Second Year at the Magic Academy: Date
“EMMA. Did you submit your application for permission to leave the school grounds tomorrow?”
“Of course! You know I wouldn’t miss our outing for the world!”
Emma’s seventeenth birthday would soon be here. In the front of the closet hung a new silk dress. It was a birthday present from her grandmother. She’d had it custom-made for Emma by a tailor she had been acquainted with for a long time.
Even though I’ll actually be twenty-one and not seventeen. That was why she’d asked her grandmother to fashion a simple but adult design. For all the countries under the Empire of Ulster’s banner, twenty was the age of majority, marking a turning point in their citizens’ lives. In this life, her twenty-first birthday was still a ways off, but mentally, she already considered herself an adult.
Tomorrow was a day off at the Academy. Rashida wanted to give her a unique birthday present, so they would be going out into the city. Of her own accord, Emma studied every day and would normally prefer to do the same on their day off. But a date with her best friend was special and called for an exception. Impatient for a new day to dawn, Emma slipped into bed, bubbling with excitement.
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THE next day, Emma stood, flabbergasted, in the driveway in front of the main gate.
“Why…are you here, Glen?”
She thought she would be going out with Rashida and Ian. Except Glen was there, too, now.
“I only found out myself a few minutes ago,” Rashida said. “But this isn’t a problem, right, Emma? The more, the merrier.”
“I had a feeling I’d find myself bored while you and Lady Rashida shopped, so I invited Glen to join us.”
And with that, Ian took Rashida’s hand and escorted her to the carriage. He always escorted Emma, but it seemed today would be different.
“Does my being here make you uncomfortable?” Glen asked bluntly, and naturally and politely extended his hand toward Emma. His gesture was so crisp and elegant, he gave off the air of a prince and enthralled her. Simultaneously, she remembered that was exactly what he was.
Right… He restrained even Victor from acting recklessly…with just a lift of his hand.
“Of course…not.”
Truthfully, she was ecstatic to go out with him. Plus, the only times she’d ever seen him out of school uniform were during their first year of summer and the dinner party in her original timeline. All she wanted to do was get her fill of him, yet she couldn’t meet his eyes as she took his hand. He walked her to the coach and, after helping her in, boarded himself.
Once they arrived in the city, the four enjoyed a delicious lunch. Right after it ended, though, Ian said something curious.
“To be frank, Father asked me to do a favor for him.”
“Oh, my, Lord Ian, what a coincidence. My mother asked me to run an errand for her as well.”
Huh…? Emma’s eyes widened at Rashida’s transparent act.
“Is that right? I guess this means we’ll be going our separate ways then.”
“Why, I do agree, sir. Glen, take care of Emma, won’t you?”
Before she could get a word in, Ian and Rashida disappeared into the heart of the city.
“What…just…happened?”
Unable to process the past few minutes, Emma looked up at Glen, bewildered.
“Are you unhappy about this?” he asked.
“No. Of course not. But…”
“Then don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. Let’s go.”
He took a step forward but waited patiently for her. Once she could move again, he matched his gait to hers as they strolled. Ian did the same, too, but with him, she didn’t experience this wild fluttering in her belly. Emma valiantly attempted to hide her smile by looking down as she walked next to Glen. After a short while, he stepped into a small shop selling hair accessories.
“Do you visit the city often, Glen?”
“No. Only on rare occasions. I visited a few times in my previous life for educational purposes… But this marks the first in this life.”
“Hmmm.”
She tilted her head curiously as she looked around the shop. It seemed familiar for some reason.
“Would you show us a few of your best hair accessories?”
“Of course, sir.”
She browsed while Glen and the shop clerk talked in the background. Despite its snug interior, the shop had a variety of hair ornaments on display, each and every one delicately, beautifully made. Everything was of such high quality that they felt otherworldly.
It’s all so expensive. I’d have to beg Father for months in advance to get him to buy me one for my birthday. Since her grandmother had already gifted her with a fine-quality dress, Emma decided to wheedle her father for something from here next year.
“Which one catches your eye?” Glen asked her.
“Oh, did you come here to choose a present for someone?” she responded.
“Something like that.”
She took no notice of Glen’s ambiguous reply. She was captivated by the hair accessories draped over velvet fabric on the counter. Lowering her face, she scrutinized each one carefully.
“Wow, these are all so lovely!” she exclaimed.
Five ornaments were on display. The first was an elegant barrette made of tiny pearls. The second was a gorgeous accessory with clear gems modeled in a flower pattern. The third showed off a subdued gemstone accented by smaller, sparkling gems. Next was a clasp painted rose gold and covered in delicate and colorful gems. And the last looked like a butterfly from a distance, made of glittering rhinestones.
Each was so expertly and brilliantly crafted, down to the most minute detail, that Emma hesitated to touch them.
“Who’s the recipient, Glen? Tell me more about her. Age, what she’s like. They’re all so gorgeous, but I need to know more about her to choose one that suits her.”
He said nothing, so Emma turned around with a frown.
“Come on, tell me already! First things first. How old is she?”
“…Twenty-one.”
“Got it. Then we’ll exclude this one and this one because they’re a wee bit childish.” She nixed numbers four and five as contenders. “What else? Do you know her favorite color or one she prefers in her wardrobe?”
“Hm… I believe she hates light pink.”
“I’m starting to form an image of her. I think she might be the type who likes simple, mature designs. Which leaves us with these two.”
Emma indicated the barrette made of pearls and the one featuring a subdued gemstone surrounded by smaller sparkling ones. They’re both so pretty… I can’t choose! She considered the two options gravely.
“What about the color of her hair and eyes? Also, is she the cute type or a great beauty?”
“…She has dark brown hair and blue eyes. Most would consider her a great beauty.”
“Does she often attend balls, tea parties, and other social functions?”
“…She’s invited to such events, and her conduct is impeccable when she goes, but I don’t think she enjoys them.”
“I see, I see… If we’re speaking about quality alone, I would recommend the pearl piece… But the color of this gemstone is so unusual and beautiful… I can’t choose… Glen, what sort of relationship do you have with her? Is she an older sister or a relative? What’s her personality like?”
Emma’s questions sounded more like an interrogation and kept getting more personal. He shook his head, a wry smile on his lips.
“Enough.”
“Huh?”
“I want you to keep your gaze trained outside the window. Your beloved fruit cart will pass by soon.”
Blast. It seemed he had decided she wasn’t useful in the decision-making process. Well, I beg your pardon! How is a girl to choose just one when she has such tempting options before her?!
Miffed, Emma did his bidding, turning her attention to the scenery outside. Just like he said, a fruit vendor appeared, leisurely pulling their stall along. Oooh! I’ll buy some to take back to the dormitory!
“Glen, I’m stepping out, okay?”
“Wait.”
Just as she was about to exit the shop, he gently grasped her wrist. Emma’s heart leapt at his touch.
“Don’t forget, we’re still in a city, so it isn’t uncommon for unaccompanied women and children to be accosted when they wander. I’m almost done here. Be patient for a little longer.”
While he spoke, the clerk expertly and carefully wrapped the hair piece before slipping it inside a high-quality bag. Then the clerk politely handed it to Glen. Nodding his thanks, he opened the door, and they headed outside. He looked down at her with the usual gleam of mischief in his eyes.
“Besides, I am your escort for today, aren’t I? Or perhaps you’d prefer Ian?”
Ack…! Emma finally realized who he bought the hair accessory for. The circumstances for him joining them on today’s outing. Rashida and Ian’s strange behavior and departure from their group. Everything clicked in her mind. Lastly, the bag he was placing in Emma’s hands. The same one he’d just received from the shop clerk.
“It’s your birthday soon, isn’t it?”
“May I…open it?”
Glen silently looked away, which she took as tacit consent. She opened the bag and saw the lovely barrette made entirely of pearls. Oh my goodness! Then she noticed another box inside the bag. Surely he didn’t. Ever so tentatively, she pulled it out and opened it. Inside, she found the hair accessory set with the subdued gemstone accented by smaller, colorful ones. This one too?!