Chapter 5: Calm Demeanour, Flaming Personality.

“This is perfect!” Alice shouted, throwing her fist into the air excitedly.

“Alice, are you also interested in meeting Lady Rose?” Juulian asked.

Alice nodded rapidly.

“Hah. Alright, I’ll make sure to introduce you at the party. It would be nice if my sister and my future wife get along well.” Julian said, his smile warming the temperature of the very room itself.

“You’ve lowered all of your defenses, Jewel.” Alice said.

“Th-...No, you’re right. I think… It feels better this way. I’m sorry for being rude to you all the time, Alice. It’s probably time for me to grow up already. I’m going to be 13 soon, after all. Keeping up a cold personality all the time would be immature.” Julian said.

“Jewel-” Alice started.

“You don’t need to say anything, I was wrong. I apologize Alice.” Julian said.

“No, you dimwit. I was going to say that you’re a horrible actor. What cold personality?” Alice said.

“Hmph. You can introduce yourself to lady Rose, then. I’m not in the mood to help you anymore.” Julian said, puffing his cheeks.

“Ack! Jewel, I didn’t mean it! Pleas-” Alice started.

“I’m kidding. I did say that it would be nice for you two to get along, so of course I’m going to introduce you.” Julian said, grinning.

“... You tricked me! Mean!” Alice said, kicking Julian in the shin and walking out of the room.

“Hehe. Goodnight Alice…” Julian said.

He held his hand out and looked at it.

“I need to get stronger. I can’t let my sister overtake me. Alright! I’ll start training twice as hard!” Julian said.

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A month later

“So you’re Alice, duke Ezel’s daughter? It’s nice to meet you, I’m Timothy Blake. You can call me Blake. I’ll be your tutor from now on.” Blake said, smiling.

“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Blake… Wait, Blake?!” Alice exclaimed, suddenly standing up and slamming her hands on the desk.

“Is something wrong, Alice?” Blake asked.

“No, nothing. Sorry. I was just surprised.” Alice said.

"Sir Blake is a mage of the royal family... One who has distinguished himself exceptionally, no less. The Magician Of Blue Flames. What is he doing here?!" Alice thought.

Blake raised an eyebrow

“Is that so? Then let’s move on from our introductions. If you will, can you please answer the questions on these papers?” Blake asked, handing Alice a stack of papers and a pen.

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{Ugh. It might be smart to just answer this honestly. If I’m given the simple lessons because he thinks I’m just a normal 5-year old, I won’t learn anything.} Alice thought.

“Um. Mr. Blake?” Alice asked.

“Do you need something Alice?” Blake asked.

“I’m finished.” Alice said, handing her papers back over.

“Already? That’s quite a surprise.” Blake said.

Alice scratched at her cheek with her finger and averted her gaze.

“Is there something else you wanted to say?” Blake asked.

“Eh?! W-Well, I just wanted to say that what you’ve given me is a tad bit too easy. I’d like it if you could give me something a bit more difficult. I don’t want to be treated like a child. I want lessons which I can actually learn something from.” Alice said.

Blake looked at her with a blank stare.

“That’s… Easy? Dear god. I did hear that you were smart, but I never expected to hear that in my lifetime.” Blake said.

He flipped through the papers.

“They’re… All correct. Alice, you said that this was easy, right? Do you even know what the test I gave you is?” Blake asked.

“No, I don’t... Why?” Alice asked.

“This is the test you are required to take if you want to become a scholar in the royal palace. The scholars entrance exam.” Blake said, his mouth slightly twitching.

Alice slapped her forehead.

{I’m an idiot.} Alice thought.

“Why would you give a 5 year old something like that?!” Alice shouted.

“I thought that it would teach you that you shouldn’t become complacent. Considering what I’ve heard, everyone treats you like the genius of the century. That often goes to a person's head. I’ll admit that you don’t seem as full of yourself as I had expected, especially considering that you’re also the daughter of Duke Ezel, but I still thought it would be a good lesson. I never expected you to actually find it… Easy. You’re only 5, yet you can already… Heh. Haha! Hahahaha!” Blake laughed.

“What’s so funny?” Alice asked.

Blake stopped laughing.

“Nothing, nothing. I was expecting you to be an average, above average child. This blows all of my expectations out of the water. I think I’m going to have fun with this job. I honestly expected to be bored out of my mind.” Blake said, grinning.

He closed his eyes and put a hand on his chin.

“There is a slight issue, though. I’d like to say that I would teach you what you want to learn right now, but this is something I should bring up with Duke Ezel first. Some of the content in those lessons might be a bit inappropriate for such a young child to learn. Unfortunately, I can’t make the decision myself.” Blake said.

“That’s a shame. I’m sure my father will agree, though. I can probably find a way to convince him. If not, I can ask mother to help me out.” Alice said.

“Are you… Are you sure you’re 5?” Blake asked.

{Well, I am technically 5, right? I don’t think it would be a complete lie.} Alice thought.

“You’re questioning that now? And yes, I’m 5. What of it?” Alice asked.

“Nothing. You just don’t act your age. At all. Whatsoever. You speak clearly and you obviously understand what’s going on around you.” Blake said.

“Is there something wrong with that?” Alice asked.

“This might be rude of me, but… I’d recommend not flaunting your intelligence too much. It would be best if you acted like a normal child.” Blake said.

Alice sighed.

“You’re worried that I might be seen as an obstacle in others eyes eventually, right? I’m not stupid, and I don’t want to be targeted either. It's not like I'm just going to go around acting like this in front of everybody.” Alice said.

{The only reason I did it here was because I know that I can trust you, anyway.} Alice thought.

“There’s… Something strange about you, you know that?” Blake asked, drawing his face closer to hers.

Alice put up her hands.

“Woah, I’m 5. It’s a bit too early to try to make advances on me, isn’t it?” Alice asked.

Blake frowned.

“Don't worry, I was just curious about the look in your eyes. I’m not stupid enough to lay my hands on the crown prince's fiancee.” Blake said.

Alice froze.

“The what?” Alice asked.