Chapter 3: The Tea Party / The Door

Four years passed

“Evan, it’s a tea party, right? Like an actual tea party? As in, the tea parties you see in manga?” Lime asked Evan, excitedly.

In her hand was an envelope with a broken red wax seal

“Yes, lime. You do realize that father did this to try and introduce us to-“ Evan started

“The one he set up an arranged marriage with, right? What’s her name? Elizabeth? I’ve heard that she is actually quite a nice lady. I’m looking forward to meeting her. First is obviously to establish our relationship, second is to try and become friends!” Lime said

“I’ve met Liz already. It’s to introduce us to high society. That doesn’t matter, though. Don’t push yourself too hard.” Evan said

“I’ll be fine. Why are you wearing casual clothes, by the way?” Lime asked

“I was told boys don’t need to dress formally.” Evan said

“Lucky.” Lime said

“You look cute in your purple dress.” Evan said

“Thanks, darling. Oh! It’s almost time for the party! Where did I put our stuff?” Lime said, looking around

“Don’t worry, I have everything in storage.” Evan said

“That’s a relief! It’s been ages since I haven’t been able to use magic. I feel like a normal girl again, actually.” Lime said

“You mean, other than the whole vampire thing? Oh! Speaking of normal! Father said he found us a middle school and high school to attend. I checked, and they’re public schools, like we asked. But, I have no idea why he suddenly agreed.” Evan said

~Earlier that week~

“Of course I’m not going to approve of you going to a normal public school!” Father said

“Please, father. Me and lime just want to experience a normal life.” Evan said

“Guh! Cute faces aren’t going to change my mi-wait… you guys want to experience being normal, right? If it’s because of that, I think I can approve it. It’s a good reason to give to the main family. You may leave.” Father said, thinking

“Wait, seriously? Ah! Apologies, I’ll leave immediately.” Evan said, leaving

“Normal, huh? I can relate to that feeling. Plus, it’s probably gonna knock some sense into the two of them. Romance between siblings or family is even more taboo to the public.” Father said

~back to our current story~

“Awesome! But it’s time to go, come on!” Lime said, dragging Evan to their… carriage?

“Evan, what era of technology did you say we were in again?” Lime asked

“I thought the old school family values thing was odd. That explains it. This era is really weird. So, we have some stuff like cell phones, but nobody invented the car. Wait… does that mean that they don’t have bikes, either? How exactly are we going to get to school?” Evan asked

“We can always build one. Or walk like normal people.” Lime said

“Oh. Yeah, that’s true. Damn, this carriage is uncomfortable.” Evan said, as he sat down in the cramped carriage

“It really is. I don’t think I have that much of a problem with it though.” Lime said

“No, the shaking is going to take a large toll on your body if you aren’t careful. Here.” Evan said insistently

He made cushions and a soft backing, and fit it around the hard carriage seat

“Well, it’s still a romantic carriage ride!” Lime said, sitting next to Evan

“Indeed it is, and I think I’m a little happy with how small the carriage is, now.” Said Evan, smiling

Lime clamped onto Evans arm all the way, until they arrived.

“This place is almost as big as ours. It’s huge!” Lime said

“Yeah. It really is. Where are we going next?” Evan asked

“According to the invitation, head to the front door.” Lime said

“That was simple.” Evan said

They went up to the front door.

“May I see your invitation?” A butler asked, suspicious of Evan. Evan was wearing literally just a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt. The suspicion was completely understandable.

“Here.” Lime said, handing over her envelope

“Ah! It’s you two. It’s nice to meet you! If you head down the hall, and take a right at the end, you should arrive at the ballroom.” The butler said

“Ah, thanks.” Evan said

“It’s a pleasure to be of assistance.” The butler said, smiling

“Still, thanks, mr butler. See you again, I hope.” Lime said

They headed down the long hallway

“Look at all this art. It’s a bit excessive, isn’t it? I admit it’s beautiful, but there’s a bit too many things to focus on. It kind of blurs together.” Lime said

“Lime, we aren’t here to critique their interior design. Let’s go.” Evan said, taking a left.

“Dear, it’s right, not left.” Lime said, taking a right

“Oh. I knew that.” Evan said

“I’m assuming it’s through those massive doors. That doesn’t seem like something that a normal kid could open. Is that why everyone is out here?” Lime asked, referring to the large group of well dressed ladies and boys.

“Wait, I’m the only one who came without a suit? Wasn’t it supposed to be casual clothes?” Evan asked

“Huh? Ah. If you’re wondering why, it’s because they are trying to impress others. Like saying ‘even if given a chance to slack off, I’m a reliable and refined dude. Aren’t I mature?’ Or their parents made them. I guess one of the reasons is to make an impression on others, so they can find a marriage partner. Actually, why are you just wearing a shirt and sweatpants? This is a tea party, after all.” A girl said, turning to face the twins

“I’m just here because my sister wanted to come. It’s our first time attending one, so she’s kinda excited. I guess it hasn’t started yet, though.” Evan said

“Ah. Well, apparently those doors are made of solid iron. They said that it was a test. All we have to do is open them. But what kind of kid can do something like that? I guess coming here was a waste of time. A person still goes up to try their luck occasionally.” She said, shaking her head

“Wait, so it’s just solid iron? And the party starts if we open them?” Evan asked

“Yes. But it’s hard.” She said, frowning

“Oh. That’s easy then. Lime, I’ll be right back. Stay with this lady, please. Also, miss, would you mind watching lime for a second?” Evan asked

“You can call me Suika. And sure. Wait, are you going to go test your luck?” Suika asked

“Hm? No, I’m going to go open the door.” Evan said, blending into the large group of people as he walked away.

“Is your brother right in the head?” Suika asked

“Yeah. Don’t worry about him.” Lime said

“Well, there are probably people who will harass him when he fails to op-“ Suika started

There was a large boom, the sound of creaking metal, silence among the crowd, and a single voice

“Ah. Crap. I used a bit too much strength.” Evan said

He still had a chunk of the door surrounding his fist.

“Dear, you said open, not destroy. We have to pay for the door, you do realize that, right?” Lime asked

“Ah. Uh, yeah. Well, I mean, money isn’t really an issue for us.” Evan said

“It’s the principle of the thing. You can’t just go around destroying people’s houses.” Lime said

“Yeah, but… I didn’t expect it to break so easily.” Evan said

“That amount of force was still excessive. Why did you even punch it to open it in the first place. Just come over here.” Lime chided

Evan walked over to lime

“Hm. You seem fine. Ah there we go, got it.” Lime said, freeing Evans hand from the metal

This caused her to start breathing heavily from the exhaustion of straining her body to pull such a heavy object.

“Lime, don’t push yourself.” Evan said, worrried

“Nonsense. I’m fine. By the way, Suika. What’s wrong with everyone? Doesn’t the party start if the doors open?” Lime asked

“Well… I don’t think anyone would just go back to normal immediately, especially after watching a five year old walk up and blast a solid iron door apart with a punch. Look, even the butler froze.” Suika said, referring to the butler who had greeted them at the door.

He was walking down the hall but froze after watching the entire spectacle. His reaction was completely understandable

“Oh. I am sorry about that. My intention was to open it, not destroy it. I should have just pushed them open.” Evan said

“I don’t think that’s what the problem is. Even magic can’t make someone that strong. Besides, you’re five, you can’t have already learned magic.” Suika said

“You know magic?” Lime asked

“Ah. Crap. Ummm, it’s a myth you know, folk tale, doesn’t exist. I might just be going cra-“ Suika blubbered out, flailing around in a panic

“That’s not what lime meant.” Evan said, making a small magic flame appear in his hand

“Oh. Oh dear. You two know what magic is? That’s surprising. I didn’t think anyone else here except Lizzy would know about it. Wait… forget knowing about it. Did you just use magic?” Suika asked, blankly staring at the twins

“I want to know how you know about magic. And yes, I’m a mage. Honey, that’s what they call normal mana users right?” Evan said

“Dear, I don’t think that that’s the problem. Focus on your first question. Suika, why exactly do you know about magic? Actually, wait, let’s talk somewhere more private.” Lime said, dragging the two of them to one of the gardens on the estate.

A small trail of blood had started to trickle out of the corner of her mouth. She wiped it away with a handkerchief, secretly.