“Beatrice wouldn't be able to sit still if she knew I was going to take her place now.”

Damiana looked delighted, resting her chin on a thick book, said to Evelyn who was stacking books nearby. The two sisters are only three years apart in age, but their personalities are very different. Since childhood Beatrice was a wild girl, while Damiana was the complete opposite when raised as a lady, and even as a princess. Damiana is extremely skilled in embroidery, and has extremely profound knowledge, but in combat skills, Damiana can never be compared with Beatrice, even she knows nothing about them. The two sisters did not get along. The real cause is unknown, but it can be guessed that it lies in jealousy. Beatrice has always been the focal point of the region, and the youngest daughter is extremely lackluster.

Evelyn put the last book on the shelf, smiled softly and replied to Damiana:

“I believe Beatrice will be happy for you too.”

“She'll be happily furious”, Damiana still had a harsh tone.

“Dami!”, Evelyn really didn't like her attitude right now, and it couldn't have been uttered by the lord's daughter.

“I only say what comes to mind,” Evelyn seemed to be the only one other than her mother and father to whom she gave in. After being corrected by Evelyn, she agreed to let Beatrice go, no more smirking. She took the book in her hand, stood up and said:

“I think I'll go back to my room. Uncle Talbot came back from hunting today. I have to prepare well.”

With that, she left as quickly as she could without waiting for Evelyn to say anything. But that's also good. Every time she mentioned Uncle Talbot, her eyes filled with joy. Talbot was the only son of Lord Baldwin, the uncle of Lord Frankie. However, Talbot is Baldwin's bastard after a hunting trip, no one knows who his mother is. Lord Baldwin did not speak. Also because of such a background, Talbot is quite taciturn, quiet and rarely socialises with others. Damiana likes him very much, because Talbot is the only one who listens to the frustrations she has in her heart. Thinking back, the two "black sheep" in the family match, there is nothing to discuss.

Old Alvar now crouched behind Evelyn and said:

“Is she still holding a grudge against her sister?”

Evelyn was startled, but she was used to seeing her grandfather appear out of nowhere. Evelyn's mother died of a difficult birth, and she was later adopted by her grandfather. Her grandfather was a respected scholar, who taught the lords and ladies here how to read and behave. He had been through three lords, and this year he was also ninety-six years old, thinking in his heart that it would be a few more years.

“I don't know, but it sure is. But I think Damiana is also pitiful.”

“No, Eve,” old Alvar laughed. “I've watched since Lord Frankie was naked, she's not going to be simple. Beatrice will need to watch out for it.”

“I don't think so. She's only thirteen…”

"And Prince Stuart killed his brother Joseph at the age of fourteen," he shrugged.

“Probably not like that,” Evelyn looked doubtful, but still managed to convince herself that Grandpa was just exaggerating.

"Let's see," he smiled lightly. "So what's going on with you and the stable boy?"

“He's Eddie… and we're still going well,” Evelyn smiled wryly. Whenever Eddie was mentioned, her grandfather would get annoyed and call him "the stable boy", even if he was really the horse-keeper. “Why do you hate him so much? Eddie was so good to me.”

"But he's too stupid for you," he snorted.

Evelyn also didn't know what to say, just made a bored face and left. Old Alvar watched his weary niece go away in surprise. The old man, puzzled, said to himself:

“Did I say something wrong? You and Anya, both headbutt to mean men."

Anya is Evelyn's mother. Grandpa doesn't like her father. When she was young, she was a beautiful, talented lady, a close associate of her grandfather. But then because of the stableboy Kevin, who was her father, she gave up everything. Honor, fortune, family, only to come to him, living a miserable life in a countryside. Alvar always believed that it was because of her father that he lost his daughter. And now he continues to be afraid when his only granddaughter also falls in love with a horse-herding son. That nightmare once again haunted this frail old man, gnawing at every last concern of his life.

Although he didn't show it, every time he mentioned Anya, he was as sad as someone who had lost everything. He lay down in his familiar armchair, and remained silent for the rest of the session. Evelyn slowly turned around, walked over to him, leaned over and kissed him lightly on the cheek, calmly whispering in his ear:

"Don't worry grandpa, you won't lose me again!"

But he didn't answer, it seemed he had fallen asleep. Evelyn watched her grandfather sleep soundly and could only laugh. Evelyn stood there looking at him for a moment, as if completely reassured before she left.