“…”

“I’m the adopted daughter under my uncle’s care.”

“Ah, I see.”

“But legally severing family ties isn’t easy. There needs to be a clear reason on the other side. My uncle also anticipates that I want to sever family ties. He’ll either try to hold onto me as much as possible, or he’ll try to scheme and drive me away from this place in any way possible.”
“Still, he’s not entirely my uncle, and since he’s family, would he really go that far?”

“He’s not entirely my uncle, which makes it even more dangerous.”

“…”

“My uncle is probably worried that I will become the mistress of the Lianster family. Considering the wrongdoings I’ve committed and… getting married would give me a certain amount of power and influence within the family. It’s probably frightening for my uncle to have me become someone who can retaliate against him at any time.”

Rachel, contemplating Riley’s words, still seemed unable to fully grasp the situation.

“Then why did the Marquis approve of the marriage?”

“Because his desire for advancing in society and gaining prestige was greater than his intention to restrain me.”

“Ah.”

“My uncle wanted to accumulate wealth, increase his power, and enter the central circles. He couldn’t be satisfied with the title of a small regional lord. But realistically, it’s almost impossible for a lower-class aristocrat from the provinces to enter the prestigious social circles. He couldn’t refuse Givern’s proposal.”

“…I see. But what does that have to do with Liz?”

“Liz can communicate with my uncle’s people. She’s a useful child who can provide me with valuable information. She can play a role as my eyes and ears in the communication between the Eadallin family and me.”

Rachel was surprised once again. She had no idea that the seemingly innocent and quiet lady had such thoughts.

“But… Can you fully trust that child? After all, she’s from the Miss’s side of the family.”

“That’s why I checked today.”

“…Huh?”

“I still can’t completely trust Liz, but for now, it seems fine to leave her be.”

“Then should I continue to monitor Liz?”

“Yeah, I’ll count on you in the future as well.”

“Yes! I’ll do my best since it’s a task you’ve entrusted me with!”

“Good, and be good to that child. Enough for her not to want to leave this place.”

It’s not about being kind because one wants to. It’s just about providing the right incentives because she has utility.

Rachel suddenly wondered if Riley was becoming more like Givern.

Despite their completely different atmospheres, they were like two extremes that couldn’t mix. Yet, in Riley’s current composed appearance, Givern’s figure was vaguely visible.

It might be true that people become more similar when they love each other.

“Recently, my mistress seems to have lost a lot of her sensitivity…”

Even the mistress, who used to be sharp and had thorns all over her, seemed to have softened compared to before. Riley, who appeared to have no thoughts, also seemed a bit sharper than the somewhat dull Miss from the countryside.

“Now, I have to exert my strength.”

“What do you mean?”

“…Exams.”

A shadow briefly crossed Riley’s face. The seemingly serious lady sighed, admitting that she had not properly studied and did not know how to overcome the upcoming exam.
Receiving a failing grade came with the additional burden of complaints about what to do.

Riley, desperately flipping through her books, was comforted by Rachel, who said, “Cheer up, Miss… I can’t help with that either.”

There was a time when I desperately wanted to study.

To be precise, I wanted to enjoy academy life like Clare, studying and making friends. But now, Riley, who has been studying without a goal, feels like sewing up her own mouth, which used to pray to the sky that she could study again.

“…This is hell.”

Fortunately, there is no separate practical exam for the midterms. As the final exam two months later includes a practical evaluation, focusing on theoretical study for now seemed to be the way to go.

However, magical theory studies at the academy were not simple.

Especially for Riley, who had not received basic education and had no prior preparation, understanding the content and keeping up with the lectures were almost miraculous.

Moreover, considering how many incidents and accidents there have been.

From taking care of Givern to the welcoming party and the birthday party, the time wasted on her own mistakes made this exam seem doomed unless there was a significant change.

But Riley had not given up yet.

She had an excellent mentor.

“Why are you going there?”

Just as Riley was about to enter the room with Arpeggio, she hesitated at the voice from behind.

“Givern?”

“If you came, you should’ve come to me. Why are you going to Arpeggio?”

“I was going to study…”

“I said I would help you study.”

Oh, right…

“That’s true.”

“Follow me.”

“Is the timing okay?”

“I deliberately cleared my schedule for this.”

Givern grabbed Riley’s hand and instantly teleported to the top floor.

Once they arrived at his office, Riley could see a variety of sweet desserts.