It was said that, in the fabled era, there existed even greater pieces of artistic beauty than in the current day, and among those pieces were items enchanted with self-mending abilities. It was part of a series said to be made by the youngest daughter of the True Bloods, who existed in that fabled era. Possibly because she disliked having her name in the limelight, all of the art pieces said to be made by the youngest daughter of the True Bloods were unsigned. Normally, you wouldn’t be able to tell who made something if it was unsigned, but the youngest daughter of the True Bloods was said to have always enchanted her work with a self-mending ability. Therefore, the items that she made were part of what they referred to as the Unaccredited Series. Due to their inability to decay, while there were a fair number of them around, they were treated as national treasures for the most part, considered amazing works of art. In fact, this was the first time that even Charlotte had seen one with her own eyes.
What is such a precious item doing in the corner of a cafeteria of all places...? Charlotte thought, her blood curdling, until...
“Nope, just a vase that I made in my spare time.”
“...Huh?”
She couldn’t comprehend what she was just told. And as she desperately tried to put her confused mind into action to figure it out, she realized it was in reply to the exclamation Charlotte herself had made a few moments ago. It was an answer... that didn’t answer anything.
Saying she “made it in her free time” implies she isn’t a trained professional and made it for fun. That ultimately implies that it is a vase made by an amateur, but... its beautiful appearance is clearly that of a work of art worthy of being a national treasure. Not only that, but it is enchanted with a self-mending ability that was only supposed to exist in the fabled ages of old anyway, so it was undeniably an Artifact. So what did she even mean by saying that she “made it in her free time”? It’s almost as though the girl before me actually made this work that rivals the Unassigned Series herself. ...That does not seem likely... No, not at all. I must have misinterpreted things. The vase just has a slightly uncommon design; it should still be shattered across the floor even as we... Charlotte paused and rubbed her eyes to look at the vase, but there it was—completely restored in all of its glory. ...H-How very odd. It very clearly seems to be fixed. And I can clearly only consider it to be a stunning piece of work.
“Is something the matter, Big Sis?”
“No, it’s just, um... I feel like that vase should be broken, but it’s back to normal...”
“Huh? What’s the problem with that?” the girl asked in response with a blank stare. Her phrasing made it seem as though the vase repairing itself was the obvious truth, a matter of fact.
“Erm... are you, um, saying that the vase actually repaired itself?”
“Yes...? I am?”
“Yes, you are... Wait, that shouldn’t normally be possible!” Charlotte said, unable to contain herself and raising her voice. That was the moment where the girl’s smile faded and she started to look flustered.
“Y-Yes, you’re right. That normally isn’t possible. But don’t worry. This isn’t because of magic, Artifacts, or anything like that; it’s just some sleight of hand.”
“Sleight of hand...?”
“Mm-hmm, yep. That’s what it is.” The girl smiled, the picture of innocence. Honestly speaking, Charlotte didn’t quite understand what the girl was talking about, but... she thought even that was more plausible than the illogical concept of her making something on par with the Unassigned Series in her free time. Given that...
“...Well, I suppose a bit of sleight of hand is better than nothing,” Charlotte muttered, a detached look on her face.
“By the way, Big Sis?”
“Erm, that has actually been on my mind for a while now. What is this ‘Big Sis’ business about...?” Aristocrats were trained to never forget an acquaintance’s face, so she would never forget a person she met, even if it were just once—a bit of an exaggeration, but she knew that she would never forget a girl as positively adorable as this one. Charlotte pondered that over in her mind before remembering that she was supposed to be posing as a commoner. And seeing as how she was faking her identity, she wouldn’t have any acquaintances. “You’ll have to excuse me, but this is the first time we’ve met, correct?”
“Yup, I’ve never met you before now, Big Sis.”
“...Pardon?” The words “what are you talking—” reached the tip of her tongue, but Charlotte stopped herself before she could finish her question with an “—about.” It was because she started to recall the various things written in the report that, at the time, she’d found incomprehensible.
“...If I may ask, do you happen call female customers in this establishment ‘Big Sis’?”
“Yup, that’s right. Females are ‘Big Sis,’ and males are ‘Big Bro.’ But if you have other requests, I can change my behavior or how I refer to you. For example, I can play the big sister role instead...” the girl said with a smile on her face that was practically asking how she felt about that idea. Charlotte was left at a loss for words. Actually, she didn’t know which of them was older, but there was no justification for a waitress to address her as an older sister, so she replied that she was fine with the current status of things.
“...What a flop.”
“Huh? Is something wrong?”
“Uh-uh, nope. It’s nothing, Big Sis. Anyway, let me show you to your seat~”
“Oh... Wait just a moment, please!” she quickly yelled to stop the maid as she turned around. She stopped in her tracks and looked back over her shoulder. The beauty of the girl fluttering her long black hair took Charlotte’s breath away.
“What is it, Big Sis?”
“I-I actually want to ask if Ms. Ristia would serve me.”
“Ehehe, I appreciate the selection, Big Sis,” the girl in front of her replied with a smile to her request for Ristia. Which meant...
“Pardon my ignorance, but are you Ms. Ristia?”
“Yup, that’s me~ ...You asked for me, not knowing?”
“Oh, um, well, I’ve heard rumors of you.” I’ve already screwed up, Charlotte thought as she bit her lip. If this has already tipped her off, then my whole plan is ruined. She was visibly worried, but Ristia just gave her a grin.
“I suppose that makes sense,” she replied. “Now, let me show you to your seat~” Ristia then proceeded to happily lead the way, and Charlotte hurried to follow behind her.
Once she was escorted to a table and seated, Ristia presented her with a menu and a cup of water. Charlotte found herself shocked at the mysterious material used for the menu and flabbergasted at the ridiculously expensive-looking glass Ristia so casually set down before her. Shivers went down her spine once she realized that the maid had been empty-handed the entire time before that.
“What in the world has been going on...?”
“Big Sis, what’s the matter?”
“N-No, it’s nothing. All that aside, what are your specials for today?”
“Right, well... which would you prefer: An actual lunch, or sweets?”
“A-Ah, yes, I’ll go with sweets, then.”
“Okay then, how about some Darjeeling served straight and vanilla ice cream?”
“Vanilla ice... what? I’ve never heard of that before.”
“It’s cold, sweet, and my favorite kind of dessert.”
“You say this is your favorite? W-Well then, I’ll go with that.”
“Okay, an order of Darjeeling straight and vanilla ice cream. I’ll be right back, so don’t go anywhere,” Ristia said with a smile before disappearing off into the kitchen. Charlotte watched her leave and took a sigh of relief. Since Charlotte had a strict upbringing as the only daughter of a count, she’d never before had anyone interact in such a friendly and casual way like just now, so it was an extremely refreshing change of pace.