After Illya's tears subsided, Maria and Iris arrived in the parlor.

I introduced Iris to Illya as my future personal knight. It went very well, though they were staring at each other longer than normal at one point... That was pretty weird.

But after that, Iris went to the side of the door and stood there, guarding it. She was in what seemed to be the female version of the royal knight apprentice's military uniform. The only difference from the male version, which I've seen Luke in, was the color. Instead of white military uniform with dark blue linings, its white with crimson red linings.

Honestly, Iris looks way cooler than Luke. Her face is much cooler and more beautiful than him and his hair is tied into a beautiful ponytail, revealing her white nape.

Guhe... Guhehehe... How wonderful~

"Oh right~ I've heard you received a lot of proposals for marriage, Illya~ Ufufufu, you seemed to become so popular~"

"A-Ahh..."

Eh? Why did she avert her gaze away?

Isn't it a good thing for a young noble lady? Why does she seem displeased instead?

"U-Uhn... Father has been receiving plenty of marriage proposals directed towards me recently. It is a bit... hectic."

I see... Well, Illya is an amazing girl after all. But receiving that many proposals for marriage would overwhelm a little girl like her.

"I see~ Well, Illya is very beautiful, smart, and kind, after all. It's no wonder a lot of man would like to marry you~"

"A-Alterisa-sama...! T-Thank you very much~!"

"Uhn~"

"Hehehe~"

Phew~ I'm glad she's happy again~ I wonder what made her upset just now...

I took a sip of the warm tea Anne brewed and sighed in relief.

Ah, now that I think of it, I don't think I've been receiving a lot of marriage proposals at all, if any.

My engagement with Alexus hasn't been announced publicly. The only ones who knew about this are people I'm close with like my family, Roland-sama, Lawliela-sama, Evelyn, Celine, and Illya.

So... The fact that I didn't hear anything about receiving marriage proposals... Could it be that I'm being hated by male nobility...?

Hm... I don't really mind it personally, but isn't that bad for the daughter of the prime minister?

...I should ask dad about this."

"Hehe~ Beautiful... Smart... Kind... So Alterisa-sama thinks of me that way~"

Hm? What did she say?

Well, she seems to be happy, so it doesn't matter~

"Ah, Illya~ Here, please try these~! They're all my creations, you know~?"

"Eh...? I-Is that true...?"

"Uhn~!"

Ufufufu~ Behold~! My confectionary recipes! Well, it's from my previous world, but that's not the point!

It is well known (I think) in the noble societies that I'm very skilled in making pastries! I've even heard from chefs that they often got requests to share the dessert recipes, but rejected all of it.

They went that far, saying the recipes were precious treasures from their princess, but I'm glad they didn't just share it around. After all, it would be nice for our household to have these special confectionaries to serve during parties!

Umu umu. It's perfect. As expected of our household's servants. I didn't even think about that at first!

Illya's eyes sparkled as she brought a plate of chocolate cake closer to her. She picked up the small dessert fork shakily and cut into it. The cake held its firm shape as she pierced it with the fork and brought it towards her lips.

"Aaauum... MMMMMHHH~!!!!"

Ah, it seems like she likes it!! SHe's showing such a blissful expression~! How cuuuuuute~!!!!

"Ufufufu~ Is it to your taste, Illya~"

"Yes! It is extremely delicious!"

"I'm glad~"

Guhehe... Guhehehehe~! This is such a bliss~!! Eating sweets with a cute girl just as sweet, nothing can beat this!!! This is the best pastime!!!!

Hm~ Should I organize a slumber party~ It would be so much fun~!

I'll invite Illya, Evelyn, Celine, Noir, Valerie-chan, Lily-chan, and of course my angelic little sister, Kiara as well! Then, we can all sleep together in my super enormous bed!

Guhehehe~ It's going to be so fun~!!! Logistics and time management aside, I think they'd be willing.

Umu! Let's seriously consider this.

With that thought in mind, I continued to enjoy my blissful tea time with this cutie until afternoon.

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

"Good bye, Illya~ Let's play together again~"

"Y-Yes! Thank you very much for today, A-Alterisa-sama! I just had the most fun I had in my life!"

"Hehehe~ Please don't mind it~ After all, we're friends, right~?"

"Friends... T-Thank you very much, Alterisa-sama~"

Mm~ How cute~ Ah, but please don't cry~ We'll meet again soon!

"T-Then... Please excuse me."

"Uhn~ I wish you a safe trip home~"

I waved my hands as I watched her carriage slowly recede far away and out of sight...

What a fun day~ Illya is such a nice girl and very fun to talk to~ She has also gotten a lot more confidence in herself and she's shining so brightly now~

I hope she can be even brighter in the future, even brighter than how she was in the game...

"Ehehe~ What a fun day~ Isn't she such a cutie~"

"Yes, Alterisa-sama~ She seems to be a very nice person."

"Uhn..."

"Isn't she~? Hehehe~"

I'm so glad Illya gets along with Maria-chan and Iris~ She treats them so nicely! I can't help but be happy that my friends got along with each other so well~

"Now then! We still have a few hours before dinner so... Does everyone have something to do?"

"Yes. I have made a promise with the guard captain to train this afternoon."

"I-I've also already made a promise with the chef to help with dinner... But, if you need anything Alterisa-sama, please don't hesitate to call me!"

"Ufufufu~ It's fine~ I'll be with mom and Kiara in mom's chamber and mom's maid will also be there, so I'll be fine~ You all can go ahead and do your thing~!"

"I understand. Well then, we shall be going."

"Uhn~!"

Now then, the only thing left to do is to wait dad to return home and ask about the noble society's impression of me...

Hah... I'm nervous now...

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

"Ah! Dad!"

"Hm? Princess? What's wrong?"

Dad and Axel, who just came home, looked at me surprised. Well, I guess it is kinda unexpected. I came to dad's office right after Anne told me about their arrival back home. I arrived before they even settled down.

"Uhm, there's something I need to ask..."

"Oh? If it is about Marquis Luminum, then you don't need to worry. He had promised not to use your relationship with his daughter to get Lucas."

"A-Ah, that's great. But that wasn't what I was going to ask."

"Hm? Then, what is it, princess?"

He sat down behind his desk and looked at me softly with a smile.

Well, here we go... Here's to hoping for the best!

"Uhm... I-I was wondering what the nobilities think of me..."

"Hm?"

His eyebrows raised into a look of confusion.

"I-Illya received plenty of marriage proposals from various noble households because of her tremendously improving reputation. But I didn't receive anything... I don't particularly care if I don't receive anything since I am engaged to Alex, but I'm worried if it'd affect the reputation of our household for having an unpopular daughter..."

"There is no way that could be true!"

!!!

T-That surprised me... I-It was the first time dad raised his voice like that...

"Ah! I-I'm sorry, princess... I-I was just to shocked that you think that way..."

"N-No, it is fine..."

He looked at me sadly and slowly approached me and kneeled before me, looking at me eye to eye.

"I assure you, my little princess. That is not the case at all."

"Eh? What do you mean, dad...?"

"...I rejected all of them. There are plenty of marriage proposals coming to our household everyday, piles of them, but I rejected each and everyone of them. I didn't tell you about this because you are engaged with his highness the princess... I'm sorry if it made you worry..."

Aaaaaaahhh... So that's it...

I see. Hehehe~ It's nothing to worry about at all after all!!!

"And like hell I'll accept those wolves... Even that prince's marriage proposal... If it wasn't for Luke, I won't ever let him take my beautiful angel..."

Hm? Did dad just say something?

"Pardon me? Did you say something, dad?"

"Ah, it was nothing, princess. Did that clear your mind?"

"Yes! I'm glad everything was okay!"

"That's good. Is there something else?"

"No~ Thank you very much for your time, dad~! I'll be waiting for you in the dining room for dinner~! Please excuse me~"

I kissed him on the cheeks and waved before exiting the room and going back to mom's bedroom.

Mm~! I feel so relieved, my body feels so light~ I feel like I can fly even without Fubuki's wind magic~!!!

[Altair's POV]

"...Is it possible to cancel my angel's engagement with the prince right now?"

"...Please don't make rash decisions, Altair-sama. I understand your concern, but it would cause too much problem with the crown. Moreover, the prince is clearly head over heels for Alterisa-sama. It would be impossible to convince him otherwise."

"...Tch. If only that boy didn't meet my angel. Hah..."

"..."











Afterword

I agree... I agree fully. Alterisa is a precious cinnamon bun that needs to be protected from those wolves.

Even though I don't have a daughter yet, I could somehow understand Altair's concerns...