A-A-Aria?!?!?!?! I-I-Isn't that the heroine?!?!?!
Wait... Come to think of it, Fenestra is the name of the heroine's hometown!!!! How could I not realize that?!?!?!
Kuh... I've been too focused on my business that I didn't realize it... Well, it's not entirely my fault either because Fenestra is only mentioned once in the game during the heroine's introduction and was never talked about after.
But... Aaarrghhh!!! If I knew about it, I could've investigated her and maybe get in contact with her first and try to become her friend so she won't kill me!!!
Hah... I can't believe I was literally doing business with the ruler of the town the heroine came from and not realize it...
Wait, but why does Amelia-sama seem displeased by this? Isn't it amazing for someone in her fief to awaken to the fabled Light element and even get scholarships to the royal academy?
I mean, all of my best friends and me included got scholarships too because we got super high scores in the test, but it's still amazing for a commoner to get one, right?
"However... After I received the results of the investigation on her background, I couldn't help but feel surprised, appalled, and pitiful that I would find such a wonderful talent in such an unpleasant girl..."
U-Unpleasant girl...?
"W-What do you mean by that, Amelia-sama...? Ah, but if you feel uncomfortable talking about it, then please don't mind it!"
"No. If you wish to know, Alterisa-sama, then I can tell you... It will be much better for it to come from me than if you were to investigate her directly..."
I panicked a bit when I saw her face scrunched up for a moment, but she quickly regained her cool and began explaining to me.
"As a Marchioness, I have the responsibility of upholding the honor and prestige of not only my household, but also that of Fenestra and the citizens living in it. Thus, I will always perform a background check on anyone who will be representing us in any sort of capabilities and manner to make sure they are fit to represent our city."
Umu umu. As expected of Amelia-sama, she's so amazing!
"Thus, I did so on this Aria. And unfortunately, all my worst nightmares had come true..."
E-Eh? W-Worst nightmares...? Wasn't the heroine an angel?!
"This girl... doesn't really have a good reputation in the area she lives in, and even beyond it. From the people we have interviewed and asked about her, she had been described as extremely entitled, immature, selfish, strange, cunning, and... manipulative especially towards men.
We've also heard from her former friends that she had often seduced other boys her age who were considered handsome, athletic, and/or intelligent, no matter if they are already in a relationship with another girl... Apparently, she had also stolen her friend's lover by using her... "cuteness" and "weak-appearance" to evoke pity and pull on the heartstrings of these young men."
........................What?
I-Is this really the heroine we're talking about...? Is this really Aria...? W-Wasn't she supposed to be an angel?!?!
Aria was supposed to be this innocent, kind, compassionate, empathetic character who is meant to be lovable! She's supposed to be a dream girl anyone would love to be with!
But... The way Amelia-sama describes her... is nothing like that at all.
The only thing that's the same is her name and the fact that she has affinity to Light and three other elements!
"I-Is this true, Amelia-sama...?"
Considering how much she disliked talking about it in of itself is already telling that its true, but I just can't believe it... Especially when it comes from Amelia-sama. Although she's strict, she's never one to dislike someone to this extent and would always try to help them be better.
This was the first time I've ever seen Amelia-sama act this way towards someone...
"Unfortunately... It is also the reason why I tried to prevent her from going to the royal academy and cause an even bigger mess there, especially when you and my daughter will also be going there, Alterisa-sama. But because she has affinity to the extremely rare light element and the royal academy's insistence, there is nothing I can do..."
"I see..."
Having such a drastic difference in personality from what I know from the game... It could only mean one thing, right...
The heroine... Aria is also a reincarnator!
I-I need to tell Lily and Lu-nii about this and think of a plan to deal with her!!!
"Don't worry, Alterisa-sama. My daughter had expressed her determination to make sure the trouble she caused did not affect you or anyone around you. She had already made a lot of friends who shared her admiration for you through tea parties and banquets you've held, Alterisa-sama. They are all very happy and excited to protect you from that unpleasant wench."
O-Ooof... This is the first time I've ever heard her say those kinds of words. And her face also wasn't joking... She really hates her huh...?
"I-I see... Please extend my gratitude to your daughter as well, Amelia-sama. And if possible, I would like to meet them as well to convey my gratitude for them in person. I didn't know there were girls who admired me this much, flawed as I am."
Finally, after having such an uncomfortable expression for so long, Amelia-sama's smile returned to her countenance as she looked at me.
"Of course. I'm sure Camellia would be overjoyed to hear this from you. She might even try and make her way here immediately the moment I told her."
"A-Ahahaha... Please tell her I will give her an invitation to a tea party and to bring her closest friends as well... "
"Thank you. That might just be enough to stop her in her tracks."
A-Ahahaha... Just how spontaneous is she...? I'm starting to get worried about Camellia-chan...
--------------------------------X--------------------------------
A few days later, I head to the castle after getting a chance for an audience with Lily and dragged along Lu-nii for this.
In the carriage, Lu-nii sat in front of me with his legs and arms cross and looking at me tiredly.
"...So? Why are you dragging me without telling me anything?"
And of course, despite still being a bit on the edge and slightly panicking inside, I answered kindly like any little sister would.
"Shut up, Lu-nii. You'll know soon enough."
As soon as we arrived, Alicia-san, Lily's personal maid, welcomed us and immediately brought us to a private meeting chamber for a private audience with Lily.
Upon entering the room, we could immediately see princess Lily sitting gracefully on the couch, sipping on tea.
"Good morning, Risa, Lucas~ Welcome~ Please, take a seat~"
"Uhn! Thank you for sparing your time for us, Lily."
"Please don't mind it."
Both of us sat down and Alicia began serving tea for the both of us. She didn't let Anne and Maria-chan do it since they're still, technically, the guest. Then, after placing the cup of tea before us, Alicia-san heads out of the room along with Anne and Maria-chan.
"So? What's wrong, Risa? I've told Alicia to wait outside after she finished serving us tea as you tell me too. What do you want to talk about that seems to urgent?"
"Mm... I'm really sorry for suddenly coming like this, but it's super important!"
I then began telling them about my meeting with Amelia-sama and the conversation we had about Aria.
And even as I was in the middle of my story, I could see Lu-nii slowly frowning and Lily's eyes slowly widening in shock.
"...Is this true?"
"Yes... I believe it is. Amelia-sama is super trust worthy, and she's also someone who'd never talk about anyone in that manner before. She also has no reason to lie to me about a commoner from her fief."
"Mm... You're right."
"And you don't think it's just a coincidence...?"
Lu-nii asked as he pinched his chin with his fingers in a thinking manner.
"It's too much of a coincidence, Lu-nii... Just the fact that her name is Aria and is from Fenestra is already too much of a coincidence. But she's also someone who has an affinity to light and three other elements! Someone who has that kind of affinities could only be counted with two hands."
"...You're right."
Having affinity to three elements, while rare amongst the general populace, wasn't as unheard of. But having an affinity to the extremely rare light element on top of three other elements was incredibly rare. Which is why even a commoner like the heroine would be invited and given scholarships by the royal academy.
After all, the light element grants someone access to potent healing magic. For so long, it was the only element known to be capable of healing wounds, until a few decades ago.
I didn't know about this back then, but healing using the water element is apparently new and only a few people with affinity to water could use it. So you can imagine the surprise on Lawliela-sama's face when I showed it to her.
Well... You can also imagine the shock on my face when Lawliela-sama doubled my magic training regimen after finding that out so I could better improve it...
"And you say she's... that kind of person...?"
"Uhn... At least according to Amelia-sama. She seemed... pretty disgusted, frankly, when talking about her."
"Well of course she would... But if she's really that kind of person, and also has the knowledge about the game, then it'll be a real pain to deal with..."
"Uhn... I'm also very worried..."
Silence fell upon the room as we all ruminated on the matter internally.
But then, Lu-nii broke the silence and spoke up.
"...Wait, I don't think it'll be too much of a problem."
"Eh? What do you mean Lu-nii?! It's a big problem, you know! She could make situations that would make Alexus or the other capture target fall in love with her!"
I yelled at him, placing my hands on his shoulders, and shook his body!
"C-Calm down for a second, Risa! The only reason why they would fall in love with her is because they have bad relationships with the girls they're supposed to be with, right?"
I stopped shaking his body, but I was still glaring at him.
"...What are you saying?"
"Oooohh! That's right!"
E-Eh? Lily too? W-What is it! Don't leave me in the dark!
"The only reason why the capture targets fall in love with her is because they don't really get along with the "villainesses". But in this world, none of them have any problems, right?"
"Y-Yes, that's true... Keith and Evelyn are on good terms with each other. Wilhelm and Valerie-chan are rivals and friends. Luke and Noir are a pair of siscon and brocon. Lu-nii and Illya are good friends, and I also get along with Alexus..."
I recounted their relationships one by one and it was as Lu-nii said. None of them have a bad relationship with each other unlike the game.
But what does this have anything to do with the heroine?
I looked at them confusedly, but Lu-nii just smiled helplessly while Lily giggled.
"Well... Sure, let's leave it at that. But yes, that's my point. The heroine in the game is an angel, sure. But even then, if these capture targets don't have bad relationships with the villainesses, there'd be no trigger for them to fall in love with her charms. Especially if she has that kind of personality."
"...That's true."
"And, if I'm not mistaken, she got a lot of brownie points from the capture targets because she helped "fix" the problems the villainesses caused right? And she also got a lot of pity points because the villainesses bully her. So, all you girls have to do is not make problems and not bully her."
"Evelyn, Noir, Valerie-chan, and Illya are good girls! There's no way she'd bully her!"
"And you?"
"What? Why would I bully her?"
"Well, there you. There's nothing for you to worry about if you don't bully her right?"
"That's true, but..."
Lily then smiled at me.
"Risa and the girls might not bully her, but if she's just like how Amelia-sama described her to be, then she might frame you and the girls for bullying her. Is that what your'e thinking, Risa?"
"Ah... That's right..."
Alterisa frowned and became deflated before Lily began to giggle
"Ufufufu... Ufufufu~ Don't worry, Risa~ Everything will be alright~ You have a lot of friends, and I'm sure they'll all defend you~"
"E-Eh?"
Lu-nii then also began petting her head.
"That's right. Alex and I will also be there to protect you in case something happens. So don't worry and enjoy your school life, okay?"
"...Uhn. Thank you, Lu-nii."
"Alright~! Now that we've finished talking about the hard stuff, let's all eat some sweets~!"
Lily rang a bell to call on her personal maid Alicia-san, and she immediately opened the door and entered with a bow.
"Alicia, can you bring us some cakes and pastries along with tea? Oh, and please bring me my writing utensils and some letter papers."
"As you command, your majesty."
Alicia bowed once again and exited the room once again.
"Hm? Are you sending a letter to someone?"
"Uhn. I'm thinking of sending some letters to a few friends~ Is it okay if I write it now?"
"Of course~ Don't mind~ But don't take too long, or I'll eat everything up!"
"Fufufu~ Okay~"
AN: I hope you guys enjoy this chapter~! Please vote and comment your thoughts~!