The Adored Daughter of the Disliked Duke's House: My Magic Power Increases Every Time I'm Praised, So I've Been Perfecting Cuteness Since Infancy! - Episode 12

I couldn’t use magic due to a split-second decision.

I was so frustrated that I couldn’t help but grit my teeth.

Even if I have a lot of magical power, my magic experience is way too low!

That’s my weakness right now.

A boy who fell from the sky, I can’t catch him.

(Or rather…)

Why did the boy fall in the middle of the garden?

While tilting my head inwardly, I lift my body, which is pained from being crushed by the small body.

Similarly, Al was also getting up while muttering “Ouch, ouch.” It seemed he wasn’t injured.

And as for the crucial boy…

“Hahaha! Amazing!”

And, they are laughing carefree.

Strawberry-blonde hair is tangled with grass and vines, and the dress shirt is stained with mud.

Even so, both Al and I immediately noticed the unique “nobility” emanating from that boy.

Generally, the “children” who can come and go in the palace gardens are limited.

They exchange glances with each other.

“This child…”

“Just as I thought, right…?”

Whisper, whisper.

As we leaned in to talk, a sweet fragrance gently tickled our noses.

“What are you talking about?”

An angel, or rather, a mysterious boy, suddenly appeared before us.

The source of the sweet scent is probably the incense that has been infused into his clothes. Each item he wears is evidence of being treated with incredible care.

“Let me join too!”

A boy who is almost the same age as us, who can freely come and go in the palace gardens, and who is cherished…

With just this hint, it was enough.

“Prince Leonard”

When I called his name, the boy tilted his head slightly.

“What is it?”

I won’t deny it.

In other words, that’s how it is.

The youngest son of the king, the Fourth Prince Leonard Estelion, that’s him.

“I apologize for not even greeting you.”

When I quickly stood up and gathered my skirt, Al followed suit, standing up and placing his hand on his chest.

Even though they are just children, they must not misbehave.

“I am Lilietta Rosenford.”

“I am Alverio Forsten.”

As they introduced themselves in order, Prince Leonard nodded graciously.

Then, she smiled as if a flower had bloomed.

“Lily and Al, right?”

Her cheeks are faintly flushed.

I’m happy, you know.

Both Al and I were so surprised and frozen by the expression that seemed to be written all over his face.

“I’m so glad to see you! I tried flying out of the room, but I was lost and didn’t know where to go. But then I fell and found you two, and I feel incredibly lucky!”

I tried jumping from the room.

Indeed, he said that.

It was only at this moment that I noticed the jewel shining on his chest.

A cute, round, pink jewel is shining.

“Were you flying with magic?”

When I asked, Prince Leonard pouted slightly.

“I don’t like that way of speaking. We’re friends, right?”

In just a few minutes of meeting, he is a prince with quite a deep heart. It wouldn’t be a problem to act stubbornly as a noble lady here, but that would only end up making him sad.

Above all, continuing to speak in honorifics even though they are children… it’s not childlike.

“Yeah. We’re friends, right?”

“Hey! Call me Leo, okay?”

When I nodded with a smile, Prince Leonard, now Leo, smiled happily and took my hand.

Al, upon seeing that, is making a subtle expression.

Al is not the type to want to get along with other kids, so there’s nothing that can be done about it.

It can’t be helped, but seeing such a grumpy face is hard on my heart.

(At this very moment, I want you to play the role of a cat.)

When I looked at Al with those feelings in mind, for some reason, he turned away.

(Why?!)

I internally retort, but it seems I’m the only one who cares. Leo, showing no sign of being bothered by Al’s attitude, happily started talking.

“Actually, I was supposed to meet the two of them with Father!”

In other words, it seems that either the king or that old wizard has judged Leo to be one of the “Children of Destiny.”

Indeed, seeing the jewel on his chest makes it understandable.

“But, my mom is totally against it!”

I was convinced by this as well.

There are probably very few mothers who can remain calm upon hearing that their child must fight the Demon King with their life on the line.

Today, the king must have summoned only our father and the children for that very reason.

The fathers couldn’t remain calm either.

“Because you wouldn’t let me go, I used a little magic to put you to sleep and sneak out!”

What you’re doing is bold.

Leo quickly brushed off the dirt from his shirt and looked to the west. His room is over there, which means his mother is probably there too.

That expression is a bit sad.

“Mom says, ‘Leo is a prince, so he doesn’t have to fight,’ you know?”

“It’s strange, isn’t it?” Leo continued.

“I’m a prince, after all. If you all are risking your lives to fight, then I have to be at the forefront, right? Even if I’m not the destined child.”

The sapphire eyes sparkle brightly.

I was taken aback by its strength.

(This child is a royal by birth…)

Even I have royal bl00d running through my veins.

Since your mother is the current king’s sister, Leo is technically your cousin.

However, it’s fundamentally different.

Gulp.

I couldn’t help but swallow.

Whether he knew my feelings or not, Leo smiled cheerfully.

“There’s nothing to worry about at all!”

Leo continued talking, ignoring the surprised looks on my and Al’s faces.

“We’re not going to fight the Demon King right away. We’ll train a lot, become strong enough not to lose, and face him together by helping each other! We’ll be just fine!”

After saying that, Leo tightly hugged both of our shoulders. Our three faces were so close that our cheeks almost touched.

“Besides, aren’t you a little excited?”

“Excited?”

“That’s right. From now on, the teacher is going to give us secret training! We will be the only ones to learn a special magic that no one else knows!”

That’s a bit… no, quite a lot.

“……I’m looking forward to it.”

“Right?”

“I’m sure they’ll let us read even the forbidden books in the royal library! After all, we’re fighting the Demon King!”

Indeed, if you say it’s necessary to fight the Demon King, almost any selfish request will be granted.
Regarding magic, we might be able to touch upon a depth that we normally wouldn’t even be able to know about.

Thinking that, my heart started to race.

“Al, you think so too, right?”

“Well, that’s true.”

Pouting with pursed lips, Al nodded. Despite his sulky expression, he couldn’t hide his curiosity.

“Let’s do our best together!”

Leo’s delighted chuckle made me smile too.

With these three, we might just manage.

What made me think such things was not the king or my father, but the little prince who was the same age as us.

“Hey, you…”

On the way back to the break room where my father and the others were waiting after parting ways with Leo.

With a voice that still sounded as grumpy as ever, Al came to a halt.

“What?”

“Is that what you like?”

“Yes?”

What on earth are you trying to say?

At the completely nonsensical question, I tilted my head.

Al, while frustrated that the intention behind the question was not understood, did not mention it any further.

Instead.

Pouting slightly, I looked down. I kicked the small stone that was rolling in front of me with a gentle tap.

“…I wanted to be the only one to call you Lily.”

It was a small voice, but I definitely heard it.

(What on earth)

It seems that even this scheming and cheeky brat had the sentiment of “feeling lonely because it seemed like he might lose his friends.”

“What are you talking about? Al is special, right?”

“Special?”

“Yeah. Because, you’re my first friend.”

Saying that, Al suddenly looked up.

It looks like her cheeks are slightly flushed.

(You have your cute sides too, don’t you?)

Warmly, my heart felt warm.

From next week, Al and I will be going to the palace.

To learn about magic from the wizard who serves the royal family.

Since I will be attending while taking Mr. Caleb’s classes, it will be tough, but fulfilling days await.

Just when I was looking forward to it, an incident occurred.

“You mustn’t! You mustn’t go outside the house!”

My mother fell into a panic.