Chapter 96

* * *
Translated by Sylph

Read only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net.
* * *

“Ah, that was fun. Right, Evi?”

“Yes, y-yes…”

Irene looked at the stacked boxes of clothes with a sense of pride, as if she were finally satisfied.

Beside her, Evi’s eyes were spinning.

‘How many clothes did we look at today?’

Just the ones Irene had held up against her body must have exceeded a hundred.

Furthermore, she said those were just casual clothes that were good for light wearing.

For much more important and expensive clothes, she had placed separate orders after looking at sketches and temporary samples made by Madame Crebel.

Each time, Evi had given honest advice.

“Since Irene’s hair sparkles like moonlight, the same silver or even black would be pretty. And for the ribbon, this one! Blue suits you better.”

“I think that bag is too big for Irene. You’d look prettier carrying a small one like this!”

Every time she said that, Crebel would look at Evi from behind with an expression that seemed to say, ‘She has quite an eye.’

In fact, when Irene changed into clothes or picked up items as Evi suggested, they looked much better even in her own eyes.

‘There weren’t many people who would speak so honestly.’

Everyone was so busy watching Irene’s reactions that they just said everything looked pretty, no matter what she put on or picked up.

So she had once purposely chosen and tried on a color that was terribly unflattering on her. When she pretended to like it very much, everyone said that was also pretty.

But not Evi.

“Ack, that’s not pretty!”

When she picked up a bag that clearly didn’t suit her, Evi was horrified and put it down.

‘Our Evi is so honest!’

Irene remembered her older sister’s words.

“Irene. Become friends with someone who clearly tells you their thoughts. Such a person will see you as Irene, not as a Terence.”

When she heard those words, she wondered if such a person existed.

Very occasionally, there were people who said sharp words. That this wasn’t right for her, or that she shouldn’t do such things.

At first, she wondered if she should be close to such people. But soon, Irene could tell.

That they were always trying to find her flaws.

‘They never said a single good thing.’

That’s not being honest.

It’s rudeness disguised as honesty.

But Evi was different.

Even amidst a mountain of items, she carefully looked through them and brought Irene what she thought was the most beautiful.

And when Irene put it on, she laughed as if she were happier than if she were wearing it herself.

‘I found her, my friend.’

The corners of Irene’s mouth kept twitching upward into a grin.

The summer break of the Gifted Center was five weeks.

‘Two weeks at my house, one week at Arcel’s house, and one week at Ruska’s house. And then back to our house for another week.’

Three weeks, one week, and one week.

No matter how she thought about it, it was a very fair allocation.

If it were up to her, she wanted to give Arcel and Ruska only three days each, let alone a week, but if she did that, she would likely be plagued by resentful gazes and voices for the entire second semester.

‘So I generously authorized one week. They should be grateful.’

Irene shrugged her shoulders as if she were the one who had granted that time.

Then she turned back and grabbed the arm of Evi, who was still dazed.

“You’re tired, aren’t you?”

“A, a little…”

“Then let’s go eat something delicious now.”

Irene pulled Evi by the arm and headed downstairs.

Downstairs, Madame Crebel was checking the items prepared earlier and giving instructions to load them into the carriage.

“You’ve come down. Was today’s shopping satisfactory?”

“Of course. But you’ll be very busy because of the autumn banquet now, right?”

“I suppose so. I’ve been taking reservations since immediately after last year’s autumn banquet, and by the beginning of the year, I was already not taking any more. So fortunately, it’s not enough to kill me.”

“Is that so? Then can you make one more outfit?”

At Irene’s words, Crebel winked.

“If it’s a small garment, it won’t be much of a problem.”

“I love you, Crebel.”

“Oh, it’s nothing. Thanks to being in charge of your dress last year, my lady, we’ve benefited so much. This year’s autumn banquet is the first official imperial event, so even more people will be watching. And…”

Crebel whispered to Irene.

“I heard Evi’s guardian is His Majesty the Emperor?”

“Yes. So… you know?”

“Of course, hoho. Look forward to it. My head is already full of designs I want to dress her in as soon as I see her. I’ll send the sketches to the Terence mansion in a few days, so please take a look. Or you are welcome to stop by the shop again or come to my workshop.”

“Really? Then I’ll go to the Madame’s workshop with Evi.”

As she spoke, Irene looked at Evi.

“Evi hasn’t seen much of the capital yet. So I want to go around to various places together.”

“In that case, you’re all the more welcome. Please tell me the day that’s convenient for you. I’ll have it cleaned up and be waiting for you.”

“Then I’ll reserve a nearby famous restaurant…”

“For dessert, this place is…”

In that way, the two whispered and decided on Evi’s schedule behind her back.

* * *

“Goodbye!”

Evi waved her hand along with Madame Crebel, who waved for a long time.

As they were leaving, Crebel said she was thankful for their precious visit and gifted the two of them ribbon hairpins of the same design and color.

When she put it on her head along with Irene, the small glass bead decoration at the end of the ribbon sparkled in the sunlight.

‘To give such a beautiful thing as a gift.’

She wondered if it was okay to receive such a thing when she hadn’t bought anything herself.

However, Irene quickly pinned it in Evi’s hair and then pinned one in her own hair as well.

So Evi quietly held her peace. She felt sorry, but it felt good to have the same thing as Irene.

“Now, then, for the sake of Evi who has worked hard with me until now, let’s go eat something delicious.”

“Something delicious?”

“Yes, something that doesn’t come out at the Gifted Center.”

After saying that, Irene headed to a nearby cafeteria.

It seemed they had contacted that place in advance as well, for as soon as Irene arrived, the general manager came out, greeted them politely, and guided them to the end table on the second-floor terrace.

It was the best seat, overlooking the street.

“If it’s okay, can I order? There’s something I really want you to try.”

“Yes, that’s fine.”

Already, the menu here was full of things Evi didn’t know well.

While Irene was placing the order with the waiter, Evi enjoyed the cool breeze blowing under the parasol.

Irene, having finished the order, also closed her eyes and enjoyed the breeze.

“Ah, this is great after all. It’s not that I dislike the Gifted Center, but there are times when I want to go out and play like this.”

“Does Irene go to places like this often?”

“Yes. I like delicious things and I like seeing new items. What does Evi like to do?”

“I…”

What do I like?

Evi thought about what she liked.

“Um… playing with Irene and Lord Arcel and Ruska?”

“No, not that. What do you do when you’re alone? Like a hobby.”

“Ummm…”

Hobby. Things she liked.

Then, she remembered what she had written when she entered the Gifted Center.

“Cleaning?”

“…”

“Or taking care of the vegetable garden? Helping the younger friends with their meals?”

Each time Evi’s answers continued, Irene’s expression hardened.

“That’s not a hobby. It’s work you have to do.”

“But it’s fun…”

Just then, a cafeteria employee brought two large cups on a tray and placed them in front of the two.

Inside the morning glory-shaped glass cups, various ingredients were layered.

Cereal, jelly, ice cream, chocolate chips…

And what decorated the very top of the cup was a strangely shaped fruit.

“What is this?”

“It’s called pineapple, but they don’t seem to bring this into the Gifted Center. It’s a fruit from the South.”

She had heard the name before. She had even seen it in pictures, but seeing it in person like this felt completely different.

“It looks like it grows on a tree, but it actually grows on top of a plant that grows from the ground. Anyway, it’s a bit absurd how it grows if you see it in person. Regardless, it’s very sweet and sour.”

As she spoke, Irene used a spoon to scoop up a full amount of the pineapple sherbet from the top and put it into Evi’s mouth along with some cream.

Chew, chew.

Evi, having swallowed the sherbet in her mouth, squinted her eyes slightly as if it were sour, then opened her eyes wide.

“How is it? It’s delicious, right?”

“It’s delicious!”

It was a wondrous taste. It was tangy and sour, and then a refreshing sweetness spread throughout her mouth.

“Now, one more time. Ah—.”

“Ah—.”

As if she really liked it, Evi opened her mouth first and accepted the pineapple sherbet Irene was scooping for her.

Seeing Evi being fascinated and enjoying the taste she was eating for the first time, she made a promise.

‘All right. I’ll make sure to create a hobby for Evi this summer.’

Resolving to prepare things that were the best in each field, Irene called for the employee.

And after a while, the employee returned with two letters and handed them to a messenger.

They quickly began delivery to the written addresses.

* * *

Ruska, who had returned home, was already stretched out on his bed after sparring with his older brothers for several hours.

“I’m, I’m dying…”

His brothers had relentlessly worked him, saying his body had become sluggish while he was at the Gifted Center.

‘Is this what living is?’

I want to go back to the Gifted Center. Go back and play and eat while raiding the Gifted Center’s cafeteria with Evi!

“That wouldn’t be allowed, though…”

Ruska sighed deeply. His brothers were right.

His body had indeed become slower because he had spent his time too comfortably at the Gifted Center.

At this rate, could he be called a son of the Lagselve family, famous as a family of knights?

‘At least this is what I’m best at.’

When he became slightly depressed while comparing himself to Arcel, he remembered Evi’s appearance as she worked hard to say that there were many things he was better at too.

“Phew, that kid. She’s surprisingly quick-witted at times like that.”

Thinking of Evi, Ruska let out a chuckle.

‘By the way, what should we do when Evi comes to play?’

Even in his own opinion, there was nothing in the Marquis Lagselve’s mansion that Evi would particularly like.

He couldn’t exactly tell that little kid to pick up a sword.

Just then, a servant knocked on the door.

“What is it?”

“An urgent letter has arrived for you, young master. It’s under the name Irene Terence…”

“Ack.”

Ruska made a strange sound and twisted his face.

‘Why did she suddenly send a letter?’

Is something wrong with Evi?

The moment his thoughts reached that point, Ruska hurriedly took the letter and tore open the envelope.

Then he read the first sentence.

[It’s me. Irene Terence. Give me your house’s horses.]

Ruska was flabbergasted.

Are you a thief?

His eyes saw the next sentence.

[Evi is coming to ride them. Prepare the famous horses of the Marquis Lagselve family.]

At that sentence, Ruska jumped up and ran downstairs.

“Father! Brother! Lend me some horses!”

* * *

At the same time, Arcel also received Irene’s letter.

[I wonder if you could lend the Kaylan Duke family’s beautiful library for Evi’s sake. Also, if possible, I would like to visit the music class of the Duchess of Kaylan, who is a patron of the capital’s music world.]

“…”

He thought it was unusual.

Of course, the Kaylan Duke family’s library was overwhelmingly more antique and massive, with more books than the Terence family’s mansion.

But even so, there was no need to purposefully seek it out. Moreover, that she wanted to even visit the music class his mother personally operated?

It was not something Irene would do—she who was disgusted by the idea of hearing people say she was going to marry him.

Then Arcel’s eyes read the next sentence.

[It’s because I want to create a hobby for Evi. Since I don’t know what she’ll like, I’m going to have her try everything.]

Arcel immediately rose from his seat.

Then he went to his mother’s room and knocked on the door.

“Who… Oh my, Arcel. What is the matter?”

“Mother, there is something I would like to ask of you.”

At those words, the Duchess could not close her mouth and stared at her son.

For Arcel to make a request. It was the first time since he was very young.