“You really miss Ali-Ali that badly?”
“Of course I miss her.”
“Me too! I miss Ali-Ali so baaad. Why’d you have to send her awaaaay?” Mel whines, on the verge of fake tears.
“She’s an asset who can’t be shut away.”
“Fair point! She is a free spirit, huh!”
In a flash, Mel’s frown flips into a bright smile. Her face is a kaleidoscope of vivid emotion, but when the situation calls for it, she can hide every hint of feeling behind a mask.
Mel seems self-serving, but she’s hyperaware of other people’s feelings.
“Just watching those brainwashed devotees worship their angel Liz at school makes me wanna vomit.”
Mel is back to her usual complaining. Whenever she comes into my room, it’s either to gush about Alicia or to bitch about Liz.
“That fake angelic smile! I could never learn to love it! I’d much rather gaze adoringly at Ali-Ali’s devilish smile… Y’knooow, I guess every girl goes through a rebellious phase. But it seems different with Ali-Ali.”
“Alicia’s behavior could never be summed up as going through a rebellious phase—you can quote me on that.”
“You said it!” she squeals with glee, her shrill voice ringing in my ears.
For all her posturing about becoming a badass villainess, Alicia has a work ethic that is terrifyingly strict. She gained skills and strengths far beyond my wildest dreams.
It truly is a mystery; what is it that drives her to such lengths? No matter how hard a person trains herself, keeping up that brutal training day in and day out for all those years must be difficult.
The desire to be strong, the desire to be wicked—I never thought her convictions could be so powerful.
“Oh, gee, I wish I could be like Ali-Ali.”
“Me too.”
“Uh…you’re a baddie, too, Duke. You always have this Oooh, Alicia is amaaazing look in your eyes. But don’t forget, you’re on the other side, okay?!”
Other side…? Does she mean Alicia’s side?
“What? Why’re you giving me that I’m not so great vibe?” Mel demands.
“No way can I compare to a saint—”
“Oh, but you can, Duke!” Mel yells, cutting me off. She has a complicated look on her face that’s either frustration or anger.
“Duke—you need to know your own strength. You hear me?”
“I’ll have you know I understand perfectly just what my strengths are.”
“Then surely you realize you’ve broken the mold! In some ways, you’re even more powerful than Ali-Ali, okay? Well…then again, Liz also broke the mold, since she can use all the magic elements.”
Considering magic level alone, I probably am the most powerful. But when you consider Alicia’s initiative, she’s far more gifted than I.
If I weren’t a prince, maybe I would have been able to act more freely… But even if I weren’t a prince, I doubt my drive to take action would be anywhere near hers.
“If you really miss her so much, why don’t you just go visit her?”
Mel’s question shakes me for a moment. Suddenly, I’m smacked with the desire to drop everything and run to her. I can just imagine myself jumping out the window right now.
I want to touch her rosy cheeks and her lustrous, beautiful hair, if only for a second. I want to gaze into her golden eye, if only for one blink.
If I leave everything behind right now, though, what would I gain? Alicia would be disappointed in me if I went to see her. I would lose Gill’s trust, too.
I have to stay here. There are things I need to take care of.
I have to suppress my primal emotions.
“Y’know, Duke, you’re super possessive, but you’re also really patient. I could never stay here if I were you.”
“……I amaze even myself sometimes.”
“Oop, so you aren’t humble about that.”
If I abuse my position as prince, I could have Alicia by my side always. She doesn’t wish for that, though.
Mel looks into my eyes and speaks clearly. “Well, let’s make Durkis the best kingdom in the world by the time Ali-Ali gets back.”
I nod. The best thing I can do for Alicia right now is rebuild Durkis.
“Hey, Mel—don’t sit on the desk!”
“Awww.”
“Enough of your whining! Are you even an aristocrat?”
“I am totally an aristocraaat!” Mel whines, sticking out her tongue at Henri.
Gill, Mel, Henri, and I are gathered in the old library, as we usually are. Most of the headbutting comes from Mel and Henri, but sometimes Gill and Mel exchange barbs, too.
I watch over the scene quietly, as always.
“Henri, there’s no use saying anything to Mel.” Gill finally speaks, his eyes not leaving his book.
Among the three of them, Gill may very well be the most mature.
“I won’t argue with that,” Henri says, flopping beside Gill.
Mel frowns, offended. “But I’m not even doing anything wrooong.”
“Alicia won’t like you if you keep that up.”
No sooner does Gill say this than she quickly jumps off the desk. She stands at attention, a lollypop jammed in her mouth.
……Alicia’s name is unbelievably effective.
“After all my complaining, that’s what finally got her to move?” Henri smiles cynically.
Mel whirls to face us and says, “I’d rather die than lose Ali-Ali’s favor.”
“You know, I’m technically her brother by blood.”
“Oh, blood schmud. Weak stuff. My bond with Ali-Ali runs much deeper.”
“If we’re going there, then my bond with her is the deepest,” Gill butts in, snapping his book shut.
Alicia always makes everyone desperate. That’s proof enough of the affection everyone has for her.
I sit silently, watching everyone work themselves up.
There’s never a dull moment with these people. The only reason my loneliness has not mutated into something unbearable is thanks to Gill, Mel, and Henri.
“Well, I’ve known Ali since she was a baby.”
“Small potatoes! Ali-Ali and I share a bond that only mutual femininity can forge.”
“I’ve spent more time with Alicia than any of you,” Gill says.
“No, I grew up with her. Our bond is the strongest,” Henry argues.
“Yeah? Well, Alicia practically raised me.”
“And I raised her!”
“Ughhh! No fair! It’s just not fair! I want Ali-Ali to take care of me, too! And I want to take care of her!” Mel puffs out her cheeks and jumps on the desk. I suppose she already completely forgot what Gill told her a minute ago.
“Come on, Duke, say something!” Mel yells at me. I sense everyone’s gazes rush to me.
I smirk. “Well…I kissed her.”
It’s as if the air is sucked out of the room. Everyone is frozen. Mel’s mouth is stuck open in a perpetual capital O.
Is it really that earth-shattering? It’s just a kiss.
“Wh-wh-whaaaap?!” Mel yells unintelligibly.
“For real? No way… You backstabbing son of a bitch!” Henri growls.
“Well, I had a feeling you guys crossed that line…but it still stings seeing that smug look on your face.” Gill glares at me with tired eyes.
In the end, I suppose I like everyone knowing my bond with Alicia is superior to theirs.