December 25th.
Today was the day of the Carol Festival. I was still in the dormitory, but many of the other students had already left for the holidays. My roommate, Evi, had headed back to his family's home last night.
It made sense; the Carol Festival was, after all, a time to spend with family.
As for me, I was scheduled to gather at Master’s house in the evening. It was a yearly tradition, but today was also actually Master’s birthday.
She was perhaps the closest person to family I had. Calling her a "mother" felt slightly off... I felt that the title "Master" suited her best.
"Whew..."
I took a deep breath.
I pulled the curtains open with a sharp slide, revealing the same snowy landscape as yesterday. It seemed even more snow had fallen overnight, as the drifts were deeper than before.
I proceeded to go through my usual routine. Even on the day of the Carol Festival, I never skipped my training.
After stoically completing my workout alone, I took a shower.
My schedule for today included an invitation to a Magic Association party starting in the evening. Just as it had been during the summer break, the event was expected to be quite a grand affair given the holiday.
Naturally, the daughters of the Three Great Noble Families—Amelia, Ariane, and Rebecca-senpai—were also attending. If I recalled correctly, Clarice had mentioned she would be there as well.
"Now then. What should I do until then?"
I had time to kill. It was still morning, and even accounting for the travel time to the Magic Association, I had plenty of hours left.
Just as I was considering doing some reading, there were three sharp knocks on the door.
Thinking it unusual, I went to answer it.
When I slowly opened the door... the person standing there was...
"Yahoo! I’ve arrived!"
Princess Olivia was standing there.
Her silver hair flowed smoothly, with stray strands peeking out from beneath the muffler wrapped around her neck. Perhaps she was sensitive to the cold, as she was thoroughly bundled up in winter gear, fully equipped with a muffler, earmuffs, and gloves.
She looked fluffy all over, appearing warm just by sight alone.
"Um. Princess Olivia. Is there something I can help you with?"
"I came to play! I figured Ray would be free at this time today!"
"Well... I mean, I am free, but..."
It was as if she had a perfect grasp of my schedule... no, I was surely overthinking it. It would be impossible for anyone to track my movements so precisely. It must have just been good timing.
"By the way, did you come alone?"
"No, I have guards with me. They’re probably watching from somewhere right now, don't you think?"
"I see."
Indeed, I could sense several presences in the vicinity. As expected of a princess, she wouldn't be out wandering alone.
"Hehehe. I figured the others from the Three Great Noble Families would be busy with preparations today. I thought now was the perfect time! Well? Aren't I clever?"
"I see. So the Three Great Noble Families are busy with preparations?"
"Yep, it seems so! Heh heh heh! That’s exactly why I decided to steal a march on them now!"
Seeing her puff out her chest and declare that so proudly, I couldn't help but think she was quite adorable.
Even if it was all calculated, it seemed I was indeed weak to those younger than me.
"Would you like to come in? I'll brew some tea."
"Yay! I'm coming in!"
And so, I ended up letting Princess Olivia into my room.
Slurp... "Phew. Ray, the tea you brew really is delicious. It warms me right up~"
"I'm honored."
To be honest, I didn't think I was particularly skilled at brewing tea... but if she liked it, I suppose that was fine.
"Ah! That reminds me, congratulations on winning the Magics War!"
"Thank you very much."
"Man, that was such a nail-biting battle!"
"It was. It really was a close fight."
"I made sure to watch all of Ray's matches, and as I thought, Ray is strong!"
"I'm honored."
After that, Princess Olivia continued to talk with relentless momentum, perhaps because she had so much to catch up on since we hadn't met in a while.
Even I was taken aback, but since I was somewhat used to such energy, I let the words flow over me while offering the occasional nod of agreement.
"Ah, that reminds me... there's something I wanted to ask you."
"What?! You have something you want to ask me?!"
Smiling brightly, she leaned her body in close.
I decided to ask her what had been on my mind.
"It's about Stella. Are the two of you on good terms?"
"Oh! Stella! That girl... yeah, she's a really good kid. How should I put it? She’s like an angel with no hidden side."
"I feel the same way. Stella really is an adorable and wonderful person."
Calling Stella an angel—it was an apt description. Indeed, that level of loveliness was already on par with a celestial being.
"Mhm, mhm. When we first met, she wasn't intimidated at all, even though I told her I was a princess."
"I see. That's just like Stella."
"Now we're very close friends! I heard Stella is enrolling in Arnold Magic Academy next year, so I'm looking forward to it!"
"That is certainly something to look forward to."
While our conversation was in full bloom, the clock passed noon. I began to think it was time to prepare to head out.
From what she told me, it seemed she had originally planned to head to the party venue with me. I asked if she had any duties as a royal, but she claimed she had already finished everything she needed to do.
I didn't know if that was the truth, but since the guards didn't intervene, it was likely true enough.
I didn't understand the inner workings of royalty, but she was likely handling her responsibilities properly. To me, Princess Olivia was something of a little devil, but just like with Stella, I tended to be soft on my juniors.
Then, the two of us headed out into the city.
Snow was falling silently and steadily, though only lightly. Since it wasn't heavy enough to require an umbrella, we walked along without much concern.
Then, we happened to run right into her.
"Ah... if it isn't Ray. Hey."
Just like Princess Olivia, she was wearing as much winter gear as possible. Maria was also in a completely fluffy, bundled-up state.
"Maria, what are you doing here? Shouldn't there be preparations at House Bradley?"
"I ran away because it’s a pain. Well, I’m sure Big Sister will do her best."
"I-I see..."
Rebecca-senpai, please hang in there... While I was offering that silent prayer, Princess Olivia stepped out from behind me.
"Hmm? Another acquaintance of Ray's?"
"Um... well... yes. That’s right..."
In a complete reversal, Maria shrank back as if she were a different person. If I recalled, she had mentioned she was bad with people she was meeting for the first time. I felt I should follow up for her.
"This is Maria Bradley. She's Rebecca-senpai's younger sister."
"Ah! Maria! I remember you stood out at the parties! With that pure white hair and all those piercings!"
"Ugh... w-well, maybe... wait, huh?"
Maria opened her large eyes wide and stared intently at Princess Olivia.
"I didn't realize because of the winter clothes, but could you be...?"
"Hmph! I am the Second Princess, Olivia Arnold! You may revere me~"
Saying those playful words, she puffed out her chest with her usual smug satisfaction.
Watching her, Maria began to tremble.
"Um... Ray, are you an acquaintance of the Princess?"
"By a twist of fate."
"We've sworn our futures to each other!"
"Hey, don't give people the wrong idea!"
"It's not a misunderstanding. It's a settled matter!"
"..."
She clung to my arm right then and there. As I tried to peel off the increasingly playful Princess Olivia, her strength proved greater than I expected.
Guh... where did she learn this technique?!
For some reason, her behavior reminded me of Carol.
As for Maria, she was still trembling on the spot. I wondered if she was exceptionally cold.
"W-Wow... Ray, you really are a sinful man. Big Sister, do your best..."
She was whispering something with dead eyes.
In the end, the three of us, Maria included, decided to head out together.