96
“Oh, how fun was that, wasn't it, Evie?”
“Yes, yes...”
Irene nodded ecstatically, looking at the piles of clothing boxes stacked in front of her, proud of her accomplishment.
Beside her, Evie stood, her eyes darting around in a swirl of exhaustion.
“How many clothes did we see today?” Evie wondered privately. Irene must have tried on over a hundred items, just to put them on her body for a few moments.
These, Irene said, were just plain, light clothes for everyday wear.
The more important and expensive clothes were specially ordered after lengthy discussions with Madame Crevel, who showed her sketches and provisional models.
And every time, Evie gave her advice openly and honestly.
"Irene's hair sparkles like the moonlight, so I think silver or even black would look great on her. And for the ribbon, that one! Blue suits her best."
“That bag looks too big on Irene. If she carried a small one like this, it would look even prettier!”
Every time Mrs. Crevel looked at Effie from behind with eyes that said: “What good taste!”
Indeed, when Erin followed Evie's suggestions, the result seemed much better, even in Erin's own eyes.
“Few people speak with such candor.”
Irene thought. Everyone was waiting for her reaction, saying that she looked amazing no matter what she wore or carried.
So, one day, Irene decided to choose a color that didn't suit her at all, and pretend that she really liked it.
As you'd expect, everyone agreed it looked great. But Evie was an exception.
“Ah, that's not pretty at all!”
When Erin picked up a bag that clearly didn't fit her, Evie panicked and quickly put it down.
“Little Evie is so honest!” Irene thought, remembering her older sister's words:
“Eren, make friends with people who can tell you what they think frankly. They will see you as Eren, not just the heir to the Terence family.”
At first, Irene doubted that such people existed.
There were indeed those who sometimes had harsh words, criticizing her choices or advising her to avoid something.
For a moment, she thought she should get closer to them. But she soon realized the truth: They were always looking for her faults, and never said a single kind word.
“This is not honesty, but rudeness disguised as frankness,” Irene thought.
But Evie was different. Even among the piles of items, she carefully selected what she thought was the most beautiful for Irene, and presented it to her with joy.
And when Irene was wearing it, Evie was smiling like she was the one wearing it.
“I found her, my true friend,” Irene thought, her lips turning into an involuntary smile.
The summer vacation at the academy was five weeks long.
“Two weeks at our house, then a week at Arcel’s house, a week at Lusca’s house, and then we go back to our house for another week.”
Three weeks at her house, and one week each for Arcel and Luska. No matter what you thought, this distribution was very fair.
Deep down, Irene wanted to cut Arcel and Luska's week down to three days each, but she knew that would make her the target of disapproving glances and grumbles throughout the second semester.
“So, I gave them a whole week. They should be grateful!”
Irene said to herself, raising her shoulders proudly as if she was the one who had given them this time. Then she turned to Evie, who was still looking confused, and took her by the arm.
“Are you tired?”
“A little…”
“Okay, then let’s go eat something delicious.”
Irene pulled Evie down, where Mrs. Crevel was supervising the loading of the pre-prepared items into the cart.
“You two finally got off. Was the shopping spree satisfactory?” Crevel asked.
“Of course! But it looks like you'll be very busy now with the fall party preparations.”
“That's right. Since the concert ended last fall, we've been accepting reservations, and at the beginning of the year we stopped taking any more. Fortunately, we're not in a situation where we have to work ourselves to death.”
"Really? So, can you make an extra dress?"
Crevel winked.
“If it was a little dress, it wouldn't be a problem.”
“I love you, Crevel!”
“Is it possible? We made a lot of money thanks to your dress design last year. This year, with the first official appearance of the Imperial Family at the fall ceremony, there will be more eyes watching. And...”
Kreppel whispered in Irene's ear:
“I heard that the Emperor himself is Evie's guardian, right?”
“Yes, so... you understand, right?”
"Of course, haha. Expect the best! My head is full of designs I'd like to see on Evie. I'll send the drawings to Terence's mansion within a few days. Or you two can visit the store again, or even my workshop, you're always welcome."
“Really? Then I’ll go with Evie to your workshop.”
Erin looked at Evie excitedly.
“Evie hasn't traveled much around the capital yet. I want us to explore more places together.”
“If so, you're more than welcome. Just tell me the right day, and I'll make sure everything is ready and arranged.”
“Okay, I'll also make a reservation at a nearby restaurant...”
“As for desserts, this place...”
And so, Irene and Crevel began planning Evie's schedule in whispers, without Evie knowing what was going on.
-
"Farewell!"
Evie waved her hand excitedly at Mrs. Kreppel, who waved back. When they left, Krehbiel gave them both a gift: two matching ribbon hairpins, as a token of her gratitude for their visit.
When Erin placed the pin in Evie's hair and then on her own, the small glass bead on the ribbon sparkled in the sunlight.
“What a lovely gift!” Evie thought.
She was embarrassed that she hadn't bought anything, but Irene quickly put a pin in her hair and then did the same for herself.
So Evie fell silent, happy in her heart that she now had something that matched what Erin had.
“Well, you worked hard today, Evie. Let's go get something delicious as a reward.”
“Something delicious?”
“Yes, something you don't find in the academy.”
Erin led Evie to a nearby café, where she appeared to have made a reservation in advance. Upon their arrival, the general manager came out to greet them politely, and led them to a table on the balcony on the second floor, at the best angle overlooking the street.
"If you don't mind, can I order on your behalf? There's something I want you to try."
“Of course, I would love to.”
The menu was full of strange items that Evie didn't know about. While Erin was ordering from the waiter, Evie enjoyed the cool breeze under the umbrella.
After Irene finished the order, she closed her eyes, enjoying the air as well.
"Ah, that's really cool. I don't hate the academy, but sometimes I miss hanging out like this."
“Do you come to places like this often?”
“Yes, I love delicious foods and exploring new things. And you, what do you like to do?”
“I…”
Evie paused. What do I like to do? I tried to think.
“Hmm… maybe play with you and Arcel and Luska?”
"No, not that. I mean, what do you do when you're alone? Your hobbies, for example."
“Hmm...”
Hobbies. Something I love. Then I remembered what I wrote when applying to the academy.
“Cleaning?”
“…”
"Or maybe tending to the garden? Helping the little ones with their food?"
With each answer, Eren's features hardened more.
“These are not hobbies! They are duties.”
“But it's fun...”
At that moment, the café waiter came carrying a tray with two large cups on it, and placed them in front of them.
The glass cups were shaped like a morning rose, filled with layers of ingredients: breakfast cereal, jelly, ice cream, and chocolate chips… and on top, there was a strange looking plant.
"What is this?"
"It's pineapple. It doesn't make it to the academy. A fruit from the south."
Evie had heard about him and seen him in drawings, but seeing him up close was completely different.
"It looks like it's growing on trees, but it's actually growing on a grass-like plant. Anyway, it's wonderfully sour and sweet."
Erin said as she lifted a spoonful of pineapple sorbet with cream and brought it to Evie's mouth.
Evie chewed the sherbet, then swallowed, suddenly frowning slightly at the sourness before opening her eyes in surprise.
"How was it? Delicious, right?"
“So delicious!”
It was an exotic taste: sourness that exploded in the mouth, followed by a tangy sweetness that filled the senses.
“Come on, again. Ahhh…”
“Ahh…”
Evie seemed genuinely pleased, opening her mouth herself to take another spoonful of Erin's pineapple sorbet.
Watching Evie enthusiastically savor this new taste, Irene decided to herself:
“Well, this summer, I'm going to help Evie find a hobby that suits her.”
Determined to do the best in all aspects, Irene called the waiter. Moments later, the waiter returned with two letters, and handed them to a courier who immediately began delivering them to the written addresses.
—
At home, Loska had exhausted himself training with his brothers, and lay on his bed muttering:
“I will die... I will die...”
His brothers had been complaining that his body had become sluggish during his stay at the academy, so they exhausted him with non-stop training.
“Is this life?”
He wanted to go back to the academy, to enjoy eating and playing with Evie. But he sighed deeply. His brothers were right; He had become slower due to the comfort of the academy.
“How can I be the son of the famous Lagselb family of knights of this level?”
Thinking about Arcel sometimes made him feel down, but Evie's words that he had so much talent came back to mind.
“Ah, that little one. She always notices things quickly,” Lusca laughed softly as he remembered her.
“By the way, what are we going to do when Evie comes to visit us?”
Luska thought that there was nothing in the Lagsleb family's house that Evie might like. He definitely wouldn't ask her to carry a sword!
At that moment, the servant knocked on the door.
“What's wrong?”
“An urgent message has arrived for you, sir. From Irene Terence...”
“What?”
Luska made a strange sound as he frowned.
“Why are you texting me all of a sudden?”
Did something happen to Evie?
Loska rushed over, quickly opened the letter, and read the first line:
[I'm Erin Terrence. Home, bring out the horses.]
“Is she a thief?” Luska thought in amazement. Then read the following line:
[Evie's coming for the ride. Prepare the horses of the famous Lagsleb family.]
Luska jumped up and ran downstairs, shouting:
"My father! My brother! Lend me some horses!"
—
At the same time, Arcel also received a message from Irene:
[Can the Duke of Killern's family open their magnificent library to Evie? If possible, we would like to visit the music class run by Duchess Killern, patroness of music in the capital.]
“…”
Arcel felt it was strange. It's true that the Killern family library is more luxurious and has a larger collection of books than Terrence's mansion, but why the cost?
And on top of that, visiting his mother's music class? This was not in Irene's nature, as she rejected any talk of marrying him. Then read the following line:
[I want to help Evie discover a hobby. I don't know what you like, so I'll try everything.]
Arcel immediately got up, went to his mother's room, and knocked on the door.
"Who... Oh, Arcel! What's wrong?"
“Mom, I have a request.”
The Duchess looked at her son in shock, unable to close her mouth. Arcel is asking for something? This hasn't happened since he was a little kid.
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