My Sisters are Strange

As soon as Liliana finished her words, Susan put down another letter.

 

Grandmother tore the letter apart and began to read it, and when she finished reading it, she slammed the table.

 

“What does this mean?”

 

“It’s just as it says. It means that Lord Grayton, the great scholar, will take me in as his apprentice.”

 

Liliana said casually with a smile, despite Grandmother’s anger.

 

“Are you trying to say that the position of a scholar is equal to that of the princess?”

 

“No, Mother. Lord Grayton is no ordinary scholar.”

 

At Father’s words, Liliana continued her explanation.

 

“Sir Grayton is famous. An expert on history, the best scholar in the Odphelia Empire, and a talent coveted throughout the continent.”

 

As the explanation continued, Grandmother’s forehead became more wrinkled.

 

“He is so well known, I must say, that His Majesty, the former emperor, had made him a Marquis out of fear that Lord Grayton might be scouted by another continent.”

 

‘So, that’s how it is.’

 

My parents also nodded to Liliana’s words, perhaps because everyone except me knew it well.

 

Grandmother crumpled the letter in her hand and couldn’t hold back her anger.

 

“How do you manage to become his student?”

 

“I took the test and passed.”

 

“You?”

 

“Yes, me.”

 

Liliana’s voice was full of confidence and pride.

 

“Even His Majesty the Emperor approved it. If you come and overturn it now, that would be disobeying the imperial family.”

 

Grandmother’s body couldn’t contain her anger and began to tremble.

 

Even though I was nervous that she would explode at any time soon, Liliana didn’t stop talking.

 

“I’m not interested in the position of the princess and the empress.”

 

“You speak as if His Highness Ronald would never become emperor.”

 

“It’s true that the crown prince hasn’t been selected yet, so it’s not certain. I don’t want to hang myself on uncertainties.”

 

Liliana said with a single laugh, and as her smile deepened, Grandmother’s expression flushed with anger.

 

“Since I have become Lord Grayton’s student, I will follow him in his footsteps and become a scholar who contributes to the continent beyond the Imperial family, so please watch after me.”

 

There was no answer to the remark.

 

This was because Grandmother eventually got up from her seat and left the restaurant, unable to overcome her anger.

 

There was silence in the restaurant after she left.

 

“I didn’t know you were thinking of that.”

 

It was Mother who broke the silence.

 

Mother looked at Liliana with pride and said.

 

“I didn’t even know that my daughter had such wonderful thoughts. As her parents, I am really sorry.”

 

Liliana shook her head at Mother’s words.

 

“Of course, I planned it without anyone knowing.”

 

“No, Lilliana, you’ve done a remarkable job. I’ve heard that Lord Grayton is looking for a student, but it turned out to be you.”

 

Father spoke in a voice mixed with excitement.

 

“I remember when I went to the academy. He is said to be a master of history, but he excelled in all studies and was respected by everyone.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Of course. Marquis Filton has been spreading rumors that his eldest son will be Lord Grayton’s student. He must be so embarrassed that he can’t raise his face.”

 

Liliana also smiled at the sincerity on Father’s face.

 

“I think the Imperial family and the social world will go crazy. Will you be okay?”

 

“Of course. I wouldn’t have taken on the challenge if I hadn’t been able to overcome that much fuss.”

 

“I’m so proud of you.”

 

Liliana smiled contentedly at Father’s praise.

 

As if Father’s words were a prophecy, a new wind really began to blow in the Imperial family and social circles.

 

✲ ✲ ✲

 

“Who would have known that the reason Liliana rejected the engagement was for the development of the Imperial family and the continent.”

 

“I heard Lord Grayton is really a great man.”

 

“I heard he’s such a great person that he was coveted all over the continent. I heard my parents admiring him, saying he’s great.”

 

The noises of the young ladies were so loud that I could hear them from far away.

 

Liliana, who became Lord Grayton’s student, hosted a party herself for the first time in a long time and received everyone’s attention as the main character.

 

Some people couldn’t admit that Liliana, whom they dismissed as insignificant, was a better person than they thought.

 

But those words soon died down.

 

According to Iris, it was because the position of Lord Grayton’s disciple held such authority.

 

‘They used to curse like that until recently.’

 

Of course, in my eyes, neither the cursing nor the flattering people seemed noble.

 

All social circles were like that, but it couldn’t be helped that the people who pranced around Liliana looked like snobs.

 

“As expected of the top academy graduate! You are so amazing.”

 

“I know, right? You’re Lord Grayton’s student, so the Duke and his wife must be very proud.”

 

“Are there any books you would recommend on the subject? I’m interested in the research Miss Liliana is going to study.”

 

Liliana was dealing with them leisurely, as if the people talking to her didn’t bother her.

 

Maybe because I was looking at them with too much anguish.

 

Iris, who was next to me, asked stealthily.

 

“Daisy, you’re offended, aren’t you?”

 

“A little. It’s amazing that people can change their attitude so quickly.”

 

Iris burst into laughter at my sarcastic words.

 

“They are all snobs.”

 

Iris also didn’t hold back, and for good reason.

 

“You know what, Daisy? I heard that recently, more and more young ladies of the same age as us are breaking their engagements.”

 

“Yes? What do you mean?”

 

“Since Miss Liliana became Lord Grayton’s apprentice, her engagement to the First Prince definitely fell through.”

 

“Are they aiming for that position?”

 

“That’s what I heard. Half of the young ladies who are gathered over there are like that.”

 

I was shocked by Iris’ words.

 

“They dare to break off their engagement for an uncertain position?”

 

When I frowned, saying that I didn’t understand, she nodded quietly.

 

“If Liliana pushes for them, the chance of becoming the princess increases, so they must be trying to look good.”

 

Iris said, looking pitifully at those who gathered.

 

“Moreover, since Miss Liliana has declared that she will not become the princess, her chances of inheriting the dukedom are high. She has nothing to worry about.”

 

“They’re funny people.”

 

No matter how stupid I was, I remembered those who cursed at Liliana clearly in my head.

 

‘Don’t forget this, I’ll tell Sister everything later.’

 

I didn’t intend to see them in good light, so I huffed, but Iris muttered softly next to me.

 

“Well. If the result is more important than the process, their ugliness is understandable.”

 

Judging from the pity in her voice, it seemed that she felt sorry for them.

 

‘Come to think of it, wouldn’t Iris be interested in the position of the Imperial Princess?’

 

I remembered what Iris asked me a while ago.

 

“What’s your type, Iris?”

 

“My type?”

 

“I feel like we only talked about me last time and didn’t hear anything about Iris.”

 

That talk had gone a different way because I couldn’t concentrate, but when I asked her pretending it hadn’t happened that way, she answered without putting much thought.

 

“I like cute people.”

 

“…Cute?”

 

“Yes. So, if possible, I would like my spouse to be a cute person as well.”

 

“In terms of appearance?”

 

“In general. I get happy when I see something cute.”

 

Iris let out a pleasant laugh.

 

“I hope everything about his appearance, personality, and attitude is cute. If I am going to live with someone, I hope it’s someone who makes me feel better just by looking at them.”

 

Iris’s words gave me a new shock.

 

“And I have to take over the Count, so I hope my husband doesn’t have a lot of desire for power. I don’t want to get tired.”

 

Iris’s words were convincing.

 

“That’s why you said the Holy Knight isn’t your taste. Because he’s far from being cute?”

 

“Yes. Recently, a new knight joined the Imperial Knights and he’s famous, so I went to the training hall with other young ladies, but he’s not my type either. He’s far from being cute.”

 

Iris sighed, saying that it was too bad.

 

She was a very diligent person unlike me.

 

‘It’s kind of cool to go out looking for your groom on your own.’

 

“It’s sad that I haven’t found a suitable partner yet after worrying about this and that.”

 

“Iris is a wonderful person, so soon the person you want will appear in front of you.”

 

“Whoa. Thank you. What about Daisy? Still don’t have a type?”

 

I tried to answer yes to the question that came back.

 

However, because of the one person that popped into my head, my mouth couldn’t easily say it out loud.

 

‘Why am I reminded of Adelio?’

 

Obviously, I liked Adelio, but I was embarrassed because I liked his human side.

 

As I dyed my face red, Iris asked with a mischievous expression.

 

“Do you have someone you like?”

 

I was surprised by her words and screamed loudly.

 

“N-No! That’s impossible! What are you talking about?!”

 

However, Iris, who had been playful until a moment ago, was flustered.

 

“Miss Liliana…?”

 

Startled by Iris’ words, I turned around to see Liliana, who had come behind me before I knew it, staring down at me.

 

“Are you not with Miss Viola?”

 

“Oh, she doesn’t usually attend parties.”

 

The surroundings were so quiet that I could hear a slight whisper.

 

“I wonder what you meant.”

 

It wasn’t just Lilliana.

 

I didn’t know when she came to the party, but Viola was also looking down at me from next to Liliana.

 

Both of them had scary faces.