AN: Little to say here. Let's keep doing our best~!!!! Hope you guys enjoy this chapter~!





"Eh? Baby, what did you say?"

"Ehehe, Lu-nii and I have a surprise for you and the guests."

"Hm? I haven't heard about this."

"Of course, dad. I've been keeping it a secret after all. The only ones who knew about this is Lu-nii, my maid Anne and Axel."

"...I'd have something to talk to Axel about keeping secrets regarding my little baby."

Geh... D-Dad, your eyes are terrifying you know?

"D-Dad, please don't get mad at Axel. I'm the one who told him not to tell anyone."

"Hah... Okay."

"Thank you, dad! Now then, please excuse me."

"...Lucas, take care of your little sister."

"A-Ahahaha.... I understand. Then please excuse us."

Hm~ I'm kinda nervous but this is going to be fun! It's been a while since I've done it! Not since that performance in my drama club.

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[Third Person POV]

As the guests were enjoying the party, a maid and the duke's aide suddenly went and prepared a piano on the stage where the duke's daughter introduced herself.

The guests started whispering to each other, wondering what was about to happen. But then, the young lady and young master of the Lorya family took the stage after thanking their servants.

Axel activated his wind magic spell which amplifies the voice of a person. Most, if not, all wind magicians who hold the position of a high ranking noble's aide would have to master this spell.

The reason dates back to when the Kingdom was still at war against monsters that threatened it. In order for the commanders, who were usually high ranked nobles, to convey their orders to their army, they must have someone on their side able to do so if they couldn't do it themselves.

Though now, it wasn't that strict of a requirement but more of a convenience.

The young lady of the Lorya family, who managed to grasp the hearts of many in this hall in such a short period of time due to her beauty, gracefulness and intelligence, caught the attention of the guests as she started to speak.

"Honored noble ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention."

Her young, charming, bell-like voice resounded throughout the large hall, causing everyone to turn their attention towards her.

"Thank you very much for attending my debutante. As a token of appreciation to you, honored guests, and my parents for preparing such a grand party for myself, I would like to present to you a song along with my dear big brother. The title of this song is "In this Silent Night"."

Murmurs started to erupt from the guests. It was the first time they've heard about the young lady's ability to sing.

No, rather they'd be more impressed than surprised if Alterisa could sing as well. She was already such a perfect lady and every noble house whose son still didn't have a fiance had already planned to send a proposal to Duke Lorya.

The capture targets and villainess who heard this were also surprised. The girl who managed to capture their hearts and whom they came to admire in such a short period of time, how could she keep surprising them?

Most guests expected it to be a normal performance. However, the young master of Lorya's house was famous for being prodigious in playing the piano. So that was one thing they could look forward to in her performance.

However, they never expected her performance to be the best performance they've ever seen in their life.

Alterisa closed her eyes and started singing in an incredibly beautiful voice.

In this quiet night, I'm waiting for you

So come take back the smile you forgot back then

Just a little time has passed since then

And the memories have become gentle

In the place where stars fall

I was always hoping

That you were smiling

Though now we're far apart

We can meet again, right?

The entire hall went silent as she sang. Everyone, without an exception, stood speechlessly in awe. Males her age all had a blush in their faces and a longing gaze as they watched Alterisa. All of them wished they were the one Alterisa referred to in her song.

When did your smile become so fleeting?

Since it was broken by that one mistake

Change only what's precious to you into light

With strength that can cross over the distant sky

Alexus's heart started beating faster as he listened to her song. Was he the one she referred to? He fell in love with her all over again after discovering this side of her. He never knew that behind her cheerfulness lay an incredibly romantic girl who longed for her beloved.

Who could it be? Was it someone else? Suddenly, a wave of jealousy and anxiousness spread in his heart. Numerous scenarios of Alterisa falling in love with another man started flooding his mind, making him fear for the future. He had never felt this way before. He had never truly felt fear of losing someone or something he held dear.

But then he saw her looking at him.

I want to send my feelings to you

To the place where stars fall

I will always be at your side

All her fear and anxiousness were washed away with that one smile. In that moment, he vowed. He will protect her smile and make her the happiest girl in this world no matter what. Even if it means giving up on his...

To embrace you when you're cold

And though we're far apart now, we'll surely meet again

In this quiet night...

Alterisa placed her hands in front of her chest and closed her eyes as the song came to an end.

...

...W-Why is it so silent?

Alterisa became slightly panicked, fearing that her voice was too atrocious that no one could believe what they just heard.

...L-Let's smile.

She smiled and bowed courteously along with Lucas, thanking them for paying attention to her performance despite the horror of it.

And I actually thought it was pretty good...

This was one of her favorite songs that she sang frequently as Akari. She had a nice singing voice back then, and as Alterisa, her voice was even better now. That's why she felt slightly disappointed that it wasn't well received by the guests.

Maybe that type of song isn't popular in this world... And Lu-nii played it so well too... Hah... I'm sorry Lu-nii.

But suddenly, one, two then numerous claps resounded and filled the entire grandhall in a deafening cheer.

W-Wha-?! D-Do they like it?

Alterisa looked around and saw them smile widely.

Feeling immense relief and joy, Alterisa unknowingly flashes her genuine smile, a wide toothy smile which looked incredibly pure and beautiful.

The noblemen and ladies all felt their heart skip a beat when they saw her smile while the young men all fell deeply in love with her in that moment. No matter how different they were brought up or how different their personalities were, all of them thought of the same thing at that moment. They wanted Alterisa to direct that smile solely for them.

Of course, this feeling was shared by the captured targets and even the villainesses who came to this party.

On the other hand, the young noble ladies were all awestruck by her performance and smile. Admiration, respect, affection, and the desire to get closer to her filled their hearts.

This was the birth of the future "Alterisa-sama Admirers' Club" which would become the largest student organization in the Royal Magic Academy in history.

Lisa and Altair immediately went to hug their precious daughter.

"Why didn't you tell us that you can sing that magnificently, Risa?"

"Ehehehe~ It's a surprise after all! Are you two surprised?"

"Of course we are, baby! I'm so proud of you!"

"Yay~! Huggies with mommy!"

"Ah, that's not fair Lisa! Risa, please hug daddy too."

"Yes, daddy! Huggies!!!"

"Lucas, come here. I'm so proud of you as well!"

"Thank you very much, mom, dad."

The applause continued for a long time, even after the Lorya family separated from their group hug and talked between each other in laughter.

Alterisa was immediately approached by numerous noblemen, trying to introduce their sons to her or at least leave an impression.

Seeing Alterisa troubled by the unending waves of noblemen trying to butter up to her, her family, capture targets and villainess all helped her by approaching her themselves.

They were all high ranked nobles, thus not everyone could just barge into their conversation.

It was a win-win situation, especially for them.

"Risa-sama! That was such a magnificent performance! I'm very touched!"

"R-Risa-sama, I-I'm truly touched by your performance!"

"Risa-sama, your voice is so angelic!"

"Risa-chan! That was very great! Let's sing together next time!"

Ah~ They're all so cute~! This is heaven!

Evelyn, Illya, Noir, and Valerie immediately came and surrounded Alterisa who's now in cloud nine.

However, the blonde haired prince took Alterisa's attention.

"Risa, I was once again surprised. I thought I knew everything about you, but it seems I was mistaken. You've once again shown me a new side of you I've never known. That was truly a brilliant performance. You were so lovely."

Alexus took her hand, knelt down and placed a gentle kiss on it, causing the villainesses and other capture targets except Lucas to widen their eyes in surprise.

He looked at her with love in his eyes and a blush on his cheeks.

"Y-Your highness! Thank you very much for your kind words, however I do not think such a thing is appropriate! Especially since the two of us aren't engaged!"

"Hehe, as expected. Altair-sama haven't told you about it, didn't he?"

"Eh?"

"Please look forward to it, my cute Risa."

Alex brings her hand closer to him and kisses it once more.

"W-Wha-!"

"Y-Your highness! Are you..."

Keith raised his voice slightly and looked at the crown prince, the one he considered his rival.

"What's the matter, Keith?"

Alex merely showed him his usual smile. However, Keith realised something. Alexus had become his rival in this matter as well... What's more, he was even more of a threat as a rival than in other subjects.

Luke silently looked towards the crown prince who's conversing with Keith and the girls. He looked at Alterisa, the girl who caused his heart to feel warm, and Alexus, the boy who now caused a faint pain in his heart, back and forth.

He didn't know what those feelings were. However, when he looked at Alterisa, he knew that he wanted to get closer to her. She was so radiant and kind. She was different from other girls who approached him just for his looks or reputation as the Royal Guard Commander's son. And she truly got along with his beloved little sister.

"Onii-sama, come here! Let's talk with Alterisa-sama together!"

"A-Ah..."

Noir dragged her brother since he was the only one out of the loop. She didn't know why, but she felt she had to have her brother get along with Alterisa. If he did, then Alterisa would be with her more!

Such was the thought of the four year old girl.

Alterisa spent the rest of the time before her magic test together with her friends, the capture targets and villainesses in laughter.

These girls and boys are so nice! I can't believe the game Alterisa would piss them off!

She grumbled in her mind.

Well, I'm now Alterisa so I'll get along with them very well! We'll be best friends in no time!

After a while, Altair and Lisa came to pick up Alterisa.

"Risa, it's time for your magic affinity test."

"Let's go baby."

"Yes! Well then, excuse me everyone."

Alterisa curtsied and followed her parents with excitement visible from her face and steps.

It's finally time!