[Lily's POV]

Oh my~ Ufufufu~ I wonder what onii-sama will think about this~

The special and private tea party dear mother and her small circle of friends always hold during one of the days of the Kingdom's Founding Festival week had always been exclusive for females, or at least, that's how it ended up being.

We of the nobility always needed to keep a certain image to the public and, sometimes, even during private times. Especially dear mother, who was queen, was expected to be perfect, dignified, and become the epitome of elegance, gratefulness, and beauty even within her own home.

This also applies to me, a princess, as well as many other noble ladies. Even though I'm only a three-year-old, such things have been expected of me to a certain degree, I will be expected to become as perfect as possible all the time in the future, just like all noble ladies.

It's exhausting, suffocating, and draining. But, it's just how things are, unfortunately.

Thus, when we were only between families or extremely close friends, we truly let everything go and be our true selves.

The only people dear mother could do such a thing to was with our immediate family and the ladies here.

Thus, dear mother and Lisa-sama decided to start this "tradition" of meeting up at least once a year with this close-knit group so everyone could truly be themselves "safely" and have fun.

And, because it is meant to let all of these ladies be themselves, having a male amongst the group, even if they're children, would make it a slightly more uncomfortable space for them to let everything go.

After all, there are things girls could only talk about when there are no guys around. It's true in our previous world and still keeps true in this one.

Onii-sama actually wanted to join in this as well as last year's tea party to have fun with Risa-chan. But mom denied his request for those reasons, so there was nothing that could be done.

Ufufufu~ He's so utterly in love with her, isn't he~ It's so cute~

He even told me to "protect" Risa-chan from adding any more "rivals", but I can't really stop her from making "friends", now can I~?

Mellissa and Stella. Even though they're very shy and quiet, especially before Risa-chan, I do notice how enamored they look when Risa-chan introduced herself to them.

It was as if they see the person they idolized the most suddenly standing before them and then fall in love.

And now, they're already talking about her with Noir and Kiara to find out more about Risa-chan.

Hah~ My best friend is such a sinful woman~ I guess some things just never change even though we're in another world with another name~

Well~ I'll just tell my brother that Risa-chan just made some new friends~

I mean, I'm not wrong, am I~? Hehehehe~

I do wonder, though. I've never seen Mellissa and Stella in "Lovely Happenings".

Could they be the nameless background characters we, as players, just never get to find out about?

Since they're here, that means they would've met with Alterisa too in the game at this age, right? And considering Alterisa's demeanor... Mm, they might not want to befriend her.

Even though their mothers are good friends, they must've tried to distance themselves with her and not be dragged into her schemes in the game.

Well, I guess that doesn't matter now.

It's no use trying to remember to flow of the game now since Risa-chan had turn it on its head.

Everyone is literally in love with her while she's being a dense harem and reverse harem protagonist.

Ufufufufu~ I have to admit, this is even more exciting than the predictable otome game~

The heroine doesn't just make the heroes fall in love. She even made the villainess and many other girls fall in love with her too!

How exciting is that!

Hehehehe~ As expected of my little Akari~ There would always be exciting things around her that would never bore me~

I took a sip of my cup of tea before looking at her once more, and noticed something wrong.

Even though she was surrounded by the girls, her expression seems... serious.

Is her bad habit surfacing...?

Hah... So this is what mother dearest saw in the bath last time.

[Alterisa's POV]

Hm? Why's Lily smiling all by herself? Did she think of something amusing?

I looked at her for a moment before I felt a tug on the hem of my dress.

"...More."

"Ah, I'm sorry. Here you go, Stella~ Aaaaaahh..."

"Aaaauum..."

Ah~ So cute~ She's munching on it like a squirrel~! And her stoic expression just makes her even cuter!!!!

"Nee-cha! Me too!"

"Yes~ Here you go, Kiara~ Aaaaaaaahnnn..."

"Aaauum~! Mmmh~! Ish sho good!"

"Hehehe~ I'm so happy you love it~"

Heaven... This must be little sister heaven... I'm so glad to be alive...

"Ah! That's unfair! Risa-sama, I would also like to be fed by you!"

"M-M-Me too, A-Alterisa-sama! Please!"

"I-If possible, I-I would like to have a taste as well..."

"Aha! Then, feed me too, Risa-chan! I'll feed you in return!"

"Hehe~ Okay~"

Why do they suddenly want to be fed? I mean, they've been maintaining their elegance and gracefulness in front of the mothers group. But now, they're acting like kids their age.

...Well! It doesn't matter~! They're cute! That's the only thing that matters! And, feeding these cute girls is a heaven send I might never get again, so I'll enjoy it as much as possible~!

I watched them as they munched on the little cookies I fed them with blissful expressions.

This scene... Seeing such beautiful scene, I coudln't help but be reminded of the game.

I'm sure the Alterisa in "Lovely Happenings" never seen it. After all, she chose to abandon everything and bulldoze through her path with sheer force in hopes to gain Alexus's affection, only to destroy everything around her.

I used to think it was foolish of her to do so. And I still do, to an extent.

But... When I think of how the heroine would take away Alexus from my side, I can't help but feel this unpleasant feeling in my heart.

I hated it.

But, I don't think I could simply abandon my best friends or destroy my family for it... They've been by my side my entire life in this world. They've given me so much happiness, and I love them with all my heart.

They're my precious treasures, and Alexus is also one of them.

I care for him, very much. And... I hope he cares for me too.

If the heroine really tried to steal him away from me, then I will fight without dragging those I care for with me. I'll face her myself.

I'll need to steel myself for it. I won't let that heroine destroy everything I care for.

"Nee-cha~ Here! Aaaaaaahhhhn~!"

"Kiara... Hehe~ Thank you~ Aaauuum~ Mmmh~! It becomes much more delicious because you feed it to me~"

"Really~? Ehehehehe~"

I smiled softly and hugged my little sister tightly, rubbing my cheek with her.

Mm... Hugging her really heals my heart...

Being with everyone here really lifts up my heart... I can't stay depressed!

I've been doing my best to build up a foundation to counter all the destructive flags and the Heroine! And I'll continue to working hard to strengthen it!

I'll be an amazing person, so amazing that I could fight and win against the heroine!!!

"Risa."

"Hm?"

Lily's voice pulled me out of my thoughts and I turned to her.

Her lips was curls into a small smile and she was looking at me ever so gently and softly.

For a second, I could see Hana's visage overlapping with Lily at that moment.

"There's nothing you should be worried about, Risa. We're all here with you. And if someone dares to mess with you, I'll make sure to punish them~"

The others didn't seem to hear it while they were enjoying their desserts, but I was struck by her words.

Ah... That's right...

Hana is a mind reader too... She has always been able to read my thoughts even in my previous life...

"Ah... Ahahaha... Was it that obvious?"

"It is~ Ufufufu~"

I smiled and look at her with gratitude. She always knows how to cheer me up... I already feel better now.I would've hug her if Kiara and Stella weren't on my lap.

"Thank you, Lily. I love you~"

"Fufufu~ I love you too~"

"I love nee-cha too!!!"

"Mmm..."

Ah, seems like they heard that last one. Ufufufu~ What cuties~

I tightened my hug around them and feed both of them a cookie again.

Guhehehe... Guhehehehe... Guehehehehhe~

Ah! That was bad. I almost lost myself in their cuteness. I need to maintain my elegance as their elder sister!

"Nee-cha?"

"Ah! It's nothing. Hehehe~ Are you enjoying yourself, Kiara~?"

"Uhn! I made a lot of friends! Right, Stella-chan~!"

"...Nn. It's fun..."

Despite her flat tone and quiet voice, I could still see her blushing ever so slightly and averting her gaze away from us.

Ufufufu~ Such a cutie~

"I'm glad. Stella-chan, please don't hesitate to come and visit Kiara anytime, okay? Kiara as well. If you want to visit Stella-chan, then just ask mom, okay?":

"Yesh!"

"...Yes."

Yes! I'm so glad Kiara made a friend! And a cutie at that! I'm so happy for her~

I looked towards Valerie-chan, Evelyn, Noir, Mellissa, and Lily.

I hope we can hang out again like this in the near future!







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