—
Cloyce sat down next to Evie again after spending time praising her to the butler.
Evie examined a strange dessert the likes of which she had never seen before, carefully poked it with her fork, then opened her mouth and swallowed it. At first, she was reluctant to even touch food, but now she eats voraciously and confidently.
Cloyce watched her, propping his chin with his hand, a satisfied smile on his face. Evie had expressed her amazement at Lusca and Arcel's ability to eat so voraciously, but she herself ate with no less appetite than them.
It could even be said that she ate with real pleasure. Her little mouth was actively chewing the sweets, making Cloyce imagine a squirrel excitedly gnawing on acorns.
The sight of her inspired a feeling of pride, and awakened a desire to give her more, even if it was a small thing.
“That's why Irene Terrence always kept her by her side.”
Cloyce recalled how Yvette had once said, sheepishly, that Irene was always feeding her and putting food in her mouth.
At that time, he wondered why Eren was acting like this, but now he completely understood why.
Cloyce took some rare fruits that came from far away and some sweets that were difficult to taste, and placed them in front of Evie.
Then, deliberately, he took half of what he gave her. Whenever he did this, Evie's face would light up with joy.
Evie hated to give up food, but she wanted to try everything. And when Cloyce took half of her portion, it meant she could taste more!
Cloyce laughed as he ate the candy, as it was quite clear what Evie had in mind.
To become an emperor and eat what others leave behind? If the ministers knew about this, they would make a fuss, but as long as they don't know, that's okay.
Cloyce took Evie's grade card and signed it on top of the desk. Not only that, but he added the emperor's seal that adorned his office.
He looked proudly at the imposing signature that adorned the ordinary grade card, then turned back to Evie and asked her the most important question:
“Evie, summer vacation is approaching. Are...?”
"Right! I was going to tell you that!"
At the mention of summer vacation, Evie put down her fork and said very excitedly:
“I'm going to visit Irene, Mr. Arcel, and Luska's house! All summer vacation!”
Hearing this, Cloyce's smile froze on his face.
At that moment, a breeze blew through the open window, and the report papers on the imperial palaces piled on the desk were blown away.
—
**elsewhere**
“Huh… huh…”
The outside was bathed in bright sunlight, but Isriela's room was dark, covered by thick curtains. If it weren't for the single lit candle, she wouldn't have been able to see her hand in front of her.
Isriela squeezed her swollen eyes with her hand, but the tears wouldn't stop.
“What do I do now?”
On the day she was expelled from the academy, her parents sent a carriage that looked like it was meant for servants.
At that moment, Isriela felt that the world was darkening before her eyes. She immediately realized how she would be treated at home from now on.
When she returned home, her father didn't even bother to look at her. As for her mother, she cried and screamed angrily, then ordered her to stay locked in her room and not come out.
Her parents weren't the only ones who changed their treatment.
“Even my brother, who used to brag about his knowledge of Professor Cian and send me letters telling me what to do...”
Her brother cursed her, saying that she had ruined his life too, and even kicked her with his foot. If it weren't for the servants' intervention, he would have already kicked her.
If her family acted like this, how would others treat her? They may not even agree to meet her at all.
“Even if they met me, they would undoubtedly make fun of me.”
Everyone she knew so far would pass by her as if they had never seen her, and then whisper behind her back. Or perhaps, they might openly laugh at her in front of her.
“Why did things become like this?”
Just a few months ago, there wasn't an event, big or small, that she wasn't invited to. It was said in the capital that if Isriela was not present, the occasion was not worth attending.
Although she had not yet officially entered the world of high social class due to her young age, everyone was saying that she would be the flower of society once she reached the right age.
After she was accepted into the academy, the praise and appreciation for her increased. Girls her age envied her for the relationships she would form at the academy.
How many girls asked her to invite them to the academy on the day of visiting friends!
She was surrounded by people, completely convinced that her future would be a bed of roses. But now, all of that is just a fleeting illusion.
Not only was she expelled from the academy, she angered the Emperor himself. Perhaps throughout her life, she will remain the subject of ridicule by her family and those around her.
Overwhelmed by fear and sadness again, Isriela burst into tears. Then she remembered why she was in this situation.
“Evie Alden...”
While she's in this miserable state, you can see that girl having fun, right?
Isriela gritted her teeth until she made a sound. She cursed her in her heart.
Everyone said that the Emperor's interest in Effie was merely a passing pity. He only loves her because he lost his little girl.
“If the princess were still alive, would His Majesty have paid any attention to that girl?”
While she was lost in these thoughts, she heard footsteps in the hallway, and then the door opened.
"from…?"
No one visited her except the maid who brought food. Isriela was surprised, and looked at the door to find her father standing.
“Dad...”
“Dress properly and go out.”
"What…?"
"quickly!"
Isriela rushed into the dressing room when she heard her father's angry voice.
Before, she had bought new clothes almost every day, but since she returned from the academy, she had not bought new clothes, and not a single maid had come in to organize the room.
Ezriela hurriedly dressed and stood in front of her father. He examined her from head to toe, then turned his head.
Her clothes seemed to be acceptable, as long as she was not asked to change them.
The Count turned and walked off, and Isriela hurriedly followed him.
Her father, acting as if he would never see her again, came looking for her. Whatever the reason, she couldn't miss this opportunity.
“Dad, I…”
“There is an important person in the drawing room now.”
The Count interrupted her in a cold tone.
"An important person? Who...?"
“You will find out later. The most important thing is that this person wants a noble girlfriend by his side, so I will take you.”
The more she heard, the more confused she became.
If her father spoke of this person with such respect, he must be from a very high class.
But why would he want someone like me as a girlfriend? Isn't it common to choose a girlfriend of the same age?
The Count stopped and looked at Isriela.
“Isriela, you know what a mistake you made, right? Because of you, our entire family has become the subject of ridicule from the nobles.”
"… Yes."
Isriela hung her head, unable to utter a single word of defence.
“But, if you succeed this time, everything can be forgotten.”
"What? How...?"
She raised her head in shock at her father's words. To forget everything? impossible! The Emperor's cold, angry gaze was still engraved in her mind. He will never forgive her.
“You should do your best. If you like that character and stay by her side and serve her well, we can wash away our family’s shame in one go. Even His Majesty the Emperor will forget about that orphan and praise us so much.”
"I will! I'll do anything!"
Isriela responded eagerly. If this is possible, she is ready to do anything.
“What should I do?”
The Count looked around, then lowered his voice.
“Be a friend to the person on the inside. Teach her all the etiquette of a gentleman, and be like a servant to her, giving her every comfort with all sincerity.”
"What? Who is she...?"
At that moment, the door of the reception room opened, and a young girl, who looked to be seven or eight years old, came out.
"Who is this?"
Isriela had never seen this girl before. Her clothes were acceptable, but upon closer inspection, they looked worn and old-fashioned.
The girl approached them, and the Count bowed.
“…!”
Isriela was shocked by her father's behavior. Her father, who belonged to a distinguished family and held the title of Count, had never bowed so respectfully to anyone before. If there was anyone worthy of this, it would be none other than the Emperor himself.
The girl looked at Isriela and said:
“Is this the new girlfriend the Count spoke of?”
She spoke to the Count in a condescending tone, as if she was superior to him.
Isriela couldn't comprehend what was happening. what is going on? Who is this girl?
A girl with blonde hair and green eyes, unidentified.
Suddenly, Isriela realized that she had seen a similar girl before.
“She...she looks like Evie Alden!”
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