***

Two people can be seen in the spacious training ground doing light exercise.

​​

The small frame was swinging her sword while her hair sways following its owner's movements. While the man was looking at her, consistently observing and pointing out mistakes to be corrected.

It was an unusual sight to behold in the Emsworth mansion.

And the employees are whispering behind walls, asking the sudden closeness of the two.

And the most bothered by it all was staring at the far distance. His eyes were fixed at the two and quivering with boiling anger, and his silver-blue hair was also swaying, following the action of the tree outside the brick walls.

He bit his lower lip and clenched his fist in annoyance.

***

-swish! -swish!

Evelyn has been swinging her sword back and forth since the day started. And it's nearly dusk now!

'My arms hurt! And I'm hungry! Gil!!! How long should I endure this?! And this Scumbag of a Father of mine didn't even take his eyes off away from me!'

Evelyn was complaining non-stop to Gil.

And Gil thinks that his ears will fall off if he had one because of how may curse words Evelyn had said.

"Child... can you just complain to your father?! Even if you tell me about that, I can't do anything unless you give me permission to have access to your mana!"

Gil was losing his patience with Evelyn's complaints.

'... And what can you do if I gave you access to my power?!' Evelyn's eyes perked up with the abrupt confession of Gil.

"I can use wind magic to attack him, made him lose his breath by lowering her oxygen's body... until he becomes dizzy."

'You can do that?'

"Of course, Child. That is easy for me. The issue here is your mana that until now you haven't gained back."

Evelyn's brow draws close to her eyes and made a frown.

'Are you saying that it's my fault? It's obviously yours, Gil! Taking over my body without permission!' Evelyn clicked her tongue in silence.

"Child, I only responded to your emotions. So technically, I just help to make your wish come true..."

'Like a genie?! Woahh... Cool!'

"Gen...? What?"

'Oh, nothing...'

-swish! -swish!

Evelyn then looked at her father, who was still intent on guiding her training.

'I'm actually confused right now...'

She "voiced" out herself or more-like she thinks about it and tells Gil about her concerns while her hand like twigs is swinging the sword.

"About what? Your Father, Child?"

'Yes... don't you think that he's suspicious? I mean why did he change? And recently whenever I called him "papa" his eyes were gentle...'

".."

'...it creeps me out!'

"..."

'...'

The two were silent for a moment before Gil broke the silence.

"Aren't you supposed to be happy, Child? That..." before Gil finished his words Evelyn continued it for him.

'...that what? He's acting like a father? And is giving me attention?'

She then stops swinging her sword to take a breath and wipe her sweats that formed in her forehead.

Evelyn glanced at the Duke and then continued talking to Gil in her head.

'That guy? He will not change...'

"..."

'I knew for a fact that a Father like him who only sees his child as a part of his subjects will only remain objects in his eyes.'

-phew~

Evelyn breathes out, waiting for Gil to respond but hearing nothing from him urges her to proceed with her words.

"..."

'Looked at me... he's just doing this because he knows that I will become the weakness of this household and it would disgrace his family's dignity when people become aware that after I lost my memories, the Duke didn't give me appropriate education and training... that's why he's personally assisting me, well not that I care"

"..."

'I'll take everything that I can from this house while I'm here then lead a comfortable life when I get out of here.'

"That's what you want?" Gil spoke after his long silence.

Evelyn smirk and laugh dryly. While the Duke who was standing nearby raised his brow with his daughter's sudden laugh.

'There are no better things than a life that is peaceful and living quietly well... don't you think so?'

"Yes... that's true." Gil said but sounded strangely painful.

Evelyn noticed it but eventually end the thought of asking further questions. She's not the type to pry in others business.

While Evelyn was busy telling her opinions the Duke approached her.

"Are you done, Evelyn?"

Evelyn looked up and saw the glistening silver hair of his Father under the orange sky.

It was beautiful and the naive Evelyn before always admired it, for she only has a small portion of that hair. That hair that was always envied by many.

And Evelyn thought that if she didn't gain her memories, she would be in cloud-nine for having this much attention from the Duke.

Evelyn sadly smiles and utters words to her Father... Words that she truly wants to convey to the Duke from the bottom of her heart.

"...it's beautiful! Papa's hair is so beautiful."

She smiles at him but sadly her eyes were lonely and devoid of pure happiness.

***

The Duke looked at his daughter who was smiling and praising his hair but her eyes seem to be hiding her inner sadness.

Duke Keene stared at her indifferently while thinking a lot of different things that may have triggered his daughter's innocence to become like this.

A child that should be lively from how he remembers was now looking at him like she already gave up something that is beyond repair.

A person who only knows a thing or two shouldn't be acting like that especially because Evelyn was a sheltered lady and all her needs were given.

He furthermore trains his daughter to supervised her progress and lets her have an opportunity to learn from a general.

It's the only thing that he can do for her because Evelyn can only have his guidance, and the threats that will befall for her are Evelyn alone to defend.

He also gave her the Crown Prince engagement that she pestered him with. But sadly, his daughter seems to have changed her mind, and with the assassination that happened, he was more adamant to let his daughter become the Crown Princess.

So, Duke Keene postponed the engagement especially when she heard his daughter called him "papa" again.

It brings back memories of the distant past where his family was still living in harmony and everything was peaceful.

But alas...

Everything crumbles when his wife died.

~

He was back in his office. He recalled Evelyn's melancholic smile that he can't erase from his memory.

It was like it's the last genuine thing his daughter will give him.

With doubts underneath his breath, he pushes back the thought when suddenly a knock came from his wooden door.

"You're Grace, Lady Evelyn is here."

"What for...? Nevermind, bring her in."

The Duke silently waited for Evelyn to enter his office.

He saw his daughter, wearing a beige dress that was loose in the end and a red ribbon tied to her black hair.

His daughter is growing rapidly as each day past by.

Evelyn then gracefully bow her head and spread her dress to show respect to her father.

"Greetings, Duke"

'Hmm? Again with the Duke.' Keene thought.

*cough!

"Evelyn what did I say? About calling me, Duke?"

"No, Duke. I think it would be appropriate to address you as your title."

"..."

Evelyn gulps.

"I would like to again, request to cancel the engagement with the Crown Prince."

The duke raised his brow and then he narrowed his eyes.

It was also favorable for him but he needs to know about why Evelyn decided to call it off.

"Why? You were the one who begged me to make the Crown Prince be your fiance."

Evelyn fidgets but tried to look firm in her decision.

'If I don't get the Duke to let me have a chance to cancel the engagement then I'll run away with Gab!' Evelyn thought.

While thinking so, the Duke is tapping his wooden desk with his long slick finger, waiting for Evelyn's reply. He saw her take a deep breath and looked at him determined, it's time for her to answer.

"I really do think that I'm not fit for the Crown Princess title besides..."

"..."

"...I don't want to share my husband!"

"..."

'Child? What the hell are you saying?' Gil asked flustered with the gibberish talk that Evelyn was spitting.

'Shut up, Gil! I know I sound stupid! But I'm a brat right now! And I'm trying to fulfill it by showing the Duke with my tantrums!'

"Evelyn..."

She was taken out from her thought and she looked up at the duke.

"You don't want to get married to the Crown Prince because of these reasons?"

"Yes!"

"I thought I told you that you should deal with it and make yourself better to become fit for the Crown Prince and besides..." Before the duke could continue, Evelyn yelled.

"I don't want to die!"

"..."

"That was genuine, Child."

'Shut up, Gil! I need to focus right now'

Evelyn then continued.

"I know that the assassination was really aimed at me! I don't know who but I know why!"

"..."

"They want me dead so they can have the Crown Princess seat."

"Evelyn..."

"And I don't need that seat!"

"Then, what do you want?"

Evelyn closed her eyes and clenched her hands, it's her last opportunity, she then said with a loud voice.

"I want to become an adventurer!"