11 peaceful days have passed.
In just a blink of an eye, almost 2 weeks already passed by. It was way too fast, it just feels like yesterday when she gave those cookies to her brothers. Well, nothing bad or exciting happened during that time, so it was peaceful except that so many things have changed. Alexandra was getting busy as days passed by, she gave the sweets Diana baked to Calixander every morning and she goes to the library to have a small and short conversation with Christian before she goes back to her palace to either spend her time alone or just eat her afternoon meal.
Then during the afternoon, she would go back to her father's palace once again. She would spend an hour or two with Arthur, they would talk about magic and he would tell her some things about it. Because of that, she is slowly starting to learn a thing or two about magic except that she still wasn't able to chant or use magic spells because her mana still hasn't developed yet. Then after that, her usual afternoon tea with her father and that is where she is heading right now. Since Ferdinand was taking the day off, she would able to take a break or rest after this tea party.
Well, there is still one problem or issue though. Harrison. Yes, Harrison. He still hasn't visited her even after almost two weeks has passed. Not even a single message from him, was he still busy with Elise? It's not like she was angry because he was spending time with that girl again even though it was their break or vacation. It has been so long since they last saw each other, it feels like she forgot his face already but that would be bad since she wouldn't be able to communicate with him through the mind easily. Why did she not communicate with him through the mind? Yes, she did but she didn't get a single response from him, she only did it twice. Aside from that, she was busy during that day and would be exhausted when the night comes so she would immediately fall asleep as soon as she laid in her bed.
Who knows? He probably visited her during the time that she was asleep. Alexandra just let out a sigh as she walked, making her way towards the garden where she will have the tea party with her father. Christian would probably be there too as well as Gilbert. For the past few days, Gilbert would join their tea party. He would either listen and just remain silent or participate in their conversation when he is in the mood or he is interested in their topic. Since they would usually talk about books, he would join in their conversation and tell them his opinions or thoughts. He would sometimes recommend Alexandra books that he liked. It was quite new and unexpected although he did that once before a few months ago but only once.
Their relationship was improving a lot.
Aside from that, her other brothers, Calixander and Chandler, weren't that harsh or cold to her anymore. Chandler improved a lot too although he was still being a tsundere around her. Calixander would sometimes talk with her but their conversation would always last for a few minutes as they were awkward and not used around each other. Now, that's a huge development. Alexandra was proud of that. To think that my hard work would pay off and this time would come, she thought and couldn't help but smile to herself.
I wonder what kind of sweets will be there at the tea party, she was excited that she started to skip as she made her way to the garden.
Not more than 10 minutes, she finally arrived in her destination and there she saw Christian and her father along with Gilbert and two other people who she failed to recognize at first but when she did, her eyes widened and her jaw dropped. She was speechless, loss of words. She was struck still in her position as if a bolt of lightning just hit her. Why are they here?
Calixander and Chandler were sitting on one of the chairs around the table. What's more shocking is that Christian and Chandler were sitting beside each other. It's not like she doesn't want them to be here, she was just shocked and she wasn't expecting for this to happen. Like, never in her whole 7 years that she expected this to happen. What is this unexpected development?
"Alexandra," Christian ran to her direction and stopped in front of her, calling out her name. She snapped out of her thoughts and was pulled back to reality when she heard someone call out to her. Christian was standing in front of her with a smile on his face, "Why are they here?" She asked him. Nobody told her about this, she could have prepared if someone did. It seems like an on-the-spot competition or something.
"I am also shocked when I saw them but it seems like they are not going to do something. I also noticed that your relationship with them, as well as mine, were starting to improve," Although he would argue with Chandler sometimes, it's not that frequent anymore and they can stand each other or not fight when they see each other. "Let's just say that we were able to get along with them pretty well that's why they are here. Besides, this is the first time that we are all together. I'm really happy since I have always wanted for this to happen and it did," Christian said with a smile on his face, his cheeks slightly tainted with a light shade of pink.
He looks so innocent and pure, she thought to herself and she smiled back to Alexandra. "It's not like I don't want them to be here, I'm just shocked. I am also happy that we are all together," Alexandra responded and they walked towards the direction of their father and brothers. I'm sure it would be awkward at first since we aren't used to each other's presence, she thought to herself and let out a sigh.
--
Eh? What's this?
She was having a conversation with Calixander, a good one to be exact. They have been talking for a while and all they were talking about were sweets, their favorites and such. Aside from that, Christian and Chandler were talking to each other which was quite a shock even though they would be in disagreement for a while. Like they were bickering and stating their opinions and the other would think that they are wrong and such. It's more like a debate than a conversation.
"No, no, that's wrong, it's completely stated in one of the books that I have read that—"
"Blah blah, our teacher told us that so you have no right to oppose me," Christian could only let out a sigh and pinch the bridge of his nose. Gilbert was having fun watching them so he just remained silent but he would join in their conversation or stop them if it gets too much. Their father was just watching them though, it looks like he was relaxed and happy although he didn't show it.
Although Calixander wasn't like those people whose eyes would sparkle and get excited when talking about their favorite things, he was just normal. Calm and composed but I can feel that he was happy and comfortable as we talked. He was completely relaxed in his seat.
"I like Angel Cakes, it has such a light flavor and it's like a marshmallow. You know what marshmallows are, right? They are like those super fluffy and light things that are composed of gelatin and sugar. That's like what Angel Cakes taste like for me, although I only tested it a few times," He was talking about cakes with a calm look on his face while he took a sip from the cup of tea he was drinking.
"For me, I like all kinds of cakes but I think I like Chocolate Cakes the most. Although they are pretty common and simple but the taste is just too heavenly and sweet," Alexandra responded. It was pretty unusual that they were having this bubbly and light atmosphere. She could still remember clear as day that time when he threatened her and called her a rat, then treated her coldly and harshly. But, this was much better than the one before. It clearly showed how much their relationship has improved. She was also happy for Christian since he was also getting along with them.
"Right, I also like Chocolate Cakes. There is this one café I always go to when I am not that busy, their cakes are pretty popular and the café would always be filled with many people. I always buy a cake there," He said and placed the empty cup of tea down the table. Ah, she badly wants to go to a café now. "What's the name of the café?" Alexandra asked him, maybe she could go there if Harrison agreed to do so or if they will go out once again but they have to be careful since something happened from before. Yes, she is talking about the incident that happened with Elise.
"I think it was Mystica or something. Yeah, 'Mystica Café' was the name," He said and he crossed his legs while Alexandra took a bite from the cake on her plate before she leaned back on her seat. There were out of topics now, she doesn't want to leave yet. Weird, but she was enjoying this tea party. It was much more fun than the previous tea parties that she had.
"You can take a walk around the lake if you want," She heard a cold and monotonous voice coming from her right and she turned her head to the direction where the voice came from. It came from her father. "Eh, really?" Alexandra asked him and her father just nodded, her eyes twinkled when she saw him nod. She badly wants to take a walk around the small lake and see the flowers that were floating on top of the waters closer. She looked at her brother, feeling bad that she have to leave and end their conversation although they weren't going to talk about something. "You can go if you want but you have to be careful," He said and leaned back on his seat with a nonchalant look on his face. Be careful of what? I am just going to take a walk, what does he mean by that? Is there some kind of monster in the lake?
Alexandra just nodded and she got down her seat. "Alexandra? Are you going to take a walk around the lake?" Christian asked her when he noticed her got down her seat, heading towards the lake itself.
"Yes."
"Can I go with you? I want to take a walk around it too."
"Sure, I would be happy if someone came with me."
"Thank you."
He also got down from his seat and they started to walk together. Although Christian's personal knight didn't tag along behind them, Carlos did but he was silent the whole time while they were walking. The lake was just pretty small as they walked around and Alexandra could take a closer look at the flowers, I wonder if it's deep, she thought to herself. Of course, she is not going to check if it was deep or not because that would be stupid. Her dress would get wet and she would get scolded.
"The lake is not that big but it's not that small either," Christian said as he stared ahead of him, at the lake. Alexandra was on his right while Carlos was behind them, not far away from them.
"Yeah, there are also beautiful flowers surrounding it too."
"By the way, I have heard that there was—"
Alexandra spotted a flower near her that looked enchanting and beautiful. It was a red one and it looked like it was glowing. It looked pretty and Alexandra went closer to the flower with her eyes shining in pure wonder and curiosity. This is the first time that I saw this flower, out of all of the books that I read about flowers and plants, I have never seen this in not a single book I read. Was this an undiscovered one?
"—a flower that looked enchanting and beautiful. It is found in lakes. It charmed people with its appearance and when their victims get closer, they would drag them into the lake with their vines. Then they would eat them with their mouth hidden in the bottom of the lake."
"Young miss, get away!"
And it suddenly happened.
The last thing that she heard before she felt something wrap around her and drag her was Carlos' shout. Just like the flower that Christian was talking about, Alexandra got dragged in the water and there was a loud sound of a splash as she fell to the lake.