Veronica greeted Evelyn, who had come to see her, with delight. Evelyn, with her bright smile, was objectively a very pretty girl. Duke Spelman was a renowned handsome man in his youth, and the late Duchess was also considered a beauty, so perhaps it was only natural.
Her long, pinkish-red hair was let down, and the forehead revealed by her headband was adorable.
Beneath it were clear emerald eyes and a straight, small nose.
Heart-shaped pink lips.
If she had been of sound mind, she would have had suitors lining up.
It was pitiful that she wasn't of sound mind, and Cerden was rejecting, suspecting, and hating Evelyn because she was of Spelman's bloodline.
'Or is he not hating her?'
He was strangely kind, though. Well, if someone could get angry looking at that bright smile, they would be a strange person. Evelyn's smile was truly clear and transparent.
"This is a present."
"Oh, is it a present for me? Thank you, Evelyn."
"Uh-uh. No. This is a present for me!"
Veronica tilted her head. But she recalled her mother's advice that children of that age should not be understood, but simply accepted.
Veronica had sought advice from her mother before meeting Evelyn.
And her mother had advised her that children have a world that adults cannot understand, so just accept it. And that Evelyn was simply trapped in that world due to an unfortunate accident. She also heard that she was special, not wrong.
She wondered if this was one of those things. Veronica stared at Evelyn without a word. Evelyn pursed her lips.
"Ver, hurry and bring snacks too. Things for Ver to eat."
Veronica nodded.
Strangely, she wanted to do whatever Evelyn wanted. Because that smiling face was so lovely to see.
In the Imperial Palace, no one was the same inside and out. No matter what they said, you had to think about their true intentions first.
During the time Cerden was away, this Imperial Palace was desolate, cold, and frightening. Veronica could barely endure it.
Evelyn smiled so brightly even in such an Imperial Palace.
It was a smile that contained not a single bit of malice.
Veronica's close maid, who had been listening to the conversation, quickly prepared refreshments. There were sweet drinks that Evelyn would like, and coffee for Veronica to drink.
Evelyn was already reaching for the cookie jar.
She really didn't give any to Veronica and ate them all by herself.
Crunching away, Evelyn smiled brightly.
"So delicious!"
Veronica chuckled. She was truly like a child. It was hard to believe that such a pure person was of Duke Spelman's bloodline.
In fact, considering the path by which Evelyn came to this Imperial Palace, she should have been hateful and uncomfortable, but Veronica liked Evelyn. A naive and kind person.
She knew it the day Evelyn snatched her wine glass. That Evelyn was the same person as she appeared to be.
"You like cookies, Evelyn."
"I like everything sweet. I hate carrots. I hate beans too. I hate bitter medicine!"
Evelyn shuddered. When she shook her head with a childlike face, Veronica laughed along.
Cerden often smiled when he looked at Evelyn, and she felt like she knew why. Evelyn was cute and lovable.
She was harmless.
Looking at that smile, you couldn't help but smile along.
"I actually hate bitter things too. Ugh, medicine really tastes awful."
"Ung! Don't take medicine! It's bad."
Evelyn said seriously. The problem was that Veronica didn't take those words seriously at all.
Evelyn swallowed a sigh inwardly and picked up a cookie.
She had resolved to do it from the moment she brought it.
'I must eat all of this and go back.'
Even though she was full, Evelyn crammed cookies into her mouth.
With the firm determination not to let them have their way.
'Ugh, I want to eat something spicy. I learned this time that you can torture people with sweets. Hmph, they must have prepared such a big cookie jar on purpose so that I would share it. Bad people.'
Evelyn swallowed a sigh. Anyway, it seemed like she could buy time this way. Still, Veronica didn't seem to have anything to hide like Cerden did.
Evelyn and Veronica smiled at each other. They hadn't done anything special, but they were simply happy.
"Would you like to come and play again next time, Evelyn?"
"Ung, I like!"
Evelyn nodded at Veronica's suggestion. Veronica burst into laughter. She felt like she knew what her mother meant.
'Perhaps only that child is truly smiling. Because there's nothing inside…….'
Veronica asked Evelyn, who had finally emptied the cookie jar.
"Will you give me the cookie jar as a present? I'll fill it with lots of delicious things next time."
Today was the day of the banquet celebrating Duke Roger's safe return. It had been three days since she had eaten her fill of cookies.
Usually, even if there was an event like this, they wouldn't tell me. I would hear about it belatedly like this.
In fact, the banquet should have been held immediately after Cerden returned, but I knew that it had been delayed because Cerden didn't want it.
From Cerden's point of view, he had an unexpected wife, so he needed time to figure out the situation.
Hoo, I have to be nervous again today.
Today was also the day that Duke Spelman and Augustine would officially enter the Imperial Palace.
It was a celebration banquet held in the Imperial Palace, and a day to celebrate the victory in the war, so everyone, regardless of faction, would gather to rejoice and celebrate the Empire's victory.
And now that he was having fun taking me around, Cerden ordered me to attend as well.
"He's doing whatever he wants, Rosie."
"Yes?"
Rozalina tilted her head. Was the vacation the other day for today? It was excessively dazzling. His appearance, which was different from usual, was burdensome.
Rozalina would also be attending as a daughter of the Count Carma family. She was dressed in a way that suited the occasion better than anyone else.
Magnificent.
How much money did she spend? Of course, I couldn't say such a thing.
"Uuuuung. No! I don't want to wear this dress. It's not cool!"
"You have to wear it, Your Highness."
Rozalina said softly.
Rozalina's expression brightened even more as she looked back and forth between me and herself. I could see that she was comparing herself, who was not yet adorned, to herself.
She must think she looks beautiful.
Rozalina stared at me with a smug expression.
"You can go to a fun place if you wear this dress."
"Fun place?"
"Yes. There are fountains and songs. Oh, and there's a chocolate fountain, Your Highness."
Cherryna and Rosie stared at Rozalina with respectful expressions. Rozalina used methods to appease children that she had learned from somewhere on me, and seemed to feel a sense of superiority from it.
How childish.
Of course, I was only planning to do this much and stop being mean, so I nodded. It was a place I had to attend in the first place.
"Let's go see the chocolate fountain! I like it so much!"
Only then did Cherryna and Rosie sigh with relieved faces.
Under Rozalina's supervision, I changed into the dress and put on the shoes. When I put on the fancy necklace and earrings and wore the tiara, Rozalina sent me a jealous look, but overall it went smoothly.
Just as all the preparations were finished, Cerden came to pick me up.
It was already the second time I was appearing in public, but there would be more people today than before, so it would be even more chaotic.
That meant it would be easier for the Duke Spelman family to plot something.
Oh, my fate.
Cerden smiled brightly and held out his hand to me.
"It suits you well, Evelyn."
"Am I pretty?"
I tilted my head and poked my cheek. Cerden went even further.
"Yes. You're pretty. What about me?"
I almost screamed without realizing it because he was making a flower pose and sticking his face out. My heart sank.
I secretly swallowed my saliva.
That kind of face is really threatening. Cerden softly stretched his lips.
Come to think of it, his nickname was 'Crazy Bouquet'.
The face on the webtoon and novel covers is really artistic, but his actions are crazy.
Why did I forget that good nickname? From now on, you are 'Crazy Bouquet' again. You crazy bouquet.
I calmed my mind like that.
"Ung, you're really pretty!"
Cerden chuckled at my words. I can't punch him. Today couldn't have been a more peaceful and friendly start.
Rozalina was jealous of this too, and glared at me. Anyway, it was smooth sailing to the banquet hall.
Her long, pinkish-red hair was let down, and the forehead revealed by her headband was adorable.
Beneath it were clear emerald eyes and a straight, small nose.
Heart-shaped pink lips.
If she had been of sound mind, she would have had suitors lining up.
It was pitiful that she wasn't of sound mind, and Cerden was rejecting, suspecting, and hating Evelyn because she was of Spelman's bloodline.
'Or is he not hating her?'
He was strangely kind, though. Well, if someone could get angry looking at that bright smile, they would be a strange person. Evelyn's smile was truly clear and transparent.
"This is a present."
"Oh, is it a present for me? Thank you, Evelyn."
"Uh-uh. No. This is a present for me!"
Veronica tilted her head. But she recalled her mother's advice that children of that age should not be understood, but simply accepted.
Veronica had sought advice from her mother before meeting Evelyn.
And her mother had advised her that children have a world that adults cannot understand, so just accept it. And that Evelyn was simply trapped in that world due to an unfortunate accident. She also heard that she was special, not wrong.
She wondered if this was one of those things. Veronica stared at Evelyn without a word. Evelyn pursed her lips.
"Ver, hurry and bring snacks too. Things for Ver to eat."
Veronica nodded.
Strangely, she wanted to do whatever Evelyn wanted. Because that smiling face was so lovely to see.
In the Imperial Palace, no one was the same inside and out. No matter what they said, you had to think about their true intentions first.
During the time Cerden was away, this Imperial Palace was desolate, cold, and frightening. Veronica could barely endure it.
Evelyn smiled so brightly even in such an Imperial Palace.
It was a smile that contained not a single bit of malice.
Veronica's close maid, who had been listening to the conversation, quickly prepared refreshments. There were sweet drinks that Evelyn would like, and coffee for Veronica to drink.
Evelyn was already reaching for the cookie jar.
She really didn't give any to Veronica and ate them all by herself.
Crunching away, Evelyn smiled brightly.
"So delicious!"
Veronica chuckled. She was truly like a child. It was hard to believe that such a pure person was of Duke Spelman's bloodline.
In fact, considering the path by which Evelyn came to this Imperial Palace, she should have been hateful and uncomfortable, but Veronica liked Evelyn. A naive and kind person.
She knew it the day Evelyn snatched her wine glass. That Evelyn was the same person as she appeared to be.
"You like cookies, Evelyn."
"I like everything sweet. I hate carrots. I hate beans too. I hate bitter medicine!"
Evelyn shuddered. When she shook her head with a childlike face, Veronica laughed along.
Cerden often smiled when he looked at Evelyn, and she felt like she knew why. Evelyn was cute and lovable.
She was harmless.
Looking at that smile, you couldn't help but smile along.
"I actually hate bitter things too. Ugh, medicine really tastes awful."
"Ung! Don't take medicine! It's bad."
Evelyn said seriously. The problem was that Veronica didn't take those words seriously at all.
Evelyn swallowed a sigh inwardly and picked up a cookie.
She had resolved to do it from the moment she brought it.
'I must eat all of this and go back.'
Even though she was full, Evelyn crammed cookies into her mouth.
With the firm determination not to let them have their way.
'Ugh, I want to eat something spicy. I learned this time that you can torture people with sweets. Hmph, they must have prepared such a big cookie jar on purpose so that I would share it. Bad people.'
Evelyn swallowed a sigh. Anyway, it seemed like she could buy time this way. Still, Veronica didn't seem to have anything to hide like Cerden did.
Evelyn and Veronica smiled at each other. They hadn't done anything special, but they were simply happy.
"Would you like to come and play again next time, Evelyn?"
"Ung, I like!"
Evelyn nodded at Veronica's suggestion. Veronica burst into laughter. She felt like she knew what her mother meant.
'Perhaps only that child is truly smiling. Because there's nothing inside…….'
Veronica asked Evelyn, who had finally emptied the cookie jar.
"Will you give me the cookie jar as a present? I'll fill it with lots of delicious things next time."
Today was the day of the banquet celebrating Duke Roger's safe return. It had been three days since she had eaten her fill of cookies.
Usually, even if there was an event like this, they wouldn't tell me. I would hear about it belatedly like this.
In fact, the banquet should have been held immediately after Cerden returned, but I knew that it had been delayed because Cerden didn't want it.
From Cerden's point of view, he had an unexpected wife, so he needed time to figure out the situation.
Hoo, I have to be nervous again today.
Today was also the day that Duke Spelman and Augustine would officially enter the Imperial Palace.
It was a celebration banquet held in the Imperial Palace, and a day to celebrate the victory in the war, so everyone, regardless of faction, would gather to rejoice and celebrate the Empire's victory.
And now that he was having fun taking me around, Cerden ordered me to attend as well.
"He's doing whatever he wants, Rosie."
"Yes?"
Rozalina tilted her head. Was the vacation the other day for today? It was excessively dazzling. His appearance, which was different from usual, was burdensome.
Rozalina would also be attending as a daughter of the Count Carma family. She was dressed in a way that suited the occasion better than anyone else.
Magnificent.
How much money did she spend? Of course, I couldn't say such a thing.
"Uuuuung. No! I don't want to wear this dress. It's not cool!"
"You have to wear it, Your Highness."
Rozalina said softly.
Rozalina's expression brightened even more as she looked back and forth between me and herself. I could see that she was comparing herself, who was not yet adorned, to herself.
She must think she looks beautiful.
Rozalina stared at me with a smug expression.
"You can go to a fun place if you wear this dress."
"Fun place?"
"Yes. There are fountains and songs. Oh, and there's a chocolate fountain, Your Highness."
Cherryna and Rosie stared at Rozalina with respectful expressions. Rozalina used methods to appease children that she had learned from somewhere on me, and seemed to feel a sense of superiority from it.
How childish.
Of course, I was only planning to do this much and stop being mean, so I nodded. It was a place I had to attend in the first place.
"Let's go see the chocolate fountain! I like it so much!"
Only then did Cherryna and Rosie sigh with relieved faces.
Under Rozalina's supervision, I changed into the dress and put on the shoes. When I put on the fancy necklace and earrings and wore the tiara, Rozalina sent me a jealous look, but overall it went smoothly.
Just as all the preparations were finished, Cerden came to pick me up.
It was already the second time I was appearing in public, but there would be more people today than before, so it would be even more chaotic.
That meant it would be easier for the Duke Spelman family to plot something.
Oh, my fate.
Cerden smiled brightly and held out his hand to me.
"It suits you well, Evelyn."
"Am I pretty?"
I tilted my head and poked my cheek. Cerden went even further.
"Yes. You're pretty. What about me?"
I almost screamed without realizing it because he was making a flower pose and sticking his face out. My heart sank.
I secretly swallowed my saliva.
That kind of face is really threatening. Cerden softly stretched his lips.
Come to think of it, his nickname was 'Crazy Bouquet'.
The face on the webtoon and novel covers is really artistic, but his actions are crazy.
Why did I forget that good nickname? From now on, you are 'Crazy Bouquet' again. You crazy bouquet.
I calmed my mind like that.
"Ung, you're really pretty!"
Cerden chuckled at my words. I can't punch him. Today couldn't have been a more peaceful and friendly start.
Rozalina was jealous of this too, and glared at me. Anyway, it was smooth sailing to the banquet hall.
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