"Hey kid, what are you up to?"
The next morning, taking advantage of Alice reading in the lounge, Charlotte secretly pulled Robin to the front hall.
Clutching the newly bought beef jerky, she leaned close to Robin's ear and whispered, "Hey, hey, hey..."
Before she could even finish, Robin was already looking at her with a wary expression.
"You... want to get some info, don't you."
"Ahaha~"
"No way!" Robin suddenly got agitated. "Even if you killed me, I wouldn't reveal any intel about Miss Alice, not a single word!"
"..."
Charlotte's small mouth hung slightly open, her lips quivering, her cheeks instantly flushing red.
"I-It's not that! Even though Alice is... is..."
She hurriedly shook her head, trying to fling those strange thoughts away.
Charlotte stole a glance at Alice, and seeing she hadn't been disturbed by the commotion, patted her chest in relief.
Her relationship with Alice was just a transactional one, but... probably they could be considered friends, right?
Turning back, Robin was looking at her with an 'I knew it' expression.
She quickly placed the beef jerky in front of Robin. "I just wanted to ask about your Magic Circuits."
"Really?" Robin's disbelieving look made Charlotte incredibly nervous.
"O-Of course it's true."
"Magic Circuits... Oh, that's all? I thought you were trying to strategize against Miss Alice."
Robin fluttered his wings, cheerfully popping the beef jerky into his mouth. "Is this the legendary bribery?"
"...Just hurry up and talk after you finish eating."
Swallowing the jerky, Robin cleared his throat lightly twice, raising his neck high.
"Listen up."
"Mmhm, mmhm."
"My Magic Circuits are..."
Charlotte's eyes shone brighter and brighter, her hands clasped expectantly in front of her chest.
"...Not gonna tell ya! Hahaha!"
"..."
Robin's sharp laughter echoed in Charlotte's ears.
Her eyes instantly grew calm, her hands making a vague gripping motion around Robin's neck.
What's the most efficient way to kill a bird in one strike?
She racked her brain for that particular bit of knowledge.
Seemingly sensing Charlotte's murderous intent, Robin fluttered his wings frantically. "Wait, wait, wait!"
"How about I just give you a little info on the Three Great Ploys instead."
He glanced at Alice in the lounge.
Miss Alice doesn't seem opposed.
And Thames probably isn't against it either. Not like he can object, haha.
"Listen up, you've already met Snark." Robin raised one wing. "There are two others. One of them is the Giant of the Bridge [Thames Troll]."
"And the other one is... what was it again?"
"That's a secret."
Alice's cool voice cut in as she smacked Robin, sending him flying.
The two dolls behind her also stepped out.
"Let's go, it's time to head out."
"Alice."
Charlotte called out to her, her voice tinged with a sudden excitement.
Alice turned back, puzzled.
The golden-haired girl's face bore a beautiful smile, her delicate features seeming to sparkle in the sunlight. She pointed at Robin, who was now plastered against the wall. "Can I have a turn too?"
Has Robin really driven her to this point?
After a moment of silence, Alice turned her head away again.
"...Fine."
"Gah?!"
Over by the wall, Robin shook his wings and let out a cheerful squawk.
At the mansion's entrance, Charlotte, having exacted her revenge, stretched lazily and strolled into the garden.
Even though it was just a light tap, because she'd never managed to land one before...
Succeeding this time left Charlotte feeling refreshed and clear-headed.
The thrill was no less than flawlessly defeating a Valkyrie after being stuck all night.
So satisfying!
It's true, humans need an outlet sometimes.
Content, Charlotte placed her hands on her hips and called out to Alice and the others ahead. "I'm paying for lunch today!"
The semester was already halfway through when she transferred, but the scholarship money had found its way into Charlotte's hands.
With a wave of her small hand, the corners of her mouth turned up high. "My treat!"
"Ooooh!!!" Robin, who had seemed half-dead just moments before, instantly sprang up.
"—?! You recovered that fast?!"
--+--
The lunch spot was the same restaurant from that night. It was actually quite popular.
Without a prior reservation, and to snag a table for the group, Charlotte went on ahead to find seats and order.
Suigintou spread her wings and flew after her, memories of that night—seeing but not being able to eat—flooding back.
So she called out, 'I want the same things I had that day!' as she caught up to Charlotte.
Shinku, however, seemed unable to fly outside of the N-Field. She and Alice were making their way over slowly.
Although the foot traffic was heavy, the crowd parted to make a path for Alice.
Alice, holding Shinku's hand, walked amidst the stream of people.
"Alice," Shinku spoke up suddenly, breaking her silence.
"What is it?"
"Why were you able to create a Rozen Maiden?"
"..."
Did Suigintou tell her?
Alice walked on silently, pondering whether to tell Shinku or not.
Perhaps interpreting Alice's silence as affirmation, Shinku continued, "May I ask about your identity?"
Caught off guard by the sudden question, Alice wasn't quite sure how to explain it to Shinku.
Truth be told, Alice herself wasn't entirely clear. A major reason she could create Rozen Maidens was the components available in the mansion.
"My identity is nothing special. Why do you ask so suddenly? Are you unhappy staying here?"
"No, I am very happy." Shinku suddenly stopped and looked up into Alice's eyes.
"It is precisely because I am happy that I wish to ask. Do you know Father?"
Yes, precisely because she felt such happiness by Alice's side, she wanted to know.
Being able to create Rozen Maidens... does Alice know Father?
Or... is she an enemy?
If she was a friend, Shinku wanted to ask Alice to inquire of Father why he left so inexplicably.
If she was an enemy, then she would have to leave Alice's side.
Even though Shinku wasn't familiar with her Father, one could hardly say they even knew each other...
Still, he was the one who created her. It wouldn't be right for her to continue staying with Alice if she were his enemy.
Shinku waited quietly for Alice's response.
"I do not know him."
"...That's wonderful." Shinku let out a soft sigh of relief, then suddenly gave two light laughs and stepped in front of Alice.
She raised her arms upwards and said softly, "Carry me."
"Alright."
Holding Shinku in her arms, Alice resumed walking.
"Alice, could you tell me about Suigintou?"
"Regarding Suigintou's matters, if you wish to know, you should ask her yourself. I won't disclose them."
"Alright."
Alice thought for a moment, then decided to tell Shinku a little about the creation of the Rozen Maidens.
"The main reason I was able to create Rozen Maidens is largely because I had the necessary materials for you all. That is all."
She walked with light steps, ascending the staircase.
The restaurant was just ahead.
The glaring sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling window beside them, falling upon Shinku.
The doll's exquisite face held a faint smile.
"Alice."
"Hm?"
"It is not merely 'that is all'."
"What?"
Shinku raised her hands and gently touched Alice's face.
"That you could create Rozen Maidens is absolutely not just about possessing the materials."
"When you crafted us, you must have been exceedingly meticulous, and filled with unparalleled love."
"Otherwise, a Rozen Maiden would not have awoken."
Alice's steps faltered for a brief instant.
She offered no verbal response, only her footsteps became just a little bit lighter.
--+--
T/N: Due to ease of translation than I expected, the number of chaps per day increases to 3.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 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!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.