AN: HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! Thank you very much for supporting me all this year! I will keep doing my best for years to come and I hope my stories can continue being enjoyable to you!

Wish you all a great day and year ahead! Here's to a better year!!!







Ahhhhhh~ What a great day~

Noir was so cute and well-mannered~ And I just can't get enough of her shy expression~!!!!

Ufufufu~ Her blushing face when she tries to call me "Onee-sama"... Ah~! Are you trying to kill me with cuteness?! It's so unfair!!! I'll definitely be seeing them in my dreams~!!!!

Seriously... I want to steal her from Luke...

Speaking of which, she's also talking about her brother a lot. She's praising him so highly, and most of it is just her looking at him through rose-tinted glasses, I'm sure.

After all, even the Luke in "Lovely Happenings" wasn't that cool and perfect.

Yes, he is hardworking, kind, and a softie underneath that stoic expression. But, Noir is praising him to be the kindest, most considerate, most gentlemanly, and perfect suitor for any noble lady!

Well, I guess that's to be expected from the brocon villainess~ Though, I wished she'd talk about me like that, huft~!

Seems like I'm still unable to steal her away from Luke... But no matter! We still have time, and I shall definitely have your heart!

Anyway~ It's the next morning now~ Illya will be visiting tomorrow, but today, I've got the whole day free!

Hm... What should we do~?

Ah! Let's go to the kitchen and come up with some new desserts! I'm sure mom would appreciate having new and unique desserts to flaunt to her friends~!

Uhn~! Let's do that!

"Anne~! Maria-chan~ Let's go to the kitchen~"

"Eh? The kitchen? My lady... could you be..."

"Hehehe~ That's right! I want to come up with some new desserts~!"

"That won't do my lady!"

An unexpected reply!!!

"E-Eh? B-But why?!

"My lady... Have mercy on our pastry chefs, please... They've already got their hands full with mastering the newest batch of desserts you came up with. They're still learning how to control their magic to be able to recreate the processes needed to make them. If you add anymore..."

"U-Uhn... Please give them more time, Alterisa-sama..."

I see... Well, I guess I did make desserts that need specific temperature control like things using icings or ice creams...

But this would be good training for them too, I guess... There are a lot of desserts you can make if you can make ice cream and icings, so good luck~!

"I see... I understand. Then, I'll go to my lab and experiment to make new scents for my shampoo."

"I understand. Then, I shall prepare for it. Maria, please help my lady dress up."

"Yes! Please leave it to me, Anne-neesama~!"

"Kh! I-I'm still not used to you calling me that in front of my lady..."

"Ehehehe~ Why not~? Isn't that cute, Anne-neesama~?"

"My lady! Please don't join her!!"

Ahahahaha~ Anne is so cute~!!!

Ah~ She escaped~ Too bad~

"Then, I'll leave the rest to you, Maria-chan~"

"Yes~"

Maria-chan then helped me dress up, in casual clothes this time since I'm just going to my lab, and the both of us headed to my lab behind our home together.

But then, just as I was about to arrive, a maid of ours suddenly ran towards us in a hurry.

"A-A-Alterisa-sama!!!"

"Hm- Eh?! A-Agnes, what's wrong?"

Agnes, a young maid with ponytailed blonde hair, stopped before Maria-chan and I while clutching her knees. She was breathing very heavily, and she seemed very shocked and panicked.

"Hah... Hah... M-My lady! Please change into a more formal dress!"

"E-Eh?! Why? What's happening?Please calm down and explain it slowly!"

"His highness, Prince Alexus has come!"

"....Hah?"

W-What's this girl saying... A-Alexus?!

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

"Y-Yes! Rosaria-san is currently leading him to the parlor to wait for you, and another is already calling for the mistress."

W-What the hell is that guy doing here?! I never heard about this! He didn't even send me a letter telling me he'll be coming today!

"I understand. Come with me and help me change into a dress. I'll be counting on you."

She was one of the maids who joined mom in dressing me up like a doll last time, so I could count on her. And I can't wait for Anne to return, so we'll have to make do.

"Y-Yes! I understand."

"Uhn. Let's go."

Agnes, Maria-chan, and I then returned to my room and quickly dressed up and styled my hair.

I'm not doing my makeup since I don't have time. Also, it's just Alexus. He had seen my bareface multiple times before, so I'm sure he won't mind.

Especially since he's the one who came here unannounced.

Hah... Just what is he thinking...? A sudden visit from the crown prince would scare any household...

Without any time to waste, Maria-chan and Agnes immediately dressed me up and styled my hair.

Since wearing a gown would take too much time, I wore a beautiful light blue dress with white lily flower patterns all over it instead. It was meant to be a summer dress, but this is perfect for the situation now. Then, Agnes styled my hair into a single braid and let it flow down my left shoulder, while Maria-chan helped me put on my heels.

After we are ready, we immediately head to the parlor in a hurry.

"Hah... Hah... Phew..."

Arriving in front of the parlor, I took in deep breaths to calm myself down, and nodded at Agnes.

She then opened the door, revealing Alexus and Mother on opposite sides of the coffee table, already sipping tea on their couches, as Anne, Rosaria, and seemingly his maid served them.

T-This guy... He's seriously here...

The moment I entered, his eyes seemed to shine and he immediately stood up.

"Good morning, Risa. I apologize for my sudden visit. I do realize how troubling it was, but there is something I would like to give you as soon as possible."

He was smiling ever so brightly, and even though he was apologizing, I could see that he was way more excited than sorry...

"It is an honor for anyone to welcome the crown prince to their estate, no matter how sudden it was. The only regret I have is that we were unable to welcome you in a grander manner, your highness."

Seeing him not even feeling that sorry really pissed me off...

As if sensing my anger, Alexus froze and began to look at me like a scared child.

"E-Eh? R-Risa... A-Are you that upset...?"

"Eeeeh? Why am I upset? Your highness came to our household without giving any prior notice, causing chaos and uneasiness for our servants, and didn't even give any of them a sincere apology... Is there a reason why I should be upset?"

I looked at him with a death stare. If I'm still in the otome game, the eyes in my art would've had no light in them as I stare at him.

"A-Ah... T-That's... I-I apologize once again for my inconsiderate actions... I-I was only thinking of surprising you... I-I apologize..."

Alexus lowered his head and apologized to mother, Anne, Rosaria, Maria-chan, and Agnes.

Hah... Well, I guess I should let him off with this... He did well apologizing to our maids even though he's a crown prince.

"Then if not to me, please at least inform our servants about your plan of visit beforehand next time. Understood?"

"Yes..."

"Hah..."

I let out a huge sigh and sat down on the couch beside mother.

It has been a while since I got that upset... Seems like he's still a kid, even though he's smart.

"A-Alterisa-sama... What a Goddess..."

"Uhn... To think she even scolded the prince for us..."

"I'm so touched..."

"So this is Alterisa-sama... Uhn. As expected of his highness's chosen..."

Ah... R-Right... Now that I think about it... I-I just scolded him, right...?

Wait... Isn't that bad? I just scolded the crown prince of the kingdom...

I peaked up at my mom. S-She must be mad at me, right?! After all, I just did that!

"Hehehe~ My daughter is the best, after all~"

Eh?! W-Why?! She's smiling so brightly!!!

D-Dear mother?! Why art thou smiling so brightly?!

"...Risa, I'm really sorry. Please don't be mad..."

I turned towards Alexus, who was still standing with his head down. I could easily imagine a pair of dog ears slumping down on his head if he had one.

"...Okay. I won't be mad as long as you remember to inform our household before your visit."

"Yes! I promise."

"...Then? Why did you come?"

"Ah, that's right. As I said before, there is something I wish to give you. Hera."

"Yes, your highness."

Alexus signalled his maid called Hera and she brought out a pure white jewel box, and opened it.

Within was an extremely beautiful and luxurious platinum necklace with several sizeable, beautifully cut yellow diamonds.

Wow... That's fancy. Is this the thing he wanted to give me?

But why?

"Uhm... Is there a reason why you would like to give such an expensive thing to me?"

"It is a gift from me to you for our engagement. I would love it if you could wear it during the announcement of our engagement."

Ooooohh, so that's it. I see...

"I see... Then, couldn't you just give me a few days before the grand ball? I mean, there's no reason for you to give it to me this early..."

...Hm? Why does Hera-san look so shocked? Am I being weird...?

"Hehe~ As expected. You won't be moved that easily by jewels, no matter how expensive it is..."

Hm? What?

"I was just too excited to show you this, Risa. Is it to your liking?"

"Hm? It is very beautiful, but it would be hard to wear it everyday... It looks so heavy..."

"Ahahaha, that's true. I won't force you to wear it everyday, but if possible, please wear it for the announcement of our engagement."

"Of course. That's why you give it to me after all."

Alexus nodded and then stood up.

"Then, I shall excuse myself for today. Once again, I would like to apologize for my inconsiderate actions. I shall send a formal apology to the household of Lorya soon."

"Ufufufu~ Please don't mind it, your highness~ Though, if you do it again, I will tell this matter to Seara~"

"O-Of course, duchess Lorya. I-I shan't repeat this blunder anymore."

Oooh~ As expected of mom~ She scared the crown prince with just her smile and words~!

"T-Then, please excuse me."

Alexus then exited the parlor along with his maid and returned home as we send him off.

Hah... Didn't know this would be one hell of a day...

I looked at the pure white jewelry box he gave me and stared at it for a moment.

Did something like this happen in the game???

I mean, Alterisa did wear some fancy and expensive jewelry during the announcement of her engagement, but there's no mention of Alexus giving her any jewelry.

I mean, if he did, she would've definitely wore it even to the academy and boast about it to heaven and back.

Hmm.... Then, can I take it as proof that our relationships are better than what Alterisa and Alexus had in the game.

It is... right?

Heh... Hehehe... Ehehehehehe...

This is great! As long as I keep this up, Alexus won't do something so drastic as to kill me off or banish me!!!

Hehehe~ Then, I can just relax with my cuties (best friends) and go about my shampoo business~!!

Fufufu~ Just imagining spending my days with them makes me feel so happy~

"Hehe~ Ehehehehe~"

"Ufufufu~ You seem so happy, baby~ You should've shown it to him."

"Eh? A-Ah..."

Happy? Ahhhh, did I giggle out loud?!

T-That was very embarrassing!

"I-I will be returning to my room!"

"Ufufufu~ Alright~ Don't forget to write him a letter of gratitude, okay~?"

"Uhn!"

Kyaaahhh! That was embarrassing!

[Anne's POV]

Oh my~ Hehehe~ Even though you act angry, you were actually very happy weren't you, my lady~!

Rosaria-san, Maria, the Mistress, and I all giggled as we watched her adorable figure running away in embarrassment.

"Ufufufu~ She's such a cutie~ To think she hid how happy she was because she didn't want him to see her immature side~"

"It seems so, my mistress. Alterisa-sama seemed to be so happy that she consciously put in effort to wear the mask of the perfect and elegant young noble lady that she was known for in public. It was very adorable. Ufufufu~"

Mm~ I agree completely with Rosaria-san~! My lady is the cutest~!

Even though she displayed incredible intelligence and charisma for her age, in the end, she's still just an absolutely adorable little girl~!

Ah~ My lady Alterisa-sama is just the best~!





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