. They did mention bringing him here ASAP to have a meeting with Cara.
Devon quickly approaches us with his eyes fixed on Cara. Vito follows close behind with an apologetic look on his face. Devon stops a couple meters from our group and gives a hurried bow to Cara.
"My Lady, why would yo-…er, I mean, welcome back. I must speak with you at once about your message regarding this 'train' you want to put outside the city! I've only just received reports of the one in Avalon. What is it like? Is it safe? How is it getting built? What will we do about the businesses and merchants that may be affected? How will it be profitable for the city? Why do we even need transportation to a territory that's only a couple of weeks old?" (Devon?)
Yikes! I'm…starting to understand why Cara looks exhausted every time this guy is brought up. I mean, those are fair questions, but this dude needs to work on his delivery and pacing!
Cara, whose expression is already laden with emotional exhaustion, turns towards us without responding to Devon. She directs a deeply apologetic look at Nina and me in turn.
"Great Dragon, Mizuki, please pardon the interruption. It seems I'll need to address some of these questions before showing you around the city – I hope you can forgive the delay. Vito, could you please show Lady Nedonera and her escorts to a comfortable waiting area and see to their entertainment in the meantime? Devon, you can follow me to my office." (Cara)
Devon, seemingly piecing together our identities, slowly turns his head towards us for the first time. He goes pale as he looks at Nina. If I had to guess, his reaction is because of the annoyed scowl on Nina's face that's been directed at him since Cara mentioned our trip through the city being delayed. Rest in peace, my dude.
Thankfully for Devon, a knight in shining armor bravely steps forward to save his bacon!
"Actually, I'm available now, Cara. I'd be happy to begin showing Lady Nedonera and the others around the city in your stead. You could just join us when your meeting is over." (Alyse)
Devon is looking at Alyse gratefully, and subtly moves so that Cara is between him and Nina. He doesn't look like he's willing to draw attention to himself anymore. Cara, on the other hand, glances in surprise at Alyse before fixing a nervous gaze on me. She looks deeply troubled by the idea of us being alone with Alyse.
I sense a rebuttal coming, but there's no chance in hell I'm passing up this opportunity. Sorry, Cara, but that's what you get for routinely airing such tantalizing family drama in front of me!
"Err…while that's very generous of you, Alyse, I don't thi-" (Cara)
"That's a splendid idea, Lady Alyse, thank you! We'd be delighted to have you escort us! I'm sure my Lady wants to see as much of your beautiful city as we can in our short visit." (Mizuki)
Cara's gaze snaps to me, and her eyes narrow suspiciously. I just look back at her innocently. Before she can try to undo my acceptance of Alyse's services, however, Nina gets involved.
"Fufufu…yes, Mizuki is correct! Shall we go now?" (Nina)
Seeing Nina's enthusiasm, and being aware of her earlier displeasure with the delay, Cara begins glancing frantically between Nina and me. I guess she's trying to figure out a countermeasure that won't invoke Nina's ire.
Alyse, watching the inner turmoil play out on Cara's face, is wearing an incredibly amused grin. She also keeps sneaking the occasional curious glance towards me following my sudden support for her escort services.
Eventually, the light goes out in Cara's eyes, and her shoulders sag slightly. She casts one last gaze full of betrayal towards me before nodding reluctantly.
"Uhm…very well. Thank you for the offer, Alyse. I'll catch up with you all as soon as I can. Please try not to do anything problematic until then." (Cara)
"Me…problematic? Whatever do you mean little sister? I'm just offering to make up for your shortcomings as a host." (Alyse)
Alyse's voice is full of fake shock, and she is giving Cara a very confused expression. Cara doesn't seem convinced, though, and she's looking at Alyse with equal parts desperation and annoyance. I can't blame her, but the entire exchange is pretty entertaining, so I'm not going to back her up either.
Unfortunately, Alto doesn't seem to support my sadism. She sees the stupid grin sneaking into my expression and gives me a disapproving look. Does she really have room to talk, though? She loves watching it when I'm the one being teased!
"Ehem…Lady Cara, I'm sure Lady Alyse will be a perfectly appropriate host until you rejoin us. We appreciate both of your consideration. Mizuki, perhaps we have delayed our Lady's tour of the city long enough, hmm?" (Alto)
What a buzzkill. I sigh internally, then nod at Alto politely. Nina, whose agitation was rising again, smiles. I sense satisfaction from her.
Alyse watches the whole exchange play out, then directs a smug grin towards Cara. She gives the rest of us a mischievous smile.
"How exciting for all of us! Let's depart at once, then." (Alyse)
I agree…I, for one, am very excited.