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T/N: Today I’d like to thank my Cookie Donors Anthony and Emma! Thanks for the sweets 😀
“I like black best.”
“Oh! You like black! My favorite color is white.”
“It would seem that we’re exact opposites then,” I say, smiling at Liz-san who also grins back at me.
Although we’re both smiling, the meanings behind our expressions are the exact opposite as well.
“Isn’t it great that we’re opposites?”
“Yes. Truly. Great,” I agree mechanically.
This conversation is quickly turning tiresome. What’s the point in continuing? As if we could actually learn anything about each other through these shallow, meaningless exchanges.
“What do you like?”
You’re seriously still asking me questions? And they’re even becoming more abstract now.
Liz-san really lacks the ability to read the mood. And here I had hoped she might actually be able to glean at least a single extra thought or emotion from my expression.
Honestly. This is why I can’t stand the heroine! She’s so dull and thickheaded!
“This.”
With a crisp, clear sound, I snap my fingers.
In a flash, one of the flowers from the vase across the room slides loose from its bouquet and floats towards me.
My gravitational magic spell which is supposed to draw objects towards its caster acts exactly as I had intended. With a flourish, I gracefully pluck the single bloom from the air and offer it to Liz-san.
“For you.”
Not just Liz-san, everyone stares at me with wide eyes.
Could they be awed by my gallantry?
“Magic…..?”
“Yup. Obviously.”
Hurry and take the flower already, would you? It’s embarrassing to keep holding it out like this.
“But isn’t Ali-chan still…..”
“She’s…… ten.”
“Right?”
I overhear Curtis-Sama and Albert-Oniisama murmuring amongst themselves.
When I had first used magic in front of Grandpa Will, he had also asked how old I was. I wonder if I’ve surpassed the level of magic that kids my age can typically use?
“Thank you.”
At long last, Liz-san finally takes the flower from my outstretched hand.
“A daisy. It’s beautiful,” Liz-san says, her face alight in a smile that would even put angels to shame.
Don’t point that dangerous thing at me. That sort of irritatingly sublime look could even capture me, the villainess!
And no matter how much your favorability towards me rises, I won’t be the slightest bit happy. I was trying to be nasty when I handed you that flower, you know?
What a blessing it must be to be that ignorant and foolish.
In the end, nothing was decided today either.
The only thing that we accomplished was that Liz-san and I managed to hold a conversation. A long, boring conversation.
Now that everyone’s left though, I head off towards the library so that I can actually do something productive. But before I reach my destination, I see Albert-Oniisama and Father standing in a little alcove and talking.
They’re expressions look extremely grave. Is their conversation that serious?
I sneak closer to them as quietly as possible so as not to alert them to my presence.
“Alicia used magic? Is that true?”
“Yes. I saw it with my own eyes.”
“But Alicia is only 10 years old…..”
What’s wrong with being ten? Why is everyone always so taken aback when they talk about my age?
“This is the first time I’ve ever heard of such a thing. I can’t believe it.”
“I almost couldn’t either. Since you shouldn’t be able to use magic before turning 13.”
…Before turning 13? But I’m….. ten.
Odd. The math doesn’t seem to be working out right…?
“Enfant terrible,” Father murmurs in a low, somber tone.
Enfant terrible? Me?
The heroine was supposed to be the who doesn’t conform to the standards of society, not me. Besides, being able to use magic only after turning thirteen just doesn’t make sense. There has to be some kind of mistake.
Without waiting to hear more, I spin around and run the rest of the way to the library, unable to fully digest what I had just heard.
I know it’s unacceptable for a villainess to let herself lose her composure to this degree, but for once, such thoughts don’t even flitter across my mind.
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T/N: *Face palm.* Alicia, in what world is handing someone a variant of their favorite flower considered mean? I can’t think of even one reason why that would have been a rude or hurtful gesture lol.
