AN: Hope you guys enjoy this chapter~!!!! Risa is still picking up girls and boys left and right as naturally as she breathes~
All her life, Illya has always been bullied by her older sisters.
She is the daughter of her father's first wife who died when she gave birth to her. While her two older sisters were the daughters of his second wife.
Illya is a very beautiful girl. Her brown hair flowed smoothly to her waist. Her face was perfectly shaped like a cute doll. Her skin was also smooth and bright, free of any imperfections. She's someone who'd surely be a beauty when she grew up.
But because of that, she was bullied by her jealous sisters.
Her hair was the only connection she had with her birth mother who she never met. She loved and treasured it very dearly, even though it was the object of contempt by her sisters. They would always call her an ugly her with dirt hair, and bully her by yanking her hair or spilling tea on her head.
Being called ugly, stupid, and a nuisance everyday, the confidence and self esteeem of the 5 year old became incredibly low.
However, never once did she retaliate. Fear was a small part of it, but Illya believes although they were born from different mothers, they were still her sisters.
Her father loved her dearly, but he was so busy with work that he couldn't completely understand the situation in their house. Illya also didn't want to bother him, so she endured all the bullying by herself...
How dare they?! To think they would call such a cute and kind girl those kinds of things! They're the stupid ugly ones!
Even if they're not ugly on the outside, they're hideous on the inside!
They're here too right now, huh? How I want to just call them out and force them to leave this place!
...No, I can't do that. If I did, Illya would suffer even more when she got home.
Then I'll just tell this to dad and ask him to tell Illya's father that I'm her friend. I'll hint to him that Illya's being bullied in her household and ask him to let her father know!
Come to think of it, Illya's father is dad's subordinate right? Well, that just makes this easier!
But for now, I need to comfort her.
"Illya-sama. Will you listen to my story?"
Illya, who had been crying on my chest, started looking up at me. I was slightly taller than her after all. She looked even cuter at this angle.
"There was a girl who had been bullied by her sisters. Although she was also the daughter of the household, she was forced to become their servant. She cleaned the house, served her sisters, and even called names. However, she never hated them. She just wished that one day, she would find someone that would love her and cared for her."
Tears started to form on the edge of her eyes and she started looking down. She noticed how similar the girl in the story was to her.
Of course it was. The girl I'm talking about is the Illya in "Lovely Happenings". In the game, Lu-nii was the one who saved her. But because of that, if the Lu-nii now fell in love with another girl, she would surely be hurt. I don't want that.
That's why, I'll make a little twist to the story.
"One day, a fairy found her crying alone under the moonlight. She overheard her plight and pain, and decided to help the kind little girl.
The fairy cast a magic spell and created a dress as beautiful as her heart and also an invitation to the ball that the royal family held to find a fiance for the prince.
It was her dream to participate in a ball, and now she was given a chance to!
After thanking the fairy numerous times, the girl went to the ball and shocked everyone. All the boys turned their attention to her and fell in love while the girls looked at her in admiration. And her sisters were too shocked to even say anything.
Unlike the many girls who participated in the ball to fight for the prince's love, the girl was truly enjoying the ball. Waltzing to the music, living the life she had been dreaming of for years, she was feeling genuine happiness, and her happiness was shown in her smile.
She shined brighter than any jewels or stars in the starry night, and her smile caught the heart of the prince. He approached her and introduced himself as a man who wishes to have a dance with her.
As they danced, not as a prince and noble's daughter but as a man and a woman, their hearts slowly came together. And by the end of the song, they've fallen in love. That night, the girl was chosen as the prince's fiance, and they lived happily ever after."
Illya kept listening to me as I stroked her hair gently. Her cute little mouth was opened as she stared at me in a daze, immersed. Ehehehe~ How cute~!
"Illya-sama. I am not a fairy, and I can not cast such a spell on you. But please let me say this. You are a very beautiful person, both on the inside and outside. You are a kind person who never resented your sisters despite what they've done, and you are a very strong girl with a strong heart who kept on doing your best despite everything that had happened to you."
She continued to stare at me in a daze, listening to my words silently with full attention.
"That's why, please have more confidence in yourself. You are special. You are meant to be special. No matter what everyone says, you are a very special girl. And know that if you ever need my help, I will be happy to aid you."
In that moment of silence, tears started to flow down Illya's face. She hugged me so tightly, her face pressed onto my chest.
Ah, I'm sorry Illya. My breasts haven't grown yet so you might feel uncomfortable nuzzling to my hard, cutting board, pettan chest. But I promise there'll be something there in 6 or 7 years time! At least, that's what I'm hoping for...
Come on mom's genes! I want Alterisa's double D boobs!
I kept stroking her head while also secretly playing with it a little. Ah~ Her hair is so nice. I might haven't gone out a lot, but I've rarely seen brown hair in this world.
Seeing this brown hair reminded me of my previous world, though Illya's definitely more beautiful and silkier than any hair I've ever seen before. I feel so at ease.
"Moreover, I really love your hair, Illya-sama. It shines so beautifully under the moonlight and it looks and feels extremely smooth. It really soothes my heart."
I felt her flinch slightly, and when I looked down, I saw her face as red as a tomato. Ufufufu~ a shy beautiful girl is just the best! Thank you very much for the treat!!!
After a while, Illya managed to calm down.
"Now, Illya-sama, let's return to the party and enjoy ourselves there. I would like to recommend several desserts which I'm proud of since I suggested the idea to our chefs!"
"Yes! E-Eh?! A-Alterisa-sama did?! W-Wait... B-But would it be fine?"
"Hm? Of course! We are friends right?"
Illya stared at me for a moment with wide teary eyes. Why is she so surprised?! We just had a heart to heart right? Or was it only me?!
And just as I was thinking that, my worries were blown away with one word and a radiant smile from her.
"Y-Yes!"
--------------------------------X----------------------------------
After I spent some time with Illya, Lu-nii approached me again and told me that dad wanted to introduce me to someone again. This time, to the head of the Royal Court Magician.
How could Lu-nii always find me though? Oh, is it because I'm currently with Illya?
I looked towards her, but she seemed to just act very normally around Lu-nii. I thought she'd blush even more.
Ah, now she's blushing. Though why is it when she saw me looking at her...?
"Risa, who is this?"
"Ah, this is Illya von Luminum, a friend I just made a while ago. Illya-sama, this is my brother, Lucas von Lorya."
"It is nice to meet you, Lady Illya. It is an honor."
"Yes. It is very nice to meet you as well, Lucas-sama. Alterisa-sama has saved me and even eased the pain in my heart and become my friend. I feel very blessed to have met her tonight."
Oh stop~ You'll make me feel embarrassed~
"I'm glad. I hope my sister isn't bothering you."
"Of course not! I-In fact, I would like to spend more time with her... from now on..."
"Hehe~ Me too. Let's get along from now on, Illya-sama."
"Y-Yes! A-And please just call me Illya, A-Alterisa-sama."
"Can I? Then please just call me Risa, Illya."
"Hehehe~ Thank you very much!"
Ah~ How cute~! I must protecc this cinnamon roll~!!!
"...Ah, another one."
"Hm? What did you say, Lu-niisama?"
"It's nothing. By the way, Risa, before you go. Have you shown yourself to Prince Alexus?"
Geh... I-I forgot.
"...By that face I assume you forgot huh...? Be sure to show yourself to him soon, otherwise..."
*Gulp*
"B-But isn't his highness busy greeting other nobles? I wouldn't dare steal his time just for myself."
"Oh? So you're avoiding him?"
"N-N-No! N-Not in the slightest..."
I-I'm definitely not avoiding him on purpose... I-I'm just avoiding being eaten alive by the noble girls who keep approaching him...
"Hah... This will definitely be a big hit for that guy..."
Eh? What did he say?
"Anyway, just hurry up and find mom and dad. Don't make them wait."
"Yes. Then Illya, please excuse me."
"Yes! Let's meet again soon, Risa-sama!"
Ah~ How cute~ We'll definitely meet again soon, my cute little cinnabun~!!!!
--------------------------------X----------------------------------
I found my mom and dad fairly quickly and immediately greeted them.
"I am here, father, mother. Forgive my tardiness once again."
"Risa~! Call me "mom" or "mommy" like you usually do, baby~!"
"Call me "dad" too, Risa. I've told you right?"
R-Really now?! I-I'm really embarrassed here! Look, the lady leader of the Royal Court Magician and her daughter is looking at us with wide eyes!
"M-Mom... Dad..."
"That's my baby~ Now let me introduce you to my good friend. She is the first ever female Head of the Royal Court Magician, Lawliela von Magus, and beside her is her daughter, Valerie von Magus."
"It is an honor to meet you, Magus-sama. My name is Alterisa von Lorya. I have heard a lot about the greatest magician of Deruria Kingdom from my father and mother."
"It's very nice to finally meet you as well, Alterisa-kun. Lisa has been bragging about you very much, and I can see now that there wasn't much exaggeration."
Hawaaa~ She's so beautiful and sexy... Her long crimson red hair was tied into a ponytail, showing off her sexy nape, clavicles and her shoulders. She was slightly taller than mom and has a fit body in addition to being boing-boing in all the right places.
I'm willing to bet she has nice firm muscles under those dresses but still soft and squishy. Ah~ her body really is the embodiment of a woman's dream just like mom.
Her face is also really beautiful. She was a mixture of a cool but incredibly strong beauty that exudes elegance just by standing still. She was on par with my mom and Seara-sama. What's with the amount of beauties near me?! Not that I'm complaining~ I feel so blessed!
"It's nice to meet you, Alterisa-chan! My name is Valerie von Magus! I hope we can be friends!"
....V-Valerie?! T-That's right! I was so caught up with Lawliela-sama's beauty that I forgot! Her daughter is the villainess in Wilhelm's route!
She's an energetic and cheerful girl when she's young, and she grew up to become a girl with a really strong sense of duty just like her mother.
That's why when Wilhelm didn't take good care of himself and focused too much on magic, she would always be bugging him and take care of him. Though... Wilhelm was an idiot and considered her a nuisance.
When the heroine came, she allowed him to indulge in her research and made him interested in her.
This made her really jealous. She was a cheerful character, but deep inside, she was lonely since her mom and dad are always working.
She wanted someone to be with her. To be her friend and be by her side...
Poor girl! I'll never be like that idiot Wilhelm okay? He's just a lazy bum! He's not even here right now! I'll definitely be your friend!
"It's nice to meet you as well, Valerie-sama. I would gladly be your friend."
"Yay! I'm very happy! You're so cute, pretty, beautiful, and I can feel your magic power bursting out of you too!"
"T-Thank you very much..."
Hehehe... Having such a pure girl tell me I'm cute and pretty and beautiful is really embarrassing.
...
...Wait. What did she just say?
"I-Is that true?! Lala-chan, is my daughter talented in magic too?"
"Hah... I wanted to keep this a surprise until after the magic affinity test. But yes. Lisa, your daughter is extremely talented in magic. Her magic reserves are on the same level as Valerie who has magic reserves rivalling a royal court magician right now."
What?! Really?! Did she say my magic is similar to Valerie's?! Her magic is in the realm of geniuses though! I know Alterisa has potential but not this much!
I know I've been training with my magic power along with Lu-nii, but the only thing I know is that I could do most of the things I think of. They were mostly creating icicles, small ice weapons, and practicing making sorbets!
I guess I'll come to know when I test my magic potential later...
Alterisa! Why were you such an idiot! If what she said is true, then you could've done really cool things! Hehe, literally and figuratively.
Though if it's not truly Alterisa's innate potential, I wonder if it's because I'm a reincarnated person? Lu-nii's magic power is also very powerful, but I don't know if it's of the same level as the in game Lucas.
"Yay! Now I have a new friend and a rival! I'm so happy! Alterisa-chan, let's get along from now on okay?!"
"Yes! I would be happy to, Valerie-chan!"
Valerie started hugging me and nuzzled her head to my neck.
Ah~ So cute! She's just like a cute kitten. I swear I saw an imaginary cat's ears and tail when I'm stroking her head!
I know it's bad etiquette to immediately be this close to a noble girl you just meet. But our houses are similar in rank, our parents are really close friends and we're already friends! We've even called each other with -chan!
Ufufufu~ it's going to be fine~
Mom and dad were talking to Lawliela-sama about something, possibly about my magic, while I talked with Valerie on the side.
Though suddenly, someone tapped my shoulder.
Hm? Who dares interrupt my time with this cutie?!
I turned around and saw a blonde haired pretty boy smiling widely with an extremely dark and scary aura around him.
...Oh, it's Alexus.
"There you are, Alterisa. I've been looking for you ever since you've finished your greetings. It seems we've been missing each other. After all, you... wouldn't be avoiding me on purpose now, will you?"
Oh... Oh my God... I've angered the demon lord...
He has a very cute and radiant smile that made the girls around us squeal in delight, though Valerie seemed to be on guard.
But all I'm seeing is a demon lord smiling evilly.
"O-O-Of course not, your highness! I-I just thought it would be rude to take you away from greeting the honored guests that have spared their time to come to my debut party."
"Hm, I see."
His smile softened a bit, and the dark aura slightly receded.
Phew~ That was close.
"I appreciate your thought. But Risa, I would always make time for you. No matter if I'm busy, I will always go to your side if you need me."
Ah, there it is... This smile of his and those words would definitely smite all the girls my age. Hell, even the older ladies are looking at him right now with hearts in their eyes.
Well, his looks are top-notch and his words really felt genuine. It definitely made me blush. But...
"Your highness, I wouldn't like it if you neglect your duties just for my whims. I would prefer it if you complete your duties first and foremost before anything else."
Alexus looked surprised at my words. I guess he didn't expect this kind of reaction huh? Well, if it was other noble ladies, they might just say yes and melt under his gaze.
But thinking realistically, he's the crown prince who'll shoulder the future of this kingdom along with all its citizens in the future. He can't just neglect his duty just so he could play with me.
Yes, although I also like being with him, we all have our responsibilities that must come first, especially for someone like him.
Well, there will also come a time when he'd be overwhelmed and need rest. That's why, I'll say this.
"But please remember. If you need any help, I will gladly lend a hand to you and relieve some of your burden. I'm sure you are aware of my abilities, right? Then when we are done with work, we can have fun. I will gladly accompany you in whatever past time you might want.
Oh, and for today, I've also prepared a special dessert for this occasion that you haven't even tried yet! It would be a great refresher for you since you've been doing your greetings ever since the start of the party. I am sure you will find it delicious. After all, I made it to your taste!"
Alex froze with his surprised expression, staring at me as if he just heard something unbelievable.
But then, he started chuckling and smiled very widely. His eyes looked at me so affectionately...
Ah, he's so handsome! Is this the power of the main capture target?! Even my heart skipped a beat for a second there!
I've seen his affectionate expression when he confessed to the heroine, but this one is on a whole other level! What's with this level of destructiveness?! Captain, at this rate, our defense might not hold out! The enemy's attack is too intense! Too passionate!
"Hehehe, you never do cease to amaze me, Risa."
He took my hand and knelt down.
Eh? W-What are you doing?! V-Valerie and her mother are still here you know?! E-Even my parents are-
"I shall promise you this. I will never neglect my duties as crown prince so I can create an even brighter future for our kingdom. But, when I get tired or troubled, will you be there for me?"
W-What is he saying? Of course I'll be there for him. We're best friends!
"Of course. We are best friends, after all. Right, Alex?"
He smiled and kissed my hand.
Ara~ How princely~
Keith should really take notes from him if he wants to capture the heart of a maiden. It made even my heart, the heart of the famed prince of the drama club, flutter.
Then suddenly, the sound of the dance music resounded throughout the entire grand ballroom.
Ah, it's time for the dance.
But before I could say anything, Alex stood back up while still holding my hand.
"May I have this first dance, Risa? Well, I won't take no for an answer. After all, you've promised me, right?"
A-Ahahaha, that's right. Well, I actually don't mind though.
And... Dancing with him sounds like a great idea right about now.
"Of course. It would be my honor, Alex."
I smiled and let him lead me to the centre of the dance floor after excusing ourselves from my parents, Lady Lawliela, and Valerie. Completely forgetting that the first dance of an unengaged noble girl would have to be with a male member of their own family.
But apparently, this didn't make a huge scandal because of reasons I'll soon find out.
We started dancing slowly to the tune of the music.
Fufufu~ Witness my dancing techniques! As the "prince", I've waltzed and danced for dance scenes with my "princess". I've also done musicals so I'm confident in my dancing ability.
Though... I needed some time to adjust since I'm dancing the female part now. But don't worry, I'm completely used to it now!
"You're very good at dancing as always, Risa."
"Hehe, you as well, Alexus. I guess I should say, as expected of the crown prince?"
"I don't want to shame you in your debut party, after all, so I've been practicing."
"Really? Hah... Just when did you find the time for it? On top of your responsibilities and visiting me so frequently, you've been so busy as is. Are you really okay?"
"Hehe, I'm fine, Risa. Oh, by the way, where have you been going when I was greeting the guests?"
"I've been tasting the desserts prepared this evening! I must say, I'm very happy at how they turn out and I'm quite proud of them!"
I say with a proud smile, causing him to chuckle.
"Is that so? But I've heard from Lucas that you've met some... interesting individuals, haven't you?"
"Oh yes! I've met the son of Duke Varion, Keith, though he was the one who approached me. Then I accidentally met the daughter of Duke Sillium, Evenlyn. Oh, I've also met the children of the Royal Guard Commander, Leon and Noir. I also met the daughter of Marquis Luminum, Illya! Then as you may know, I've also met with Lady Magus's daughter, Valerie! Ah~ They're all so adorable and cute! Did you know? Illya hugged me-"
I ranted on, not noticing how affectionately Alexus was smiling at me as he held my hand and waist tighter and closer to him, and the many guests who were entranced by our dance. It seems we are the centre of attention, but of course I only realised it after we were done.
The music came to a stop and we seperated with a bow for him and a curtsy for me.
"Then, I'll be going to talk with Duke and Lady Lorya okay?"
Hm? What will they be talking about?
...No idea.
"Hm? Sure. Will you tell me what you're talking about later?"
"Hehe, I think you'll find out sooner or later."
"...Okay?"
After making me curious, Alexus left and I was approached by Lu-nii for the dance.
"Hi, Lu-nii~"
"Hah... We're still in public, Risa."
"It's fine, it's fine~ There's no need to be such a stickler~ They'll just think we're close brother and sister. Or, are you afraid the ladies will get jealous?"
"Nah. Let's tell mom and dad about this first then go."
"Alright!"