I'll take it then. ......

　Then Charlotte glanced at Allen's face.

"You choose first, Mr. Allen. I'll take whatever's left.
"No, thanks. I don't like sweets.
"What?

　Charlotte rolls her eyes. You're full of surprises.

"Are you ...... doing all this for me, by any chance?
You've just found out about this?　Of course not.
Why would you sell your precious magic tools for ......?　Why did you do that, ......?
"Why?

　I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.

I thought you'd like it.
It's .......

　At last Charlotte was speechless. She rolls her eyes and freezes.
　Allen could not help but nod his head in response.

What's wrong?　You don't like sweets by any chance?
No, no, not at all. It's just ......
Then eat up.
Yes, .......

　I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it.

"For me. ......

　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea. Then she gently sets her fork on the shortcake. The apex of the triangle. The top of the triangle, just a little slice, and slowly brought it to her mouth.

　It was like the speed of a turtle. But Allen watched intently.

　Charlotte chewed the bite carefully, as if it were her last supper. Then a small sound escaped her throat. She froze, stunned.

"Well, how is it? Is it good?

　Allen cringed.
　Allen cringed. Maybe it wasn't to his taste, or maybe the cake was damaged. He looked into Charlotte's face, concerned.
　Then...

"It's delicious.

　Oh, good!
　The words Allen had prepared for her, "......," disappeared down her throat.

　A single drop spilled down her cheek. The drops flowed incessantly, one after another, and eventually they were mixed with sobs.

　It made Allen speechless.
　Charlotte contorted her face and tried desperately to wipe away the tears. But the tears did not stop.
　As each drop fell to the table and to her knees, a hoarse voice spilled from her trembling lips.

I've never known anyone to do anything for me ...... that would make me happy or be kind to me .......... ...!

　Charlotte speaks in choppy tones.
　The string of unclear words is a scream that leaks from her soul.
　That heartbreaking cry lit a fire in Allen's heart.

　Charlotte raises her tear-stained face and looks at Allen.

"Is it really okay for me to feel this happy ......?
"Tell me ...... I'm an idiot.

　Allen squeezes out a low voice.
　Even though it was a bit pricey, it was only a piece of silver.
　That kind of happiness will never be enough for .......

You'll be able to't be happy with this level of happiness?　Don't make me laugh. This is just the beginning. From now on, I'm going to teach you all the pleasures of this world. I won't tolerate your crying and screaming.

　I'll feed you good food and take you places.
　I'll make you taste fun and joy until you get tired of it.
　And eventually, I'll turn you into the ...... happiest person in the world, and you can say that with pride.

　I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that," she said, her face contorting.

Why ...... are you being so nice to me, a complete stranger?
I don't know. I don't know.

　I don't know." Allen confided honestly.

　I don't know.
　The thought made Allen feel sick to his stomach.

　It wasn't just pity. It was a complex blend of anger, sorrow, and other emotions that he had never felt before in his life.

　Allen did not know what to name it.
　But that was a trivial matter.



　If he decides to do something, he will do it ...... thoroughly.
　Because that was his motto.

"Anyway, I swear to you. As long as you're in my presence, I'll teach you all the pleasures of the world!
But ...... I can't give you anything in return, can I?
I don't need that. Just think of me as a hobby you don't want to be a part of.
Huh. ...... You're so sweet, but you're so weird.

　Charlotte giggles as she cries.
　Charlotte giggled as she cried, apparently getting used to Allen's tone.

　I'm sure you'll be glad to hear that. A laughing face is much preferable to a crying face. I don't know why. 　
　Anyway, Allen handed her a handkerchief to wipe away her tears, and then offered her other cakes one after another.

Go on, go on, eat up. When you've eaten that one, which one's next?　This chocolate cake?
No, I can't eat that much. ...... Please help me, Mr. Allen.
That's why I don't like sweets. ...... Oh, no.

　I'm not sure if you've ever heard of this, but I'm sure you have.
　So Allen cut off his words and picked up a suitable cake. It's a tart with a lot of fruit.

"Since you're here, would you like to join me?
"Yes!　I'm sure it would taste much better if we ate it together.

　Seeing Charlotte's smile return, Allen secretly felt relieved.
　I'm not very good at socializing, but ...... I'll do my best. That's what I thought.
　But Charlotte raised her eyebrows.

But ...... even the two of us can't finish this much food. What should I do?
"Well, you could eat a little bit every day.
But how many days can a cake last ......?
That's how ...... it works.

　Allen whispered a few words and snapped his fingers.
　In a moment, the chocolate cake is surrounded by a cube of warding.

Stop time and you'll be fine.
...... You really can do anything, can't you?
Yeah.

　Allen shrugs aloofly and sticks his fork in the tart.

I'm a bad, good wizard. I can stop time and seduce poor women in a matter of minutes. Hmm. It's surprisingly good.

　Thanks to the moderate acidity of the fruit, even Allen, who doesn't like sweets, could enjoy it.
　I'm going to make that restaurant my favorite from now on.

"Here, you try it too. Aww.
"Oh, yeah.

　I let Charlotte have a bite of the tart.
　She chewed earnestly for a while, and then broke into a pose. His cheeks were slightly tinged with vermilion.
　If I had to give it a name, I'd probably go with 'happy color'.

...... is delicious.
I'm glad to hear that.

　It's a good thing, too. It was not a bad taste, after all.