Welcome to the Candy Store

Unfortunately, it seemed that the cotton-candy store would open a bit later.

So in the meantime, Hilvenzia and Jayna decided to look around other places first.

“Hilvenzia, please wait for a minute. I want to buy something.”

And she bought Hilvenzia a flower crown. There wasn’t a real crown nearby, therefore Jayna settled for one made of flowers.

“A princess isn’t complete without a flower crown.”

Jayna’s wealth was remarkably smaller compared to Hilvenzia’s.

Hilvenzia therefore didn’t want Jayna to spend money, but she purposely allowed her to buy her the flower crown.

‘How could I not know what kind of heart you have?’

Seeing Jayna take coins out of her purse and carefulling counting the coins, it all felt admirable and cute to Hilvenzia.

The two then sprinkled syrup on finely ground ice and neatly ate shaved ice topped with fruit and sliced steak.

“Delicious!”

Jayna’s stomach however, wasn’t suited to be filled with such an amount.

In a store nearby, the two had bought chicken skewers sprinkled with hot sauce.

Jayna panted while eating the skewers on stop one after the other, she seemed to enjoy the spicy taste.

Then, next to the street vendor was a juice stand.

“Five more, please.”

And then a little later.

“Five more, please.”

In a little while.

“No, I would like ten instead of 5 skewers this time.”

The owner of the store had his mouth wide open.

“Are you sure you’re really human?”

She expected this kind of reaction.

She usually didn’t have to be wary at the Tower, eating as much as her heart desired, unlike in the streets.

“Hey, this is an aspect of Jayna’s unique cuteness.”

It was a reply full of love.

Hilvenzia did not forget to clean up after Jayna, who was preoccupied with eating.

-If you want to live to see another day, shut the hell up.

Hilvenzia spoke out of Jayna’s earshot, and he answered back in a frightened voice.

“….Ha, haha. Right, what I meant was that you’re inhumanly cute.”

Soon after, the stall owner started making food for Jayna again, and Hilvenzia turned her head and looked at Jayna.

She mumbled.

Seeing her white, soft cheeks filled with food, a thought suddenly popped in her head.

‘She looks like a baby hamster with such round cheeks.’

Jayna, little by little, had begun to have more nicknames because she resembled baby animals; squirrels, tadpoles, chicken, calves and more.

“It’s worth buying if you find it delicious.”

“This is a secret but…”

Without losing her flow, Jayna leaned quietly towards Hilvenzia with a serious face, showing she had something to say.

Seeing her expression, Hilveznia also grew serious and leaned her head, and Jayna whispered softly in her ear.

“Hilvenzia’s food tastes the best.”

Her face, as usual, had very little facial expression, but a slight blush was visible on her cheeks.

“Of course, the taste of cooking is delicious, but I can feel that you care about me all the time.”

“…Is that so?”

“Really, please make an omelet for me with my favourite ingredients… argh!”

Hilvenzia smiled a bit at such a cute appearance. She then carefully pulled Jayna into her arms.

“Hilvenzia? I can’t breathe!”

The chestnut-like head, small body, and warm body temperature.

“How very kind of you to say that. It’s worth cooking for you.”

Hilvenzia smiled brightly at the child, tightly held her hand and began walking.

Being considerate of her short stature, Hilvenzia walked slowly.

Step, step, step.

Jayna, who was walking along her, asked with a pouty face.

“Hilvenzia, why can’t I grow taller?”

Hilvenzia replied while tightly clenching Jayna’s hand.

“I’ll make you something more nutritious and delicious so that you can grow up tall.”

Jayna soon waved her cotton-filled dragon tail with her small hands. It was a token of her appreciation.

“Do you want me to take the tail off?”

“If I’m going to give you this, why don’t I give you the whole thing?”

Hilvenzia playfully bent the corners of her eyes, and pulled Jayna’s cheeks with both hands.

“Oh Jayna, you’re just so cute, I wanna bite you.”

“Ooh, if you bite a dragon in the wrong place, you’ll have to put on dentures.”

Hilvenzia then pulled both of her cheeks and finally, poked them for the last time.

“It’s not weird to wear dentures at my age, so don’t you think that’ll be okay?”

After looking around for a while, Hilvenzia suggested that Jayna should change outfits.

“Jayna, no, I shouldn’t call you that.”

As she looked at Jayna in her new outfit, Hilveznia cried out.

“Lady Tomato, how does it feel to enter the human world?”

This time, Jayna’s clothes were tomato-shaped.

She wore an tomato-coloured beret, with a green vine-like structure on top, and her hair were tied in pigtails.

Her hair wasn’t long, so both the pigtails cutely poked out a bit on both sides.

She also wore a red and round skirt.

How round.

Everytime Jayna walked, the skirt moved up and down, creating an interesting shape.

“Don’t make fun of me.”

“I’m not teasing you, you’re just being so cute. I bought it, but it’s really good.”

The tomato-like dress was bought by Hilvenzia just before they left the store.

‘Even if she had chosen tomato clothes from the beginning, I would have told her not to buy them. I don’t have time for such a thing.’

Jayna lowered her head with a lightly flushed face. She strongly wriggled her toes in her shoes, however the shame didn’t go away easily.

‘But it’s such a waste not to wear clothes you’ve already bought me.’

Behind her, Hilvenzia nodded in satisfaction.

While wearing red shoes tailored to match the tomato-like outfit, Jayna walked awkwardly, but for those looking from behind her, the outfit looked plump.

“Oh my, she’s so cute.”

“I want to have a daughter like her in the future.”

When she heard such murmurs surrounding her, Jayna shrugged her shoulders.

Having spent years together, Hilvenzia knew that whenever Jayna felt shy, she habitually shrugged her shoulders.

Jayna might’ve taken off that red outfit right away if she wasn’t feeling confident in it.

Hilveniza spoke to Jayna, her mouth curling up.

“Now, then, shall we go to the cotton candy store now? It should be open soon.”

But such an experienced person wouldn’t simply let it end there. Hilveznia changed the subject naturally, changing Jayna’s subject of attention.

* * *

“Welcome, welcome!”

The cotton candy stall was filled with soft coloured cotton candy.

And despite its high price, the food quickly ran out. It was extremely popular.

Thanks to that, Jayna and Hilvenzia had to wait a bit longer than expected, however Jayna wasn’t bored while waiting.

‘It’s different from the cotton candy machine on Earth. It’s the same as using sugar.’

Jayna watched the cotton candy being made with excitement.

“Hilvenzia, thank you for buying me cotton candy.”

Jayna mumbled quietly.

Jayna had never eaten cotton candy before as she had never been to amusement parks or festivals, therefore, she couldn’t hide her excitement as she watched the cotton candy, which looked like a lump of clouds, being made.

“Now, this is cotton candy.”

Next to her, Hilvenzia paid while Jayna happily extended her arms to accept the treat.

“Ah?”

A boy, who wasn’t even standing in line, suddenly blocked Jayna and took the cotton candy instead of her.

“Hey, this cotton candy is the customer’s…”

“Don’t be so noisy. Shore, throw him some money.”

“All right, young master.”

The owner of the cotton candy store also seemed embarrassed, but he became calm when the guard next to him took out money from his waist. Because it was several times more than the original price.

At that sight, Jayna opened her mouth.

“It’s the cotton candy I was supposed to receive…”

‘Ebbe. Ebbe.’

However, instead of apologizing, why did that boy stick out his tongue and raise his voice?

‘It’s not just anything, you stole something which Hilvenzia bought.’

When Jayna seemed unlikely to retreat, the guard standing next to him growled at her.

“Do you know who this person is? He’s Albert Newin, son of Count Newin. Shut up before you get in trouble, kid. All right?”

Then, Hilvenzia, who had stayed still all this time, smiled coldly.

“So what?”

“S-so what? Have you gone crazy?”

“I guess I’ve been too nice lately. There are people who put their heads in my mouth first.”

(T/L: she is making reference to the saying ‘put one’s head in the lion’s mouth’.)

The cotton candy in this world was being made using magic rather than a machine, and it took longer to make than that of Earth’s.

‘I’m rather angry as I’ve wasted all this time waiting, so I won’t let this go easily.’

Jayna tugged Hilvenzia’s hand.

“Don’t torture or kill him. It’s not that big of a deal.”

“Mhmm, we can’t do that with you here. You have to only see good things, no? Alas, it’s such a shame.”

Hilvenzia let out a leisurely sigh.

“You’re the same age as this boy, yet you act in such a different manner. Our Jayna is so dignified.”

Albert, the child being compared, choked up and shouted.

“W-what! How dare you insult me, heir apparent to the count? Do you want to die!?”

When Albert gave a stinging glance to the escort knight, he sprang forward with momentum.

However, regardless of him being potentially threatening as a large man, Hilvenzia, placed her face under his nose.

“…!”

Her silver hair glistened in against the store’s light, and her clear, light-green eyes shone like perfect emeralds.

The corners of her eyes were alluringly bent.

“Come to think of it, you’re quite a beautiful woman…”

Just as the knight’s face turned red, something changed in Hilvenzia’s eyes.

It was then.

“H-heheh…”

The knight’s eyes slowly became unfocused as he continued meeting her gaze.

Hillvenzia tilted her head as if she expected it.

“This isn’t where you belong, isn’t it? Go where you should be.”

Then, he approached his young master with bizarre movements like a puppet.

“W-what are you doing, get away from me you idiot!”

Albert paled at his escort approaching him, instead of punishing that woman.

“Go and punish that woman!”

However, Albert never thought that he’d be the one punished.

Whoosh!

“Huh?”

.

First, the two cotton candies Albert was holding were taken away by his guard and crushed on the floor.

“You crazy bastard!”

However, it didn’t just end with that. The real misfortunes would begin now.

The knight lifted Albert with his strong arm, the arm which had earlier threatened Jayna and Hilveniza.

With his other arm, he vigorously spanked Albert.

Slap!

Slap!

“Argh! Ahh! What the hell are you doing to me?!”

It was only natural to rebel while being smacked on the butt.

Albert struggled to free himself from his knight’s strong arms.

However, his struggle didn’t last long.

“Argh!”

It was because the hand that struck his butt gradually strengthened.

The knight, whose eyes were unfocused, simply repeated the same set of words over and over, like a robot commanded to do so.

“The young master is spoiled!”

“Argh!”

“The young master is spoiled!”

And as Jayna watched the scene with interest, two new cotton candies were completed before she knew it.

“Let’s go, Jayna.”

Hillvenzia tried to exit the store after receiving two cotton candies from the trembling, wary stall owner. Then, from behind her, came Albert’s shouts, followed by steps which might as well be his last.

“Who are you! Argh! What have you done? I’ll tell my father!”

His screams faded out. But Jayna and Hilvenzia didn’t pay any attention to him.

‘It seems Hilvenzia has become a lot softer. In the novel, she was a really cruel character.’

Jayna, who was still holding her hand, looked up at Hilvenzia.

“But I can’t believe you can manipulate people just by making eye contact. What did you do?”

“Not to the point of manipulation. I just blew up his underlying desire. That young boy must have done a lot of bad.”

* * *

Whatever supported by the Imperial Family was always magnificent.

Jayna was drinking tea with Elia after a long time in the blooming rose garden.

“How are you getting along with Diamide these days?”

“It’s…”

Jayna’s sentence was left incomplete. It was because she couldn’t think of an answer.

She seemed to run into Diamide a lot ever since the topiary and cookies incident, but it must have been just a coincidence.

“It’s similar to before.”

‘If I told you I went to a concert with him, Your Highness would have false hope.”

Jayna glossed over the answer.

“Then he won’t be paying any attention to your social debut.”

She was worried Elia’s fine eyebrows would raise at any time.

“When you’re thirteen years of age, you should begin to keep an eye on the social circles of your peers. No, actually, it’s already too late.”

“No, thank you. I don’t get along with other people very well.”

“To say something like that, Micheal is extremely picky about friendships, also… I dislike it, you seem to get along with eccentric Hilvenzia Rotien.”

“That was just pure luck.”

Jayna tilted her head. Thoughts of enemies from a past life poured in. Malice-filled, fierce eyes which hated Jayna’s existence.

-You shouldn’t have been born!

Jayna thought, looking down slightly.

‘I won’t be able to have my debut at 17 anyways…’

[T/N: Cause she’ll ‘die’]

(QC/N: OUR POOR PESSIMISTIC BB ;-;)

Jayna thought of social gathering as a meaningless charade.

“Isn’t it a waste of the etiquette you’ve learned?”

“That’s…”

Jayna had obviously learned a lot, from her harpsichord lessons to everything else. However, she worked hard on them because it was fun to do so, not to prepare for a debut.

When Jayna remained silent, Elia continued.

“You may have little confidence in yourself, but it’s rare to find a child I’m interested in. If you feel uncomfortable about the idea of social gatherings, why don’t you just join a tea party hosted by a close associate of mine?”

“A tea party?”

“Yes, and you don’t need to feel pressured, just think of just as you coming to play.”

So, at Elia’s invitation to attend a social gathering, Jayna went to the palace in a royal carriage.

In the rattling carriage, Jayna looked down at her unfamiliar skirt.

‘Princess Elia, you really do care a lot for me.’

The dress Elia chose herself for Jayna was light blue.

The pastel tone of the dress was suitable for spring, and the delicate silver embroidery woven across it showed Jayna how much she truly was cared for.

‘The carriage is pretty big as well…’

Without a surname, Jayna’s status was no different from a commoner.

Furthermore, without the support of Diamide and Elia, she would have never learned to play the harpsichord properly, let alone any sort of etiquette.

Moreover, being sent a carriage with the royal insignia on it…

It was clear it would be extremely rude to refuse her when shown such courtesy. In addition to this, Elia was an old friend of her mother. Jayna felt uncomfortable with the idea of any social gatherings, but she remained quiet and followed Elia’s wishes.

‘How could I not value your sincerity?’

Jayna’s round eyes sparkled with a serious light.

“We’re here, miss.”

The carriage door then opened, and there was someone on the other side…

“Long time no see, Jayna.”

Rosian, who shone brightly under the sun, reached out her.

* * *

Today, Jayna was brought to a tea party hosted by Princess Elia’s maid, the Marquess of Damiton.

‘After all, the social world is nothing more than networks.’

If it weren’t for Elia, Jayna wouldn’t have been invited to any social gathering.

“It’s been a while since we’ve last talked, Your Highness Princess Elia, and this person is…”

“The daughter of an old companion of mine, Jayna.”

“Please take good care of me.”

Elia made the decision of not talking about Diamide at the gathering.

It was because Jayna had said she didn’t want to do anything which could anger him.

Elia openly expressed her regret at such a decision, but Jayna didn’t not waver, and finally, Elia had no choice but to follow her decision.

“Oh, excuse me, may I ask your old colleague’s name?”

“I’m afraid that will have to remain in my mouth.”

“You must have a reason for that, I truly don’t know who you are, but I’m sure you’re a wonderful person if Her Highness Elia speaks of you in such a manner.”

Besides keeping secret that she was the daughter of Diamide, she also decided to hide who her mother was.

The young dragon might be used for experiments or physiognomy by many others, similar to what Moben had tried.

Fortunately, as it was a gathering hosted by Marquess Damiton, who was close to Elia, and therefore, although many were curious, however no one came up to question or argue with Jayna about details regarding her status.

Rather, by Elia involuntarily guaranteeing Jayna’s status, everyone looked at her curiously and began approaching her.

“Good day, I am Julia of Count Torney.”

“I am Marianne, daughter of Count Bethel. It’s a pleasure meeting you.”

Everyone introduced themselves to her, one by one. It wasn’t long before the last introduction occured.

“I am Chloe, of Count Newin.”

“I haven’t seen Young Lady Chloe in a long time, you’ve become more beautiful as time has passed.”

“Thank you for your kind words.”

A beautiful girl of Jayna’s age said while slightly bowing.

Jayna hadn’t seen the young lady before, but Jayna tilted her head because the last name Newin felt familiar with.

‘Haven’t I heard of ‘Newin’ before?’

However, Jayna had never attended a social gathering until now and had lived her entire life in the Tower, making it impossible for her to know the name of a noble of the empire.

Just as Jayna was about to let the thought go, she suddenly remembered the young nobleman she and Hilveznia met at the festival.

‘She has the same last name as the boy who took the cotton candy from me.’

He had said that Count Newin was allegedly his father.

‘Now that I think about it, the two of them look similar… are they siblings?’

It seemed like she was staring without realizing it.

Jayna’s gaze met with that of Young Lady Newin’s.

“Humph.”

Young Lady Newin turned her head blatantly to the other side.

‘Why do I feel she hates me?’

In the end, Jayna’s hunch wasn’t wrong.

“Ah, the flowers gifted to me by Your Highness were beautiful. You still have a very good sense of style, Your Highness.”

“I didn’t pick them out alone, my maids had helped me. It’s thanks to Marquess Damiton, who taught them while you were at the palace.”

“I just happened to have some lacquer on my face.”

(P/N: I think she is referring to makeup decorating her face, hence, making her look put together and having style.)

“Untrue. Everyone here knows Marquess Damiton’s character and abilities.”

“Yes, if you just look at how this gathering has been prepared for, I usually dislike sweet cookies, however these ones are savory rather than sweet…”

It was a tea party sponsored by someone as bright as the afternoon sun.

Everyone was engrossed in leisurely conversations while wearing soft smiles.

‘However…’

Young Lady Newin continuously stared at Jayna with a gaze showing that she despised her.

However, she couldn’t openly pick a fight with Jyana, perhaps because of the current atmosphere.

It was because there were many eyes on the two.

“I think we’re done here, shall we move?”

After a while, the opinion that children and adults should be seated separately formed.

Indeed, as Elia said, it seemed to be a good place to make connections.

“Children will have more fun playing with each other.”

“It’d be good for you all to get to know each other.”

One by one, as everyone rose from their seats, Princess Elia softly whispered to Jayna.

“How’s the gathering going so far? Don’t you feel nervous?”

“There’s a comfortable atmosphere here, so rather than nervous, I feel excited.”

Micheal belittled tea parties, saying they were nothing more than tea-drinking gatherings, however it was extremely fun to sit around and savor tea and desserts.

Jayna looked at the faces of young boys who had rather bored faces.

‘Do I even like anyone here?’

Jayna enjoyed playing with Hilvenzia and Micheal, but thought it would be beneficial to also interact with kids around her physical age.

Jayna inhaled a deep breath as her heart began pounding for no particular reason.

Even in her previous life, she didn’t get along well with her friends.

It was because she had no choice but to move from relative to relative, and therefore transferred schools often as well.

She had enjoyed reading, and therefore read “The Sword of Revenge” but…

“Hey, Jayna… What did you just say?”

While Jayna was quietly lost in thought, a voice from her side allowed her to come back to her senses. As she turned her head, she noticed a young girl with round eyes looking at her.

“Today we’ve gotten invited to a gathering everyone wants to come to at least once in their lifetime. It’s a wonderful place. Rather, it’s such an honour.”

It was Young Lady Newin.

She looked at Jayna in an uncomfortable manner. As expected, she wanted to pick a quarrel.

Jayna was dumbfounded.

‘Is it really necessary to interpret it that way?’

It was a word that could not be misunderstood unless there was ill will just by looking at the context of the conversation and her tone.

Anyone could tell it was an unreasonably started fight.

“That’s…”

When the atmosphere became awkward, she saw Princess Elia, who was having a conversation next to her, changing her seat as if to side with her.

However, Jayna didn’t plan on extending this conversation much longer.

It was because she didn’t want to attract attention from other wives and young ladies talking amongst each other.

‘I might have to reveal my identity.’

This was all a decoy for her to trap herself. Jayna had made up her mind.

‘Even if I’m young, I’m a noble.’

Jayna lightly grabbed Elia’s arm, as she tried to stand up for her, and then replied.

“Good point. I’ll be careful next time onwards.”

Newin then spoke quickly, so as to not leave any room for Elia to intervene.

“…So, what were you talking about earlier”

Elia glanced at Young Lady Newin and spoke to Jayna’s rhythm.

“You want me to pack the rest of the deserts left after the party is over?”

Lady Newin was about to quickly snap back, but looked at Jayna with a shocked face. She had missed the timing.

Jayna recalled the image of Young Lady Newin staring blankly at Rosian who had escorted her to the party.

‘His Highness Rosian must’ve done that on purpose… to do such an obvious thing in front of Her Highness Elia.’

Chloe may be good at mental fights as she had quite a lot of experience in the society, however, seeing that she couldn’t think of what to do next she was still young.

Furthermore, it wasn’t just Young Lady Newin who couldn’t cope maturely.

“Was there anything wrong with what my daughter just said?”

Countess Newin, who accompanied Young Lady Newin, stood next to her with her mouth shut.

The social circle of Marquess Daminton was a closed one, however the Countess Newin had joined the gathering today for the first time.

She had the audacity to sit close to Elia before the other members…

‘You just ignored my child, didn’t you? Here I was, looking forward to seeing Princess Elia after a long time.’

The Countess, who raised Chloe with love, did not feel good because her lovely daughter seemed to be ignored by a seemingly unknown child.

“My Chloe is young, but wise…”

“Pfft.”

As Countess Newin tried to appeal to Elia in a rather placid voice, a sneer was heard from the side.

“W-what…?”

When she turned her head, she saw a young woman with a fan covering her smiling mouth. Jayna couldn’t see her face well as it was covered by a fan, but Jayna felt that she was somehow familiar.

It was strange as there must be no one she knew here.

“Hey, I’m going to step in now, therefore you should leave.”

“W-what?”

As the young lady whispered in the countess’s ear, the countess spoke while stuttering with a trembling face.

“What kind of lady is this rude…”

“Can’t you understand? I saw her first, who are you to steal my prey?”

“You think you can tell me what to do?”

“C-Chloe?”

Countess Newin next to me, in a rush, called out to her daughter in a bewildered voice, but the two didn’t know how to stop.

It was a war of words beyond the fan, one which Jayna would not hear unless she had a good ear.

Jayna tilted her head as she watched the two with her round eyes opened widely.

‘I knew she looked familiar, wasn’t she the one who fought with me for the ribbon?’

Young Lady Newin seemed annoyed at Marilyn for stepping in.

Young Lady Newin frowned irritably, her entire face covered with an haughty face, she then approached Jayna in a few steps and dropped a fan.

“Ah, my goodness, how clumsy of me. Could you pick this up for me?”

That arrogant attitude and wide-open eyes seemed to be used to make subordinates work.

‘You didn’t drop it by mistake, didn’t you almost throw it to the floor?’

To pick up the fan, Jayna would be forced to bow to Young Lady Newin.

But if Jayna refused her request, it was clear that Young Lady Newin would use this as an excuse to tiredly make an excuse.

If so…

“Oh my!”

Marilyn, who stood nearby, opened her eyes in admiration.

She wasn’t the only one.

Everyone around her looked surprised, yet amazed at the same time.

It was because when Jayna swung her hand once, the fan was held in Jayna’s hand as if it were being sucked in.

“Amazing, Young Lady Jayna kno

“It’s quite amazing that you’re a wizard at such a young age.”

With a soft smile, Jayna held out the folded fan to Young Lady Newin.

It was an elegant, flawless posture.

“You should be more careful from now on. You might get hit by a falling fan, right?”

And at that moment, she was interrupted by someone unexpected.

“You’re right. You don’t seem to be feeling well, so why don’t you rest…?”

Marilyn quietly watched the situation from the side.

“No, I…”

Young Lady Newin’s face, embarrassed by the unexpected situation, blushed.

And Elia did not miss the gap.

“Young Lady Newin and Countess Newin don’t seem to be feeling well, so take the two outside!”

“A-Ah?”

Young Lady Newin and Countess Newin were then promptly surrounded by knights.

“What are you doing? Take them elsewhere!”

When the tea party’s organizer, Marquess Daminton, shouted, the two were forced to leave the party, as they were almost dragged by the knights.

“Jayna, I’m sorry to have put you through this when you trusted me, and came all the way here.”

Of course, it was too much to kick her out because of a little quarrel. However, it was none other than Elia, the princess, who said to. Her words, at the center of the social gathering, were absolute.

In addition to this, since they touched the guest Elia had brought in front of her, they were fortunate to have been quietly kicked out.

When the disturbance was cleared up to some extent, Marquess Daminton, Elia’s maid, approached Jayna.

“Young Lady Jayna, as the host of the party, I’m extremely sorry for such an inconvenience. I didn’t know Young Lady Newin and the Countess were like that”

Jayna lifted her skirt politely and bowed her head. Not only was it not the Marquis Daminton’s fault, but she was well aware that her apology was a form of courtesy.

“No, thank you for your generous understanding, even though a commotion was caused .”

At Jayna’s natural response, she looked young in the eyes of the Marquess of Demiton.

As she looked at Jayna turning back, Lady Demiton approached Elia and whispered to her.

“Is that your prospective daughter-in-law?”

“I hope so, but it’s up to her.”

“Do you mean that you’ll cherish her even if she doesn’t end up with His Highness Rosian?”

“Yes. She’s the daughter of an old colleague of mine, and she’s very well-educated.”

The Marquis of Damiton nodded at her words.

It was because she knew the meaning of ‘well-informed’.

Social gatherings were not just social gatherings.

Of course, there were tea parties to build friendship without any burden like today, but the original social world was a place where one would have mental fights for power and benefit.

It was a place where dozens of moths would flap their wings every day in order to be seen by influential people like Elia.

Elia, who was extremely worried when she brought Jayna here, felt relieved because she seemed to adjust better than she expected.

“She knows how to be modest and grateful without trying to look too good.”

“It’s her first social gathering, yet she wasn’t embarrassed nor shaken.”

The Marquess of Damiton generously praised Jayna, and Elia laughed softly.

“I’ve never seen the Marquess think so highly of someone.”

“I’ve never seen Your Highness evaluate someone generously.”

Princess Elia, who was looking at Jayna at a distance, was lost in thought.

‘Young Lady Newin was planning on working as a maid in the Imperial family next year onwards…’

Unlike usual, maids working for the Imperial family have to be part of the nobility.

Because they will be able to build connections with the royal family, any noble dreamed of being a maid there at least once, and Marquess Damiton was also one of the heroes who became close to Elia in the past.

‘A prospective daughter-in-law…’

Princess Elia recalled a conversation she had with Jayna before the social gathering.

-Do you have any guys you like? You’re at that age.

-Not really.

-Isn’t there anyone you like around you? Like a handsome person.

Elia quietly asked, conscious of Rosian.

She didn’t think Jayna would directly utter Rosian’s name, but she’d at least know if Jayna liked anyone around her.

But Elia’s prediction was completely off the mark.

-I don’t have anyone like that. Neither do I like handsome men.

Flustered, Elia quickly asked her another question.

-Then what kind of person do you like?

-My ideal type is a little different from others, so I’m afraid that Your Highness will be shocked…

-It’s all right, speak comfortably.

Jayna then opened her mouth and spoke.

Her ideal type was something like this.

1. A person who is unattractive enough so that there is no other competition (ugly and short).

2. He who has the nerve to persuade his parents who opposed. (bastard)

[T/N: there was a bracketed hangul in the raws. It means a normal bastard; a guy without a father or a (fatherless) bastard, an ill-bred guy, an ill-mannered man]

3. A rich but low-ranking man (Money-loving mister)

“…”

Elia was extremely shocked.

How could a child’s ideal type be so specific and realistic?

Even if someone could answer vaguely, when asked about their ideal type, most would respond by saying a person of great status or honor, whether he was a crown prince or an emperor. But Jayna’s ideal type was the opposite.

She asked Jayna back in bewilderment.

-Why would you choose someone like that?

-If someone would have many options, he wouldn’t pick me out of all those other women, his parents wouldn’t like a daughter-in-law like me either. I did pick a rich man because it would be pitiful if he had nothing. I also have nothing to give either.

How could such a young child have such pessimistic thoughts?

Elia felt her heart sink after a long time.

-Jayna…

Elia, wondering what to say, closed her mouth again.

‘I have no idea… I don’t know how to respond.’

You’re a person deserving of love?

You’re someone who has a lot to give?

She didn’t like any words which came to mind, so Elia simply brushed her hands against Jayna’s skinny face.

‘It’s impossible to reach you with just words.’

Jayna was only thirteen years old.

It was a good age to live in this world filled with dreams and hopes, rather than a difficult reality.

However Jayna’s eyes, unlike her peers, were cold. No, she was a person who sat quietly acting as if she’s already lived her life.

‘Will a day come when these eyes shine brightly?’

Elia liked Jayna, but her feelings weren’t reciproatced to the extent it should be.

‘It’s all because she was Diamide’s child.’

She felt she understood why this child was extremely pessimistic and had always underestimated herself.

She hadn’t even been recognized by her father as his child, so she wouldn’t have known what it feels like to be loved or love others.

‘If I said what I was saying here, she would think it was sympathy.’

In Elia’s view, Jayna was a good enough child.

She had changed Rosian when Elia, his mother, had given up on him.

The kid who once wanted to do nothing, was now earnestly practicing his swordsmanship, all because of this child.

‘Be strong, Rosian.’

To a child who doesn’t know how to care for himself, teach her how to love and be loved.

Elia, who briefly recalled Rosian, who would now be doing her swordsmanship training, quickly had him escape her thoughts.

It was because she heard Jayna’s voice next to her.

“Thank you, Marilyn.”

Jayna thanked Lady Marilyn for snapping at Lady Newin rather than herself.

“What, you remember my name?”

Marilyn crossed her arms and tapped her nose.

“I didn’t help you, so don’t get me wrong. Besides, I can’t believe you’re wearing that ribbon in front of me right now…”

Only then did Jayna realize she was wearing the ribbon with the jewels she had stolen from Marilyn.

“I’m not sure how you’re connected with Her Highness, but I’ll be sure to break that bond, so look forward to it! Don’t lose to anyone except me, okay?!”

Marilyn didn’t wait for Jayna’s response, after she had said what she wanted, Marilyn ran away.

Jayna grinned.

‘You don’t want me to lose to anyone else?’

Jayna thought Marilyn would be twice as troublesome as Chloe, but it was the opposite.

‘She’s a strange yet interesting young lady.’

Jayna looked at Marilyn’s back which was further away now, thinking that future social gatherings would be boring.

Suddenly, Marilyn glanced back, and met Jayna’s gaze.

“…!”

Marilyn quickly turned back and ran, feeling as if she was caught in the act.