Alice returned to her room, having changed into more comfortable attire. With a cheerful demeanor, she beckoned her two brothers to join her on the bed. The three of them settled in comfortably, sitting cross-legged, a stark departure from the expectations that typically accompanied noble children.
As Alice began to unwrap the gifts, her curiosity was piqued. The first gift, given by Rodrigo, revealed a delicate box. Inside the box, a bracelet with an attached ring was nestled. However, the gift was far from the usual lady-like jewelry one might expect. The bracelet had a rough, unadorned structure, with only a simple string connecting the ring and bracelet. To Alice's surprise, beneath the bracelet lay a single black glove, not a pair.
Alice's expression shifted from anticipation to a frown as she examined the gift. Her tone, while tinged with anger, also carried an air of expectation as she addressed Rodrigo. "What's this? This is so plain. I know that I do not like to use jewelry, but at least give me something that can be worn outside. What will others think? That I have no fashion sense? And what's with only a single glove? Where's the other?"
Rodrigo's mischievous chuckle only deepened as he watched Alice's reaction. He was quick to explain the true purpose of the gift, a purpose that held practicality above all else.
"Alice, it's not just any glove," he clarified, his eyes still twinkling with mischief. "It's a glove designed for effective mana usage. I'm not quite at the level where I can create something that's both highly practical and beautifully designed. If you don't like it, you can give it back, and I'll try to find something more fitting for a lady."
Alice, however, playfully hid the gift from Rodrigo's outstretched hand, teasingly refusing to return it. "Who said I didn't like it?" she responded with a grin. "And even if I didn't, who takes their gifts back? Is that what I've taught you? Looks like I have to straighten you up."
Rodrigo shrugged his shoulders, amused by his sister's reaction. He knew that Alice was more than satisfied with the gift, especially once she learned of its practical uses. He continued to explain, "Just remember, both the glove and the bracelet should go together, or else it won't give the desired effects."
Alice turned her attention toward Ethan, her eyes filled with eager anticipation as she awaited her second gift. With a sense of excitement, Ethan handed her the gift, a gleeful grin on his face. It was a gift he had received from Rodrigo, and he hoped that Alice would find it just as delightful as he did.
However, as Alice unwrapped her second gift, her initial enthusiasm quickly turned to surprise and disappointment. To her astonishment, there was nothing inside the packaging. Instead, it was filled with shredded papers, giving the appearance of a gift but containing nothing of value.
The expressions on both Alice's and Ethan's faces underwent a transformation. Ethan's look of gleeful anticipation turned to one of horror as he realized the gift's emptiness. Alice, on the other hand, was consumed by extreme anger at the apparent oversight.
Without hesitation, Alice flung the empty gift in Ethan's direction and began playfully hitting him on the back, the way siblings often do when teasing or expressing their frustration. Her words were laced with mock anger as she continued to "scold" him.
"You forgot my gift, didn't you?" Alice exclaimed, her tone conveying a mixture of playful annoyance and affectionate scolding. "And it must be Rodri who gave you that one. How could you forget to pick a gift for your loving and caring sister?"
Rodrigo couldn't help but burst into hearty laughter at the turn of events. However, his laughter was short-lived, as a single glare from Alice swiftly silenced him.
After the playful hitting had ceased, Alice let out a sigh, her initial annoyance giving way to a more contemplative mood. She shifted the conversation to a more serious topic that weighed on her mind.
"You do know that I will be going to the academy at the end of this month, right?" Alice inquired, her voice carrying a touch of solemnity.
Ethan and Rodrigo exchanged glances, fully aware of the significance of Alice's upcoming journey to the academy. It was a pivotal moment in her life, one that would mark her entry into a world of education, refinement, and noble society.
Rodrigo, ever the thoughtful one, responded first. "Yeah, I know. That's why I gifted you that bracelet and glove. It will help you at the academy since all the other students must have had a tutor since their birth."
Hearing this, both Ethan and Alice couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. They were acutely aware that they lacked the financial resources to afford a private tutor, unlike many of their noble peers. Their father had already struggled to provide them with the necessities expected of nobility, let alone the luxury of a personal tutor.
Alice appreciated Rodrigo's thoughtful gift even more in this context. It was not just a gesture of affection but also a practical tool that would aid her in her studies and pursuits at the academy, where she would be expected to compete with students who had received rigorous training from a young age.
In the Empire of, a peculiar law dictated that for a noble to retain their title, they must maintain a fixed number of servants. The reasoning behind this law, according to the emperor, was to preserve the purity of noble blood. In his view, the number of servants a noble possessed was a divine gift from God himself.
The absurdity of this law was not lost on Alice, Rodrigo, or Ethan. They recognized that the emperor's beliefs were rooted in delusion and entitlement. To them, it was a glaring example of the ruler's disconnect from the realities of the empire and the needs of its people.
However, despite their awareness of the emperor's misguided notions, there was a resigned acceptance that there was little they could do to change the system. The power and authority of the monarchy were deeply entrenched, and attempting to challenge such laws could lead to dire consequences.
To lift the mood and steer the conversation away from the disheartening topic of the empire's laws, Alice clapped her hands loudly to gain her brothers' attention. With an air of enthusiasm, she suggested, "Let's leave that behind. Let me tell you an interesting story that I heard today."
With that, Alice embarked on a captivating storytelling session, sharing with her two brothers the intriguing and enchanting tales she had gathered during the day. Her stories spanned a wide range of subjects, from daring adventures to mystical creatures, and her animated narration kept her brothers enraptured.
The discussion continued late into the night, with Alice's storytelling prowess weaving a tapestry of wonder and imagination. It was only when she noticed that both of her brothers had fallen into a peaceful slumber in the middle of one of her tales that she brought her storytelling to a close.
Alice couldn't help but smile warmly as she observed her sleeping siblings. She tucked them in with a blanket, ensuring their comfort. The sight of her brothers, safe and content, filled her heart with a sense of fulfillment and gratitude.
When she was born into this family, she had never anticipated the depth of the love and companionship she would find. Her past life had been marked by longing and solitude, and she had made a choice that had led her to this newfound happiness. Regrets had given way to a profound appreciation for the life she had forged.
With a sense of purpose and affection, Alice opened the window to let in the crisp, cool night air. Outside, a majestic tree's branches reached toward her window, creating a natural bridge to her room. Alice looked back at her slumbering brothers, confirming that they were peacefully asleep before she decided to jump onto the branch.
Climbing the majestic tree had become a cherished daily ritual for Alice. Each evening, she would ascend the branches, finding solace and wonder in the expansive canvas of the night sky. The tree provided her with a secret vantage point, hidden from the world below, where she could immerse herself in the beauty of the stars.
As Alice perched among the branches, her gaze would fixate on the twinkling points of light that adorned the celestial tapestry. The stars held a fascination for her, and she often lost track of time as she contemplated the mysteries of the universe.
Under the watchful gaze of the moon, Alice found a profound sense of tranquility among the stars. The world below, with its complexities and obligations, faded into the background as she surrendered herself to the enchantment of the night.
It was in these quiet moments, high above the world, that Alice could reflect on the blessings she had found in her new life. The family she cherished, the love of her brothers, and the experiences that had enriched her existence were all part of the tapestry of her new reality.
After a long and contemplative pause, Alice would descend from her lofty perch, her heart filled with the serene beauty of the night sky. With a sense of calm and contentment, she returned to her room.
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