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（I've already been saved by Otou-sama
twice. And I've even received sweets and cakes…… No, that's wrong! That was
just because Luca-oniisama and Arthur were there! It's nothing
but a coincidence!）
Saying
so, she convinced herself.
（I am not loved or anything like
that…… I have to think that way.）
Whenever
she felt like she was going to get carried away, Candice slapped her
cheeks and told herself that it wasn't the case. She shook her head side to
side so vigorously it felt like her neck would snap off.
（I won't cause trouble for Otou-sama
as much as possible. Until I become a good Imperial Princess and slip
out of the Empire……!）
Candice renewed her resolve, nodding with
rough breathing out of enthusiasm.
She
was somehow tired that day, and ended up sleeping in a little bit the next day.
Just as she finished eating breakfast, true to his word, Luca visited
the White Palace carrying many books. Seeing Arthur overjoyed
that Luca had come, the three of them began studying together, even
though she felt a bit frustrated.
Candice was also reviewing her manners and
learning about the history of the Empire. The one who completely destroyed
those good old imperial customs was Valentin, Candice's father.
Despite having a face as beautiful as a sculpture displayed in an art museum
and a toned body, he was strong and sharp-minded enough to massacre his own
parents and siblings.
However,
massacring her siblings was something Candice had done as well. While
thinking that parent and child had done similar things, Candice watched Luca
teaching letters and a serious Arthur right in front of her.
（To think there was a future where I
would spend time with the two of them like this, it's surprising.）
Jeanne watched over Arthur warmly,
while Eva and Rose headed off to fetch tea and sweets.
（I can't make any blunders in front
of the instructors Otou-sama is preparing for me. Besides, I haven't even been
able to write the letter to Okaa-sama yet……）
When
Hugo told her that he would send a letter written by Candice
along when he sent a letter addressed to Lisa, Candice had been
inwardly overjoyed, but although she had placed the paper on the table and held
her quill pen, she remained unable to write anything.
（I should have had so many things I
wanted to say to Okaa-sama…… why can't I write anything?）
She
had tried asking Eva and Rose, 「What
kind of things do you two talk about with your mothers?」,
but the two of them grew teary-eyed and, for some reason, ended up hugging her. Candice told Hugo, who had come to
pick up the letter, that she couldn't write anything, and she was currently in
the middle of waiting for a reply from Lisa.
And
then, since the incident in the archives, for some reason Candice ended
up being repeatedly summoned by Valentin before even three days had
passed.
（W-Why is this happening……!?）
The
times were scattered, being summoned whenever Valentin felt like it.
Sweets and cakes were always prepared. Wasn't he observing her while hiding his
face with documents?
（I am being tested to see if I am
worth keeping alive!）
Candice's misunderstandings were also
getting worse by the day. While she was happy that delicious sweets and cakes
were prepared, she couldn't help but feel tense being continuously observed by
the completely silent Valentin. Every time, Candice sipped her
black tea while holding down a heart that felt like it was going to leap out of
her chest.
However,
deciding to utilize her past memories to at least scatter some amiability, Candice
smiled brightly in a childlike manner. The timing for when he was satisfied and
left varied; sometimes it was around ten minutes, and other times it was over
an hour. Because there were also times when she was made to wait in the room,
she had recently started bringing a book with her.
Although she would try greeting him politely, he was mostly unresponsive, so she spent her time there as she pleased.