Chapter 21

The next morning at breakfast, Cain was scolded (or so it seemed) by his mother Elise, who said, "You're always the one Dina relies on, which is so unfair!" Three days later, he received an embroidery hoop from his mother.

The hoop had ivy, a moon, and stars carved on the outside, and names on the inside. Cain received a blue one, and Irvaleño received a red one. Mother Elise said, "Just because I gave you the tools doesn't mean I approve of your attitude toward embroidery. If you want to go to the palace, you need to keep working hard."

Irvaleño looked delighted, as this was the first time he had something with his name on it, though he had been hiding it.

Diana protested, "Why only big brother and Irv? Where's mine!?" But Mother Elise told her, "If you work as hard as your brother and Irv, I'll give you one too," which made Diana start to take embroidery seriously.

The day before the embroidery gathering hosted by the queen, Cain showed his completed embroidery to Mother Elise. The design featured two wolves howling at each other against a background of flowers and a moon. Since the royal family's crest features two wolves, the design was likely inspired by it, but the design was completely different from the crest, suggesting it was just a themed assignment.

Cain had embroidered the wolves' fur, paying attention to the flow of the threads. Although not specified in the design, he used gray and silver threads to highlight the fur. He also created a sense of depth and three-dimensionality by making the moon brighter on the upper left and darker on the lower right.

Irvaleño's embroidery, while using a monotonous color palette and lacking highlights and depth, was still impressive considering he had never held a needle two months ago. Elise sighed, acknowledging his effort.

"Can't help it. I'll take Cain to the palace tomorrow. Irvaleño, will you come as a page?"

Elise thought Irvaleño had worked hard to go, but he politely declined, saying, "No, Irvaleño is going back to the village tomorrow. Since I won't be around, I'm buying souvenirs with last month's salary."

Elise, concerned, nodded and said, "Oh, I see. Have you been taking proper breaks? You shouldn't do everything Cain says just because he won't let you. Make sure to take breaks."

While grateful for Elise's concern, Irvaleño silently protested Cain's comment with a glare, but it was ignored. Cain's intention would become clear the next day when he went to the orphanage, but for now, he just seemed like a chatterbox.

Diana had also learned three stitches—running stitch, backstitch, and chain stitch—and could fill in simple patterns like apples and cherries. For this, Cain received a lecture from Mother Elise but consoled her with the cryptic phrase, "Not all great players make great coaches."

"Diana, when we go to the palace tomorrow, you must stay close to your brother. There's a wicked prince waiting to eat you."

"Wicked prince!?"

"Cain! What are you saying!"

"Diana's cuteness can make any man lose his reason and turn into a savage."

"…Cain, why are you like this… Tomorrow, not just the prince but children of the same age, both boys and girls, will be brought. Make sure to get along with everyone."

Elise pressed her forehead and shook her head. She had always known Cain doted on Diana, but this was not how it used to be. When he made friends with children of the same age at the orphanage, including boys, he didn't show such a strong reaction. Elise rubbed her temples, puzzled.

As Cain had suspected, the original plan for the embroidery gathering was to introduce the crown prince to potential brides. Since the participants were limited to families of marquises and above, it was easier to gather well-bred girls without causing complaints from lower-ranking families. However, the idea of bringing boys as well, who could be potential husbands for the girls, led to the decision to allow children aged 3 to 5, regardless of gender.

"Diana, tomorrow, many children your age will be there. Try to make friends. Say hello and be nice. There are no wicked princes."

"Friends! Play stone-throwing? Go to the strong teacher's house?"

Stone-throwing was a game Diana learned from the children at the orphanage. Noble children probably wouldn't play it.

"Tomorrow is indoors, so no stone-throwing. Let everyone see the embroidery you worked hard on."

"No stone-throwing…"

Cain had gone to the orphanage three more times, but Diana had never been there because her parents didn't allow her to go out. At 4 years old, Diana couldn't go out without her parents. Cain could only go when a knight was available to escort him, but he had more freedom than Diana. The difference in gender might be a factor, but Cain's lack of childlike behavior could also be a reason.

"Cain, you're an extra, so be well-behaved tomorrow. I'm taking you because you said you're interested in embroidery. If you only focus on Diana, I'll send you home."

Elise pointed a stern finger at Cain. She saw through his intention to disrupt the meeting between Diana and the crown prince and warned him. However, if he didn't go, he wouldn't even know what was happening, so he had no choice but to nod.

"As you wish, Mother."

Cain's reluctant and bitter acceptance made Elise feel only unease.