Picked It Up on the Way
“Picked it up on the way.”
The sharp words slipped out of my mouth on their own. A half-assed excuse to hide my embarrassment.
But even with my curt, indifferent tone, Aria didn't respond. She just stood there cradling the box in both hands, unable to tear her eyes away from the gift inside.
“What? Don't like it? If it sucks, we can swap it for something else tomorrow...”
“N-no...!”
Aria shook her head frantically, her orange hair bouncing wildly.
“How could I not like it... It's so pretty...”
Her gaze was locked firmly on the hairpin in the box.
A blue gem intricately set within a silver frame. It was the exact accessory she'd stared at so longingly in the shop. The one she'd put down in defeat after seeing the price tag, convincing herself it wouldn't suit her anyway.
“Do I... really deserve something like this?”
Her voice trailed off meekly, laced with the implication that she wasn't worthy of such an expensive, beautiful gift.
“What do you mean, 'deserve'? Of course you do.”
I meant it sincerely.
After everything she'd done for me, what was a single hairpin? Her big eyes welled up again with that clear, glistening moisture.
Tears seemed ready to spill down her cheeks any second.
“To give me... such a pretty gift...”
“Don't cry. I'll take it back if you do.”
At my threat, Aria sucked in a sharp breath and swallowed her tears. She pressed her sleeve firmly against her eyes to wipe them away.
Only after several deep breaths did she manage to dry her face, then looked up at me with her reddened eyes.
A faint smile spread across her lips.
It was a smile mixing relief, joy, and emotions too overwhelming to put into words.
“Thank you... I'll treasure it, really.”
Aria hugged the box to her chest as she spoke.
Her posture was like someone cradling the world's most precious treasure.
Seeing her that happy made buying it totally worth it.
I almost felt bad for not getting something even more expensive.
Not that money was an issue for me anyway.
To be precise, I hadn't even paid for it myself.
—I'm Elise de Bellaph. Give me that.
—H-heek! R-right away!
Just dropping my name was like a free pass. My notorious reputation actually came in handy sometimes. The bill would probably come to the ducal house later, but it wasn't coming out of my pocket right now.
Dad wouldn't make a fuss over something this trivial.
“Don't just keep it—try it on. Let me see if it suits you.”
“Huh? R-right now?”
“Yeah. Put it in your hair. If it doesn't look good, we'll exchange it tomorrow.”
“N-no exchanges! It'll look perfect!”
Aria hurriedly pulled out the blue-gemmed hairpin, afraid I'd actually return it. But once she held it, her hand hovered uncertainly in the air, not knowing where to place it.
“Uh...”
Her eyes darted around nervously.
She'd probably never worn flashy accessories like this before, so she had no idea how to position it to look pretty.
She kept moving it from behind her right ear to her bangs and back—awkward as hell.
“Where should I put it...? I've never worn anything like this...”
Aria glanced at me with drooping eyebrows, looking troubled.
As if asking me would magically give her the perfect answer.
Like I'd know.
“Just sweep your side hair back and pin it there, or something.”
“L-like this...?”
She calmly brushed her hair aside.
Then tried to slide the pin into place with her other hand.
But.
—Plop.
The hairpin fell limply to the floor.
Pinning something in a spot you can't see is trickier than it looks.
Her hair just tangled up, and the pin rolled across the bedsheet without catching.
“Ahh...”
Aria scrambled to pick it up.
Luckily, it landed on the soft bedding—no scratches on the gem.
“Y-yeah, it's hard to do alone...” She fiddled with the pin, her face downcast.
Her drooping eyes made her look like a rain-soaked puppy.
Aria glanced at me cautiously, lips twitching, then spoke very carefully.
“Um... Lady Elise.”
“What.”
“Could you... put it in for me?”
“Me?”
“Yeah... I think I'll drop it again...”
Her upward gaze was pleading, eyes wide and desperate.
How many people could say no to a face like that?
I let out a short sigh and held out my hand.
“Thank you!”
Aria beamed, placing the hairpin gently in my palm.
I sat on the edge of the bed and patted the empty spot in front of me.
“Come closer. Can't reach your head from here.”
“Hehe. Okay.”
Aria scooted forward on her knees until she was right in front of me.
The lavender scent from her orange hair wafted over again, tickling my nose.
I reached out, gently sweeping aside the strands falling by her ear.
—Swish.
Soft, silky hair brushed my fingertips.
As my hand grazed the tip of her ear, Aria's shoulders twitched.
She held her breath, eyes squeezed shut.
Her face was tense, like she was bracing for a kiss. What's she so nervous about?
This spot might be better.
Or maybe here looks prettier.
No, sweeping it this way should make the gem stand out more.
I fussed with her hair, trying to find the perfect spot.
—Click.
Finally, a satisfying snap as the pin locked in place.
The orange hair paired beautifully with the deep blue gem—better than I'd imagined.
The flashy stone made her pale skin glow even more.
“There. Done.”
Aria cautiously opened her eyes.
“Really?”
“Yeah. Go check the mirror.”
Aria hopped up and hurried to the small mirror in the corner.
Her eyes widened again at her reflection.
She touched the hairpin lightly with her fingertips, mouth agape in disbelief.
“Wow...”
A pure exclamation echoed through the room.
She turned her head this way and that, admiring how the gem sparkled in the light.
She loved it, clearly.
Good call grabbing it as a surprise.
Aria wandered in front of the mirror a bit longer, then slowly turned back to me.
She clasped her hands behind her back and approached shyly.
Her steps oozed bashfulness.
Stopping in front of me, she looked up with flushed cheeks and asked softly, laced with anticipation.
“Um... Lady Elise.”
“What.”
“How does it look...? Does it suit me?”
Her eyes screamed for approval, transparent as glass.
Honestly? It suited her perfectly.
The blue gem added a perfect accent to her usual plain look, brightening her whole vibe.
From simple girl to mega-simple-with-a-twist girl.
Anyway, she looked radiant.
“Looks fine.”
Something about spilling my real thoughts felt itchy, so I toned it down a bit.
But apparently, that wasn't enough for Aria.
She pouted and leaned in closer.
“Just... 'fine'?”
She was persistent, demanding a clear verdict like a puppy begging for praise.
I couldn't hold out against those eyes.
I waved the white flag.
“Yeah, it's pretty. Suits you great.”
I packed as much sincerity as I could into it.
Her face lit up instantly.
She ducked her head, cheeks pink. “Hehe... Thank you.”
She grinned ear-to-ear, unable to hide her smile.
She touched the hairpin fondly once more, then stepped back with light steps.
“Now I'm really sleepy.”
“Yeah. Good night, Lady Elise. Sweet dreams.”
“You too.”
I lay down and pulled up the covers.
And fell asleep right away.
///
The next morning.
I opened my eyes.
The room felt a bit quieter than usual.
“Mm...”
I stretched and sat up.
Sunlight streamed through the window, filling the room with brightness.
Aria's bed across from mine was already neatly made.
She must've left already.
The clock on the wall showed it was time for her classes.
Come to think of it, she might've tried waking me earlier.
I must've mumbled something about having no schedule today in my sleep, so she let me rest.
Perfect timing.
With Aria gone, this was the ideal chance for me.
The new ability I'd glimpsed in the infirmary yesterday.
Time to test the skill I'd gained from leveling up as a Black Magician.