Elena sighed and spoke.
“Yeah… Collen brought such an extraordinary event with you. A commoner has never risen as a member of our family. It’s complicated when someone asks the impossible to make it possible.”
“…”
“But please understand. The privilege of the Duke’s family comes from being a powerful magical lineage. So it’s inevitable that there are people who oppose a child of the Duke who isn’t a mage.”
Elena honestly told me.
‘It’s better that you’re being honest and realistic about it.’
I didn’t feel like I was being treated like a fool or a child. Elena’s way of speaking appealed to me.
“Yes, I know, madam Elena.”
Elena’s expression showed surprise at my response.
“I don’t dislike you. Actually, I was curious about the new addition to the family, what kind of person you are.”
“Feel free to ask anything. I’m open to it.”
I replied politely.
“Alright. So, you’re at the age to graduate from playing with dolls, right? What do you enjoy doing?”
“I don’t play with dolls much. I like reading books.”
“Have you started bride training? Can you do needlework? Can you walk with a book on your head?”
“I’ve learned the basic etiquette.”
Although I’ve never learned needlework or similar skills.
I fell silent. Elena also paused for a moment, observing my cautious expression.
“Why are you like that?”
“I just thought it was unexpected.”
“Unexpected?”
“I… I don’t know much about madam Elena. But my Dad and Zion told me about you. They said you govern the south with the body of a woman and lead the Southern Gathering of duchy. My Dad also greatly respects you. I thought you were really amazing. Most noblewomen marry early and raise children.”
Elena’s eyes widened. I might be making a mistake right now. But I couldn’t stop myself.
Cedric also said it would be good if I stayed true to myself. I couldn’t help but think about his words.
“So, I thought that the Elena I imagined would be more interested in what dreams I have or how much I’ve studied. Now that I think about it, maybe I misunderstood. I apologize if I sounded presumptuous.”
Elena remained silent for a while.
“You… You really aren’t like Collen, but you’re also similar. Indeed, you’re Collen’s child.”
It was a statement that I couldn’t tell if it was a compliment or a mockery. A bitter smile appeared on Elena’s lips.
“I forgot something important. Yes, I was also a child who had no interest in bride training.”
Elena’s demeanor became warmer. I felt a sense of relief.
“That’s right. I always thought I was different from other girls. But in fact, I was the one who had prejudices. I’ve learned a lesson.”
Elena muttered to herself, shaking her head.
“The problem with nobles is that they can break people’s hearts even when they’re terrible but charming. Whether they’re on the good side or the bad side, that’s what I’m saying.”
“My Dad does have that side to him.”
Elena lifted her head as if lost in thought.
“I’ve heard that you’re good at studying. Collen used to brag about it.”
I could feel my cheeks reddening again.
“My Dad said that?”
“Yes. It’s funny how a son and a daughter are so different. When it comes to Jade, the attitude was always that being good at something was natural.”
I blinked my eyes.
“What do you usually study?”
“Well… I study hard in school. But honestly, I find studying as a hobby more enjoyable.”
As Elena’s mood became softer, I also felt more at ease.
“A hobby?”
I opened my heart and smiled, giving an honest answer.
“Yes, when Jade comes home, he helps me with my studies. My Dad also told me to learn a lot from him.”
“They both do that for you? There must be something special. What do you study?”
“Usually, I study poisons or anatomy. My Dad has many rare books in his study. And Jade helps me with classifying poisons. Since I have a resistance to poisons, I sometimes eat them and demonstrate. It’s quite interesting.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. And recently, I’ve been practicing distinguishing footprints in the mud using shoe soles! My Dad said that footprints can be a good clue. He also said that he would build a greenhouse for poisonous plants next year!”
I spoke cheerfully.
“Oh, but during the footprints lesson, in the end, the pets stepped on all the footprints and ruined them.”
“You have a dog?”
I said cheerfully.
“No, a tiger!”
Elena seemed speechless for some reason.
Elena sighed and spoke.
“Yeah… Collen brought such an extraordinary event with you. A commoner has never risen as a member of our family. It’s complicated when someone asks the impossible to make it possible.”
“…”
“But please understand. The privilege of the Duke’s family comes from being a powerful magical lineage. So it’s inevitable that there are people who oppose a child of the Duke who isn’t a mage.”
Elena honestly told me.
‘It’s better that you’re being honest and realistic about it.’
I didn’t feel like I was being treated like a fool or a child. Elena’s way of speaking appealed to me.
“Yes, I know, madam Elena.”
Elena’s expression showed surprise at my response.
“I don’t dislike you. Actually, I was curious about the new addition to the family, what kind of person you are.”
“Feel free to ask anything. I’m open to it.”
I replied politely.
“Alright. So, you’re at the age to graduate from playing with dolls, right? What do you enjoy doing?”
“I don’t play with dolls much. I like reading books.”
“Have you started bride training? Can you do needlework? Can you walk with a book on your head?”
“I’ve learned the basic etiquette.”
Although I’ve never learned needlework or similar skills.
I fell silent. Elena also paused for a moment, observing my cautious expression.
“Why are you like that?”
“I just thought it was unexpected.”
“Unexpected?”
“I… I don’t know much about madam Elena. But my Dad and Zion told me about you. They said you govern the south with the body of a woman and lead the Southern Gathering of duchy. My Dad also greatly respects you. I thought you were really amazing. Most noblewomen marry early and raise children.”
Elena’s eyes widened. I might be making a mistake right now. But I couldn’t stop myself.
Cedric also said it would be good if I stayed true to myself. I couldn’t help but think about his words.
“So, I thought that the Elena I imagined would be more interested in what dreams I have or how much I’ve studied. Now that I think about it, maybe I misunderstood. I apologize if I sounded presumptuous.”
Elena remained silent for a while.
“You… You really aren’t like Collen, but you’re also similar. Indeed, you’re Collen’s child.”
It was a statement that I couldn’t tell if it was a compliment or a mockery. A bitter smile appeared on Elena’s lips.
“I forgot something important. Yes, I was also a child who had no interest in bride training.”
Elena’s demeanor became warmer. I felt a sense of relief.
“That’s right. I always thought I was different from other girls. But in fact, I was the one who had prejudices. I’ve learned a lesson.”
Elena muttered to herself, shaking her head.
“The problem with nobles is that they can break people’s hearts even when they’re terrible but charming. Whether they’re on the good side or the bad side, that’s what I’m saying.”
“My Dad does have that side to him.”
Elena lifted her head as if lost in thought.
“I’ve heard that you’re good at studying. Collen used to brag about it.”
I could feel my cheeks reddening again.
“My Dad said that?”
“Yes. It’s funny how a son and a daughter are so different. When it comes to Jade, the attitude was always that being good at something was natural.”
I blinked my eyes.
“What do you usually study?”
“Well… I study hard in school. But honestly, I find studying as a hobby more enjoyable.”
As Elena’s mood became softer, I also felt more at ease.
“A hobby?”
I opened my heart and smiled, giving an honest answer.
“Yes, when Jade comes home, he helps me with my studies. My Dad also told me to learn a lot from him.”
“They both do that for you? There must be something special. What do you study?”
“Usually, I study poisons or anatomy. My Dad has many rare books in his study. And Jade helps me with classifying poisons. Since I have a resistance to poisons, I sometimes eat them and demonstrate. It’s quite interesting.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. And recently, I’ve been practicing distinguishing footprints in the mud using shoe soles! My Dad said that footprints can be a good clue. He also said that he would build a greenhouse for poisonous plants next year!”
I spoke cheerfully.
“Oh, but during the footprints lesson, in the end, the pets stepped on all the footprints and ruined them.”
“You have a dog?”
I said cheerfully.
“No, a tiger!”
Elena seemed speechless for some reason.
