Today was a peaceful day.

Woken up by my super ultra-cute maid, Maria-chan, had her and Anne help me take a bath, and then eating breakfast with my family.

I'm planning on finishing up my conditioner and scented shampoo prototypes today since it was my rest day for my self-defense and magical training.

It'll only take an hour or two, and then I'll be free for the day!

At least... That was the plan.

"...What?"

"As I've said, Keith will be coming here to practice his swordsmanship with me. Seems like after hearing rumors about my skills, he became interested and asked me about it."

My hand stopped as I was about to pour my finished conditioner into a bottle and finish up with the scented shampoo as well. I was doing just fine in my lab, a.k.a the storage room in the backyard of the house that I had claimed and modified into my lab.

I was minding my own business and looking forward to a restful day ahead of me, surrounded by my angelic little sister, my loving gentle mother, my cute little personal maid, and my big sister maid.

But now...

"...When is he coming?"

"After lunch."

"After lunch tomorrow?"

"Nope. It's today..."

"...W-Why the hell do I only know about this now?!?!??!"

I ran up at him to tackle him, but this guy dared to dodge it!

"What's wrong with you? It's not like it'll bother you or anything."

"Lu-nii, did you forget? He's one of the capture targets! I've been doing my best not to interact with capture targets as much as possible, you know?! Alexus and you are the only exceptions since I can't help it!"

"Calm down. It's going to be fine. He won't bring you trouble. Rather, it seems like he's interested in you, so you're going to be fine, you know?"

"Hah... Seems like I was right. Nothing good comes from interacting with capture targets. Especially this one..."

I glared at him.

"Well, can't just reject him without any reasons right? We'll just train with our household's knights, so you don't need to worry, okay?"

He shrugged dismissively.

"Hah... Alright. But I'm begging you, don't mess with me using him, alright? Amongst all the capture targets, he's the second most troublesome one after Wilhelm. He's the playboy type, so I don't want any weird rumors that might make people gossip about me and him. Got that?"

"I know... Of course, I understand that much. I've been learning about nobilities longer than you've been alive in this world, so calm down."

"...Alright. I'll believe you."

"Great. Then, I'll be going. See you."

"Mm."

Lu-nii waved his hand and left my lab, closing the door behind him.

Hah... Seems like I won't be able to fully relax...

It has been a while since I've seen Keith. The last time would be during my debutante months ago, and it was only a brief encounter.

I hope he doesn't remember me that much and doesn't bother me... I've been interacting with Luke and Wilhelm much more than I would like it because of my training. Even though the time I could spend with Noir and Valerie-chan increases, it still worries me a bit for when the "canon" starts.

Hah...

With my mood plummeted, I quickly poured my conditioner and scented shampoos into these pretty pink glass bottles I've prepared, clean up the place, and then brought them with me.

I want to show this to mom, Kiara, Anne, Maria-chan, and Iris. I hope it will take my mind off of worrying about things today!

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

"Oh, that's right~ I heard Lucas is having a friend over~ Shall we go meet him~?"

Oh God, why hath thou forsaken me...

"M-Mom, do we have to?"

I hugged my cute little angel, Kiara, tighter as she nuzzled her head to my neck.

"What's wrong, baby?"

"U-Uhm... I-It's just..."

"Hm?"

U-Uggh... I can't come up with any excuses! I can't very well just tell her he's a capture target and I don't want to meet him!

Suddenly, I felt a pet on my head.

"You might feel uneasy meeting someone new, but we should at least greet our guest, okay?"

U-Uuuuhhh... I can't refute that...

Hah...

"Nee-cha? Are you okay?"

Kiara separated slightly from me and looked at me worriedly with those beautiful eyes.

"Hehe~ I'm okay because Kiara is here with me~"

"Ehehehe~"

Aaahhh~ She's so cute~ I'm so healed~

"Ufufufu~ Then, how about all three of us go and greet them? We can also watch them train over some tea in the garden~"

"O-Okay..."

Hah... I can't win against these two after all...

In the end, mom had her maid, Anne, and Maria-chan prepare a table and tea for us in the garden and we headed there with Kiara still in my arms.

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

[3rd Person POV]

Under the bright, clear sky, two figures clashed with their wooden swords in hand.

The crimson-haired lad, Keith, was already breathing heavily as he stared at the calmly breathing Lucas in shock.

Sweat flowed down his forehead as he clenched his wooden sword tighter.

T-They weren't exaggerating... This guy's a monster...

The noble society and the word "hierarchy" were synonymous in this world. Even amongst the young nobilities, there was a clear hierarchy and the one at the very top were also very clear to the others.

The angelic first daughter of Lorya, Alterisa, who had caused a massive storm in not only the noble's society but also the government due to the "Ledger system" she invented was the most famous individual amongst the young nobilities. Her transcendent beauty, intelligence, elegance, kindness, as well as prowess in both magic and spearmanship were well-known amongst all nobilities and even amongst the commoners.

Many boys had vied for her love, including Keith himself, but none had ever succeeded, giving her the nickname "Flower of the High Peak". Meanwhile, the girls envied and admired her, wishing they could be just like her.

The Crown Prince, Alexus, and crown princess, Lily, were also very popular amongst the nobilities, especially due to their talents, genius, and appearance.

Below then were the sons and daughters of dukes, marquis, and other children of high ranking nobles such as Luke, the son of the Royal Guard Commander, Evelyn, daughter of Duke Silium, Valerie, daughter of the head of the Royal Court Magician and strongest mage in the kingdom, and many other including him as the son of Duke Varion.

Amongst them, other than Alterisa, Keith was most interested in his "rivals", the ones with the appearance that could match him, namely Alexus, Lucas, and Luke. The four of them were the most popular boys amongst the young ladies of nobilities, and because of that, he would feel very competitive with them even though they do get along well as friends.

Keith himself was also talented with the sword. While he wasn't confident in defeating Luke and Alexus, the son of the royal guard commander with genius-level skills and talent with the sword and the monster that could beat him, he felt like he could defeat at least Lucas, even though he had also been called gifted with the sword.

He realized the truth today...

"Kuh... I didn't expect you to be just as strong as those two..."

"Well, I am busy with my own studies and work. I rarely show off my swordsmanship unlike those two, so not many knew about it."

"Ugh... You geniuses really get on my nerves..."

He took a deep breath and readied his sword again.

However, just then, the two noticed a group of people coming towards them.

Lisa, Alterisa, Kiara, and a little white fox were approaching them along with Anne, Maria, and Iris following closely behind

"Mother? Alterisa and Kiara too?"

"W-What?!"

Keith turned and immediately widened his eyes at the sight of the girl who never left his mind ever since the night he met her.

Immediately, he tidied himself in a hurry and bowed to greet the duchess and her daughters.

"Greetings, Duchess Lorya. My name is Keith von Varion, first son of Duke Varion. I am here today to visit your son, Lucas, a good friend of mind. It is an honor to meet you and your daughters this fine morning. Please forgive me for my appearance."

"Ufufufu~ I don't mind~ It is nice to meet you as well, Keith~ Thank you for taking care of Lucas all this time~"

Keith raised from his bow and his eyes landed immediately on Alterisa. His heart thumped rapidly as heat crept up his cheeks, becoming even hotter than before.

Alterisa curtsied and greeted him.

"It is a pleasure to meet you once again, Keith-sama. Thank you very much for attending my debutante that time. It was a pleasure talking with you."

"Y-Yes! The pleasure is mine!"

Ugh! W-Why am I this nervous?! It's embarrassing! I never act like this in front of any other girls before!

Keith cursed to himself and inadvertently averted his eyes from her in embarrassment.

"It is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Kiara von Lorya, second daughter of Duke Lorya." He snapped out of his daze and turned towards the little girl standing beside Alterisa in shock.

She looks two to three years younger than Alterisa, but he couldn't believe how eloquent she was already! I-Is this house full of geniuses or something?!

"It is a pleasure to meet you as well, Lady Kiara. My name is Keith von Varion. I am pleased to be your acquaintances."

He flashed the best smile he could, but contrary to the usual response and blush he'd receive from other girls, he saw her looking at him with a little frown and glare.

W-What? Did I do something to offend her...?

In his confusion, Kiara hugged Alterisa's arm and intensified her glare at him.

"Ufufufu~ I'm sorry to have disturbed your training. We will be having tea in the garden. Please feel free to continue~"

"Y-Yes! Thank you very much."

Lucas and Keith watched them as they leave. They went quite a distance away, but they were still visible from where the two were training.

"Alright, let's go back to what we're doing."

Lucas said and readied in his stance, but Keith was still unmoving, staring into the distance in a daze.

"What's wrong?"

"H-Hey, can you let me win once...? I-I don't want to lose in front of her!"

He whispered and looked at Lucas desperately. Now that Alterisa is here, the last thing he wanted her to see was his figure losing badly to her brother!!!

Lucas looked at him weirdly and sighed.

"Hah... You do know that Alterisa is just as strong as I am, right?"

"Eh...? W-What?!"

Keith's jaw dropped to the ground as his widened eyes stared straight at his grinning best friend.

"Hm, if we spared with only our weapons, I'd say it'll be around 50-50. But if we could use magic, then I wouldn't even want to fight her. I don't have the hobby of slipping and falling from ice..."

"..."

"That's why even if you defeat me, it won't impress her, you know? Rather, I think she'd find out that I'm losing on purpose."

"..."

"...Alright, come one. Stop gawking like that. You'll need to focus if you don't want to be embarrassed in front of her."

"K-Kuh! Fine! I'll show you what I got!!!"











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