Chapter 50

Eidan started attending the academy.

He arrives at school just in time in the morning and returns home early in the afternoon.

When asked how the academy is, he only answers, "It's fine."

It seems that he goes to school, attends classes, and then quickly returns home as soon as they end. When I try to probe by asking, "Who did you play with today?" he says he reads books during breaks or talks to different children each time. Even during lunch, different names come up every day.

"It seems he is maintaining proper social interactions, so there shouldn't be any problem."

Rias said this, and Cynthia decided to accept it as well.

Then, one day, Eidan said at dinner, "—Can I invite a friend over tomorrow?"

Cynthia was genuinely surprised.

She even hesitated to consider whether this was a good thing.

"Who is it?"

She tried to ask calmly, even though she was leaning forward.

"Regnart Ziek. He has the same Earth attribute."

The Ziek family doesn't have much connection with their family. I only remember that they attended the wedding.

"We have a project due this weekend, and I thought we could work on it together."

"Ah, I see..."

When Cynthia looked at Rias, Rias nodded.

"Sure. Will you come back together?"

"Yeah, that's the plan."

"What kind of kid is he?"

Eidan looked puzzled at Cynthia's question.

"—He's my age, a boy, and has the Earth attribute."

Yeah, I know that.

Well, of course.

I don't think Eidan would tell me about how they interact or what kind of person he is.

Still, Cynthia couldn't help but ask.

"Are you good friends with him?"

"Um... I guess. It's fine."

Ah, there it is, "fine."

"Fine" is such a convenient word.

Cynthia sighed and nodded.

Then, as if he realized something, Eidan thought for a moment.

"Um... Regnart is quiet, so he doesn't have anyone to work on the project with. That's why I asked him."

"Oh, I see."

It seems Eidan is considerate not just to his sister.

"—Tomorrow? A friend is coming?"

Marivel put down her spoon and leaned forward.

"Marie, Eidan's friend is coming to study, so you can't play together."

"Aw? Not even a little bit?"

"Once the project is done."

"What's a project? When will it be done?"

"I'm not sure. It depends on Regnart."

It seems Marivel has decided that a guest is coming tomorrow.

"I hope Regnart comes soon."

She kicked her feet excitedly, as if to say she was looking forward to it.

The next day.

The long-awaited Regnart arrived with Eidan.

He was a timid child with brown hair and brown eyes.

Eidan hopped off the carriage and led the way, while Regnart followed nervously.

"Welcome."

"Thank you for inviting me."

I smiled as calmly as possible at the stiff Regnart.

"Please make yourself comfortable."

"Let's play after the project is done!"

I had thoroughly instructed Marivel, so she shouldn't bother them until the project is finished.

Regnart looked a bit confused by the enthusiastic Marivel.

Another child got off the carriage.

Since they usually bring a servant to the academy, this child must be Regnart's servant. He walked alongside Tan but seemed to be the same age as Eidan.

"Who are you?"

Marivel peered at the child, already locking onto him as a playmate.

"—Ah, this is my servant, Alro."

Regnart introduced him.

Alro, the boy with long black hair that covered his face, bowed deeply.

Marivel stared at him from below.

"Come on, Marie. The boys are studying, so we'll go play."

"Alro too?"

Marivel looked at Alro with hopeful eyes.

"N-no... I'm—"

"Will you play with Marie?"

Alro took a step back when Marivel asked.

"Marie, Alro has work to do, so you can't bother him."

"Aww... That's no fun."

Regnart waved his hands frantically.

"If it's okay, I can have Alro keep you company."

"Really!?"

"—That's so kind of you, but it's your servant."

"Alro doesn't have magic, so he can't do much anyway..."

"Then, let's all play after the project is done."

Marivel said this and pulled Alro by the hand.

Regnart gave Alro a look to follow, and Alro bowed. Lena chased after Marivel.

It's a bit uncomfortable to leave a servant in charge, but since he's still a child, it should be fine to have him as a playmate.

Cynthia was called because Sophia was crying, so she left it to them.

"Alro, how old are you?"

"Eight years old."

"The same as my brother. I'm four."

"Okay."

Marivel invited Alro into her room and brought out building blocks.

"Today, we're building a castle."

"A castle?"

"Yes. I'm the princess, and my brother is the prince."

Marivel started stacking the blocks. Alro just watched.

"What are you doing? You should help build."

"Sorry... I've never seen these toys before."

"Well, you have to follow my instructions. Have you seen a castle before?"

"This mansion looks like a castle..."

Marivel laughed.

"That's funny, Alro. The castle is where Uncle Titi lives. This is just a house."

"Okay."

Alro hunched his shoulders and looked down, so Marivel leaned in close.

"Alro, what's wrong?"

"Sorry, I... I'm not in a position to keep you company."

Marivel tilted her head.

"What do you mean?"

"I can't keep you company well, I'm sorry."

"Do you not want to play with me?"

"N-no!"

Alro shook his head frantically, and Marivel became even more confused.

When she stared at him, she could see his black eyes peeking through his bangs. They were uncertain and wavering.

"Wow, Alro. You have beautiful eyes!"

Marivel reached up and pushed back Alro's bangs.

"They're like the black jewels in Mama's jewelry box!"

Alro's eyes widened in surprise, sparkling like a starry night sky.

Alro's face turned bright red.

"N-no, that's not true... You're the one who sparkles and is beautiful."

"Really? But I've never seen black eyes before."

Marivel is surrounded by people with magic, so she hasn't seen black eyes.

People with magic often have eyes that reflect their attributes. Black is rare.

It's not uncommon for non-magical commoners to have eyes that don't reflect attributes.

Alro closed his eyes tightly under her gaze.

"Ah, you can't see if you close your eyes."

"Y-you're too close..."

"Marivel, Alro is uncomfortable."

Lena called out, and Marivel stepped back.

"Anyway, let's build the castle before my brother comes! Alro, gather these blocks!"

Marivel regained her composure and gave instructions for building the castle.

By the time Eidan and Regnart finished their project and came to Marivel's room, the castle was already complete.

Marivel had grown tired of building the castle and was drawing and making origami. By then, she had grown quite fond of Alro, to the point of quickly shooing away Cynthia, who had come to check on them.

When Eidan entered the room, Marivel was sitting on Alro's lap, reading a picture book.

"Ah, brother. Is the project done?"

"......"

Eidan felt a strange feeling in his chest, unsure of what it was, and paused for a moment.

"Brother?"

Marivel called again, and he snapped out of it.

"Ah, yeah, it's done. Sorry for keeping you waiting. What were you doing?"

"Well, we built a castle. I'm the princess."

Looking at the blocks, a castle was indeed built as usual.

"Brother, you're the prince. Let's have a party now."

It was snack time.

Lena brought the tea set, so they decided to have snacks by the castle.

Playing princess was much easier than the hero games they used to play.

The rule was simply to call Marivel "princess."

That day, the four of them played until dinner, and Regnart left after saying thank you multiple times.

"Did the project go well?"

When Cynthia asked, Eidan simply nodded.

"Alro, when will you come again?"

"Oh, Marivel really likes Alro, doesn't she?"

Marivel was in high spirits.

From that day on, Marivel started asking, "When will Alro come?" every day.