Volume 1 Chapter 110

Volume 1 + Chapter 110: Just This One Granddaughter

“Mind your attitude, move carefully, and try to make yourself known in front of Miss Eve.”

“Leave these two to me, I’ll personally see to their reception. Don’t worry about me, hurry along. Your future lies right there.”

Old Master Reynolds pointed toward the two people sitting in the reception hall, engrossed in studying the magical formula.

Seeing their intense focus, Anlu felt a little dazed.

Whether it was Eve’s seriousness or His Majesty’s, there was an unspoken charm radiating from them.

It was as if the content they were discussing in this small reception hall today could determine the future of the entire empire.

So Anlu did not dare to waste time. She quickly prepared a pot of tea, holding the delicate teapot carefully as she approached.

Although she moved quickly, every step of her tea preparation was meticulous. The years of tea-making skills accumulated over her upbringing as a refined young lady were almost perfectly displayed at this moment.

Yet while the tea was ready, how to serve it became the question.

After all, when Anlu had poured tea for the imperial Emperor earlier, the expression on his face suggested he was displeased at the interruption.

Whether it was due to the anticipation of meeting Miss Eve or out of respect for her grandfather, he hadn’t lost his temper then.

Having grown up in a prominent family, Anlu was quite skilled at reading expressions and situations.

She knew without a doubt that the Emperor had been irritated by her earlier interruption.

Now, if she went to serve tea while they were deeply engaged, would she leave a bad impression on Miss Eve?

Usually decisive and resolute, she found herself hesitating inexplicably this time.

Holding the teapot, she fidgeted like a child who had made a mistake.

She only dared to keep her distance, quietly observing Eve and the imperial Emperor’s profound conversation.

Perhaps sensing Anlu’s hesitation, Eve set down her pen and gestured to the Emperor to take a moment to think, then gently took the scalding teapot from Anlu’s hands, handling it with natural grace.

At that moment, Anlu’s fingers were bright red from the burn, and she only now felt the pain.

For a young girl, a burn like this would be no small matter. But in front of someone as important as Miss Eve, she couldn’t show it.

Eve, noticing the girl’s embarrassment, smiled and softly lifted her small hand, blowing gently on it.

Anlu felt a sudden coolness covering her burned fingers, and the sharp pain disappeared entirely.

She was amazed. Miss Eve had not uttered any incantation, yet she had used magic sufficient to instantly heal the burn.

Though it was only a minor burn, it would normally have troubled tender fingers like Anlu’s for a day or two.

The ability to cast spells without incantation, in Anlu’s view, transcended social status or personal rank.

Even a simple healing spell, if cast silently, was a skill to be envied.

The higher one stood in the mastery of magic, the more one understood how crucial the length of an incantation was to power.

Even something as simple as a fireball, if cast silently, carried immense intimidation.

Clearly, Eve’s abilities were likely far beyond mere healing magic. There must be much more…

“Thank you for the tea, it smells wonderful. My name is Eve. And you?”

“An… Anlu.”

Hearing Eve’s voice, Anlu’s heart skipped a beat. The elder sister’s voice was so beautiful.

Even comparing it to the songs of nightingales or the ringing of silver bells seemed to fall short.

It carried an indescribable gentleness and charm.

It was as if a layer of warmth and familiarity was naturally applied to it, simply hearing her speak made Anlu feel safe.

“Anlu, that’s a nice name.”

Eve nodded.

“Um… Miss Eve, my useless brother caused you trouble.”

Anlu, nervous, chose to apologize to Eve immediately, without weighing circumstances.

After all, Eve was a distinguished guest of the Reynolds family and a favored figure by His Majesty. Anlu did not intend to plead for her brother, but worried that a negative impression of the Reynolds family in Eve’s eyes might harm the family’s future.

Though as the family girl she could not inherit, she still had to advocate for her family’s future.

“Brother? You mean… you are a granddaughter of the Reynolds family?”

“Yes.”

Anlu nodded obediently. She looked sweet and endearing, far more capable than her useless brother, though unfortunately she was female.

If a great family had no male heirs, she might have inherited, similar to Princess Alice, as the sole heir.

But with a boy present, the inheritance position would inevitably go to him.

Even Princess Alice, if she had a brother, could never hope to claim the position of future imperial heir, no matter how excellent she was.

“I see. That’s fine, your grandfather has already settled this matter. I’m not the type to hold grudges.”

“How old are you, Anlu? Are you attending school?”

Eve, seeing a child around her own daughter’s age, could not help engaging in small talk.

Meanwhile, the imperial Emperor remained absorbed in studying the formulas Eve had provided, and Eve was in no hurry to return to the table, instead leisurely enjoying the tea.

One had to admit, the quality of life in a prominent family was impressive, even the tea was so fragrant. Eve had never appreciated tea before, but clearly, she had simply never tasted tea of this quality.

“I’m fifteen. I dropped out of school a few years ago, academics aren’t really my thing,” Anlu admitted, a bit embarrassed, hands behind her back.

“Since then, I’ve stayed home to help, doing what I can for the family.”

Anlu worked diligently for the Reynolds family. Though a child’s contributions were limited, she was still far more capable than her troublesome brother, who had caused problems that nearly doomed the family if Old Master Reynolds had not intervened and given Eve a satisfactory resolution.

“You’re much sharper than your brother,” Eve said, reaching out to pat Anlu’s head.

This gesture was observed from afar by Old Master Reynolds and his son, the current head of the Reynolds family.

Their eyes met instinctively.

“I knew that girl Anlu was capable,” the father said.

“Dad, I think… why not make Anlu the family heir instead?”

“That’s a good idea.”

The two, who had originally intended to place the boy in line as heir out of tradition and pride, now reached a sudden consensus.

A boy? The Reynolds family… has a boy? Old Master Reynolds only has Anlu, his one granddaughter.