An Ultra-Extroverted Friend Is Overwhelming, Death……
………
The Sokolov family's carriage procession entered through the north gate on the outskirts of Eisenfels.
Even from the procession alone, the Sokolovs' defining character was unmistakable. Flashy banners and ornamentation were kept to an absolute minimum, and instead everything about them was arranged with a hard, purposeful tidiness.
The crest emblazoned on the carriages was a modest design — a silver border set against a deep green field. The horses pulling them, too, seemed to have been selected for strength and endurance rather than beauty.
The guards and servants lined up to receive the procession. Eliza stood at my side, calmly continuing her briefing.
"Count Sokolov's family is known for prizing practicality above all. It is said that the reason they ultimately won the shipbuilding competition within the Grand Duchy was precisely their pursuit of efficiency over spectacle."
Though my memory of it was faint, Katerina had met Milena Sokolov a few times before — at the last Winter Festival, or at a handful of gatherings for the young noble ladies.
But the Katerina of those days had been indifferent to politics and had barely socialized with the other noble daughters, so all that remained of Milena in my memory was an impression of tall redhead.
No, wait — 'tall redhead'? That's embarrassingly half-hearted of me…….
Bielka, meanwhile, was fretting over the final inspection of the welcome table laid with wafers and fruit. As an apprentice maid, she had worked herself to the bone these past several days preparing for Milena's visit.
"It's all right, Bielka. You'll do wonderfully, you will, wa."
"Th-thank you, my lady……?"
When I patted her head, Bielka blushed and yet somehow looked quietly delighted.
Hmm, now I sort of want to tease her.
Unfortunately, I couldn't keep playing with Bielka. The Sokolov carriage had come to a stop in the citadel courtyard — it was time to go out and greet them.
Her attendants moved swiftly to open the carriage door, and a middle-aged man stepped down first. Likely the Sokolov family's butler. He wore an immaculately groomed beard and a pair of piercing eyes.
Two bodyguards took up positions on either side, and at last she made her appearance.
Milena Sokolov's appearance was rather different from what I had imagined. Her crimson hair, falling to her shoulders, was brushed neatly back. What surprised me even more was the color of her eyes.
Red eyes. The same color as Katerina's, only a shade deeper.
She was dressed in a riding outfit both modest and active — a deep teal blouse paired with black trousers. Practical clothing that lost none of its elegance for it.
"Milena Sokolov! Lady Katerina, it's truly been far too long!"
Milena's voice was bright and cheerful. She approached with her hand outstretched, a radiant smile spreading across her face.
"We haven't met once since the Winter Festival, have we? How long has it been, then? Almost half a year. There were so few chances to actually talk back then — such a shame."
Milena's expression overflowed with the joy of reuniting with an old friend.
Ugh, why does she radiate the aura of a massive extrovert…….
Was the original Katerina an extrovert or an introvert? By nature, an extrovert — but I, possessing her body, lean toward the introverted. The combined current me would land somewhere in the middle.
Which is to say, to a moderate like me, Milena — the ultimate extreme extrovert — was quite an overwhelming presence.
Still, thanks to Milena's greeting, the memories grew more vivid. At the Winter Festival, Milena had certainly made her presence known. She stood out even among the other noble daughters, driving conversation forward with tireless energy, and she was a skilled dancer besides.
Oh, right, she also did pretty well at the sparring matches. What weapon did she use again…?
Whoops — first things first. Greetings.
"Milena. Welcome to Eisenfels, wa."
When we shook hands, I was surprised by her unexpectedly firm grip. Definitely stronger than Natasha's. Perhaps all that handling of ships and sailing had toughened her up.
"Wow, you still use that unique way of speaking! It's just adorable."
At Milena's signal, an attendant brought forward a small case.
"I've brought a small gift for you, Lady Katerina. A model of the newest sailing ship built at the Sokolov shipyard — crafted from silver produced right on our own lands."
"It's very…… splendid. Thank you, wa."
For my part, all I could think looking at that ship model was well made, I suppose — but to the original Katerina, it seemed to be a toy perfectly suited to her tastes. Her heart gave a small flutter, and her mood visibly brightened.
So she picked a gift tailored to Katerina's tastes? How on earth did she know that?
I couldn't say, but she must have found some way to learn it. Milena was clearly no ordinary opponent. Raising my internal assessment of her by a full notch, I sharpened my guard.
"How was your journey, wa?"
"Smooth, as always. Just like the last time I came to Eisenfels. Especially the stretch passing through Volkov territory, if you know what I mean."
There was a strange nuance threaded through Milena's words. Mentioning the Volkov family was unmistakably deliberate.
"Please, come inside, wa. We have tea prepared — let's talk over a cup."
Stepping into the drawing room, we were greeted by the tea table Bielka had arranged. Milena's face lit up at the sight of the porcelain cups.
"Oh, these cups! They're imported from overseas. The finest grade that our merchant ships often carry — seeing you use them too, Lady Katerina, makes me feel quite at home."
Milena lifted her cup and admired the blue patterns painted on the white porcelain, her fingertips tracing the rim with delicate care.
"You mean to say these cups came in through the Sokolov merchant fleet, wa?"
"Very likely. Hauling porcelain from the distant East overland would drive the cost to something absurd."
She smiled and took a sip of her tea.
"By the way…… is that rumor actually true? That you tamed an enormous northern bison, Lady Katerina, and rode it about catching thieves……"
Milena's red eyes sparkled with anticipation.
"Yes. The rumors of what happened at the Eisenfels livestock market and Baron Trofimov's ranch are true, wa."
"Wow, really? You tamed that colossal bison yourself? With your bare hands? And then rode it to subdue bandits……"
"It was mere chance, wa. I was visiting Baron Trofimov when the cattle thieves attacked, and I simply could not stand by and do nothing."
I answered in as neutral a tone as I could manage, leaving out any personal motive involving rescuing the Mountain King.
"Of course. I thought it a deed that showed the Grand Ducal daughter's righteousness admirably. Although……"
Milena still wore her smile, but the eyes fixed on me were not smiling at all.
"since that incident, a rumor has been spreading that Baron Trofimov is claiming 'the Grand Ducal daughter has taken our side.' Especially in Volkov territory."
"That is an exaggerated interpretation, wa. I merely drove off the bandits."
"Ah, of course! I thought exactly the same."
Milena laughed in relief. But whether another intent hid behind that smile, I couldn't tell.
"In that case…… might I see that bison with my own eyes? I believe you said its name was the Mountain King."
Milena's request surely went beyond the realm of mere curiosity. The Mountain King was my dear friend and my mount — but he was also a political symbol.
"Of course, wa. Let us go to the Mountain King's pen right away, wa."
I rose and gestured toward the corridor. Milena got up from her seat, beaming.
"How gracious of you. Thank you so much!"
We left the drawing room and walked along the broad corridor. Sunlight filtered between the citadel's windows, casting patterns across the stone floor.
"I've also heard that the Mountain King has been consorting with Baron Trofimov's cows."
Well, look at that?
Milena's casually dropped remark made it clear her network of information reached even the vicinity of Eisenfels.
"That's right. The Mountain King is like a friend of mine, so I let him live freely, essentially as he pleases, wa. Which means…… hmm, whatever females he chooses to court is hardly my business to interfere with, you know."
We passed along the corridor and headed for the inner garden. As we crossed it, Milena shifted the direction of the conversation.
"I'm envious that you have such a beautiful garden. Sokolov lands face the sea, so the salt in the air makes gardening rather difficult."
"But the sea grants its own advantages in return, doesn't it, wa? It's the gateway to trade, after all."
"True. It's the Sokolov family's chief asset."
Then, suddenly, Milena stopped walking and looked straight at me.
"Lady Katerina — if I'm to speak honestly……"
Her voice dropped lower.
"I'm worried about what's happening in the western reaches of the Grand Duchy."
So we've finally arrived at the real matter at hand?
Milena's expression had turned serious. From here on was the true purpose of this visit. My riding the Mountain King to crush Baron Trofimov's bandits must have registered, unmistakably, as a threat to the Sokolov–Dmitri alliance.