[Alterisa's POV]

"Hehehe~ Alterisa-sama~"

"Hm~? What is it, Noir?"

"Nn~ It's nothing~"

Hm? Noir seems super happy? Did something good happen to her?

It was the day after my secret meeting with Evelyn. And currently, Noir, Valerie-chan, Illya, Ellie, and I were on our way to the garden for lunch. We've bought our meals from the dining hall, and we're bringing them along with us in a cute, straw basket.

As we're walking, Noir and Valerie-chan linked their arms around mine, and now, I look like a young, playboy with two super cute girls in both hands.

It was amazing... It was truly amazing.

Having two flowers in both of my hands, and two more shining their smile upon me. It was a truly befitting sight for the Prince of the Drama Club such as myself.

But they seemed even happier than me!

Noir has been giggling ever since she linked up with me, while Valerie was humming a tune as we walked arm in arm.

Oooh~ They must be enjoying acting like this when we're in public~ Ufufufu~

Normally, such conduct does not befit a noble lady, after all. But since this is the academy, this level of conduct is fine. And they must be so happy to be able to finally relax their shoulders and not have to mind about the strict etiquette all young noble ladies must adhere to 24/7.

I would've been on cloud nine if this happened before I had my talk with Evelyn, but now, I can't stop thinking about what she could be talking about with Keith.

The image of the ever-smiling Evelyn talking so seriously like that with Keith couldn't leave my mind. And I'm honestly worried for her...

I tried to ask her about it multiple times yesterday, but Evelyn just brushed it off and began distracting me by feeding me the desserts!

She even said the legendary "Aaaaaaaahn~" to me! Of course I can't reject her!

And before I knew it, it was already too late, and she returned to her room...

"Hah..."

"Hm? Is something bothering you, Alterisa-sama?"

Noir looked up to me and tilted her head questioningly.

Gufuu! T-That expression is unfair... S-She's so cute...

"Nn... I'm just wondering what is happening with Evelyn. She seemed... troubled recently."

Noir looked at me for a moment before a bright smile bloomed on her face.

"Hehe~ I'm sure she is fine, Alterisa-sama~ Please don't worry~ If she is troubled, I'm sure she will talk to us~ Then, we will help her to the best of our abilities~"

"Mm... I hope so."

Am I overthinking things...? No one else seems to be worried. I mean, I know Evelyn is a very competent girl, but... I can't help but worry.

Hah... I feel like I've been worrying a lot lately... I blame the heroine for this.

We soon arrived at the garden and we immediately took a table for ourselves. The garden at the center of the academy was very popular because of its beauty and the open space. Many students and teachers went to eat here instead of in the dining room since they could also get a breath of fresh air and feel the sun on their skin after a long day indoors.

Fortunately, we got quite a large, circular table that could fit all of us, including Evelyn and Celine who will be joining us later.

So to not waste anymore time, we all began our meal.

As usual, we all shared our dishes with one another, almost making it family style, as we ate and chatted. It's a breach of etiquette to do it outside. But inside the academy, we are, once again, given quite a degree of freedom. So we did it and had a lot of fun trying out each others' dishes. Because of that, we made quite a lot of progress in trying out each and every dish on the dining hall's menu. Hopefully, they'll rotate out some of the menus we've already tried so we can continue trying new things.

While we were eating, I suddenly sensed a familiar magical presence approaching us.

Valerie-chan also seemed to notice it, and she immediately perked up and looked towards the direction it's coming from with puffed cheeks.

"What are you doing here, Wilhelm? Go away! We're eating!"

Valerie-chan started before she got closer to me and hugged my arm.

In response, I saw Wilhelm's eyes twitched in annoyance as he approached us. And when he arrived before me, he lifted the stack of papers he had been holding to us.

"I can see that, you brat. I'm just here to give these to you. It's from the master. They're your assignments."

Eh...? Assignments...? Seriously...?

Lawliela-sama... I love you. I really do. But why do you still make us help you with your own research while we're in the academy...?

I thought we won't be getting any... Or at least not this many! That's a stack of papers! Not just a few pages!!!

"Eeeeeh~? Mom's giving us more homework? I thought she'll decrease the amount while we're in the academy! What are her assistants doing?!"

"This is already reduced, and I've taken some of your share for myself. So stop complaining and take them. Master said she'd feel more comfortable entrusting these to us instead of those "interns"."

"Take some more, Wil! You have nothing to do anyway, right?!"

Wilhem's lips twitched in annoyance.

"You little... I'm also a student of this academy. I have classes and assignments as well. Now stop complaining and take them!"

Hah... These two are always fighting whenever they see each other... I wonder why.

I mean, they spoke harshly to each other in the otome game, but they still cared for each other deeply. After all, they're childhood friends who met frequently while they're being taught under Lawliela-sama.

And when the heroine took the chance to wedge herself in between Wilhelm and Valerie-chan when he got angry with her, only Valerie-chan became angry at him while Wilhelm just ignored her and paid attention to the heroine.

But now... they're like cat and mouse. They wouldn't stop fighting until I broke them apart...

*Sigh* Is this my life now?

"Now now, you two. Please stop fighting."

I smiled helplessly and petted Valerie-chan's beautiful crimson hair, and took the stack of papers from Wilhelm.

"Thank you for this, Wilhelm. I'll hand it back to you once we're done. Does Laweliela-sama need these soon?"

Knowing her, she might want this done by the end of the week, which is in three days. If so, I'll need to start working on them tonight.

Wilhelm narrowed his gaze at Valerie-chan once again before he turned to me with a slight smile.

"She didn't specify. But I think the sooner the better. You know how master is."

"Alright. I'll bring these to you as soon as possible."

"Mm."

"Is there anything else?"

"Ah, well... "

He began scratching her head in hesitance.

Eh? What's wrong? Why's the broccoli suddenly acting like this? This is so not like him... Did something happen?

He looked at me for a moment before sighing and giving me a helpless smile.

"...It's nothing. I feel better now that I've met you after meeting that girl..."

Hm? That girl...?

Wait, could it be...? Is he talking about Aria?

Did she meet him? Did she trigger some kind of event with him too? Which event was it? Did it happen recently? If it was recently, then was it his first meeting with her?

"Wilhelm, what's wrong? Did you perhaps meet with... Aria?"

I asked, lowering my voice so that only the girls and Wilhelm could hear.

And to my question, Wilhelm's eyes widened in surprise.

Ah... He really did meet with Aria!

"What did she say to you? What did she do?"

Come on, answer me, broccoli! I need to know... I need to know so I can prepare against it! I need to warn Valerie-chan too! If she planned on going for Wilhelm, then she'll be her target!

He let out a deep sigh to my question.

"Yes... I did meet with a girl named Aria. But we didn't talk much... She just approached me all of a sudden, but I quickly made up some excuse and walked away. I've heard about how much of a problem she was from Valerie."

"I see..."

Phew... Alright. That's good... Good job on warning him, Valerie-chan!!!

Hah... Seems like we dodged another event, girls~

"She's... the one that has been bothering you, isn't she?"

"Hm?"

I turned my attention back to Wilhelm, and this time, he looked serious. His eyes were somehow sharper than usual.

I smiled helplessly and shook my head.

"Bothering... is a strong word. She hasn't done anything in particular that would harm me. She's just-"

"Yes she is! She's been glaring and clicking her tongue whenever she sees Risa-chan! It's honestly very annoying! And judging by the rumors, I'm sure she'll try something to harm Risa-chan"

Valerie-chan said strongly and crossed her arms in a fit of anger. And because she raised her voice, the other students sitting around us heard it and began whispering amongst themselves.

"Now now, Valerie-chan. She hasn't done anything, so we can't say that she's "bothering" me. It's just... I always feel uneasy in her presence. That's all..."

I said the former part loudly to correct what Valerie-chan said, and said the later part slightly quieter.

I don't want anyone to misunderstand. If they do, Aria might use it as a weapon and tell everyone that we're framing her for something she didn't even do, making us the bad guys.

We really need to be careful with someone as crafty as her.

Wilhelm's eyes narrowed.

"Is it a spell?"

"I would be happy if it is. That way, I can just dispel it and be done. But it's not. It's just... Hah, nevermind. It's not something I wish to talk about right now during our meal..."

Seriously... If I think about it anymore, I'll lose my appetite...

"Alright... If you need to talk about it, well... You know where to find me."

He said in a soft, comforting tone with a handsome expression.

Heh, what are you doing making a face like that, you broccoli? That's the kind of face you showed only to your "destined" one right? I know you because that's what you said yourself when you confessed to the heroine in the otome game.

Fufufufu~ But I'm happy. The little bratty broccoli has finally learned empathy~ This prince can't be more proud of you, boy.

"Thank you, Wilhelm. I'll do so."

I smiled softly at him. Is this how it feels to be a proud mother? Ah~ They grow up so fast~

It feels as if he was just whining in a pool of mud after I defeated him just yesterday. And now, he's already learning how to care for his friends~ Ufufufu~

"Y-You're welcome! Then, I'll leave you to your meal. I'll see you later."

"Mm. See you later."

Wilhelm bowed with a nod and walked away briskly.





AN: I hope you guys enjoy this chapter~! Please vote and comment your thoughts~!