Aint gave Evelyn a peculiar look after hearing her confession.

“What?”

“My previous life. In other words, this is essentially my second life.”

Evelyn spoke boldly.

He could believe her if he wanted. If he did not, that was fine too.

After a moment of silence, Aint nodded.

“I see.”

“…What? That’s all you have to say?”

“Yes. If that’s the reason, then everything makes sense. Your eyes too.”

“My eyes?”

“You don’t know? Your eyes…”

At that moment, a carriage stopped in front of them.

Locke opened the door and beckoned to Evelyn.

“Evelyn, come quickly. It’s been a while since I’ve gone home, so we should hurry.”

“Oh, right! I’m coming!”

“And Aint, think carefully about my offer. Father has already given his permission.”

“I will. Thank you, Locke.”

Evelyn sat beside Locke, looking curious.

‘What offer is he talking about?’

Aint studied her briefly before turning away.

His figure swiftly receded into the distance.

“Brother Locke, are you close to him?”

“Hm? Of course. He’s a very dear friend of mine.”

Locke smiled brightly.

Evelyn scooted closer to him.

“Really? He does seem like a good person.”

“Doesn’t he? It seems Aint took good care of you.”

“But what was this offer you mentioned? I’m curious.”

“Oh, that…”

Locke looked uncomfortable.

He seemed uncertain whether it was something he should reveal to someone else.

Evelyn deliberately put on a dejected expression.

“I suppose it’s something you can’t tell me. Then again, it has been a long time since you and I talked like this, Brother Locke. It’s all right. You don’t have to tell me.”

“N-No! We simply never had many opportunities to talk because you were so young!”

When Evelyn continued looking disappointed, Locke became flustered.

“I only asked Aint whether he would consider transferring into the academy’s advanced program. That would give him a chance to serve in the capital’s knight order!”

Evelyn’s expression immediately transformed, and she regarded him with interest.

“I see. But how would he afford it? He’s a commoner.”

“That’s why I asked Father whether we could provide Aint with a scholarship. Father agreed.”

‘So that’s why Locke asked him to think about the offer.’

Evelyn clapped her hands brightly.

“Wow, that’s a wonderful idea! I’m sure Brother Aint would be delighted to attend the academy!”

“…Oh, really? Yes, of course.”

Locke smiled somewhat strangely.

He felt a little hurt that Evelyn addressed him with the more formal “Brother” while calling Aint by the more affectionate “Aint”.

‘No. I shouldn’t think like that. I’ve never even taken proper care of her.’

“Brother Locke?”

“Oh, it’s nothing!”

Locke wanted to smooth the glimpse of Evelyn’s tousled golden hair peeking out from beneath her hood.

He had thought so before, but now that he had actually spoken with her, she seemed like nothing more than an ordinary young girl.

Locke carefully placed a hand on her head.

Since they rarely had opportunities to be alone like this, he wanted to take the chance to apologize for what had happened at the imperial princess’s birthday celebration.

“Um, Evelyn. About what happened at the palace…”

“Yes?”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you properly.”

Evelyn’s eyes widened.

Locke scratched his cheek, his face turning red.

“When I saw Sachi become angry in front of everyone, I realized something. No matter what anyone says, you’re still my sister. I think I’ve been far too indifferent toward you.”

A sharp ache pierced Evelyn’s heart.

‘Fools. You don’t even realize you’re being used… I’m pretending to be your adorable little sister so I can steal the entire fortune and run away! Don’t you understand?’

Yet even Evelyn, despite thinking that way, found it difficult to disregard Locke’s sincerity.

“…It’s all right, Brother Locke. Thank you.”

“Good. If you ever encounter any difficulties, make sure you tell me. I’ll show you around the academy someday too.”

“Yes! I’d love that!”

Evelyn’s brief sentimentality vanished, and she clasped her hands in delight.

‘The academy is the perfect place to establish connections with the nobles of the future.’

She chuckled inwardly.

Aint’s enrollment at the academy while concealing his identity was something she had already read about in the original story.

‘Yes. I think that was when he entered the academy to begin gathering allies in earnest.’

Evelyn continued conversing with Locke, doing her best to win his favor.

Locke was righteous and honest. Once she secured him as an ally, he would never turn his back on her.

She needed him if she intended to establish connections with the academy’s students later.

Watching Locke’s harmless smile, Evelyn pressed a hand against the persistent ache in her chest.

‘…Perhaps Locke is the kind of person who seems easy to handle but is actually the most difficult of all.’

“Hm? Evelyn, does something hurt?”

“N-No! So, what happened during today’s joint swordsmanship training?”

“Oh, well, just as I was about to attack, my opponent fell over…”

While pretending to focus on Locke’s story, Evelyn recalled Aint’s unfinished words.

“You don’t know? Your eyes…”

She tried to guess what he had intended to say, but nothing came to mind.

Locke and Evelyn continued talking until their carriage reached the ducal estate.

The distance between them had become closer than ever before.

***

Hisman lectured Aint throughout their entire walk.

“You have no concern whatsoever for your own safety! What would you do if someone kidnapped you? Lord Aint, are you listening to me?!”

“You’re too loud, His. Even if no one is around, stay in character.”

“I-I’m worried about you! Stop wandering off alone!”

“I don’t want to, Teacher.”

Aint stuck out his tongue, walked past Hisman, and moved ahead.

Hisman wailed in despair.

“Do you think I abandoned such an excellent position and followed you here for this?! Do you?!”

“Then go back!”

“Aaagh!”

“Be quiet. You’re making too much noise.”

Ignoring Hisman’s tearful complaints, Aint looked down the empty alley.

For some reason, it reminded him of Evelyn.

‘Quiet and lonely. Yes, just like her eyes.’

Her claim about a previous life sounded absurd, but there was no particular reason he could not believe it.

He had already thought that her expressions and manner of speaking were inappropriate for someone her age. If anything, her explanation made sense.

Only one thing troubled him.

Aint knew better than anyone what it felt like to have no one beside him who could understand him.

“…She must be lonely too.”

“Pardon? What did you say?”

“I said I’m hungry. Hurry up so we can eat.”

“Honestly, if you’re going to play your role properly, then speak respectfully to me! Are you even listening?!”

Leaving Hisman behind, Aint headed home first.

He needed time to seriously consider whether entering the academy would be the right choice.

***

Several mornings later, Evelyn received a letter from Madlette.

[Greetings, Lady Evelyn.

It appears that Lady Lilda of House Yont and Lord Iole of House Germand have officially begun courting.

After hearing the news, young noblewomen and noblemen have begun competing fiercely to obtain invitations to the Black Diamond Club.

I’ve asked Lord Iole to distribute invitations among his respectable friends.

None of this would have been possible without you, Lady Evelyn.

By the time you receive this letter, I expect I’ll be on my way to conduct our lesson.

I look forward to seeing you again.]

“Ha-ha-ha! We did it! It worked!”

“Lady Evelyn, you’ll fall!”

Evelyn bounced on her bed, laughing exuberantly.

How long she had waited for this news.

The Black Diamond Club would soon become the hottest destination for young noblewomen and noblemen.

Evelyn wrote another letter emphasizing that no one was to be admitted without an invitation, then asked Alpi to have it delivered.

‘Madlette will be coming here anyway, but we might not have an opportunity to speak privately.’

Several days earlier, Adonea had happened to witness Evelyn returning home in cheerful conversation with Locke.

Ever since then, she had been trying so conspicuously to win over every member of the family that even those watching her could not help but feel sorry for her.

“…She’ll undoubtedly cause another scene during today’s lesson.”

“Lady Evelyn, why are you sighing?”

“It’s nothing. Adonea has simply been acting strangely lately.”

“Has she? The maids all say she’s an angel.”

“Yes, an angel. I suppose she might be one.”

Perhaps a fallen angel unloved by the goddess.

Whenever Evelyn saw Adonea waste her beautiful appearance in such a manner, she wanted to snatch every last one of her lovely features away.

‘Not that anyone could defeat me in the beauty department either. Hmph.’

“By the way, how are the preparations for my birthday celebration progressing?”

“You wouldn’t believe it. His Grace has been preparing so diligently that neither the maids nor the servants have had a moment to rest.”

“Really?”

In that case, it was only natural for Adonea to throw a tantrum during today’s lesson.

Though Evelyn already felt exhausted merely imagining it, she adjusted her veil.

Despite what she said, she was secretly looking forward to her birthday celebration.

“Then I’ll go to my lesson. Wish me luck, Alpi.”

“Yes, my lady!”

With Alpi seeing her off, Evelyn trudged down the corridor, clutching the homework she had completed with ease against her chest.

“Ugh, this is exhausting. No, it feels like it will be exhausting. No, it’s definitely going to be exhausting.”

As Evelyn muttered to herself, the study that had been converted into a classroom came into view.

When she opened the door, Adonea greeted her with a sweet smile.

“Evelyn, come in. I’ve been waiting for you.”

“Yes, Sister! Good morning.”

Evelyn smiled as though equally delighted to see her.

She desperately wished Madlette would hurry and arrive.

Before an awkward silence could settle over the room, Adonea asked her a question.

“Your birthday is approaching. Is there anything you would like as a gift?”

“No, thank you. I don’t need anything.”

“I suppose you already have everything, even though I’m the one chosen by the goddess.”

A sudden chill swept through Evelyn.

‘What is wrong with her? Has she finally decided to stop pretending to be kind in front of me?’

“…What did you say, Sister?”

“You heard me perfectly well. Why are you asking?”

At that moment, Evelyn abandoned the respectful way she usually spoke to Adonea.

“Do you think being chosen by the goddess means you deserve to be happier than I am?”

When Evelyn challenged her, the smile vanished from Adonea’s face.

Evelyn knew it would be wiser not to provoke her, yet she could not stop herself.

“You already receive plenty of attention. Everyone at the palace adored you.”

“So?”

“Then be satisfied with that. No matter what, I’m the true daughter of this family. I’m their real sister.”

Adonea abruptly sprang from her seat and marched toward Evelyn.

“Is that what you think too? That I can never become a true child of House Chantalis?”

“…Sister Adonea?”

“You were born bearing the mark of that filthy Simon. Nothing good has happened to me since I came to this estate and met you. Do you understand?”