CICN 99

Chapter 99

When the two finished their meal, Cindy spoke to Irene.

“Madame Crevel has contacted me. She’s asking if you could come to the studio today, if it’s alright with you.”

“Really? That’s great. I was just thinking about where we could go and what we could do now.”

“And what about studying? Aren’t vacations supposed to be a time not for playing, but for striving toward higher goals…?”

“I don’t care, I’m not listening. You shouldn’t listen either, Evie.”

At Cindy’s words, Irene covered her own ears and then used both hands to cover Evie’s ears as well.

“I think she’s right too, Irene…”

Cindy chuckled at the scene, then went out saying she would prepare the carriage.

The studio of Madame Crevel was connected to the building of the shop they had visited on the first day.

“This is the annex. And from here on, only special guests can enter. Most of this space is for people who want to place custom orders.”

Crevel’s clothes were extremely expensive. Even for nobles, unless they were quite wealthy, having multiple outfits made at Crevel could be quite a burden.

And just because someone had money didn’t mean Crevel would automatically invite them into this area.

“Oh, the young ladies have arrived.”

As they entered, Crevel rushed out as if she had been waiting, welcoming them. She then glanced at the hairpins on their heads and smiled in satisfaction.

“Do you know how many orders have come in over the past week just because you two always wear these?”

“Hm. Then shouldn’t you give me some advertising fees?”

“Being a young lady of the Terence family, you speak so straightforwardly. How about giving you a new hair accessory instead of advertising fees—something we won’t sell to anyone else but just to you two?”

“See, Crevel knows how to do business.”

Irene then subtly glanced at Crevel, who responded with a knowing wink that Evie wouldn’t notice.

In fact, the two had come here because of Evie’s dress for the autumn gala.

While the gala dress itself was important, they also needed outfits for before the main event started.

‘Of course, I’ll buy those! And it’ll promote Crevel too!’

Irene clenched her fist with determination.

Such gifts should be surprises. Evie must not notice.

‘Even if His Majesty the Emperor gives Evie clothes and other items, the first person to give her a gift is always the most memorable, isn’t it?’

Of course, she could wait a bit to prepare a gift considering the Emperor, but Irene had no intention of doing so.

‘My week!’

The last week Evie had visited Arcel and Ruska’s homes, Irene had planned to spend time at home preparing for the second semester. That plan had completely fallen apart.

‘So she’ll just have to accept this.’

Irene firmly decided on her small act of revenge and smoothly uttered the lie she had thought of before arriving.

“Evie, I’ll go get my measurements retaken for the new clothes, so could you wait here?”

“Okay! Got it!”

When Evie answered, Irene and Crevel quickly went into the inner room of the studio and closed the door.

Left alone in the studio, Evie looked around, exploring.

Crevel’s studio had many fascinating things—countless fabrics and leather, and patterns for clothes.

There were also neatly arranged materials for decorations.

Everything looked interesting.

‘I want to make clothes when I grow up!’

Evie continued looking around, thinking that Professor Malace would probably grab his neck if he saw this.

Then, a loud voice came from outside.

“I came early, and yet I can’t meet Crevel? What’s going on?”

It was a high-pitched, sharp voice, one Evie recognized.

She approached the door and peeked into the corridor.

Sure enough, someone she knew well was standing there.

‘Is that Izriella?’

At the end of the corridor near the stairs stood Izriella.

‘She also buys clothes here, huh?’

Being the daughter of a count’s family, it wasn’t surprising.

‘I should avoid running into her.’

Evie quickly turned to go inform Irene that Izriella was outside.

Just then, something fluttered, catching Izriella’s attention. She peeked her head out and exclaimed in surprise.

“You! Why are you here!”

Izriella scowled at Evie, approaching quickly with an annoyed expression.

Evie, who had thought of running, changed her mind and stepped forward.

She had done nothing wrong, so there was no reason to run.

“Hello.”

“Hello? How dare you greet me so boldly? Do you not remember what punishment I received because of you?”

Izriella stood before Evie, staring at her with a gaze full of hatred.

But Evie didn’t flinch, standing proudly and meeting Izriella’s stare.

Unlike before, Evie didn’t back down at all. Izriella’s face flushed with surprise, and she bit her lip.

“Hmph, even though His Majesty is your guardian, it seems you see nothing. I wonder how long that will last.”

With a pouting face, Izriella looked Evie up and down, then a smile formed on her lips.

“You’d better enjoy it now. After all, His Majesty won’t even look at someone like you soon…”

At that moment, a stranger’s voice came from behind them.

“Iz, what are you doing there?”

Startled, Izriella quickly turned to see a girl coming up the stairs.

“Lady Eve!”

Eve?

Evie had never heard that name at the academy.

‘Is she Izriella’s friend?’

But Izriella was addressing her respectfully as “Lady Eve.” Evie wondered just how high-ranking this person could be.

Evie turned to look at the girl Izriella was calling.

“Huh?”

“Oh?”

Both Evie and the girl called Eve exclaimed in surprise simultaneously.

Both had golden hair and green eyes, around seven years old.

They were dressed in very beautiful and fancy clothes, and both wore white gloves on their hands, unlike typical children.

Compared to Evie, Eve was slightly taller, but both were small, so their body sizes weren’t much different.

Strangely, despite being different faces, there were similarities that made them seem somewhat alike.

‘She looks like me.’

As Evie thought this, Eve approached, looking her over.

“This child looks similar to me, doesn’t she?”

Then Eve lifted her hands and grabbed the braids that the mansion maids had tied in Evie’s hair.

“…!”

Startled, Evie tried to push Eve’s hands away, but Izriella dashed forward first and yanked Evie’s hair, letting it fall.

“You must not touch something so lowly, Lady Eve!”

“Huh? Is this the child you know, Iz?”

“Yes. For now, go inside.”

Izriella looked troubled but led Eve into the side room.

Bang!

The door slammed, leaving only Evie with her messy hair and the startled staff in the corridor.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine. But my hair is all messed up…”

“It’s alright. I’ll fix it. Bring a comb here! Now, let’s go inside.”

The staff, realizing how much Izriella disliked Evie, hurriedly brought her back to the room where Irene and Crevel were.

With the two there, if Izriella tried to come in again, they could block her.

As the staff tidied her hair with cute hair ties and a comb, Evie thought about the Eve she had just seen.

‘Who on earth is she?’

Izriella sat on the sofa, looking uneasy, and spoke to the child rolling around on it.

“Lady Eve, I told you not to stand out so much.”

“But I was curious what Iz was talking about with another child. I get bored when I’m alone.”

Her tone was subtly reproachful, blaming Izriella for leaving her alone.

“Anyway, who is that child? You don’t seem to get along well.”

“That is…”

After a moment’s hesitation, Izriella smiled slightly and spoke.

“She’s the lowly brat I told you about. Evie Alden, the seven-year-old girl for whom His Majesty the Emperor has appointed a guardian simply because she’s a girl.”

“Oh, that’s her, huh?”

Eve nodded at the explanation. She then removed her gloves, looking exasperated.

“A poor child whom Dad is doting on in my absence.”

On the back of Eve’s hand, the emblem of the royal family was clearly visible.

Eve muttered as if truly feeling pity.

“Once I return to Dad, she won’t be needed anymore.”