kscans

Chapter 52 - Little One's New Daily Life, Six

"I'm telling you, why are you in the special class? It's impossible, isn't it?"

Little One was being accosted by the ever energetic Aristea. About a week had passed since then. After a campus tour and some trial lessons, their real classes had started today, but...

For some reason, Little One found herself being confronted by Aristea every single day.

The day after the class placement exam, the twins emerged from the transfer gate to find Aristea standing there, legs apart, like a defiant statue. After giving the princes a smiling greeting, Aristea stood before the twins, or more accurately, before Chihiro, and began to rail at her with a haughty air.

"So you really are using the transfer gate. How utterly shameless. Just because the king, queen, and the princes are kind, I think it's wrong of you to take advantage of it, don't you?"

Oh my, what a splendidly sound argument.

Staring at the lovely girl sniffing with a smug fun, the twins exchanged a look.

How was that? I said it well, didn't I? I practiced a lot, after all.

The twins' whispers reached the triumphant Aristea's ears.

"Maybe so. This is special treatment, after all. I'm sure some people find it unpleasant to see."

"It's still better for you, Hiro. You have Their Majesties as your guardians. I'm just a complete freeloader."

Seeing the twins nodding in discussion, Fatima and the others' eyes widened in alarm, and they rushed over to Little One's side.

"What are you saying, Hiro! You are my little sister! Hold your head high!"

"That's right, Chihiro. If you say something like that, Father and Brother will be heartbroken, you know."

Fatima, who absolutely, positively did not want to be separated from Little One because of the honeybees, was one thing. But even without that, Fatima was deeply devoted to the twins, who did not look at her with prejudice. For the three youngest royal children, having a younger brother and sister, even if they were adopted, was something they welcomed with open arms.

Ahhh, so this is how cute a little sister or brother can be!

Having only ever been doted on, the three were now on the doting side, so it couldn't be helped. While desperately trying to persuade the twins, Miltisia shot a sharp glare at Aristea.

"You! I don't know who you are, but what nonsense are you spouting at a member of the royal family?"

"I... I was just saying what's natural..."

Why am I being scolded?

Aristea's back trembled before the princess, who made no effort to hide her anger. She looked up at Theodore, as if seeking help. Aristea had yet to be baptized and had never been to the royal palace, but she knew Theodore's face from portraits. He had a reputation for being a gentle and calm prince. He would surely understand. So Aristea thought, but the moment she looked up at Theodore, she was lost for words, her throat frozen.

Standing there, he was looking down at Aristea with an expression of disgust, as if he were looking at filth.

"I thought there was no need to state it publicly, but it seems there are fools in Frontier who cannot understand unless it is spelled out for them."

Theodore's eyes curved into a thin arc, a faint smile on his lips. His eyes were not smiling at all. A shiver ran down Aristea's skin, making her want to flee. Theodore crouched down in front of her, deliberately meeting her gaze, and murmured in a low voice. A cold, sharp thorn, like a threat, was embedded in his monotonous tone.

"Chihiro is our sister. She is a member of the royal family, recognized by the king and queen. No matter what you say, you cannot infringe upon the rights Chihiro possesses. Understood? Do you understand?"

On the verge of nodding from the sheer force of his presence, Aristea recalled the words of her parents and those around her and mustered some truly, truly unnecessary courage.

"But isn't Count George a commoner? Then this girl must be a commoner too, right?"

That's right. Her father and brothers had said it too. That he was an insolent upstart. That he was shameless for enjoying a status he should have relinquished himself.

The words Aristea spoke to protect a meaningless pride perfectly shattered the thin ice. There was a sound like a crack, and even the onlookers shivered at the palpable chill in the air.

"I see. So that's what you think. ...May I have your name?"

Face to face with the second prince of her dreams, Aristea was a little carried away and energetically introduced herself.

"I am Aristea La Cartiña! It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance!"

"Duke Cartiña, is it. I'll remember that. By the way, who was it that called Count George an insolent person?"

"Uhm? My father, and... others often say it as well."

The surrounding students who heard those words began to stir. A crowd had formed around Little One and the others before they knew it, as students gathered to see what the commotion was about.

"I see. So those around the duke as well. Thank you. That was very informative."

Theodore's eyes narrowed into slits. His handsome features only served to amplify the fury in his sharp, hazel eyes, which scattered a killing intent as sharp and cold as absolute zero.

What have you done, daughter of Duke Cartiña!!

Their jaws dropped, the surrounding students were speechless. That young lady had just publicly declared that the house of Duke Cartiña, and the other nobles they associated with, looked down on Count George and called him a commoner.

Only she herself was unaware of the gravity of the situation.

The surrounding students hastily ran off to contact their respective families. They, too, had their own thoughts about the George family. But they had enough discretion not to show it. Yet this incident had created a situation where they could be caught in the crossfire.

We have to let them know quickly, so we can distance ourselves from the Cartiña family!

Oblivious to the panicked students, Aristea stared at the Theodore she had dreamed of, her mind a field of flowers.

Even his eyelashes are blonde and lovely. Blonde is a noble color, after all. He is just as wonderful as the Crown Prince.

The barrier of a girl in love was strong, completely blocking out the surrounding noise and immersing her in a blissful reverie.

And that evening, after being thoroughly scolded by her father through an emergency magic communication device, Aristea charged at Little One the next day.

"This is your fault!"

The curly-haired little girl's face was bright red, her eyes welling with tears.

From here began Aristea's shadowing of the pitiful Little One.

"It's your fault I got scolded by my father!"

"Is that so. I'm sorry to hear that."

"I want to be Prince Theodore's fiancée! You're in my way!"

"Oh my, it's all right. I am his sister, after all."

"...Is that so? Perhaps. You are his sister, after all."

"That's right. Marrying your sister, that's impossible, isn't it?"

"Then will you support me?"

"Of course. Though I don't think I can do much."

"Then I shall allow you to be my friend. You should feel honored."

"Friendship isn't something you become, it's something you are, you know? I'll be praying you can become one."

"...I don't understand. What do you mean?"

"You'll understand eventually. Let me know when you do, okay?"

Aristea tilted her head at the words of Count George's daughter, which were like a riddle. It bothered her to no end, and what's more, Little One's grades and class were higher than hers, which was infuriating and made her feel left behind. And so, every day, she snapped at Little One.

"Hmph! I won't lose either!"

Chihaya stared at the tantrum-throwing Aristea with dry eyes. The way she jumped up and down with her feet together was just like a small child. It was unseemly.

Glancing at Aristea with contempt, Chihaya whispered to Chihiro.

"She's full of energy every day, isn't she. ...Should I shut her up?"

A chill ran down Little One's spine at her brother's ominously suggestive words.

Hasn't Nii-ni been a little bloodthirsty lately, nyo?

Flashing a grin at Chihaya, who didn't bother to hide his mysterious grumpiness, Little One beckoned him closer with her finger and whispered a secret into his ear. The breath on his ear was ticklish.

"It's okay. Isn't a cute girl's tantrum a reward? She's just jealous, nyo. She wants to be Theodore's bride."

"The prince's?"

For a moment, Chihaya's eyes widened, then a wicked grin spread across his face. A scheming expression that looked just like Little One's.

"I hope she does her best. The prince will need a fiancée soon enough, after all."

Little One watched her suddenly cheerful brother with a puzzled expression as she headed to her magic class.

It is a charming side note that a few days later, upon learning of Chihaya's scheme, Little One would let out an exasperated, wry smile.

With the cute and boisterous Aristea now in the mix, Little One's days were fun, albeit tinged with a sense of foreboding.