AN: Hope you enjoy this week's chapter~~~~!!!







[3rd person perspective]

Within the royal chambers of the first princess of Deruria, Lily sat on her bed with a book in her little hands. It was not a children's book, considering its thickness and the complicated contents regarding economics that is discussed. It was an advanced textbook that she requested from her brother's tutor, and there were more books of the same kind laying around her.

"Hmmm~ It honestly looks like our economics textbooks back in Japan. The topics discussed were almost all the same."

News of the first princess being a genius for being able to read and talk at such a young age had become a frequent topic within the castle as well as tea parties between high-ranking noble ladies. Not to mention, her ability to comprehend advanced topics that even scholars have trouble understanding was extremely shocking!

In addition to the crown prince and the daughter of Duke Lorya's brilliance, many could already see the bright future and prosperity these genius young children could bring to the kingdom.

Hana put down the book and picked another one from the pile and skimmed through it..

She had skimmed through many academic books that she could get her hands on and she couldn't help but notice the level of these "advanced" academic books were similar to her high-school textbooks. Honestly, it was as if she's reading the high-school level reference books she'd use in school.

"Well, I guess it should be expected. Our previous world is far more advanced after all. Oh, that's also the excuse the developers made when some people asked why the exam questions in the game were too easy. Well, we all know it's because they want everyone to be able to solve it and move on with the game."

Hana mused to herself, recalling the time she played the game. There was a recurring event in the game called the "Exam Event" where players need to solve questions and pass a certain score to unlock a special event. It will happen at the end of every semester, and according to whose route players are in, they will experience different special events with them.

"Hm~ Well, this just means I'll have a breeze with those lessons~ More time to spend with Risa and Lulu~!"

Just then, a knock came at her door.

"Lily, do you have a moment?"

"Hm? Nii-sama? Sure. Come in."

The door opened and Lily jumped off her bed, throwing her books to the side, and curtsied to her elder brother. In contrast to her messy hair and pajamas, her curtsy was the epitome of perfection and elegance, something that a girl as young as her shouldn't have been able to accomplish.

Seeing the disheveled appearance of her little sister, Alexus frowned and let out a deep sigh.

"Lily, you should pay attention to your appearance more. Have you seen yourself in the mirror?"

"Eh~? I don't have any plans on going out today, so does it matter?"

"Yes it does. What would the servants think if they saw you like this."

"No one is coming aside from Reytia, my personal maid, and she has seen me like this countless times. I don't see a problem with my appearance."

"...I'm sure she has."

Shaking his head, Alexus decided to give up on this matter and moved onto the thing he wanted to talk about. His little sister had truly inherited their parent's... eloquence with words.

"So? What could it be, brother?"

Lily turned heels and jumped back to her bed after Alexus closed the door behind him, earning her another furrowed eyebrows from her brother.

"I'm here to ask for your advice."

She let out an uninterested hum.

"So about Risa-chan, right?"

"...Yes."

"Well, what would you like to know?"

"I would like to ask how could I make Risa see me as a man and f-fall in love with m-me..."

The prince trailed off from his sentence as a wave of shyness washed over him after realizing what he just said.

Lily raised her head a bit, looked at her brother, and laid back down.

"Dear brother, I truly want Risa-chan to be my sister-in-law. This is the truth. However, the answer you seek is something you need to find by your own strength. She is very dense, as I'm sure you've already noticed, and not to mention the many rivals you have in this battle, so you need to be more direct."

Alexus couldn't help but flinch at his younger sister's words. Simply recalling the many young men and women his fiancee had seduced, albeit unknowingly, had caused him headaches.

But he quickly shook those thoughts away and listened to her next words.

"Think about why you love Risa-chan and show it through your words and actions. Show it not as the crown prince, but as Alexus. Be genuine, because you want her to marry you, not the crown. If you are genuine with your feelings, then I'm sure she will reciprocate with her genuine feelings as well."

"Genuine..."

His hand moved to his chest and clenched into a fist. A realization came to his mind.

"I see. Thank you, Lily. Your words have helped me see more clearly."

The princess sprung up from her bed and grinned cheekily at her brother.

"Really? Great! Now go make Risa-chan my sister-in-law!!! I'll be sure to spend as much time as I can with her once she comes live with us!!!"

"Hah... Yes yes. But I will be the one marrying her, Lily, not you. So remember to give us our private time as husband and wife."

"We'll see about that, dear brother~ As I am sure she will choose to spend time with this cute me than you~"

"... You may dream as you wish."

With a final sigh, Alexus turned his heels and exited his little sister's room.

Lily plopped back into her bed and stared at the ceiling with a smile on her face.

"Hehehe~ Good luck, Akari-chan~"

--------------------------------X--------------------------------

[Alterisa's POV]

It's finally here. The day I have been dreading but also excited for since I made the request to Roland-sama.

I woke up super early today to prepare myself, wore a simple cotton shirt and short pants, and headed to the courtyard where Roland-sama is waiting.

But wait... Why's there one extra guy here? Why is this anti-social, stoic guy here?

"A very good morning to you, Raeven-sama, Luke-sama. I thank you for setting a part of your time to accede to my request."

"Good morning, Alterisa. It seems you are ready for this morning's training."

He looked at my outfit and nodded in satisfaction. Hm? Did I wear something special?

Wait... Oooh, I see. I guess wearing this kind of clothing would be unthinkable for noble ladies my age, even if it's for exercising and if they're exercising too.

But I wanted to be comfortable! Who in their right mind would want to run in a long skirt?! That'll just be a trip hazard!

"Of course. Since Raeven-sama has graciously spent his time training me, I should also do my best and reach your expectations."

Roland-sama nodded once again and began explaining what we'll be doing for the day.

Since it's my first day, I'll be doing many exercises meant to acclimate my body to his training and increase my overall physical capabilities. So running, strength training, flexibility training, agility training, etc.

Humu humu... That makes sense.

But one thing bothers me...

Why do I feel this strong gaze from my side...?

I stole a glance to my sight for a split second. Ah, he's still staring...

What?! Why are you staring at me?! It's another story if Noir is the one staring at me. If that was the case, then I'll gladly welcome it and show off my cool side to her! But why is he staring at me?!

Uhm... Luke-sama? You do understand that it is rude to stare at a lady as fine as myself like that right? Please tell me you do, 'cause it's starting to get weird.

"Alright. Now, start with your run around the mansion. Luke, you as well."

"Yes!"

"Yes."

--------------------------------X--------------------------------

[Luke's POV]

Today was the day. The day I will go and visit Duke Lorya's Household along with my father to help train their eldest daughter, Alterisa von Lorya.

She was someone my little sister adored and admired very much, so much that she would always mention her name along with the many good things about her to me everyday since the day they met.

It was the first time I've seen her this excited, even including the time she talked about her books.

I was bewildered. Why did she adore her so much?

Although there is no denying Lady Alterisa's beauty, she was... a strange girl. When I first met her, she did not even spare me a prolonged glance like many other noble ladies would. Instead, she was more excited to see my little sister, something other noble ladies wouldn't do because I would usually be there with her.

Noir was a shy girl ever since she was little. She never had any friends because she couldn't socialise well with the other noble ladies. Lady Alterisa was the first one to have managed to make her way into her heart.

However, that wasn't the only reason why I saw her as a strange girl.

In my whole life and after meeting many countless young noble ladies, there wasn't a single time I've heard those words coming from their lips.

I would like to learn combat and self-defense skills from Roland-sama.

While my father had received countless of such requests before, he had never once received it from a young noble lady.

A noble lady, requesting the royal guard commander to teach her combat and self-defense skills were unheard of. At most, she would most likely ask the captain of her household's guards to train her for a bit, before she inevitably got bored and gave up. But she immediately requested such a thing to the Kingdom's royal guard commander.

I was speechless.

But more than her words, I was shocked at the determination and conviction reflected in her eyes.

Even to this day, I was unable to clear my mind off her beautiful determined and resolved expression. In that moment, she shone so beautifully, and I felt a strange thump I've never felt before in my heart.

Never would I expect that those sensations would be the norm everytime I meet or even think of her.

Then, after receiving father's promise to train her under a condition, she smiled brightly, brighter than any noble ladies I've seen before.

That smile seemed to lit up something within me. Something that made my heart beat faster, my cheeks warm, and my palms sweaty. Something so strange yet... comfortable.

Even now, as I was running behind her, staring at her back, those feelings refused to disappear.

She was drenched in sweat, her breath labored, and her hair disheveled. Her current appearance was a far cry of what a young noble lady should appear to be.

However, these feelings still refused to disappear. No, it became even more prevalent.

Even when she was clearly exhausted, she never complained and kept doing her best. Compared to any display of elegance I've seen from other young ladies at parties and banquets, I prefer her current display of tenacity.

She shone much more beautifully with those glistening sweat on her milky white skin than other noble ladies do with their jewelries.

Perhaps I should follow my sister's advice to get along with her. If we could be friends, then I could continue to witness her beautiful figure and relish in this warm sensation I have in my heart that would only appear when I'm with her.

Noir would surely be happy as well.

Uhn... Let's try to get along with her.

--------------------------------X--------------------------------

[Alterisa's POV]

THIS SADIST OF A COMMANDER!!! HOW FAR ARE YOU TRYING TO DRIVE A YOUNG NOBLE LADY TO THIS HELL?!?!?!

I sprawled down onto the grass the moment I completed this... fiendish "warm up" the "devil" himself gave me.

Honestly, isn't this too much for a young noble lady?! I swear it's even more intense than Lu-nii's training!!!

I looked to the side and saw that dark-haired anti-social guy staring at me, expressionless, and Roland-sama looking at me with slight surprise.

What? Surprised that I ended up this way? Well sorry that I don't have the athleticism of an olympic athlete!!!

Oh no, I can't appear like this. Even though I'm exhausted, I'm still a noble lady. What would I do if Luke told Noir about this unsightly appearance?! I swear if he does... Oh, how much fun I will have torturing him.

I struggled to rise up to my feet, staggering a bit because my legs are on fire, and dust my clothes and pants. Then, I turned to them and curtsied.

"Please forgive me for my unsightly appearance."

My voice seemed to snap them out of their daze.

Hm? Why did they seem so surprised?

"No, there is no need for that, lady Alterisa. I am impressed that you have managed to complete this exercise. You have done well."

"I am honored. Thank you very much for your praise, Raeven-sama. However, I still have a long way to improve my overall stamina and endurance."

He nodded sagely.

"Indeed. That said, I have prepared a list of exercises you shall go through when I am unable to come and train you personally. Luke shall be supervising you and help you train in my stead during those occasions."

...

Wait, that means...

"R-Raeven-sama... Does that mean..."

Roland-sama nodded, his expression softened into a gentle smile.

"Yes. I have witnessed your determination and resolve, and decide there is worth in training you. Do not disappoint me, Lady Alterisa."

YEEES!!!! Finally!!!! I got a self-defense teacher!!! Woooooooooooo!

"T-Thank you very much for this opportunity! I shall strive my best and meet your expectations!"

"Yes. I have great expectations for you."

After that, Roland-sama told me to take a rest.

Anne and some of our maids and butlers came with refreshments and set up a table for the three of us to rest.

I took a sip of the lemonade Anne prepared for me.

Umu! So refreshing and delicious~! As expected of Anne~ She's become even better than when I last taught her~

"Hm? What kind of drink is this? It's sour yet sweet and refreshing."

"It is called Lemonade, Raeven-sama. Anne and I came up with it together when we thought of giving this to Lu-ni... Lucas-niisama after his training as refreshments."

An expression of pure shock became apparent on the stoic father-son pair's expression when I said that.

Ufufufu~ Surprised aren't you~ Behold the perfect drink for the exhausted! Aren't you impressed~?

Well, I wasn't the one who originally made it though... I just knew how to make it from Earth.

"This is amazing. How do you come up with such a thing, Lady Alterisa?"

"It is nothing much, actually. Whenever I finished exercising, I would always crave for a refreshing drink. And one day, I came across lemons which had refreshing sourness to it if diluted. From then, along with my personal maid, we tried making several drinks that would be refreshing and have a delightful sourness and sweetness to it. This was the result. Does it suit your taste?"

I saw Luke nod repeatedly and took a big sip of it, just like his father.

Ufufufu~ It seems it is a success~

I glanced towards Anne and winked at her. Great job, we did it, partner!!!

She sighed and looked at me with a frown.

Hehe~ How cute. I could see your blush from here you know~ There's no hiding it.

After they finished their lemonade, they both sighed in satisfaction at the same time.

Wow, how in synced... Are you sure they're only father and son? Not doppelgangers or clones?

Just then, Roland-sama looked at me, his expression turning stoic once more.

"Lady Alterisa... There is something I wish to ask you."

E-Eh...? W-What? W-Why do you look so serious...? A-Am I in trouble?

Ah, seriously... The silence is killing me. And what's with that expression?! It's scaring me to hell!

"Of course, Raeven-sama. What would that be?"

"Do you have any experience with weapons?"

...Eh?





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