A sunny summer was slowly passing by, and the sky was shining with bright twilight colors.
“There, Miss Irene's carriage is approaching!”
“Everyone, get ready.”
The carriage that left the Elite Academy early in the morning had finally arrived at the Terrence Family Mansion when the red twilight completely engulfed the sky.
At the entrance of the main palace, servants were waiting warmly to greet Irene who had returned after a long absence.
“I thought we'd see her more often.”
“Really, who knew the Elite Academy was such a busy place? She says that there is not enough time to study, so she does not come often, and even when she does come, she comes back quickly because of her friend...”
When Erin first joined the Elite Academy, she complained that she would go home whenever she was allowed out.
But, wow! She had hardly returned, as if the academy was hiding a magical elixir for her that made her rarely visit the palace.
When they suggested that she come with her friend, she replied that she was afraid of the looks of her guardian.
“Miss is looking at anyone?”
What a strange surprise!
Irene's absence was missed the most by the maids responsible for her daily comfort.
“At least she said she would stay here for the whole holiday… haha.”
One of the maids laughed slyly, and another hand moved as if she could not be patient.
“That's right, I'm looking forward to decorating her room with what arrived from the capital, my hands are moving on their own!”
“Ah, Miss Silver’s hair... how carefully I combed it every day...”
While the maids were sighing and making strange noises, the servants in the palace exchanged looks that said:
“Here they start again,” then they quietly crept away.
“Most importantly, this time you will come with that ‘friend’, right?”
“Yes, yes, they say she is young and very pretty!”
“Oh my God, my heart is shaking!”
They were from the South, and as people of the South are known to do, they cannot resist the charm of small, delicate things. When they saw the carriage approaching, they stood still, their eyes shining with anticipation.
“Here she is, she's finally here!”
The carriage stopped, and the driver opened the door. Irene went down first, then turned around and reached inside. Suddenly, a girl with golden hair appeared from the carriage, as if she was slipping cautiously.
Perhaps the long road had exhausted her, as her hair was a little tangled, and her swollen eyes were half open, showing signs of sleepiness.
“Evie, watch the step. Do you want to jump? "I'll catch you."
Evie hesitated a moment as she extended her hand toward Irene, then, as if entrusting her command, she suddenly leaned forward.
Erin staggered slightly as she received it, but quickly regained her balance. After lowering Evie safely to the ground, she took her hand and turned around.
“Everyone, it's been a while... oh.”
Irene was about to greet everyone warmly, but she sighed when she saw her maids' eyes glowing with excitement.
“I knew this would happen.”
“Evie, say hello. These are in order: Amber, Vicki, and Cindy. They came with me from the south since I was young, and they have been my companions since childhood.”
Hearing this, Evie let go of Irene's hand, clasped her hands in front of her, then bowed politely and said:
«Hello! “I’m Evie Alden.”
At this greeting, the three maids covered their mouths in astonishment, and then suddenly began to argue excitedly:
“I'll do her hair!”
“And I will choose her clothes!”
“The rest is mine!”
“…?”
Evie didn't understand why they were arguing, so she just opened her eyes in surprise.
“I knew this would happen. Anyway, Evie is very tired after shopping from morning until now. “I will explain to her the palace, so prepare water for bathing and clothes during this time.”
“Of course, miss...but, miss...”
Amber approached Erin and whispered something in her ear.
“Okay, so the clothes that arrived...”
“...In other words, act wisely, okay?”
Evie didn't hear what she said, as she was a little far away.
But she thought it was about the clothes Irene had bought during the day and sent to the palace, maybe they would talk about where to put them.
After Irene gave detailed instructions to the maids, she held Evie's hand with a smile.
“Well, I'll show you the palace! Let's go!"
—
The Terence family palace in the capital was astonishing in its grandeur. Every corner unreservedly reflects the family's wealth, and there was no place without it being a masterpiece.
With its colorful southern decorations, the palace had a foreign feel even though it was located in the heart of the capital.
Evie could only stand in amazement, her mouth hanging open.
“Wow...”
“What do you think?” Do you like it?
It wasn't a matter of liking it or not. The palace itself was a work of art in itself. When Evie didn't answer immediately, Irene added in a worried tone:
“Our main palace in the south is much bigger and more beautiful than this! If you don't like it here, we can go there on winter break. “The South is warm and fun to play in.”
If this palace dazzles the eyes, how about a larger and more magnificent palace?
“Irene, you really are a princess...”
“Ha, what is this talk! Come on, come here.”
Erin took Evie's hand, who was contemplating excitedly, and led her upstairs. A great and luxurious door appeared.
When they entered, there was a room slightly different from the previous rooms, with smaller, more delicate furniture.
The moment she entered, Evie realized what this room was.
“Is this your room, Irene?”
“How did you know?”
“Because it carries your scent.”
It was the same smell that filled Eren's room at the academy, a familiar pleasant smell.
“It's so huge!”
Even if you combined Erin's room and her room at the academy, they wouldn't be as big as this room.
“Here is the balcony, from which you can see the whole garden. And here is the bathroom...”
As Erin was explaining excitedly, she opened a door in the wall.
Another room appeared, just as spacious and magnificent. Evie wondered what it was, and Erin announced proudly:
«Watadda! This is your room to stay in!”
"What?"
Evie's wide eyes widened even more.
“My room?”
"Yes! Of course, it's connected to my room! Look, the servants have prepared it especially for you.”
Irene was excited as she explained in a tone full of joy. Evie looked around with incredulous eyes. Is that true? Can she stay here all holiday?
She noticed her bag, which the driver had moved to the side of the table. On the table, there was a vase full of bright flowers, along with fruits and snacks, and a beautiful card welcoming Eppie and wishing her a comfortable stay.
Evie stood still, looking at it all.
“Evie? What is with you? Didn't you like it?
Evie quickly shook her head.
"No no! “I just… can I really stay here?”
The academy was amazing in itself, but this room that Erin had prepared made Evie's heart beat with a different feeling.
“This is the first time I have visited a friend’s house... I was going to just watch and come back, but...”
To prepare a room this beautiful especially for her? Evie approached Erin, hugging her waist tightly while smiling.
“Erin, you really are the best.”
At these words, her beautiful violet eyes bowed contentedly and softly.
“Eh, as I planned. However, neither Arcel nor Lusca will be able to surprise Evie easily!”
She almost laughed out loud as she put her hands on her waist, but the maids announced that the bath preparations were complete.
The two girls ran to the bathroom, and after an hour, they came out refreshed, the fatigue of the day gone.
“Tada, matching pajamas!”
In front of the mirror, Erin looked contentedly at herself and Evie.
“This is what I wanted.” Of course, the academy's pajamas are also similar, but
“That's not what I mean! Something just for us!”
That's why I prepared pajamas in advance.
The pajamas, made of fabric decorated with a silver cat and a yellow chick, were so perfect for them that the maids couldn't help but applaud.
"Hahaha."
Yvette was twirling in front of the mirror, looking at her pajamas from every angle, much to Erin's delight.
“Ah…”
Erin gave a long yawn. Since morning, she had been moving, they had dinner out, and now that she had taken a shower, all that remained was sleep.
“Evie, let's sleep together tonight. "You might be afraid if you wake up and don't know where you are."
“Okay, okay. “That sounds great.”
As Evie's eyelids grew heavy, she suddenly remembered something and turned around. She opened her bag and took out something. When Irene saw him, she was surprised and said:
“You brought the magic stone?”
“Yes, it is valuable.”
Evie placed the stone on the bedside table. As she was accustomed to, she placed her hand on it, and it gave off a soft light.
They got under the covers, and the maids turned off the lights, wishing them good night.
They lay on the bed, laughing and talking about the day's events. Gradually, their answers slowed down, and soon they fell into a deep sleep, breathing softly.
A smile was plastered on Evie's face as she slept. The light of the magic stone continued to illuminate the happy child with its warm light as usual.
—
Cloyce was flipping through the piled up papers, then raised his head. Through the open window, a breeze blew carrying the summer heat that had not yet cooled. On nights like this, the sound of insects was supposed to be loud, but…
“Very quiet.”
Cloyce felt a silence different from yesterday, so he got up and went out to the balcony. His office was high up, so from the balcony, he could see the lights of the elite academy in the distance, albeit partially.
On normal days, the lights would still be on at this time. But today, there was only darkness, as if the academy had disappeared.
“Ah…”
It was the first day of summer vacation at the academy. Why did he feel this calm as if it was extending for a long time?
“Five weeks, so they said.”
He heard that Eren, Arcel, and Luska had planned to share these five weeks with Evie cheerfully.
While he was thinking about their plan, he muttered in an exasperated tone:
“Am I not supposed to spend at least a week with her as her guardian?”
The more he thought, the more he felt that this was right. Spending time with her, listening to her stories about her life at the academy, and sharing experiences that she couldn't find in other people's homes, all seemed like a good idea.
“Yes, that's what I'll do.”
Cloyce returned to his office, and began to hurriedly write a letter to Terence's family.
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