Chapter 8

At the end of summer, Elizabeth and Charles returned to the capital and were busy preparing for their school enrollment. Due to staying in Sutherland's territory until the last moment, they had to spend hectic days in the capital.

Elizabeth sighed while whittling the tip of her fishing rod with a knife in her room.

"Miss, please forget about fishing for now. Today is a dinner with Sir and Madam, so please get ready quickly."

Mary urged the eccentric young lady Elizabeth to prepare. Mary, who had not managed to find a lover in Sutherland, might still fall in love with the heartless cook of this mansion.

"Hey, Mary. You're already 20, aren't you? Have you thought about marriage?"

"What a sudden question. Besides, I don't have a partner, and first of all, I can't think about marriage because I'm worried about you, Miss."

"Oh, Miss Jane got married. She said she has nothing more to teach me. She even praised me for being a fine lady. I don't think there's anything for you to worry about."

"…First, please put away the fishing rod."

With a frustrated look, Mary started preparing the dinner dress.

At 12 years old, Elizabeth had become a very beautiful young lady. Her silver hair shone with a lustrous glow, her amethyst eyes were framed by long lashes, her nose was straight, and her full, well-shaped red lips were a sight to behold. Elizabeth, with her doll-like beauty, had become a secret sensation in the capital. Incidentally, the previous Elizabeth, due to her poor habits since childhood, had been a plump young lady with rough skin.

With her beautiful appearance, refined manners, and most importantly, unlike other noble young ladies, she was not haughty and treated everyone kindly regardless of their status. The merchants who frequented the Viliers mansion were deeply impressed by Elizabeth, who never made unreasonable demands and always thanked them when they brought goods.

Through these merchants, Elizabeth's reputation spread rapidly. Unbeknownst to her, Elizabeth had become a notable young lady in the capital.

—Dinner with those parents. I met Father once since returning to the capital, but I haven't seen Mother yet. She returned from her trip yesterday evening. She really has no interest in the family. The social season is coming, so she'll probably stay in this mansion for a while, but I doubt we'll have much interaction.

Elizabeth's mother, Ophelia, was a cousin of the current king. She naturally and habitually looked down on people, including her husband, Richard. On the other hand, her father treated her as a foolish woman with good blood. The one thing they had in common was their lack of interest in their child.

On the way to the most luxurious dining room in the mansion, Elizabeth met Ophelia.

"Mother, good evening."

Ophelia glanced at Elizabeth but did not respond, and continued to the dining room with her maid.

"…Still the same as always."

Elizabeth smiled wryly, but Charles, who had been watching her, looked worried. Noticing his gaze, Elizabeth smiled and said,

"Brother, let's go together! Hey, can you escort me?"

"Of course, my dear princess."

Charles, despite being snubbed by his mother, felt a deep sense of admiration and pity for Elizabeth, who was considerate of him as her brother. He decided to advise his father to ensure that Elizabeth could have a happy marriage with someone as wonderful as his fiancée.

Charles was thoroughly in love.