Chapter 109

Dinner for the Dsev family was more cordial than usual.

“You’re my little sister, but you’re amazing.”

Even the parents could not hide their happy expression at David’s praise.

It’s been a week since the Imperial Ministry of Foreign Affairs did the exam.

Today, Annie was added to the list of finalists.

A total of three successful candidates. It was Annie, Lemnas, and a particular county’s Lord.

Her father was moved to tears.

“I can’t believe it. My daughter is at the top…”

The number ‘168’ was awarded the highest point on the written exam.

Of course, the conversation didn’t get as high a score as expected, but she took the top spot because of her excellent writing score.

There was an uproar here and there over the performance of the Dsev family. Even aristocratic families, where there was no regular interaction, sent wreaths.

Lopez felt both proud and sad for his daughter.

“Why didn’t you tell me in advance? It must have been challenging to prepare by yourself.”

“It was hard, but I really enjoyed it.”

The three of them smiled at the sincere answer. To be honest, it was refreshing—a daughter and younger sibling who secretly broke the wall that had been set aside.

Annie, whose cheeks were red from drunkenness, spoke more than usual. She said this was a new opportunity, and she vowed to seize it.

“Annie, you’ll be fine.”

“Of course. What kind of person is my sister?”

“Daughter. This father is always cheering for you.”

Annie, who tilted the glass of wine to the overflowing encouragement of the three, nodded her head.

“If I’m already doing it, of course, I should get in.”

“It’s amazing. I heard that there were no other young ladies there.”

“Well, if they don’t hire me, that’s more of a loss.”

David burst out laughing at the shameless talk. She was always a confident little sister.

But David wasn’t wholly concerned.

“But you and Your Majesty are okay?”

David thought that the reason Ejed had come to the mansion the other day was because of unspoken pressure. Why would the Emperor clean the mansion’s garden if not crazy if it wasn’t for that?

It felt as if it meant that if they did not keep the secret of the business, he was going to clean up the Dsevs.

Her mother rolled her eyes, telling him not to worry, but her father was also concerned.

To this, Annie responded briefly and boldly.

“Not at all.”

“Don’t do that, be honest.”

“I have nothing to talk about; how can I say it?”

Crunch. Annie mumbled as she took a bite of the salad.

“In fact, he’s so nice to me that it’s too much.”

“Come on, nice to you? What? Don’t tell me he needs your help next time.”

“Don’t make any assumptions.”

Annie’s cheeks flushed red as the intoxication spread throughout her body. She smiled softly, feeling a little hazy.

‘I might see His Majesty more often now.’

There was no chance that she would ever run into Ejed by chance when taking the exams. However, if she was to work for the Imperial family in the future, she would occasionally have to greet.

Of course, not all were welcome.

‘Robbie… I’ll meet him too. If he’s trying to do something weird, I’ll have to help His Majesty a little.’

She didn’t intervene because the person involved repeatedly asked her not to worry, but he continued.

Annie frowned. Why did the messenger of the gods, who had a close relationship with the Wmperor, speak and act like that? The butler who knocked on the wall entered the dining room at that moment.

He also had a huge wreath in his arms.

“Someone else sent a wreath. Huh? But that’s a bit unusual? They froze the roses?”

David mumbled, his eyes widened. A faint chill was emanating from the wreath.

Hundreds of roses that adorned it were frozen solid while maintaining their shape.

“Wow…”

The sight of frozen roses with vivid red color drew everyone’s smile. The butler who handed Annie the wreath said in a tense voice.

“Sent from the Imperial Family.”

“… His Majesty?”

Her father and David squint at Annie, trying to guess what this is.

But Annie did not give them an answer. She simply glanced at the rose as mysterious as Ejed’s pupil.

‘Pretty.’

“Shall I put them in the bedroom?”

“I’ll take it. I was just about to get up anyway.”

“Yes, just go upstairs and get some rest. Congratulations.”

Annie smiled brightly at her family’s greetings and left the dining room.

The wreath was a little heavy, but it wasn’t too much of a problem. The cold rose was also great for cooling the body temperature that had been increased beyond the hem of the dress.

Annie was cautious not to drop the wreath, and she climbed the stairs.

Arriving in the bedroom, she placed flowers on the table and admired them. It seemed that the roses shining softly in the torch would not melt.

Annie muttered involuntarily.

“You can give it to me yourself…”

“Then do you want him to give it to you directly?”

“…Carla, do you have the hobby to surprise me these days?”

When she came, Carla was smiling at the door. She looked very excited that something pleasant had happened.

‘Are you so happy that I passed?’

Carla grabbed Annie’s hand and pulled her away as she was about to touch it again.

“Carla?”

“The flower delivery man is still here. Follow me, My Lady.”

“Are you saying that the aide had come and wanted to greet me?”

Annie guessed as she followed Carla. But the steps were so swift that the drunken Annie could hardly keep up.

“Carla. Slow, a bit.”

Carla’s pace slowed until they reached the garden. She pushed Annie’s shoulder forward and whispered.

“Come on, just go.”

“Huh? Where…”

Before she could get a proper answer, Carla disappeared in an instant. Annie, who was left alone, looked around the garden blankly.

The garden, where darkness had gradually descended, nothing was in sight.