[Lucas's POV]

"You seem to be in a bit of a daze, Luke."

"Eh? Ah... Excuse me."

Luke flinched and turned to me with a visibly flustered expression despite his usual stoicness.

"Don't worry. What's going on in your mind?"

His gaze fell from me to the ground before glancing towards Risa.

"It's nothing..."

"...I see."

I couldn't help but smile helplessly and sighed in my mind.

Her bad habit is still as destructive as usual... to both genders.

Well, I can't even call it a bad habit since that's who she really is.

Alterisa, or Akari, had always been a sun to those around her. She's bright, warm, kind, and genuinely honest with herself. She couldn't be anyone but herself, even though she is an extremely skilled actress.

Her true personality will always shine through all the mask she wore, may it be the mask of a prince, a noble lady, or a princess. She will always look at those around her for who they truly are, accepts them, and smiles.

She didn't know how many people she had saved with that bright smile and how many people would try their best to protect it.

Even if her appearance had changed, that part of her was still ever present, and shines ever so brighlty.

Now, she had successfully charmed everyone around her once again with that bright, warm smile. Innocent noble ladies, ice-cold stoic young boy, a problem child playboy, introverted nerd, and even the genius crown prince, all of them melted from that smile and became her prisoner; all without her realizing it.

I looked at my "little sister" and let out another sigh.

From a glance, those three might seem like close friends spending their time happily trying out various popular desserts served in the royal palace.

But when they look closer, it would be so obvious that the two are looking at Risa with fervent gazes! Those are the kind of gaze a little girl would give to their crush or lover, not a simple close friend!

And those two aren't the only ones. Illya and even Valerie also look at her with such a gaze often. Every time I saw them together, they would always be super attached to her like magnets.

I glanced at Luke again and saw him in a daze once more, staring at Risa.

I don't even know if he realize it but he's staring at her as if she's the love of his life that's just out of his reach.

What is this... How could someone this young have this kind of gaze?!

Is this because they're based on the "capture targets" in that otome game Hana and Akari talks about?!

Keith also has this kind of gaze whenever he had her in his gaze, while Alex was already looking at her as if she's his wife.

Seriously... Aren't these kids too mature???

Is it because this is a world based on otome games?

Hah... I really can't understand this...

Just as I was confusing myself, two other girls had entered the fray again.

"Ah! A-Alterisa-sama~! Hello~ I'm so happy to see you~!"

"Risa-chan~! Hello~! Hehehe~"

"Ah~ Illya, Valerie-chan~ It's so nice to see you~!"

Both girls immediatley swarmed her, and they were looking at her with the same fervent gaze. If Risa was a boy, then this would be an archetypal scene of a boy surrounded by his harem, considering their gazes.

They're all totally in love with her.

I wonder if this is just a young girl's crush or a genuine love that will continue until they grow up...?

From the way they're looking at her...

Somehow, I get a feeling that it is the latter...

Well, I guess Alex would have a hard time ahead of him.

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

"Ah, Valerie-chan~ Illya too~ It's so nice to see you again~! It has been a while since we last met, hasn't it~"

"Uhn~! Mom has been forcing me to try out so many dresses recently so I couldn't sneak out and go to your house! Now that it's done, I want to sleep over in your house again, Risa-chan~!"

Valerie-chan pouted as she hugged my arm and rubbed her cheek against my shoulder.

I guess she has been having a rough time with that, huh...? And as expected, it's impossible for her to escape from Lawliela-sama's clutches...

Our moms are just too powerful, in more ways than one...

But, as a result of that, she turned out to be very beautiful and super cute~! She's wearing a very adorable, frilly, red-pink dress that matches her fiery hair and cheerful personality.

She looked like a fairy of fire. Well, it's not that I've ever seen one, but I imagined it to be just like her! She's just to cute, I want to chomp on those slightly blushing cheeks!!!

"U-Uhm! M-Me too! I-I have been busy with my own preparations and didn't have the time to come and visit. U-Uhm, if possible, can I visit you as well?"

Illya shyly hold onto the hem of my dress, her face blushing redly as she fluttered glances at me.

Her bright yellow dress gave, coupled with that innocent, cute face gave off the feeling of an unattainable flower on the high peak. She looks so pure, innocent, and super duper cute, I just want to kidnap her to my room and make her sit on my lap as I pat her head.

She's just the most adorable...

"I would be happy to~ My household will be holding a private tea party event that I'm sure everyone is invited too, right? It might be difficult to have a sleep over, so how about we have a sleep over after the Kingdom's Founding Festival~?"

"Really~? Yaaayy~! Mom and I are invited to the tea party, but I'm more excited for our sleepover~!!"

"Y-Yes! I-I'll be happy to~!"

"Risa-sama, I would like to join this sleepover as well!"

"M-M-Me too! I-I want to come and play too, A-Alterisa-sama..."

"Hehehe~ Of course~! You're all welcomed~!"

Fufufufu~ A few hours into this banquet and I've already promised these cuties to come to my house~! I'm so happy~! Maybe this party isn't a waste of time after all~!"

Now a group of five, we continued going around the enormous banquet hall, having our own little fun exploring the place and the dessert table.

Lu-nii and Luke were frequently surrounded by young noble ladies and their parents who were trying to introduce their daughters to them. But somehow, they're always able to find us and continue following in our tracks after they're done greeting them.

And just like before, I could feel Luke's stare boring into my back...

Hah... This massive siscon is really too far gone...

Well, if Noir is my little sister or if Kiara was clinging onto another girl or guy, I would be boring holes into their back too.

Umu... I guess it can't be helped.

Speaking of boring holes into someone's back with a stare, I hadn't seen Keith yet in this banquet.

Is he picking up girls again? Or is he stuck with greeting other nobles with his parents?

Hmm... Well, the girls and I have only been going around the dessert tables and not the center of the banquet where all the nobles socialize.

I guess it's no wonder I didn't meet him yet.

Soon after, I heard the announcement of the arrival of the Royal Family.

All of us immediately went to see them, making our way near the entrance, but still a distance away behind the royal guards who were making a path for the royal family.

His majesty, Luke von Derium, and Her majesty, Sonia von Derium, came hand in hand, or rather, arm in arm as Sonia-sama hugged her husband's arm as they wave their hand to the members of nobility within the banquet.

They were dressed absolutely beautifully in white and gold suit and dress respectively, giving them the air of regality, purity, and holiness almost. A beautiful and elegant crown of gold and diamond also sat on their head, shimmering under the bright light of the enormous chandeliers above them as they smiled brilliantly at everyone.

Behind them, Alex followed with a similarly beautiful suit, sharing the same theme as his parents. His eyes swept across the crowd, causing young girls to shriek and wave their hands at him when his gaze met theirs, before stopping the moment our gazes met.

His eyes immediately widened in shock and awe, before his lips curled into his usual brilliant and beautiful smile that made my heart skip a beat.

I smiled softly at him as well, but when I was about to wave at him, I felt my arms hugged even tighter by Evelyn and Valerie-chan.

I looked over to them, and saw Valerie-chan pouting at Alexus while Evelyn maintains a smile that felt a bit... cold and scary?

Even Noir and Illya were also pouting as they get closer to me.

Eh? What's going on?

I looked back at Alexus, and now, he's not even looking at me.

He's still looking at my direction, but somehow, I got the feeling that he's staring at my best friends with that frown.

It's almost unrecognizable, but I could tell he's frowning. But why?!

J-Just what's happening?! And why do I see sparks flying between them?!









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