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Gilles! Wake up! I exclaim, running over to where hes conked out on the couch. When he doesnt stir, I grab his shoulder and give it a good shake.

..What? Gilles grumbles groggily, his eyes opening only the tiniest fraction.

Could this kid have low blood pressure? Its not even that early but he seems rather irate. Theres a huge, cavernous wrinkle between his brows as he looks at me in grumpy displeasure.

Its rather rare actually, Gilles giving me this sort of look. In a way, its quite refreshing.

For the most part he only ever glares like this at Liz-san and her goons.. So this is how it feels to be on the receiving end? His gaze packs quite the punch. And its probably even more effective against Liz-san. Considering how popular she is, I doubt shes used to dealing with anything short of fawning, sycophantic smiles, so Im sure being glared at by such a young boy must come as a shock to her.

Though, thanks to Henry-Oniisama, I feel like Gilles doesnt scowl nearly so often as he used to. When I first met him, he had seemed almost like a cat; constantly hissing with his hackles raised and on suspicious red alert.

..Wait, this isnt the time to be spacing out.

Giving myself a little shake, I straighten my posture and force my mind back to the topic at hand.

Look! I say and then lightly snap my fingers.

Instantly the map that we had spread out on the desk jumps into the air like an eager puppy and then flies over to me. I catch it affectionately and then wave it around in front of Gilles, a huge grin spreading across my face.

Gilles, however, doesnt move. He doesnt say anything. He just stares uncomprehendingly at the map with his tired, half-lidded gaze.

No response at all.? I had been hoping for at least a little bit of a reaction.

..Yeah? What about it? he mumbles, unimpressed.

Im using magic! I cry, giving the map another little shake for good measure.

Finally, Gilless eyes spring open the rest of the way. He looks at me with unconcealed shock, fully awake at last.

Haaa. Thats great, Gilles says, letting out a sigh of relief. His eyes are wide and happy as they look into mine.

He must have been really worried for me. Knowing that he was this concerned actually makes me a bit happy.

Today is the day that Alicia Williams finally makes a full comeback, I proclaim, smiling affectionately at him. And at my words, Gilles smiles happily back at me.

And? Remind me why again are we sneaking out today instead of just going to see Arnold? Gilles whispers as I slink cautiously through the gate to the academy. Although his tone is dubious, he still follows right at my heels, making sure to remain as inconspicuous as possible.

The moment Im through, Im practically blinded by the brilliant rays of sunlight reflecting off the copious number of stained glass windows that adorn the academy walls.

What could possibly have possessed them to add this much stained glass? Instead of spending a fortune on such embellishments, surely there were other aspects of the academy that could have put that money to better use?

Alicia, are you listening?

I heard you. Im just a bit busy getting blinded by unnecessary extravagance.

Dont try to change the subject, Gilles says sternly, a hint of irritation leaking into his voice as he stares pointedly at me. I narrow my eye at him as I stare right back.

Its not a huge deal. Its just that, after careful consideration, I realized that meeting with my father ended up further down on my list of priorities.

When did that happen? Before, it seemed like it was

Right. Originally, it was more important. I thought it was one of the first things that I should take care of after my seclusion ended. But a lot of things have happened since then, I say, cutting Gilless pert remark off before he can finish.

The number of things that I need to think about really have increased tremendously during this past week.

This isnt the time for me to be having a heartfelt reunion with my father. True, the meeting wont be all fun and games. The threat of him forcing me to quit monitoring Liz-san is still quite the serious matter, but there are other things that I need to take care of first before I start worrying about that.

There are still so many things to think about and discuss with Uncle Will for example, and the matter of that wolf appearing as well. Anyway, I have no choice but to push off the reunion with my father until later.

Thats true. Theres lots to do before meeting up with Arnold, Gilles agrees.

Since weve known each other for so long, I guess hes able to catch on quickly and understand my thoughts with little to no explanation now.

Right? I say, smiling affectionately at him.

With that little matter taken care of, the two of us start off towards the school building.

Its only been a couple days since I was last here, but somehow it feels like Ive been away for much, much longer.

Hey Gilles. You wanna make bet? I say, aiming a cheeky grin at him.

Hah!? Gilles looks at me incredulously, like I inexplicably must have lost my mind.

..Which I guess is warranted. Springing that sort of question on him out of the blue probably would seem rather odd.

I bet someone will say they thought Id decided to quit coming to school, I say emphatically, the corner of my mouth arching up in a smirk.

For a moment, Gilles stiffens, but almost immediately he relaxes again, a sardonic chuckle escaping his lips.

Then, Ill bet theyre saying you died, Gilles returns, a smirk that mirrors my own finding its way onto his face.

Hearing his bet, its my turn to laugh.

Ive got to be one of the only people that can laugh and enjoy speculating about the horrible rumors and gossip that people have spread about me.

Wow, thats pretty harsh, I say, giggling.

Well, were betting on the cream of the crop here. All those highborn nobles that perfect their appearances just to cover up their rotten, base personalities.

True. Theyd probably jump at the chance to think I died.

Its this depraved worlds fault. All that matters is that you have a pretty face, and to hell with whats on the inside.

Thats also true.. though, having both an attractive exterior as well as being a good person is still considered ideal, right? Someone like Liz-san, I say solemnly.

Gilles falls silent at that.

If you had to divide us into factions, then technically Id be in the group devoted to outer beauty, while Liz-san is squarely committed to inner.

Despite society being so superficial, however, my gorgeous appearance isnt helping me at all. Not that Im surprised. When others look at me, they likely think my looks err on the side of cold and cruel rather than beautiful. But thats just because of the eye patch! I wish everyone could just look past it and see how beautiful Alicia truly is.

Even if I was hideous though, I wouldnt be able to join the other faction. My insides are murky at best. I obviously wouldnt fit in there. And I dont even want to try. Im a villainess through and through. Having a heroine whos beautiful on the inside is good enough already.

My mind wanders absently over such topics as we walk.

I think that describes you way better than Liz Cather.

Gilles, head down, mumbles something into the ground but I cant quite catch what it is.

What was that?

Nothing, Gilles says and then looks up at me and smiles in a way that lights up his whole face.

I feel like its been a very long time since Ive seen him make that sort of expression.

Im sure it wasnt nothing, but even if I interrogated him about it, I doubt hed tell me Besides, if it was something he thought I should know about, he would definitely have said it loud enough for me to hear, so its probably not something I need to worry about.

Hey, if I win the bet, then I want your bracelet.

Bracelet?

At Gilless sudden demand, I freeze for a moment. Glancing over at him, I notice that hes serious.

Does he. just want to own something of mine?

..No. Im probably just being overly self-conscious.

Okay, deal. Then, if I win.. I want you to tell me something that you know but that you think that I wont.

Gilless eyes go wide.

Thats it? Are you really okay with just that?

Just that? Knowledge is the most valuable thing in the world.

I see, Gilles says contemplatively, though not a second later, a smile is already winding its way across his face.

He sure is smiling a lot today, I cant help but notice. But then again, Im grinning too, unable to help myself. His smile is infectious.

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T/N: Lol, does anybody remember Alicia owning a bracelet? Cause I dont XD I double and triple checked that he didnt say necklace, since I know Alicia definitely has one of those (courtesy of Duke), but nope. He definitely wanted her bracelet.

Mini Spoiler: For all you Duke lovers and haters out there, there is a romance warning in the forecast for . The storm seems like it will be naught but a short spring shower, but Im sure were in for a flurry right after of either excited squealing or repulsed rumbling hahaha!!! *Laughs maniacally like no good weatherman should*