In the restaurant built along the shore, Alice and Charlotte sat facing each other.
Robin had long since vanished, flying off on his own the moment they stepped out, leaving only Sigmund and Suigintou accompanying the two girls in the dining hall.
Sure hope this place does takeout.
Chewing the food in her mouth, Alice gave a satisfied nod.
Charlotte watched Alice's movements with curiosity. "Have you been to Britain before, Alice?"
If not for her appearance and name, Charlotte felt Alice could totally pass for a British native.
"Britain is my homeland."
No wonder, Charlotte thought, suddenly understanding.
"Then—"
"You might have misunderstood something." Just as Charlotte was about to ask more, Alice abruptly cut her off.
The black-haired girl took a sip of black tea, her tone icy.
"Our relationship isn't that close. Allowing you into the mansion is merely a transaction."
Charlotte froze, her hands stilling mid-action.
Alice's merciless words were sharp as daggers, shattering the illusions Charlotte had woven throughout the day.
"...Even though we've only just met, I thought... we could be considered... friends..."
"Your standards for friendship are rather low."
Continuing her sharp remarks, Alice, holding her teacup, seemed completely oblivious to the fragile expression on the other girl's face.
Charlotte pressed her lips tightly together and lowered her eyelids.
Sigmund watched her with concern.
Deep down, Charlotte understood. They had only met a day ago; the only thing binding them was their transaction.
She had simply indulged in the fantasy that they were friends.
Ever since the incident in her family, all the 'friends' around her had vanished.
"It's just that..." Charlotte murmured, "after what happened, you're the first person who's been willing to treat me kindly, to take me in, to trust me..."
"Handing my Magic Circuits over was only because I was confident you couldn't escape, and that I could retrieve them if needed. If that gave you the impression of trust, I'll take them back later."
Alice set down her tea. The cup met the saucer with a clear, sharp 'clink.'
"There's no such thing as a free lunch in this world. If you trust others over a little kindness, then you may leave my mansion now."
"..."
Charlotte's lips parted, but no words came out. She silently bowed her head.
The atmosphere at the table grew steadily heavier.
"Don't forget our agreement. Remember to hand over Sig—"
Seeing the conversation had reached its end, Alice picked up Suigintou from beside her and made to leave.
"Alice, you're strong, aren't you." The voice from across the table suddenly cut in, halting her movement.
Adjusting Suigintou in her arms, Alice turned her gaze back to Charlotte.
Charlotte closed her eyes briefly. When she opened them again, only determination remained on her face.
"Earlier at the mall, even though you had no automaton with you, I felt threatened. Even Sigmund grew tense."
"To own a mansion here in Liverpool's city center, near the world's top magical academy..."
The girl's voice was calm, devoid of its earlier fragility.
"And Robin—you've never supplied him with magical energy, have you, Alice?"
Alice didn't respond, merely watching Charlotte quietly.
Faced with Alice's placid gaze, Charlotte faltered slightly, her eyes shifting away for a moment before stubbornly meeting Alice's again.
"I come from the former Belew family. Because of me, the House of Belew fell apart." The girl recounted her past in a measured tone.
But her fists, clenched tightly on her lap, betrayed the turmoil beneath her calm surface.
"My goal in joining the Night Party is to become the Demon King and restore the Belew name. Beyond that, whatever you need, whatever your aims, I will support you as the Demon King."
"Why wouldn't I simply become the Demon King myself?" Alice's light voice broke in, her gaze drifting indifferently to Suigintou in her arms, her slender fingers stroking the doll's delicate face.
"You don't like dealing with people, do you?" A faint smile touched Charlotte's lips.
Such a large estate, yet not a single servant in sight. Alice had even come here without an escort.
For a family with the influence to build a mansion near the world's top magical academy, it was unthinkable they wouldn't have trained and assigned servants.
That left only one possibility: Alice herself had refused such arrangements.
The girl was confident in her deduction.
"All public matters can be left to me." Charlotte rose from her seat and stepped slowly to Alice's side, then bent her right knee.
"In return, I wish to gain the aid of the Kuonji family, to gain your help, Alice." Her eyes were nervous, carefully watching for Alice's reaction, fearing the girl would refuse.
Sigmund also approached, landing beside Charlotte and bowing his head in respect.
Alice stroked Suigintou's chin, her cherry lips parting slightly.
"How can I believe you have the capability?"
"I will secure my place in the Night Party immediately after enrollment," Charlotte responded at once.
Alice's gaze finally returned to Charlotte, her dark eyes fixed on the girl below.
Their eyes met, and this time Charlotte didn't look away.
Sigmund's Magic Circuits were quite interesting; his attacks were nearly impossible to defend against.
Charlotte was a bit naive, but not foolish. She valued bonds and family deeply—a point that could even be leveraged to control her.
Hmm...
Resting a curved finger against her lips, Alice pondered quietly.
Charlotte wasn't wrong about one thing: Alice had no desire to deal with people. Having someone handle such affairs would be a great help.
There wasn't anything particularly disagreeable about her, anyway. It wouldn't hurt to observe her for a while.
Having reached a decision, Alice nodded and extended her hand.
"There will be a probationary period."
She was in.
Charlotte let out a long, relieved breath. Instead of shaking the offered hand, she gently took Alice's fingertips and pressed her lips to the pale, smooth back of her hand.
The soft touch of the girl's lips brought an odd sensation; her warm, slow breath seemed to gently caress Alice's heart.
Time seemed to stand still. Moonlight streamed down, draping a sheer veil over the two girls.
Charlotte, finally at ease, remained in that position, while Alice, encountering such a gesture for the first time, stared at her in bewilderment.
Since when do people kneel and kiss hands?
"..."
After a moment of silence, rescue arrived.
"My angel—enjoying the taste of Miss Alice's hand, are we?" Robin, who had flown off to who-knows-where to spectate, suddenly appeared. He landed mercilessly on Charlotte's head, pecking at her crown with his sharp beak.
His voice was as shrill as ever, but now it was laden with jealousy.
"As much as I'm sure Miss Alice's delicate skin feels wonderful, don't you think that's enough kissing for now!"
"I... I..."
Charlotte's face flushed scarlet in an instant. Releasing Alice's hand, she scrambled to her feet, too flustered to form a complete sentence.
But the moment she stood, her legs buckled, sending her stumbling backward. Panicked, she flailed her arms, her posture uncannily similar to Robin's after his overindulgence that afternoon.
Just as she tipped backward, a giant fork suddenly pressed against her back.
It resembled a dining fork, only several times larger.
Fortunately, it was the handle that stopped her; otherwise, she'd have been skewered like meat on a plate.
Once Charlotte steadied herself, the fork gradually faded away as if its duty was done.
Standing safely again, Charlotte closed her eyes and patted her burning cheeks, trying to forget her embarrassing display.
Alice took a slow, measured sip of her tea, then set the cup down with a hint of displeasure.
The tea had gone cold.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
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If you guys wanna check it out.