At that moment, a faint, gentle voice drifted in from somewhere, so delicate it resembled a newborn sprout—one could barely even tell its gender. Emil, face filled with panic, abruptly shoved Erica away, nearly sending the girl tumbling to the floor.
“Sister? What are you doing there? Are you alright…”
“Sha, Charlotte! You—what are you doing here! What’s going on! Didn’t I tell you this place is dangerous, you can’t come here! There are so many…” Flustered, Emil hurried toward the young boy walking over from a distance. The boy had soft golden hair, wore a white shirt with suspenders and shorts, and looked no older than five or six.
Erica, having recovered her strength, hastily turned around to fix her disheveled dress, smoothed her hair, and looked over. That child must be Charlotte, the precious one of Duke Leonardo. Wasn’t he supposed to be at the Valzabon Family estate in the west? How did he come here?
Thinking about it, her previous actions had definitely crossed the line of playful teasing. Now, she couldn’t muster much blame toward Emil at all… Eh, eh! Doesn’t that mean she just got taken advantage of for nothing!
But to think she nearly did something like that just for candy? Was it a reaction meant for creations related to Fairies? Her recent behavior and mental state had been quite odd indeed…
Lingering on the indescribable sweetness of honey in her mouth, Erica began to regulate her breathing and sort through the new information in her mind.
Fairies’ love for Bashkir Honey Candy bordered on madness. Clearly, the Fairy Blood flowing through her veins was far stronger than she’d ever realized… This was a trait she’d never discovered in the past year, and thinking of it gave her a headache.
She’d have to be careful.
“Um—”
Just then, Erica felt someone approach with small, quick steps, pattering across the ground. Turning her head, she found a thin, small boy standing in front of her, looking up.
“Are you Lady Angelina? Thank you for saving my sister.”
“Saved her?”
“My sister choked on candy. I heard it was Lady Angelina who helped her just now.”
Erica was still puzzling over this when she looked up to see Emil, behind Charlotte, giving her a secretive wink—clearly signaling for her to go along with the story.
Hmph! If your little brother weren’t so adorable, I’d make him see what kind of person his sister really is!
You take advantage of me, and now I even have to help you explain yourself. Oh, so just now I wasn’t bullied by a muscle-bound villainess, but instead, I caught Emil and dislodged the candy for her when she was about to choke, right?
No way I’d—
But seeing Emil’s threatening glare, the weak and helpless Erica chose to give in.
Honestly, for Emil, this counted as using her brain.
“I’ll report this to Father and ask him to reward the brave and beautiful Lady Angelina. You saved my dearest sister, so Father will surely thank you properly.”
Such pure, unblemished eyes… If only a certain someone could learn a thing or two.
Besides, Charlotte didn’t seem like he was lying—this child truly adored that mischievous and unruly Emil, and was sincerely grateful to Erica for “saving” his sister.
Is this what a child’s heart is like? Ugh, so adorable.
“Young Master Liones, that’s not necessary, I only did what anyone should. Though it was an emergency rescue, to help Lady Emil, our actions just now were a bit too… intimate. If word gets out, it could cause trouble.”
“Is that so? I understand. I’ll keep this a secret, then.”
What a clever little guy. As Evelyn’s heir, he’s more than qualified.
In another ten years, this smart and handsome boy will surely break countless girls’ hearts—a dangerous one, for sure. Feeling the rare satisfaction of an elder, Erica gently patted Charlotte’s head and smiled. “Thank you, little Lord.”
“Ah, ah, it was nothing at all. Lady Angelina, you’re too kind…”
Why is he getting embarrassed now? Erica watched Charlotte’s cheeks flush red, a bit bewildered. Just as she was wondering, she turned and saw Emil panting heavily, breath whistling out.
Sweat beaded on her face, and the chest of her pale-red dress was soaked, revealing just a hint of the skin beneath—somehow alluring… Ahem, hmph, scoundrel.
What’s this? Acting so fierce just now, but clearly nervous too.
While thinking, Erica wiped the sweat from her own brow and glanced at her chest—thankfully, she’d worn a dark dress today.
Taking advantage of the boy’s presence, Erica grew bolder, striding over to the muscle-bound one and lowering her voice. “Lady Emil, please, don’t ever force me like that again.”
Emil’s face was still flushed. Though she felt a little guilty at the words, she still glared with an air of haughtiness. “Hmph, do I need your permission for anything I do to you?”
“Does Lady Emil act this wantonly with any pretty girl she fancies?”
“Of course not, I only… Anyway, you don’t have the right to order me around!” Emil might have tried to explain at first, but as she spoke, her tone turned petulant and unreasonable.
Really now, if this muscle-bound one keeps getting her way, she’ll only become more and more reckless. I’ll end up as her stuffed toy in no time.
I can’t let this unequal relationship spiral out of control!
Erica’s gaze dropped, one hand half-clenched at her chest, exuding a sorrow as heady as lilac blossom. “If Lady Emil continues to treat me so rudely, it will mean she’s never truly cared about me…”
The girl’s trembling gaze seemed to steal a glance at Emil, only to dart away—so fragile and delicate, like glass, that Emil found herself at a loss for words.
“Then, in your eyes, I’m no different from those dancing girls…”
“What—of course not! When have I ever said something like that!” Emil stamped her foot in agitation, but didn’t dare really get angry.
“Then, can’t Lady Emil promise me? I just… I just hope to have an equal place in our feelings, that’s all, alright?” This time, those pleading dark-red eyes didn’t turn away, reflecting in Emil’s sea-blue gaze, waiting for an answer.
Emil scratched her head, lips parting and closing, fidgeting awkwardly. She sneaked a glance at Erica, who was still looking up at her expectantly like a bunny. “Huff…”
“Fine, fine! I promise, I won’t ever force you again.” Then, as if thinking of something, the big one suddenly added, “But… what if I have your permission?”
Erica quickly hid her triumphant smile, instead revealing a gentle, contented one as she tapped her lips with a finger. “Who knows?”
“Hey! I agreed already!”
“Alright, since we’re equals now, I’ll agree to Lady Emil’s terms too.”
“That’s more like it. Hmph!”
At that moment, someone came running over from outside the Training Ground—it was the old butler, clutching his knees and calling out to the trio. “Miss Emil, something’s happened! Her Majesty Queen Evelyn has suddenly arrived at our villa!”
Evelyn is here?
Hearing this, Emil bit her lip. “Why would she show up so suddenly? She’s always refused to visit, no matter how many times she’s been invited.”