Volume 1 Chapter 50

Volume 1 + Chapter 50: I’m Being Serious

“I won’t go, I have other more important things to do.”

“Alright, then I’ll wait… wait, what did you say?”

Chancelianne instinctively started speaking but stopped halfway through. She couldn’t believe that Eve, being invited to dinner by her, the Empire’s empress, would reject such an honor without any hesitation.

“I said I’m honored by your invitation, Your Majesty, but I have other more important things to do, so… I apologize.”

Eve’s words left Chancelianne standing there stunned. This was her first time being rejected, and the feeling was like gathering courage to confess to your first love.

Deliberately acting casual, but after being rejected, feeling incredibly disappointed while trying to maintain composure.

“Mother, Miss Eve is very busy.”

Alice also stepped forward to smooth things over for Eve. Although she wanted to trigger a forced scenario of pushing Eve under the table for something different, since Eve was unwilling, Alice wouldn’t actually force her.

Because Eve held a very important place in her heart, and although Alice often fantasized about this and that, when it came to reality, she would always obediently seek Eve’s opinion first.

Unless Eve kept pretending to be a wooden block and didn’t respond to her, Alice wouldn’t force her.

“I see, I was being presumptuous.”

Although being rejected made Chancelianne feel somewhat uncomfortable, considering the draft paper she had tucked away, Eve’s value far exceeded just this draft paper in her possession.

Why hadn’t such a precious talent of the Empire been discovered earlier?

Since the previous witch was executed by hanging by the Holy Church, without her assistance, the Empire’s magic studies had stagnated for more than 2 years.

It truly proved the saying that only when the tide recedes do you know who’s been swimming naked.

Now that Chancelianne had finally seen hope again, she definitely wouldn’t let it go easily.

“In that case, let’s schedule for another time. Miss Eve, thank you for coming to the Royal Palace to play with my daughter. To be honest, she’s quite a reclusive child, so if there’s an opportunity, you’re welcome to come by often.”

Chancelianne said with a gentle smile. She didn’t say anything else to try to keep Eve there, and after exchanging a few simple pleasantries, she turned and left.

At this moment, her mind was completely occupied with the draft paper in her hand. It could be said that what Eve had casually written down could keep this married woman, who already had a daughter, tossing and turning for several nights.

She even kept muttering, “Mmm~ I miss her… I miss her, I want her to… write more for me, ah ah ah!”

Seeing her mother finally leave, Alice let out a slight sigh of relief. She unconsciously leaned her body into Eve’s embrace, though having learned from previous experience, she didn’t dare to be so unrestrained anymore.

She just softly and obediently leaned into Eve’s embrace, like a spoiled girlfriend, saying “Sister cuddles” while making little sounds and nuzzling around in Eve’s arms.

“What do you have to do tonight?”

Alice asked curiously.

“Tomorrow is the Church Academy’s graduation ceremony, I need to go back and make the ceremonial dress my daughter will wear tomorrow.”

“She’s endured too many hardships at the academy these past 2 years. This time, at the graduation ceremony, I definitely want to let her end that period of painful memories with a perfect conclusion in grand style.”

Eve’s words deeply moved Alice.

“You know how to make ceremonial dresses?”

“A little bit, though it probably won’t turn out too well.”

Eve hesitated, discussing ceremonial dresses in front of the imperial princess seemed a bit presumptuous.

Even the casual wear Alice was wearing now had gone through extremely meticulous design, something that even nobles with titles would never have access to in their lifetime.

“The way you say it makes me quite excited.”

“Excited?”

“Yes, I’ll be at tomorrow’s graduation ceremony too. First, to prevent others from bullying you, and second… there will be a ball at the ceremony, I wonder if you’d be willing to… dance one song with me?”

Alice lowered her head slightly. Despite usually not batting an eye when lifting Eve’s skirt, she now mysteriously became shy.

The young lady’s delicate face had somehow become tinged with a blush, as if gathering all her courage. At this moment, Alice didn’t even dare to look up into Eve’s eyes.

She was afraid Eve would reject her…

“I…”

Before Eve could speak, Alice pulled her hand to her chest.

Feeling the wonderful softness and fullness beneath which beat a slightly quickened rhythm, Eve momentarily lost focus.

“This is my first time inviting someone to dance, so… please don’t reject me, okay?”

For an unmarried young lady, what it means to invite another to dance at certain important occasions, their position in one’s heart goes without saying.

This was a very solemn matter, and moreover, Alice’s quickened heartbeat had already explained everything.

“You’re usually so skilled at lifting my skirt, how come you’re so shy now?”

“Stop it! Don’t tease me at a time like this! I’m being serious right now!”

Teased by Eve’s words, Alice became so flustered her neck turned red. Her small feet wrapped in white silk kept kicking Eve’s legs, but she was also truly afraid of hurting Eve, so it eventually turned into somewhat ambiguous rubbing.

“Alright, I’ll stop teasing. Then I’ll see you at the ball, Your Highness.”

Eve agreed to Alice’s request. Looking at Eve’s serious expression, Alice felt as if a spring breeze had caressed her face.

“Mm!”