She was such a fool, truly.
Avrora lifted her vacant eyes, staring despondently at the empty refrigerator.
She only knew that Root would sneakily eat her ice cream when no one was looking, but she'd forgotten that Root wasn't the only one who'd sneak ice cream...
All her sisters did it too!
She should have been more careful last night when she noticed they hadn't come out with her.
"It was you, wasn't it." Avrora glared at the Ninth, her eyes welling up with tears.
She pressed her lips together tightly, her fierce expression making it seem like she was about to pounce and bite any second.
"I have no idea what you're talking about." The Ninth turned her head, her face completely expressionless.
"Liar!"
With a soft growl, Avrora opened her mouth and hurled her petite body onto the Ninth.
The two golden-haired girls, nearly identical in appearance, tumbled and grappled across the room before landing heavily on the soft sofa.
"Root said it was you too!" Avrora mumbled, her words slurred as she bit down on the Ninth's shoulder.
"You believe what she says?" The Ninth lifted her head. Their eyes met. "Think about it carefully, when have I ever lied to you?"
"Hmm..." Avrora immediately stopped struggling, tilting her head in thought. "I guess... never?"
"And has Root ever lied to you?"
"All the time." Avrora nodded quickly.
"Do you trust me?" the Ninth pressed on.
"Well... I trust you... I think?"
"And do you trust her?"
"Um... er... uh..."
Avrora pondered for a moment, then gently shook her head. "N... not really?"
Seemingly angered by Avrora's response, the Ninth smacked her hands onto Avrora's shoulders.
"So instead of going to confront her, you come to me?"
Her expressionless face was now filled with visible anger. "Am I really that untrustworthy?" the Ninth demanded, her voice trembling with indignation.
"Because Root showed me a picture."
"...What?"
Watching the Ninth's utterly bewildered face, Avrora slowly pulled out her smartwatch.
Arcueid had given her this watch to prevent her from getting lost and for easy emergency contact. It could make calls, take photos, record videos, tell time, and more.
According to Arcueid, it was a brand called "Millennium Lock."
Though Avrora had searched for a long time and never found any brand by that name.
Well, Arcueid promised her a new phone if she did well on her finals, so Avrora hadn't bothered looking into it too much.
Her pale fingertip swiped across the watch's screen. A few seconds later, a picture of a golden-haired girl eating ice cream appeared before the Ninth's eyes.
The girl eating the ice cream bore a striking resemblance to Avrora, and the Roman numeral 'IX' on her chest revealed her identity.
Silence.
Blue eyes locked onto each other. Avrora, still on top, slightly parted her small lips.
Her tiny fangs glinted in the sunlight.
"Grrr!"
--+--
The gentle afternoon sun streamed into the top-floor office, casting a full spectrum of colors on a glass.
The aroma of black tea filled the air, while a magical barrier maintained the room at a perfect, comfortable temperature.
This was Minamiya Natsuki's office.
"My aunt has caused you much trouble, I'm afraid." La Folia sat primly on her chair, a polite smile gracing her lips.
"Not at all. Kanon has always been a very well-behaved and reliable child," Arcueid replied with an uncharacteristically serious air, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose.
This forced display of formality made Natsuki, who knew her all too well, sigh inwardly.
Just what is Her Highness scheming now?
Setting aside her doubts for the moment, Natsuki turned her gaze to La Folia. "Aren't you returning to your country?"
The soft sound of tea being poured filled the quiet room as Astarte gently pushed cups of the steaming beverage before the young ladies.
Catching the exquisite fragrance, Trimmau, standing some distance away, gave a satisfied nod.
She's ready to graduate.
"I'd like to stay on Itogami Island a while longer, for now," La Folia said, taking a delicate sip. Her eyes widened slightly.
Even she had never experienced a flavor this divinely perfect.
"Itogami Island welcomes all friendly guests."
"You have my deepest gratitude." La Folia nodded courteously, her gaze shifting to the girl beside her who bore such a striking, sisterly resemblance to herself. "Where does Kanon usually live?"
Suddenly finding herself the topic of conversation, Kanase Kanon blinked, then offered a gentle smile.
"I usually live at Minamiya-sensei's home."
"Minamiya-sensei..." La Folia repeated softly, a flicker of confusion passing through her blue eyes.
She looked up at Minamiya Natsuki and asked gently, "Does the 'Witch of the Void' also work part-time as a schoolteacher?"
To her knowledge, Minamiya Natsuki also handled various affairs for Itogami Island.
Though according to intelligence, most of that work was actually taken care of by a... cat.
"No."
"No?" La Folia grew even more curious. "She's not a schoolteacher?"
"Of course she is a schoolteacher."
"Then..."
"It's just not a part-time job." Natsuki set her teacup down lightly, looking quite relaxed as she regarded La Folia. "Teaching is my main profession. My work with the Security Force is the side job."
"Is that so?" Kanon murmured in surprise, her small mouth parting slightly.
This was the first time she'd heard such an explanation.
"It's perfectly normal," Arcueid declared, pushing her glasses up again. The lenses flashed sharply in the sunlight.
"Just as normal as a shut-in NEET being an angel, a dragon maid living next door, or a classmate who's a phantom thief that steals hearts."
Is that really normal?
La Folia elegantly covered her lips, letting out a soft, musical laugh.
"My... How fitting for a Dominion. One certainly won't find boredom here."
After seeing off La Folia, who had paid a formal visit, Natsuki rubbed her temples.
She didn't feel particularly tired, but...
Her gaze slowly shifted to Arcueid, who was chatting amiably with Kanon.
Why on earth did this princess decide to show up here today?
"Ahem..." As if sensing her stare, Arcueid cleared her throat with exaggerated seriousness.
"After all, I am, in a manner of speaking, one of the rulers of Itogami Island. I should at least make some effort to handle related affairs." She raised a finger lightly, her eyes gleaming with a serious, determined light.
I see. She's bored.
"Is that so? Well then, start by looking over this." Natsuki handed her a document without much ceremony.
"What's this about?"
"Finances."
"Oh, oh! Then I understand perfectly." Arcueid nodded excitedly. "I'm an expert at spending money."
"Then take a good, careful look."
Natsuki lifted her cup, taking a sip of the still-warm tea.
Let's see if she can last an hour.
She nodded to herself silently, her own eyes beginning to scan the documents on her own desk.
Sunlight filtered through the thin curtains, casting faint shadows on the paper.
A breeze rustled the leaves outside the window, creating a soft whispering sound in the air.
In the midst of this languid afternoon, Arcueid gently set down the document she was holding.
"Natsuki-chaaan, I'm booored."
Thirty seconds. She lasted thirty seconds.
Natsuki shook her head in resignation and handed her a finely crafted invitation.
"A party invitation... on the Oceanus Grave?"
Arcueid read the words on the invitation softly, her crimson pupils sparkling with delight.
--+--
T/N: 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!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.