Chapter 13

A few days later, the matching dresses for Rebecca and me arrived.

They were mainly blue and pink, and they were very cute.

To be honest, the dress might be too cute for me, but since it was made in Rebecca's favorite colors, she looked very happy.

"R-really, is it okay for me to wear this?"

"Of course, Rebecca. It's a match for me."

Rebecca's dress was mainly pink with some blue, while mine was mainly blue with a touch of pink.

The design and embroidery were exactly the same, so anyone could tell they were a match.

"I'm so happy that they match! Thank you, Lady Sophie!"

"Hehe, I'm glad you like it. These were made for everyday wear, so let's wear them today."

"Y-yes!"

We went to separate rooms and put on the matching dresses.

With the help of the maids, we changed, and when I met Rebecca again...

"H-how do I look...?"

"Too cute...!"

There was an angel there.

I thought the pink dress would be picky about who wore it, but Rebecca was the perfect choice.

Rather, Rebecca was the one who chose the dress, yes, I don't even know what I'm saying.

She looked so adorable and suited it so well.

"Rebecca, it suits you very well."

"Thank you. Lady Sophie, you look very beautiful too!"

"Hehe, thank you."

The dress I'm wearing now is for everyday wear, not for social events, so it's relatively easy to move in.

At social events, we have to wear more restrictive dresses and dance, which is very difficult...

"Let's have our lessons in these clothes today."

"Yes!"

Yes, a good answer and a cute smile.

But today's lesson will be taught by someone else, and I'll just watch.

Because...

"Today, we will learn magic."

"Yes, please teach me, Neo."

Today, we will learn magic in the main house's garden from the butler, Neo.

I'm also studying magic, so I understand the theory.

But when it comes to practical skills, it's a different story.

"Lady Sophie, you can't use magic, so I'll teach you."

"Yes, please, Neo."

Yes, I can't use magic.

Most nobles can use magic, and the higher the rank, the stronger the magic tends to be.

But since I can't use magic, I have to rely on someone else to teach Rebecca.

Fortunately, Neo, the butler, is the son of a viscount, so we found someone to teach her quickly.

Of course, Alan can use magic and, as the head of a dukedom, is very skilled.

But he's too busy to teach.

"Is this your first time using magic?"

"Y-yes."

"Then let's start with manifesting water. It's the easiest, and even if you fail, it's safe."

"O-okay!"

Magic is quite difficult and not something a ten-year-old can do.

Those who have magic power need to enter a magic academy around the age of twelve.

Most nobles have magic power, so they usually enter the academy.

There, they learn the basics of handling magic and then choose whether to graduate or stay to study more.

So, it's normal not to be able to use magic at ten...

"Is this okay?"

"Yes, it's very good, Lady Rebecca."

"Thank you, but the shape isn't stable... I'm sorry."

"No, no, it's amazing. Really, I'm not exaggerating, it's unbelievable."

Yes, Rebecca is a genius.

She almost perfectly replicated the water sphere Neo demonstrated as an example on her first try.

And it looked bigger than Neo's, probably because she has more magic power.

The shape might be unstable, but I think it's just because it's so big and hard to maintain.

"Indeed, Lady Rebecca, you are the daughter of the Bernhard Duke. Impressive."

"Thank you..."

Rebecca, blushing and looking embarrassed, is cute, but the large water sphere next to her is quite a contrast.

We continued practicing magic, and I watched from a little distance.

Then, I heard a voice from behind.

"Sophie"

"Ah, Alan, good to see you."

He must have finished work and come back, still in his outerwear.

As always, he looks beautiful, even though he's expressionless.

"Practicing magic?"

"Yes, that's right. I can't use magic, so I'm leaving it to Neo."

"I see... Rebecca seems to have good potential."

"Is that just 'good'?"

"Is it not?"

"At ten, that's a sign of great talent..."

"I see. I could do that at around seven, so I'm not sure."

Rebecca has many talents, but not as much as Alan.

Actually, Alan is so talented that there's probably nothing he can't do.

"Isn't it true that you have magic power but can't use magic?"

"Yes, that's right. I attended the magic academy because I had magic power, but I graduated after a year because I couldn't use magic."

There are rare cases where someone has magic power but can't use magic.

When I entered the academy, I was noticed for my high magic power, but I couldn't use magic at all.

People around me were puzzled as to why I had so much magic power but couldn't use magic, but it's probably because I have a Gifted ability.

Gifted abilities also use magic power, so I think all of my magic power is used for my precognitive dreams.

That's why I can't use magic at all, I assume.

I haven't told anyone that I have a precognitive dream Gifted ability, so I was judged as someone with high magic power who can't use magic and graduated.

"I see, there are people like that."

Alan didn't show any particular reaction, just a normal response.

It's rare for someone to graduate from the magic academy without being able to use magic, and many people mock them...

But Alan isn't that kind of person.

I knew that, but I felt a bit relieved.

Maybe he just isn't interested in me...

"Hmm... Sophie, are those dresses a match with Rebecca's?"

"Ah, yes, they are."

Alan noticed too. Well, they match so much that it's obvious, but it's nice that he pointed it out.

"I wanted something to show that Rebecca and I are a family. I had them made when the merchants came last time."

"I see."

"Ah, I bought them with my allowance for maintaining my dignity. Is that okay?"

Technically, that money is for maintaining my dignity, not for buying things for Rebecca...

"Yes, it's fine. Think of it as your allowance."

"Understood, thank you."

Good, it seems there's no problem.

Hehe, I'll buy a lot more for Rebecca in the future...!

"Is there nothing for me?"

"Huh?"

"Is there no matching outfit for me?"

Eh, did I hear wrong?

No, I don't think I heard wrong at this distance... Does Alan want a matching outfit with us?

"I'm sorry, I didn't prepare one."

"...I see."

Ah, his expression didn't change much, but he looks disappointed.

How did I know?

I've been having dinner with Alan for about a month, so I've gotten used to his facial expressions.

But I didn't expect him to want a matching outfit with us.

It's true that I said we should be a family, and it's a bit sad to leave him out.

"I'm sorry, I'll prepare one next time."

"...Okay, I'll leave it to you."

"Yes."

Hmm, did his mood improve a bit?

Alan has some unexpectedly cute sides.

I didn't think he was like this when I first met him.

"I know you understand, but the day after tomorrow is the social event. Are you prepared?"

"Yes, of course."

I got the dress and jewelry for that.

But it's my first social event as a duchess, so I'm a bit nervous.

"I see, then I'll count on you."

"Yes, thank you."

"Then, I'll be going."

"Please work hard."

"Yes."

He came here after finishing his work outside and is now returning to the mansion.

I turned to see him off, but at that moment—

"---Madam, watch out!!"

"Huh?"

I heard Neo's panicked voice and turned around to see a clump of dirt rushing towards me.