Endless Silver Machine

On the afternoon of the day when the "Roshi" family's aviation guided ship left Shimozuki Academy, the aviation guided ship that came to welcome Lilith back to the Imperial Capital also arrived on time.

Lilith's housekeeper and maid, Klaus and Serit, travel together on the aviation magic ship.

"Miss Lilith, Mrs. Elise is actually very dissatisfied with your request. I hope you can explain it to Mrs. Elise well after you get home."

Serit said this when she saw Lilith. She was conveying a message from the head of the family, Ms. Elise.

"I understand. It's natural for Mother to be angry. She obviously hopes that I can support the family business in the future, but now she wants me to hide here. Isn't it completely unreasonable?"

"Miss Lilith should know the real reason why Mrs. Elise is angry better than us, right?"

Although Klaus didn't say it clearly, he was actually hinting at the reason why Lilith suddenly changed her original intention.

Ms. Elise is not opposed to Lilith entering the political circle. At her current age, she is already enough to represent the side of the family that occupies the palace.

But if the intention is to participate in something that is inconsistent with the ideals of the ruling party, this will only put the family's position in a precarious position.

"Mother, you think that it is more dangerous for me to stay in Shimozuki Academy than at home, so you will allow me to go home, right?"

"Hmm... maybe this is indeed Madam Elise's consideration."

Serit replied respectfully. This business-like attitude had already given Lilith a sense of crisis.

If he cannot convince Ms. Elise, then he will not be able to leave the mansion after returning home.

Lilith never thought that in addition to her own future, she would have disagreements with her family over other people's affairs.

…………

The mother and daughter reunited after a long separation did not exchange warm greetings. There was only a tense atmosphere between them as when the original conflict was not resolved.

"Is this the reason why you are willing to throw away the future you have worked so hard for and come back to argue with me?"

"I just don't want to regret it in the future. I just don't want to repeat your current mood, mother."

This is the past that only Lilith knows. In fact, she is unwilling to mention the past that made her mother sad.

But only by letting Ms. Elise recall this feeling can we understand what kind of consciousness Lilith had when she said this.

Ms. Elise was momentarily touched by Lilith's words, but she just frowned.

After a long time, the frown on her eyebrows relaxed, and Ms. Elise let out a long sigh.

"You are much more eloquent than before."

"Because I know that if I don't do this, I will never be able to convince my mother."

Lilith smiled back at Ms. Elise. This slightly ironic compliment sounded to Lilith as an endorsement of herself.

When Lilith first left home to attend Frost Moon Academy, she never got rid of the idea of ​​a pampered young lady.

In the face of Ms. Elise's opposition, Lilith just flaunted the correctness of her ideals, but she did not get Ms. Elise's recognition for two years.

It wasn't until Aika and the others suddenly turned in that Lilith learned to look for a breakthrough from the side.

If you can't get the other party's approval, let the other party have to approve it.

Even if it is a reckless theory in the style of Aika, it can still work as long as you are willing to put it into action.

"I only have one request for you," Ms. Elise looked at Lilith no longer as the head of the family, but just as a mother, "Don't let me regret tonight's decision in the future."

Lady Elise borrows Lilith's "sophistry" and agrees with Lilith to do as she likes.

At this point in the conversation, Ms. Elise did not stand up from the sofa, which meant that it was not over yet.

"One more thing, will the 'Qianze' family and the 'Heinz' family also take action?"

Lilith knew that her actions could not be hidden from her mother, who led the family.

If you were to ask yourself, who is apolitical, why he was so active in this incident, he could immediately relate it to them.

"I don't know exactly what they think. I just want to know what I want to know."

"Just 'wondering'?"

"Yes, as long as you know it, you can let me stay at home or return to Shuoyue Academy."

This is the biggest concession that Ms. Elise can make. If she participates in the rescue of the third princess, it will inevitably cause unpredictable losses to the family.

Ms. Elise closed her eyes and meditated for a while, while Lilith just sat in her seat and waited for her mother's last words.

"Tomorrow I will ask Klaus and Serit to tell you the time of the recent social events, and the invitation will be sent to you in the name of the family."

…………

After several hours of traveling and the conversation with Ms. Elise, Lilith returned to her room and lay directly on the bed.

This appearance is very unsightly for the eldest lady of a noble family, but in her personal space she will no longer care about such trivial matters.

"Are you going tomorrow..."

Three years ago, thirteen-year-old Lilith attended a noble social dance for the last time, and then she "escaped" into Frost Moon Academy when she was tired of the atmosphere.

Now that I have taken the initiative to come back here, it is really ironic.

She stretched out her hand towards the light above her head, her fingers straightened, and the diamond ring on her ring finger still shone without knowing it.

"..."

Lilith stared at the sharp-edged diamond for a while, then stretched out her other hand towards the void.

After taking off the diamond ring from her slender ring finger, the familiar presence suddenly disappeared, as if there was an empty space in her heart.

As a daughter of a noble who "newly entered the political world", she does not need a lifelong diamond ring, nor does she need a magic tool to protect herself.

"sorry……"

Although she didn't know whether this apology was to the person who put the ring on her, or to the compromise between her past intentions and the current moment.

…………

The East District, the prosperous commercial center of the Bisi Empire, is still brightly lit tonight.

The imperial army has gathered at the border of the Tebiri Kingdom, and war is about to break out, but the shadow of war has not touched this place.

The rebellion of the third princess is only seen and heard in the news. Even if it leaves uncertain doubts in the hearts of the people, the country will not stop functioning.

It's eight o'clock in the evening, and the lights illuminate the National Center for the Performing Arts located in the East District of the Imperial Capital as bright as day.

The sky, which had been gloomy since the afternoon, was still rainless, and a sparse crowd gathered here.

Gentlemen and ladies from the aristocratic class, some walked down the steps from the majestic motorcycles, while others walked slowly under umbrellas held by servants under the rainless night sky.

After Lilith got out of the car, Serit closed the door for her.

In the crowd, she saw Brad Rossi wearing a windbreaker and hat from a distance.

The other party seemed to notice her presence, but neither of them stared at each other for a second, nor did they communicate.

…………

Lilith put on a white dress studded with rhinestones and appeared at the venue. The guests and the nobles who were the protagonists all sighed at her beauty and purity.

The youngest noble lady, who has disappeared from the social circle for nearly three years, will be here today. All families have learned about it through channels.

To be precise, this is the path that Madam Elise paved for Lilith.

Lilith straightened her back, her eyes revealed an intellectual light, and her smile was very noble.

No additional decoration is needed. In less than a day, Lilith has been adjusted to the point where she can fully display the temperament that a noble lady should have.

"Impeccable, just perfect."

"Although it is not as influential as the Fu family, the recruitment is impeccable."

"After disappearing for three years, I originally thought that their family was ready to quit."

"Then why is it back now? Moreover, such a dignified temperament must have received specialized education."

"Of course this is the 'secret weapon' of that family. No one can deceive my ears."

"When she comes back at this time, she definitely wants to get a share of the victory. Then our family can meet her needs."

The whispers in the venue were all covered up by the deep music in the dome, and Lilith was able to guess the content of the words.

Her appearance attracted the attention of countless radical nobles, and they all showed their own value to seduce her and extended invitations to her.

Even though this is not Lilith's main purpose, she has to accept the invitations to dance one by one when she first enters the social circle.

She elegantly lifted up her skirt studded with rhinestones and danced dignifiedly.

The rhinestones reflected the light, making her the bright light in the venue.

Lilith cleverly kept her distance from the invited nobles and answered their questions in a subtle manner.

At the same time, she looked for the target in the venue with her peripheral vision that would not be noticed.

The nobleman she really needed to use had already learned through her family's network this morning. Lilith remembered the appearance of the young man in his twenties through photos.

That person will also be there at the dance tonight, and that person has every motive to befriend Lilith.

She had already made a rough plan in her mind, but after stepping into this dizzying forest of wine and meat, Lilith, who lacked accumulated experience, was still overwhelmed for a while.

"Miss Lilith, would you be kind enough to dance with me?"

Lilith, whose thinking is still stagnant, has not yet found a way to continue her plan, and is already exhausted inside. However, new invitations are still coming to her.

Do you want to refuse first? If you are tricked into this kind of invitation that looks like a greeting, tonight's dance will ultimately be in vain.

First of all, you must keep smiling and not show any reluctance... Lilith reminded herself in her mind as she turned around.

But when she recognized the person who extended her olive branch, Lilith almost called out his name.

"Who are you……"

"I am Brad Roche, the eldest son of the 'Roche' family, and it is an honor to meet you tonight."

Brad announced his name first and at the same time extended his hand to Lilith.

Lilith still didn't know why Brad did this deliberately, so she just accepted his invitation blankly and put her fingers on his outstretched palm.

The melodious music played slowly, and the eyes staring at the two people left.

Brad is slightly younger than Lilith, but his similar height to Aika doesn't reveal the age difference between them.

"This is the first time the two of us have met. This is the setting in this circle."

That's why Brad couldn't let Lilith take the initiative to say the name of "the person they met for the first time."

"Why……"

"Now that we are all in the same boat, I can help you within my ability."

The two people of similar age danced together, and their whispers were no different from words of love in the eyes of other nobles.

The "Luo Xi" family is a family with the surname Fu that controls the domestic military industry. In the current war period, its status has been further improved. There are very few nobles who can compete with him.

In the perception of the social circle, Brad Rossi is just one of the eldest ladies in the Fu family who they like to be a good match for.

"Is it because of the agreement with Aika-san?"

"It has nothing to do with that person. In short, if they fail, it will have an impact on me. It is considered a cooperative relationship."

"That's it..." At least from Brad's words, Lilith couldn't feel the falseness, "So, can I consider the relationship between the 'Roxi' family to be solved in this way?"

"Whatever you want, if my family is of value."

Their dance steps sometimes turned into dim flickering lights, and even from a close distance it was difficult to see clearly what they were saying.

Dim lighting can also create a nice atmosphere, so no one would think that what they are talking about is not love words, but an agreement that is enough to incriminate.

"What I need now is Roosevelt Del. Do you know where he is?"

"That Roosevelt Del from the Intelligence Bureau?"

"If I want to know where the third princess is, the Intelligence Bureau is the fastest way."

Roosevelt Del is the head of the Intelligence Bureau, the mainstay of the "Dell" family named Fu, and a young and promising representative.

Sanders Del of the "Del" family is the leader of the Imperial Knights - Knights of the Iron Lion, and is also a big figure in military affairs management.

"Do the 'Del' family have a relationship with the 'Luo Xi' family? I don't want to involve two Fu families at the same time, so I'm just going to try it on him first."

"……follow me."

Brad changed his dance steps and guided Lilith's movements.

As the dance came to an end, the lights from the dome illuminated the entire ball hall again.

“Start by remembering everyone’s face and their position in the venue, that’s basic.”

Brad whispered in Lilith's ear, and then gently released Lilith's fingers.

Lilith raised her hand, and Brad gave her a slight salute.

"Tonight is a pleasant night, Miss Lilith. If there is a chance, I believe we will meet again."

"I'm also looking forward to seeing you again... Sir Luo Xi."

This is an impeccable dance, and no one would have any doubts about Brad and Lilith's contact.

The two had already left their original position, and Lilith found Roosevelt Del easily not far away.

He was a young man with short light blond hair combed back, and he had a shrewd atmosphere from his temperament.

He didn't seem to join the dance, he just stood there and toasted and chatted with the nobles around him.

Lilith slightly adjusted her unaccustomed dance steps and her breath was slightly disturbed, and walked past Roosevelt Del.

She stopped in front of the long table a little further away, seeming to be alone looking at the dazzling array of delicacies on the long table.

And Roosevelt Del separated from other nobles as she expected and walked towards her.

Lilith pretended not to notice and turned around to leave.

"Miss Lilith, please stay."

"May I ask you are……"

"Haha, I'm sorry," Roosevelt Del smiled and raised his hand, "It seems that Miss Lilith has forgotten me, but I have never forgotten Miss Lilith in the past two years."

"Excuse me, when did we meet?"

Lilith still wore a smile that was not polite, and listened to Roosevelt Del talk about the encounter they had at a certain ball.

If she hadn't read the information Klaus had prepared today, she would have indeed forgotten the dance she attended when she was young.

"Since that fateful meeting, Miss Lilith has been inseparable from my mind..."

The prelude to the next song has already played, and Roosevelt Del takes this opportunity to invite Lilith to dance with her.

This unfolds just as the script prepared by Lilith unfolds. Now she is just a noble lady who was suddenly courted.

"Although we didn't have many opportunities to communicate in the past meetings, I believe there will be plenty of time to get to know each other in the future..."

"...It's a great honor."

Lilith plays her character to perfection with a sense of guilt and guilt that fills her heart.

…………