Chapter 18

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As soon as Mother Elise returned from the palace, she said, "Next time, I'll bring Diana along."

Elise had attended the "Embroidery Club Hosted by the Queen" today.

The "Embroidery Club Hosted by the Queen" is a club where one can embroider with the Queen, held every other month, and generally only high-ranking nobles above the rank of Marquis can participate. Moreover, if one participates with ulterior motives like, "I'm not interested in embroidery, but I want to get closer to Her Majesty!" they are quickly seen through and disliked, making it quite a serious club.

It seems that each participant sets their own goals, strives towards them, and teaches each other when they don't understand something, all to improve their skills together. Elise often brings homework back from these meetings.

By the way, there is also a "Poetry Club Hosted by the Queen" where one can enjoy poetry and publish a poetry collection for each season. Mother apparently has no interest in this and does not participate.

"Are you bringing Diana? She has never even done embroidery before?"

It was not Diana but her brother Cain who asked this. The person in question looked up at her mother with a puzzled expression.

"Everyone has a first time. Don't you think it's good to be exposed to high-level skills from the beginning? Cain."

"Of course, Mother. However, if that's the case, wouldn't it be better for you to guide her? Your embroidery is very beautiful, and you are very quick with your hands."

Embroidery is not something one typically learns from a teacher. It is passed down from mother to daughter, along with techniques, patterns, and little tips.

Therefore, Cain's suggestion is quite reasonable.

"Of course, I will teach her the basics by the next meeting. Diana is sure to be excellent. I want to show her off to my embroidery friends."

"Will His Highness the Crown Prince attend that meeting?"

This is what Cain is worried about.

Cain wasn't worried that Diana would embarrass herself due to her lack of embroidery skills or that she would be bored at a gathering of adults. Diana is a precious and adorable being, a miracle in her very existence, and should be loved by all humanity. Cain seriously believes that it is a groundless worry that she would be treated carelessly.

Cain's concern is about Diana going to the palace itself, meeting the Crown Prince, and getting engaged to him.

In the "Demon King's Crown Prince Route," Diana is only married in name and then bestowed upon an old nobleman in the provinces. It would be unacceptable for Diana to suffer such a fate. The engagement to the Crown Prince must be prevented at all costs.

"Cain, what are you thinking...?"

"Mother, will His Highness the Crown Prince attend the embroidery club?"

"I don't know. It's up to Her Majesty."

When Elise answered Cain's repeated question, she did not miss the moment when Elise's eyes darted. She was trying to dodge the question, but the Crown Prince would come. It was not just a formal meeting but also a chance to make an impression.

"Mother, please take me to the next embroidery club."

"…Eh?"

"Please take me to the embroidery club, not just Diana."

"Going without any interest in embroidery will displease Her Majesty."

"I do! I have a lot of interest in embroidery!"

"Master Cain, your language."

"I do! I have a lot of interest in embroidery!"

Elise stared at Cain with a penetrating gaze. Cain returned her gaze with a serious look. Elise eventually gave in. Sighing, she took a piece of paper from the bag she had with her and handed it to Cain.

"This is the pattern we are supposed to present at the next embroidery club. I'll give you a copy. If you can complete it by the next meeting, I'll take you along."

Show your resolve. That's what Elise was telling Cain.

"Thank you, Mother, for this opportunity."

Cain took the pattern respectfully and bowed deeply.

---

After dinner that day, in Cain's private room.

"Can you even do embroidery?"

Ilvareno asked, plopping a large pile of fabric scraps onto the coffee table. These were scraps Cain had asked the laundry maid for before they were discarded, of course, for embroidery practice. He had cut stained tablecloths and sheets into handkerchief-sized pieces, as old and thin fabrics are not suitable for embroidery.

"I can't, which is why I'm practicing."

Cain took one of the handkerchief-sized pieces and placed it in an embroidery hoop he had borrowed from his mother.

"I have a bad feeling, but can I ask you something?"

"What is it, Ilvareno?"

Ilvareno pointed at Cain's hands. Cain was putting fabric into a second embroidery hoop.

"Why do you have two embroidery hoops?"

"Obviously, because you're going to do it too."

"Why me?"

Cain pushed one of the hoops towards Ilvareno and opened an embroidery book he had borrowed from the library.

"What does 'threading' mean... huh? Unraveling the thread... why unravel it..."

Cain sat diagonally on a two-seater sofa, one knee raised, and used his bare feet to keep the book from closing.

Sighing at Cain, who was focused on the book and not answering his questions, Ilvareno brought a bookstand from the study table.

"Bad manners. Use the proper tools."

"Thanks."

"What? What?"

"It means 'thank you' in an ancient, distant country's language."

Cain propped up the open book with the bookstand and secured it with a clip. He then pushed another beginner's embroidery book he had borrowed to Ilvareno, who was sitting across from him.

Reluctantly flipping through the pages, Ilvareno found it to be a completely unknown world. Even the diagrams were confusing.

"Why don't you just ask your wife for help?"

"I feel like I'd be losing if I did that, so no."

"Such a sore loser."

Ilvareno put the embroidery hoop on the table and sat on a single-seater sofa to start reading the embroidery book.

Cain is the type who learns by doing while reading, while Ilvareno prefers to thoroughly understand before practicing.