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Chapter 119
After finishing their tour of the misty training grounds and checking out the nearby lake, the three of them returned to the mansion.
“Haah…”
“Ivy, are you going to yawn some more?”
“Yes…”
At Irene’s words, Ivy blinked her sleepy eyes and let out another yawn.
Having woken up at dawn and ridden a horse for the first time in her life on the way here, she had been completely tense.
On top of that, even if it was under the shade on a hot summer day, running around and playing would tire any child of her age.
“Well then, wash up and get some rest, young lady.”
Vanessa noticed Ivy had been drowsy ever since they arrived and quickly instructed the maids to prepare her for a bath.
After a while, refreshed from a cool bath, Ivy changed into the thin pajamas Irene had brought and immediately fell into a nap.
While she slept, she heard the voice of Irene scolding, “Why did you make Ivy so tired by taking her out at dawn?” along with sounds of spanking.
“You were at our house since morning anyway!”
A voice cried out indignantly—it was Ruska.
“Am I the same as you? Am I?”
And then Irene’s voice responded with exasperation.
Thinking it was a strange dream, Ivy closed her eyes again.
After sleeping soundly for a while, she finally woke up to find the summer sky painted with a red sunset.
“Did you sleep well?”
Irene, sitting beside her at the table and tidying something up, quickly came over to Ivy.
“Yes… hyaaah…”
Ivy had truly slept deeply and comfortably. She stretched her arms high above her head.
The deep, satisfying sleep left her body in a pleasant, languid state.
The only problem was…
rumble
She felt hungry immediately upon waking.
“Ruska just told me the dinner preparations were almost done, so I should wake you up. Perfect timing! Shall we get ready for dinner?”
“Yes!”
Excited at the mention of dinner, Ivy jumped off the bed and went to the bathroom to wash her face.
“All right, then, this time, this outfit.”
As soon as Ivy came out, Irene presented a new summer outfit, as if she had been waiting for this moment.
“Oh, I haven’t seen this one yet.”
“While you were at Arcel’s house, I went to Madam Crebel’s shop one more time. That’s when I got it. Look—doesn’t it match my outfit?”
“I see. This also suits you well, Ivy! Thank you.”
Seeing Ivy quickly understand, Irene silently exhaled in relief.
‘Fortunately, it seems they didn’t notice anything strange at Arcel’s estate.’
She didn’t know how long she could keep up the deception, but she intended to prolong it as much as possible.
“Ivy, sit here. I’ll tie your hair anew. I’ve been practicing!”
“Really?”
Wearing the same dress and swishing around, Ivy sat in the chair. Irene quickly took a brush and stood behind her, unseen by Ivy, who didn’t catch Irene’s mischievous smile.
‘Hehe, I’ll have to gift her all the summer clothes—and autumn, winter, spring ones too.’
Moreover, Ivy had been growing rapidly lately. She would surely need new clothes next year.
‘I’ll be able to dress her in all kinds of beautiful things.’
Every year, at the Terins mansion in the capital, there would be a pile of “clothes that Irene outgrew.”
“First, I’ll tie it just like mine!”
Using the skills she had learned from the maids while Ivy was away, Irene neatly tied Ivy’s slightly curly, voluminous blonde hair high.
“Now, let’s go!”
“Yes!”
As soon as they left the room, Vanessa was waiting and guided them.
Contrary to their expectation that they would head to the dining room on the first floor, Vanessa led them outside.
“Huh? Aren’t we eating right away?”
“Oh my, I guess young master Ruska didn’t explain in detail. He just….”
“Ah, it’s fine. I’ll give Ruska a sharp word later.”
Irene made a small fist with her fingers, and it buzzed through the air threateningly as she swung it.
Vanessa looked a little surprised at this.
‘Such a doll-like young lady, but more formidable than expected…’
During the day, she had been shocked to see how Irene relentlessly chased after Ruska, poking his side and pulling his ear.
Who was Ruska? No matter what anyone said, as the fourth of the Ragselv family, everyone believed he would surpass his older brothers once he reached adulthood.
That’s why the older three were constantly honing their skills—so they could become gems, and Ruska would have an advantage when the time came.
Even if he had been the same age as his older brothers, everyone agreed he could have beaten them.
But Irene drove Ruska relentlessly.
“Ruska, think before you act!”
“Irene! Hey, stop hitting me!”
Of course, Ruska allowed himself to lose a little. Yet even today, he had made several desperate attempts to run away, chased by the expression of Irene promising death if caught.
‘Since young master went to the academy, he must have made many good friends besides Arcel,’ Vanessa thought with pride as she walked ahead.
Leaving the mansion and walking a bit further, they arrived at a small forest near the misty training grounds, where a tent had been set up.
Inside, lamps hung here and there, and a small pig roasted on a large bonfire, spinning slowly.
“Oh my, it’s an outdoor barbecue party.”
“A barbecue party? Can you do that at home?”
Ivy’s eyes widened at Irene’s words.
The kind of barbecue Ivy knew was only seen at Elam City festivals or the seasonal festival she had attended with Clois—a huge event with many people.
And they were doing it at home?
“Who’s going to eat all that?”
“Well… maybe Ruska? Think of how he ate at the academy.”
Ivy recalled how Ruska had eaten six chicken drumsticks alone at one sitting. Remembering that, a whole pig seemed feasible.
“Oh, Ruska, your guests are here.”
Other people were inside the tent too.
“Ah, we finally meet.”
As the two approached, two large men who hadn’t been seen before stood up, in addition to Eric they had met earlier.
Even without introductions, Ivy could tell who they were. They clearly resembled Ruska’s older brothers.
“Hello, I’m Ain, the eldest of the Ragselvs.”
“Hello! I’m Leon, the third.”
At the brothers’ greetings, Ivy raised her hand energetically.
“Hello! I’m Ivy Alden!”
A proud smile appeared on the brothers’ faces, impressed that such a small girl had come to their home.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Irene Terins,” Irene said elegantly, holding her dress and smiling.
“What’s wrong with her?”
A voice of disgust came from across the way. It was Ruska.
“Ruska! Uh…?”
Ivy waved happily but froze at his appearance—wearing a white apron and holding a kitchen knife like a chef.
Even Irene seemed flustered.
“What are you doing?”
“Didn’t I tell you? I’ll be making dinner tonight.”
“You didn’t! And you’re making it yourself….”
Irene gave him a skeptical look, as if thinking, this doesn’t look promising.
Ruska shrugged confidently.
“Why look so doubtful? I’m actually good at cooking. I didn’t get to do it at the academy, but normally at home, I cook my own meals.”
Yet Irene’s distrustful gaze didn’t fade easily.
“But…”
Even Ivy looked slightly doubtful, and Ruska groaned.
“Was I really that untrusted…?”
Ruska’s brothers chuckled from behind.
“It’s true Ruska is good at cooking. When he’s home, we leave dinner to him on purpose. Even the kitchen staff enjoy eating what he makes.”
“Really?”
Ivy looked at him in wonder. He was a marquis’ son—she never imagined him cooking himself.
Noticing the lingering doubt on Ivy’s face, Ruska seated both girls at a table next to the large iron griddle.
He sautéed the prepared vegetables on the hot plate, plated them, and placed them in front of them.
“You must be hungry. I’ll grill the meat next. Eat these first.”
“If it’s not tasty, I won’t let it slide. I have a picky palate,” Irene said, narrowing her eyes.
Ruska shrugged confidently.
“Go ahead and try, southern princess. Let’s see what you think.”
Half skeptical, Ivy and Irene poked the sautéed vegetables with their forks and took a bite.
A moment later, Ivy, savoring the taste, muttered in delight:
“I want to live with Ruska.”
The vegetable stir-fry was absolutely exquisite.
Same ingredients as usual, yet somehow incredibly delicious. Slightly sautéed for crunchiness, the mild bitterness turned to sweetness thanks to fresh oil. Perfectly seasoned with salt, pepper, and other spices.
“How… how can something so simple taste this good…?”
Irene stared at both the food and Ruska in disbelief.
Satisfied with their reactions, Ruska brought out prepped meat, shrimp, and clams, placing them on the grill with a triumphant smile.
“Now, I’ll make sure you’ll be begging me every day!”
With Ruska’s laughter, flames rose on the grill.
“Waaah!”
“Amazing!”
Ivy and Irene’s laughter rang out into the summer night sky.
At the same time:
‘Everyone must be having fun now,’ Arcel thought, sitting alone on the sofa, gazing at the hallway through a slightly open door.
He had wanted to go with Ivy to Ruska’s house, but he couldn’t. According to the information Liden sent…
“I want to buy all of this.”
“Ive-sama!”
The child staying at the Aradman Marquis’ residence was supposed to come here today.
Arcel straightened his clothes and rose from his seat.
‘What is their true identity?’
Like his father, he would need to act as part of the Kellen Duke household to maintain the empire’s peace this time.
