IBFWTV 19

Chapter 19  

Veronica warmly welcomed Evelyn, who had come to visit her. Evelyn was smiling brightly, and objectively, she had a very pretty face.

Duke Spellman had been considered a very handsome man when he was young, and the late duchess had also been known as a great beauty. So perhaps it was only natural.

Her pink-tinted red hair fell long down her back, and the headband revealed her cute forehead.

Below that were clear emerald eyes and a small, straight nose.

Heart-shaped pink lips.

If her mind had been normal, many suitors would have lined up for her.

It was already pitiful that her mind was not normal, but because she carried the blood of the Spellman family, Serden rejected her, suspected her, and hated her.

‘Does he really hate her?’

If that were true, he had been strangely gentle.

Well… anyone who could get angry while looking at that bright smile would be a strange person. Evelyn’s smile was truly clear and pure.

“This is a gift.”

“Oh, is this a gift for me? Thank you, Evelyn.”

“No. This is a gift for me!”

Veronica tilted her head.

But she remembered her mother’s advice that children at that age should not be understood, but simply accepted.

Before meeting Evelyn, Veronica had asked her mother for advice.

Her mother had told her that children lived in a world that adults could not understand, so it was better to simply accept it.

Evelyn had just become trapped in that world because of an unfortunate accident.

She was special, not wrong.

Maybe this was something like that too.

Veronica looked at Evelyn without saying anything.

Evelyn moved her lips slightly.

“Ver, hurry and bring snacks too. Food for you to eat.”

Veronica nodded.

Strangely, she wanted to do what Evelyn wanted.

Because that smiling face looked so nice.

In the imperial palace, no one had the same inside and outside.

No matter what someone said, you had to think about their hidden intentions first.

During the time Serden was away, this palace had been empty, cold, and frightening.

Veronica had barely managed to endure it.

But even in this palace, Evelyn smiled brightly like that.

There was not even a grain of malice in her smile.

The maid attending Veronica quickly prepared tea and snacks after hearing their conversation.

She brought a sweet drink that Evelyn would like and coffee for Veronica.

Evelyn had already reached for the cookie jar.

She really didn’t give any to Veronica and just kept eating by herself.

Crunching the cookies, Evelyn smiled widely.

“It’s really delicious!”

Veronica laughed softly.

She was truly like a child.

It was hard to believe that such a pure person was the daughter of Duke Spellman.

Actually, considering how Evelyn had entered the imperial palace, Veronica should have disliked her and felt uncomfortable around her.

But Veronica liked Evelyn.

She was innocent and kind.

Veronica realized it on the day Evelyn took away her wine glass.

Evelyn was exactly the kind of person she appeared to be.

“You like cookies, Evelyn.”

“I like everything sweet. I don’t like carrots. I don’t like beans. I don’t like bitter medicine!”

Evelyn trembled.

When she shook her head like a child, Veronica laughed together with her.

Serden often smiled while looking at Evelyn, and now Veronica felt like she understood why.

Evelyn was cute and lovable.

She was harmless.

Anyone would end up smiling when they saw that smile.

“Actually, I also don’t like bitter things. Ugh, medicine tastes terrible.”

“Yes! Don’t eat medicine! It’s bad!”

Evelyn said seriously.

The problem was that Veronica didn’t take those words seriously at all.

Evelyn secretly sighed and picked up another cookie.

She had already made a promise to herself when she brought them.

‘I will definitely eat all of these before going back.’

Even though she was already full, Evelyn kept stuffing cookies into her mouth.

With the firm determination that she would never let things go the way they wanted.

‘Ah, I want spicy food. I just learned that sweet things can be used to torture people. Hah… They probably prepared such a big cookie jar so we would share it. Evil people.’

Evelyn swallowed a sigh.

Anyway, she thought this might help her buy some time.

Still, Veronica didn’t seem to be hiding anything like Serden did.

Evelyn and Veronica smiled at each other.

They hadn’t done anything special, but it was simply fun.

“Will you come play again next time, Evelyn?”

“Yes, I will!”

Evelyn nodded at Veronica’s suggestion.

Veronica burst into laughter.

Now she felt like she understood what her mother meant.

‘Maybe she is the only one who truly smiles. Because there is nothing hidden inside her…’

Veronica finally asked Evelyn, who had completely emptied the cookie jar,

“Will you give me the cookie jar as a gift? Next time I will fill it with many delicious things.”

* * *

Today was the day of the banquet celebrating Duke Roger’s safe return.

It had been three days since I ate so many cookies that I thought my stomach would burst.

Usually, even if events like this happened, no one told me.

I always heard about them later like this.

Actually, the banquet should have been held right after Serden returned, but I heard it was delayed because Serden didn’t want it.

From Serden’s point of view, he suddenly gained a wife he never expected, so he probably needed time to understand the situation.

Hah… I guess I have to stay alert today too.

Today was also the day when Duke Spellman and Augustine would officially enter the palace.

Since it was a celebration banquet in the imperial palace and also a celebration of victory in war, everyone would gather regardless of faction and celebrate the empire’s victory.

And now that Serden seemed to enjoy taking me around, he ordered me to attend as well.

“So selfish.”

“Yes?”

Rozelina tilted her head.

Maybe the vacation she had recently taken was actually for today.

She looked so dazzling that it was almost overwhelming.

Rozelina would also attend as the daughter of Count Karma.

Her outfit suited the occasion perfectly.

So flashy.

How much money did they spend?

Of course, I couldn’t say something like that.

“Uuuuugh. No! I won’t wear this dress. It’s ugly!”

“You must wear it, Princess Bi.”

Rozelina said gently.

She looked between me and herself, and her expression brightened even more.

I could see that she was comparing herself, fully dressed, to me who still had no decorations.

She must have thought she looked beautiful.

Rozelina looked at me proudly.

“If you wear this dress, you can go somewhere fun.”

“Somewhere fun?”

“Yes. There is a fountain and music. Ah, and there is also a chocolate fountain, Princess Bi.”

Cherina and Rozy looked at Rozelina with admiration.

Rozelina often used tricks she learned somewhere to comfort children on me, and she seemed to feel superior because of it.

So childish.

Of course, I was planning to stop being stubborn after this anyway, so I nodded.

From the beginning, this was a place I had to attend.

“Let’s go see the chocolate fountain! I love it!”

Only then did Cherina and Rozy sigh with relief.

Under Rozelina’s watchful eyes, I changed into the dress and wore my shoes.

When I put on a fancy necklace, earrings, and a tiara, Rozelina looked at me with jealousy in her eyes, but overall everything went smoothly.

Just as all the preparations were finished, Serden came to pick me up.

This was already the second time I would appear at an official event, but today there would be even more people than before.

That meant it would also be easier for the Spellman family to make their move.

Ah, my fate…

Serden smiled brightly and held out his hand to me.

“It suits you well, Evelyn.”

“Am I pretty?”

I tilted my head and poked my cheek.

Serden went even further.

“Yes, you’re pretty. What about me?”

He leaned his face closer while making a flower pose with his hands, and I almost screamed without realizing it.

My heart dropped heavily.

I secretly swallowed my saliva.

That kind of face was truly dangerous.

Serden smiled softly.

Now that I thought about it, his nickname was the “crazy bouquet.”

His face on the webtoon and novel covers looked like art, but his actions were completely insane.

Why did I forget such a good nickname?

From now on, you are the crazy bouquet again.

You crazy bouquet.

I calmed my mind like that.

“Yes, really pretty!”

At my words, Serden laughed softly.

I couldn’t punch him even if I wanted to.

Once again, it was a very peaceful and friendly start to the day.

Rozelina glared at us as if she was jealous even of that.

Anyway, our departure to the banquet hall went smoothly.