Chapter 16

It's not a midlife romance!

No one would know from just listening that this conversation involves a seven-year-old and a twelve-year-old.

"Erica, how's your forehead? Feeling better?"

At that moment, Aunt, who had been talking with the Ballet Countess from a distance, approached.

"Yes, Madam. I'm fine now. But who is this lady?"

Erica asked, pointing at me.

Aunt looked puzzled for a moment, then burst into laughter.

"She's Leon's cousin."

"…What?"

Erica's big eyes blinked, and she soon let out an exclamation, covering her mouth.

"Right! You said the Duke of Rubinstein might come, didn't you? He really did return?"

"Yes, just yesterday."

"Is that so! Speak up!"

Erica sighed in relief, as if she had just eaten a candy.

"Nice to meet you!"

"Ugh!"

Erica, who had approached, pulled Theo away from the right side where he was sitting and quickly took his place.

"So you're the Duke's daughter. You really look like an angel. I was so surprised. I almost felt jealous. I'm Erica Ballet. I'm twelve years old."

"I'm Lilith Rubinstein. I'm seven. You're pretty too. You look like a princess."

"Oh?"

Erica twisted her body, looking embarrassed.

"Thanks, Lilith. And one more thing, I'm engaged to Leon here."

"Are you crazy? Who decided that?"

Leon got angry, but Erica added without a care.

"Since we'll be family in the future, you can call me 'sister' now. And use informal language. Let's be friends, okay?"

"Ha, really… I really don't like it…."

I alternated my gaze between Leon, who was sighing deeply beside me, and Theo, who had been pushed to the opposite side by Erica.

'They look so alike, but wouldn't the gentle Theo be a better romantic partner?'

—But.

Erica blushed every time Leon shivered and said things like "I don't like it," "Get away from me!," and "You're so ugly."

I enjoyed the noisy afternoon dessert time, which was as loud as if my ears were bleeding, and realized Erica's taste.

'She likes bad boys…'

* * *

After a pleasant first trip to the city and returning home in the evening,

Dad burst in, shouting loudly, just as I was getting ready for bed.

"Princess!"

"Ako, you scared me. The door might fall off!"

Dad flew over to my side as I was just about to crawl into bed.

"You!"

"Did you eat dinner, Dad?"

"Dinner? What time is it now? I already ate long ago."

"Good. You shouldn't skip meals. I also had a delicious dinner with Aunt and my brothers. We went to a tailor to take measurements and order clothes. Aunt bought me ten outfits, didn't she?"

"Hehe, did you like them?"

"Totally. There were princess dresses too!"

"Wait a minute. By the way."

Dad, who had flopped down and faced me, asked with a worried look.

"Did you study all day today?"

"Not all day. Until three."

"Sorry, Princess. I only planned to get you a etiquette teacher, but you did something Grandpa didn't ask for."

"What are you talking about? Of course, I have to learn everything. Studying is fun."

"…Fun?"

"Yes. If Dad hadn't taught me anything and just pampered me, I might have ended up with the intelligence of a chimpanzee. Now I'll study hard and become smart."

"No, Princess, you can still play. It's okay to study slowly."

"Sigh, I'm tired of playing. Studying is more fun, right? It's not even hard."

"Really?"

"Yes, really. If it were hard and boring, I'd say so. But it's really easy and fun."

Dad, who was scrutinizing my face to see if I was lying, finally smiled.

"Is that so? Actually, the math teacher said you're a genius. I can see that too, can't I?"

"R-really?"

Remembering how I solved elementary school problems and was praised as an unparalleled genius by Mrs. Lena, I felt embarrassed.

If she had gone to Grandpa or Dad and said the same thing….

'Our Mr. James must have felt great.'

Which parent wouldn't be happy to hear their child is a genius?

Embarrassment is just a moment, isn't it? If Dad is happy, I'm satisfied.

"Who does my child take after? Who does she take after to be so smart? Huh?"

Dad, without hiding his rising smile, hugged me and rubbed cheeks.

"Like Dad."

"Ahahaha!"

"Dad was busy today too, right? Thanks for the hard work."

"It's okay. Since my genius daughter is studying hard, I can't just play around."

Dad lay down, propped his chin, and looked at me fondly.

Seeing Dad with a big smile, I didn't feel bad either.

Hehe, genius….

* * *

Ha, genius….

I'll cancel that.

Actually, I'm not a genius….

"It's an honor to meet you. I am Robert Quinn, from the Magic Tower's Talent Management Department. You can call me Robel, Princess."

"Y-yes…."

"Lilith, don't be nervous. Just answer the gentleman's questions casually. If you don't know, just say so."

Dad, patting my head affectionately, said.

"Are you nervous? Just do what you did with the teachers yesterday."

Grandpa added.

I clenched my teeth and nodded between them.

'I shouldn't have shown off…'

I ended up on the hot seat because of a momentary wrong choice, wanting to quickly finish a meaningless class.

At the Magic Tower, no less!

They had come to test my genius.

This whole situation was because of math.

When implementing magic, formulas are necessary, and those who create these formulas are researchers at the Magic Tower.

They have a common trait.

They are all 'math geniuses'!

Math is the fundamental principle of magic formulas.

So, the Magic Tower finds kids who are good at math and supports their talent education from a young age.

'I knew that…'

How could I not have predicted this disaster, knowing the world of the original work so well?

Genius, my ass.

I'm just an adult's mind trapped in a child's body….

"And over there… As you know, it's Oscar Manuel."

Robel, looking somewhat nervous, glanced back.

A boy with white hair and golden eyes sat with his legs crossed, looking arrogant.

He had a young face, like a high school student, but….

"He's the youngest Magic Tower Master ever."

…Yes, the Magic Tower Master.

Oscar Manuel!

A character of grand importance, whom I never imagined I'd meet just four days after arriving in the kingdom!

'Is this the butterfly effect of just doing some multiplication and division?'

I'll be called the villain who destroys the original work….

No, this isn't the time. I quickly did some mental calculations.

The Magic Tower Master, Oscar, is more of an 'enemy' than an ally.

Dad, preparing for a rebellion, had made capable people, high-ranking nobles, and political figures his allies.

'But he couldn't get the Magic Tower.'

Oscar never helped Dad.

If Dad had secured the Magic Tower, the revolution would have been three years faster.

But was Oscar on the royal family's side?

'Not really. Even after reading the entire original, I can't know what he's thinking.'

Anyway, I was at a crossroads.

1. There's no good in standing out. Just appear to be reasonably smart, not a genius.

2. This is a chance to connect with the Magic Tower and try to recruit Oscar. A gamble that requires accepting the spotlight.

I quickly chose option 1.

How could I, a mere child, make the impenetrable Oscar, whom even the protagonist Dad couldn't recruit, my ally?

'Good. I feel relieved.'

I started solving the problems Robel wrote on the low blackboard.

I just needed to solve up to the level we studied with the teacher yesterday.

"Amazing. You're really impressive."

Robel marveled as I did two-digit multiplication.

"Our daughter is really a genius…."

Dad was also surprised.

Then,

"Are you kidding me?"

"Y-yes?"

Oscar, who had been watching silently, stood up, making Robel flustered.

"Did you think I came here to watch kids play?"

"N-no, I'm sorry."

Robel apologized, fumbling.

Oscar, though young, was quite arrogant, but neither Dad nor Grandpa openly criticized his attitude.

'Well, he is the Magic Tower Master.'

If we had to compare, he was on par with Dad in terms of power.

"Check properly."

"Yes."

Robel erased the blackboard and started writing new problems.

"Hmm."

What is this….

Robel, who was giving the problems, looked embarrassed, and I was flustered.

Q. Mother's age is 3 years older than twice Oscar Manuel's age, and Father's age is 5 years older than Mother's age. If Father's age is 42, find Oscar Manuel's age.

'Is he giving a linear equation problem to a seven-year-old?'

I turned around, bewildered, and saw Oscar smiling, seemingly satisfied.

"Try it."

"……"

I had no intention of solving it anyway, but he's really crazy….

Definitely a lunatic who lives thinking he's a genius.

I pretended to read the problem a bit more and then shook my head.

"I don't know."

"You don't know?"

"Y-yes…."

As I answered dejectedly, Robel patted my shoulder.

"Princess, there's no need to be disheartened. Even the geniuses usually scouted by the Magic Tower can't solve this problem at seven."

"Right, Princess."

Dad, who had come over, picked me up from in front of the blackboard.

"You did well. This problem is too difficult. Our Princess is already a genius."

"Y-yes, hehe."

"Good job, Lilith."

Grandpa also smiled fondly and patted my head.

Then,

"Ha."

A sigh that broke the warm atmosphere.

Oscar, looking at me with disdain, turned away.

Muttering to himself, audible to everyone.

"I wasted my time on a fool."

…?

I could feel Dad's arms, which were holding me, tighten.

'This is bad.'

Dad said in a terrifying voice.

"Stay there."