“Ah.”

“What?”

“Say ‘ah.’ Open your mouth.”

Still looking suspicious, Sachi slowly parted his lips.

The sweet flavor of blueberry jam spread across his tongue.

His eyes widened.

“…What is this?”

“It’s delicious, isn’t it? I told you.”

Without another word, Sachi ate a second cookie.

It felt as though fireworks were exploding inside his head.

He devoured all the desserts before him in moments.

He had never tasted anything so sweet in his life.

Sachi’s perpetually stiff expression softened.

“This really is delicious.”

“Whenever you want more, just tell me. I’ll bring you as much as you like in exchange for helping me study.”

Evelyn proudly thumped her chest.

Perhaps because she had been spending more time with Sachi, she now behaved far more comfortably around him than she had at first.

The way Sachi regarded her had naturally softened as well.

Initially, she had been nothing more than an unwelcome visitor. But over the past few days, something has changed.

He found himself wanting to know his sister better, to understand what thoughts were running through that small head of hers.

“So, what was the problem you asked me about?”

Evelyn and Sachi leaned their heads together and studied the book filled with complicated equations.

Evelyn’s dessert scheme proved even more effective than she had anticipated, and the siblings rapidly grew closer.

***

Meanwhile, Lola was enjoying a constant flood of customers.

Not only nobles from the capital but also wealthy commoners rushed to the shop every morning the moment it opened.

They all wanted to taste the newly released blueberry cookies and fresh strawberry cream cake.

Aint watched from a distance as customers poured excitedly into the shop.

Just then, Hisman emerged from Lola and hurried toward him.

“Your High! No, Lord Ain! I barely managed to get these before they sold out. Please, try one!”

“Teacher Hisman, how long do you intend to continue speaking to me so formally?”

“Oh, right. I apologi… No. Sorry, Ain!”

“…”

“Ha-ha! Of course! We’re merely ordinary teachers and students at a commoners’ school!”

Leaving the painfully awkward Hisman behind, Aint headed toward the dark alley where their temporary residence was located.

They had shaken off Obson’s surveillance by pretending Aint had left to study abroad, after which he secretly returned to Lagria’s capital.

It had not been a bad plan, and an entire year had already passed since they put it into action.

But if they were not careful, someone would inevitably discover their trail.

‘It would have been easier if I were alone. Dragging Hisman around is the exhausting part.’

Hisman was the commander of the Imperial Knights, and Aint could not disregard his loyalty. Accepting his request to accompany Aint until the very end had been the source of the problem.

Had they not possessed an artifact capable of altering one’s appearance, Hisman’s constant fussing would have revealed Aint’s location to his uncle Obson long ago.

Aint thought of Molt, the chancellor currently pretending to study abroad in his place.

He had wondered whether a middle-aged man would struggle to impersonate a seventeen-year-old boy, but the last time Aint saw him, Molt appeared to be enjoying himself immensely.

“While Your Highness waits for the right moment there, I will make preparations of my own.”

When exactly would that moment Molt spoke of arrive?

Would it ever come at all?

A bitter smile crossed Aint’s face.

Hisman and Molt were his only loyal subjects, but he could not afford to remain idle.

He would strengthen his body and gather the information he needed.

Then, when the opportunity presented itself, he would deliver the final blow and eliminate Obson.

Golden light rippled through Aint’s eyes.

The instant Hisman saw it, he gasped and covered Aint’s eyes with both hands.

“Ain! C-Calm down!”

“…Perhaps I should have brought Molt instead.”

“Your High! No, Ain! How could you say something so hurtful?”

Aint pulled Hisman’s hands away, took a cookie from his arms, and ate it.

According to rumor, the dessert had been created after Evelyn Joelle Chantalis gave Lola a recipe from the devil himself.

He did not know whether that was true, but the rich blueberry flavor filling his mouth was exceptional.

‘You only make me more curious about you, Evelyn.’

Aint tried to imagine what Evelyn looked like.

Two solitary souls.

Perhaps he was the one person who could become a true friend to her.

Ignoring the noisy Hisman, Aint quickened his pace. He wanted to finish reading the imperial law book he had left incomplete the previous day.

For now, all he could do was wait for the day he finally came of age.

***

One morning, with the imperial princess’s birthday celebration only a week away, Duke Chantalis summoned Adonea and Evelyn to his office.

[I’m sorry, but I still haven’t been able to find a tutor.]

Duke Chantalis looked deeply troubled.

He had offered twice the compensation paid by the other ducal families, yet no one dared volunteer.

Even the duke appeared to be out of options.

Evelyn could easily guess why.

The position involved teaching none other than Evelyn, the so-called seed of evil, and Adonea, an orphan adopted into the family.

A private tutor’s reputation and future compensation depended heavily on whom they had taught, so naturally, applicants would be difficult to find.

Adonea visibly wilted.

“This must be because of me. I’m sorry, Evelyn.”

She genuinely seemed unaware that Evelyn might also be part of the reason.

Refusing to be outdone, Evelyn put on a sorrowful expression and wrapped an arm around Adonea’s shoulders.

“It’s all right, Sister Adonea. Don’t be discouraged.”

Perhaps this was not the reaction she had expected, because Adonea’s brow briefly creased.

Evelyn released her and smiled.

“In any case, don’t worry, Daddy. I don’t mind waiting.”

She smiled sweetly and made a show of hugging a book that looked difficult at first glance against her chest.

“Brother Sachi has been helping me study lately, so I haven’t been bored.”

What father could dislike a daughter who was both charming and intelligent?

As Evelyn anticipated, Duke Chantalis looked pleased.

[Even without a tutor, the books you study change every day. I’m proud of you, Evelyn.]

“It’s nothing, Daddy.”

Adonea silently clenched her fist.

Evelyn glanced at her.

She had been uncertain during dinner, but now there was no doubt.

Adonea was jealous of Evelyn.

Fiercely so.

‘Perhaps she keeps realizing that no matter how hard she tries, she can’t defeat the duke’s biological daughter.’

Over the past few days, Evelyn had openly displayed her astonishingly rapid transformation to everyone around her, and she intended to continue doing so.

The maids appeared to be gossiping that the seed of evil must be behaving this way because she was planning to die.

Evelyn did not care.

‘History belongs to the victors, doesn’t it? I’ll conquer everyone with kindness and this beautiful face.’

“Daddy, you look especially handsome today. Are you going somewhere?”

[No, but thank you for saying so, Evelyn.]

At her unexpected compliment, a foolish grin briefly spread across the duke’s face.

A moment later, he cleared his throat and composed himself.

But both Evelyn and Adonea had already seen his hopelessly doting expression.

As though she could no longer endure it, Adonea abruptly rose.

Evelyn glanced at the forced smile on her lips.

“…Father, I think I’ll return to my room now.”

[Very well. Tell me if you need anything.]

“I should be going too. Sister, let’s walk together.”

Evelyn deliberately followed Adonea out.

After striding down the deserted corridor, Adonea stopped and extended a hand toward Evelyn.

Her expression was perfectly gentle, as though she had never looked upset.

“Evelyn, would you like to hold hands while we walk?”

“What? Hold hands?”

“Yes. Before I was adopted, I often walked hand in hand with the children from the streets.”

Although she sensed something suspicious, Evelyn readily took Adonea’s hand.

‘Let’s see what you’re planning.’

At that moment, Oden approached from the opposite end of the corridor with the butler.

Evelyn’s interest instantly evaporated.

‘I can already imagine what he’s going to say.’

Oden slowed when he noticed Adonea.

“It has been a while, Adonea.”

“Good morning, Brother Oden.”

“Good morning, Brother Oden!”

Evelyn greeted him determinedly, making it clear that she was present too.

Oden glanced at her.

“When do you intend to stop pretending we’re close? It’s unpleasant.”

“We’re siblings by blood. Can it really be called pretending?”

Evelyn answered with an innocent smile.

Oden scoffed before turning his attention to Adonea.

“Have you had any other problems recently?”

The coldness in Oden’s expression softened only when he looked at Adonea.

Evelyn observed them both in disbelief.

Adonea smiled radiantly.

“I’ve been doing well, thanks to how carefully you’ve looked after me.”

‘He always had a mother complex, so I suppose this makes sense.’

After suddenly losing his mother, the only legacy she left Oden was Adonea, the girl she had brought into the family while she was alive.

Even Evelyn could see that he cherished the adopted sister he had met when she was nearly grown far more than his own younger sister.

As Oden and Adonea’s conversation blossomed, Evelyn naturally grew bored.

Tired of waiting, she rubbed the tip of her shoe against the floor and let out a huge yawn.

Oden frowned.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“What? Yawning?”

“…You truly cannot measure up to even half of Adonea. Learn to conduct yourself with the dignity expected of a duke’s daughter, Evelyn.”

Pretending to look dejected, Evelyn silently gave Oden a resounding middle finger in her heart.

‘Dignity, my foot. Does he think I plan to spend my life here playing the perfect wife and mother?’

Adonea openly intervened.

“Brother, please don’t be so harsh with her.”

“Adonea, your heart is far too kind for your own good.”

Evelyn was momentarily dumbfounded.

Still holding Evelyn’s hand tightly, Adonea spoke gently.

“I learn a great deal from Evelyn. We’re even trying to find a private tutor together.”

“Locke already told me. Though finding one probably won’t be easy because of that girl.”

“No. It’s entirely because of me.”

“On the contrary, your presence will make matters easier. People’s perception of our family will change as well.”

Adonea looked at Oden as though she did not understand.

“Do you think Locke neglected to tell me that you healed Evelyn’s wound during dinner?”

“Oh! Well…yes. Evelyn said she fell and injured herself.”

Oden flinched.

“…Is that so?”

With a bashful smile, Adonea showed him Evelyn’s unblemished palm.

“I had no idea I possessed such power. The moment I wished that I could heal Evelyn, it simply…happened.”

Oden’s expression wavered briefly before he regained control.

“Those who possess divine power are treated with great honor in Lagria. Once prospective tutors hear that you possess such a gift, they will undoubtedly reconsider.”

Adonea’s face immediately brightened.

“That’s wonderful news! Shouldn’t we inform Father as well?”

She looked ready to run straight back to the duke’s office.

Evelyn suppressed a sigh.

No matter how cunningly Adonea tried to behave, she was still a teenager.

‘And Oden is just as bad. He could simply apologize for pushing me.’

After observing Oden’s awkward expression, Evelyn spoke.

“But wouldn’t a tutor like that be a problem?”

Oden raised an eyebrow.

“What do you mean?”

“House Chantalis may not advertise it, but we belong to the pro-emperor faction. Anyone who comes solely because of divine power will most likely support the temple. Would that truly be acceptable?”

Silence followed Evelyn’s unexpected observation.

Realizing that the remark sounded far too unlike her usual self, Evelyn inwardly cursed.

“Or at least, that’s what Father would say! It was only a passing thought, so please don’t take it too seriously.”

She expected Oden to criticize her, but instead he conceded the point.

“That is not entirely without merit.”

Sensing that the atmosphere was taking a strange turn, Adonea clapped her hands loudly.

“Oh, that’s right! Brother, there was a problem I wanted to ask you about once you returned. Would you please take a look at it?”