Chapter 21 Monica Belmont's Evil Scheme
Monica Belmont really didn't like it.
That was her honest opinion about Yumie, who had come to the tea party.
"That hair accessory is lovely. Where did you get it?"
"This? I inherited it from my grandmother. She said it suits me."
"I see. It really looks great on you; it's adorable."
Yumie's figure was still youthful.
Yet, she constantly radiated a "shine" that drew attention, laughing freely and without a care.
Just when it seemed like she was only smiling brightly, she would change her expression to match the topic at hand, offering compliments that felt completely sincere, without a hint of sarcasm.
For anyone talking to her, it was hard to find someone more engaging.
Just having a conversation with her was enjoyable, and it was easy to let one's guard down.
(This is my tea party... and somehow, she has become the center of attention...)
The strength of this influence was not to be underestimated.
It was even more so because Monica herself had been swayed by Yumie's words.
──What's important is how much we care for each other, after all.
Monica clenched her fists under the table.
(Just because she's caught Prince Sigurd's interest more than I have... does she think she's above me...?)
The other day, Monica had already heard that Yumie received an invitation from the prince to go to the palace.
The prince himself wrote the invitation, and they were said to be chatting happily in a private space.
Monica had never been called.
Her fingers curled tightly in frustration.
(After all... I need to make this girl understand once and for all, the "difference" between us.)
Behind her smile, Monica began to plot.
She would make Yumie submit by boldly showing off that she was superior in front of many nobles.
If she could do that... maybe the prince would reconsider his view of her.
(That said, it seems unlikely I could win in a battle of wits... and it's hard to convey the difference in status, right? I guess I should attack from the angle of the magic she's been bragging about.)
Yumie Granbell's name had become widely known because of the many magic performances showcased by the Granbell Family.
Since Monica herself had also gained fame for her own magic talent, Yumie's impressive magic displays had become a source of envy for her.
If Monica could prove that this magic was just a trick orchestrated by others, then naturally, her own abilities would be highlighted once again.
(There's no way such intricate and extensive magic could be done by someone like her. I will peel away that facade!)
As she hid her smirking mouth behind a fan, a maid was bringing the cookies she had ordered.
Monica quickly seized the opportunity to speak up.
"By the way, Ms. Yumie, you're quite skilled at magic, aren't you? Since we have the chance, could you show us the same magic as last time? Look, we have cookies right here."
Monica suspected that the performance Yumie showcased was not her own power, but rather a trick done by multiple magicians disguised as her.
So, she thought that even if Yumie was asked to perform right now, she wouldn't be able to respond.
"Ahaha, I'm sorry. The same magic as last time has a few conditions, so it's difficult to hide what has already been prepared like this."
As expected, Yumie came up with a convenient excuse to decline.
Disappointed voices rose from the surrounding young ladies, who wanted to see more magic.
Monica thought that if she pressed the issue now, it would be easy to break her down. She was about to say more when...
"So instead, I'll show you something different from last time."
Yumie's straightforward response caught Monica by surprise.
Without noticing her reaction, Yumie concentrated magic into her fingertips and activated her magic.
"Wow...!"
"This is... amazing...!"
A small ice tree sprouted on the plate of cookies.
The transparent ice, sparkling in the sunlight, gradually grew, with each branch hanging down and entwining the cookies in front of the young ladies.
"Cookie tree, huh... I thought I'd give it a try. What do you think? Did you enjoy it?"
"Yes, very much!"
"Ms. Yumie, you really are skilled at magic!"
The young ladies cheered for Yumie with excitement, "Kyai kyai!" Meanwhile, Monica couldn't express her admiration like the others.
Yumie's skills were just too impressive for her to do that.
(Not only did she generate ice with such high transparency, free of impurities, but she also adjusted the shape considering the angle of sunlight... and...)
Monica plucked a cookie from the branch hanging in front of her and brought it to her mouth.
With a crisp sound, "crunch," the flavor spread, and there was no problem at all.
In other words...
Yumie skillfully used her magic to wrap each cookie in the growing ice and distribute them evenly in front of the young ladies, all while ensuring that the coldness of her ice magic didn't affect the cookies at all.
If she could control her magic so delicately, she could truly handle the party's arrangements all by herself.
Monica was just shown that in a way she hadn't wanted to see.
"Ugh... ggggh...!!"
Instead of exposing her tricks, her plans were turned against her, and Yumie's reputation only grew.
Frustrated, Monica began to binge on cookies.
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