***
The Emsworth mansion was looking particularly quiet, as the news of Evelyn's assassination accident was now known to the public.
Staying it under wraps was impossible to do, as a lot of the nobles saw Doctor Lloyd came rushing into the mansion with an extremely noticeable fright in his face.
After the banquet party for Allan's birthday celebration, the rumors take place that something happened in the almighty place of the Duke's house.
They're not wrong though.
Something did happen to Evelyn... but the reason for this was still unknown.
Some speculate that the reason was "mistaken identity", though it wasn't. But some nobles believe that and different versions flow in the air of the aristocrat.
"maybe it wasn't supposed to be Lady Evelyn. The party was composed of highly ranked nobles, and the Crown Prince was also there. It's possible that the assassin made a mistake."
Buzzes of the bored Ladies of the nobles escalated and some also said that...
"Maybe, the Duke wants her dead? We all know that the Duke and his son hate Lady Evelyn to the core... Poor Lady Evelyn."
As the stories go on and the answer wasn't given, different hearsays were still lingering during tea parties and gatherings, and the center? We all know who it is...
And several types of conclusions were said but the reason they can come up with these allegations is that it has solid proof that they will not get anything even if you hurt the Emsworth young miss, as it is known to the high society that her family doesn't favor her.
And so, the gossips among the high nobility was focused on the one and only Lady of the Dukes Emsworth household.
And...
Evelyn, who was becoming the hot topic of the Kingdom of Levingstone was busy making her brother, Allan boil in anger, without knowing that her name was gaining attention.
***
Evelyn's mood brightened up and she ended up cracking a laugh.
"...pfft! Hahahaha...!"
"What are you laughing at?!" Allan asked with a clenched fist.
"You should have seen your face! It's like you will explode at any moment on how red you've become! Hahaha!"
Evelyn continued to chuckle at her brother's face. And Allan slowly regains his composure.
"Stop laughing, Evelyn!"
"What did you say? "Cherry" HAHAHA"
"I said stop it!"
"...pfft. Fine!" She was wiping her tears away, and still preventing herself to let out a laugh.
Having gained her equilibrium. Evelyn masked her face again with an expression that she developed during times when she steeled herself from their enmity.
She then stares at her brother with seriousness, arms folded, her brows were ceased into an arch and her lips were formed in a straight line. Evelyn begins questioning his purpose of visit.
"What did you come here for? I'm pretty sure you're not here to greet me a welcome for my recovery. So why are you here?"
"What? I can go wherever I want."
Evelyn narrowed her brows and tilt her head in confusion.
She's confused if her brother's head is working to come up with that conclusion.
But, given that it was her brother, she knew that it was because she was being looked down upon by him.
And Evelyn has had enough of his impudence. She was mentally older than Allan, and disrespecting her was something that cannot be tolerated for her pride.
Thus, she agrees to lecture her arrogant brother the second time he impolitely answers her.
"This is my room, Allan."
"I know. This shabby looking room is yours. I'm well aware."
"So what does the almighty Allan want from this shabby place?!"
Allan who doesn't know that her sister was being sarcastic was grinning in triumphant.
"I was just curious if you're still breathing... but surprisingly you're still alive and has the gut to argue with me," Allan stated mockingly.
Evelyn was finding it hard to suppress her anger but nonetheless, she's determined to crush her brother's arrogance.
"The words of our ancestors are true... "Bad people live longer" it fits you perfectly..." Allan said while he points his finger to the direction of Evelyn.
Smiling, Evelyn rebutted.
"Well, that would make me happy. I'll get to see you die miserably..."
"..."
"...I mean, I'll get to see you die young... Oops!"
"Do you know what you're saying to the heir of the Dukedom of Emsworth?!"
"What? Isn't your own words? You're here to see if I'm breathing, you're also the one who said about our ancestors' wisdom. Logically speaking, I just told you what you mean."
"What? You're angry with your own words?"
"..."
Evelyn walked and went to the front of her bed where her brother was standing. Facing each other, she let out her irritation.
"Then, cursed yourself! How dare you barged in here with that stupid look and tell me to die?!"
"Wh-what?! Stupid look? What nonsense are you saying?!"
"That face...!" Evelyn points her forefinger to Allan's front look.
"..."
"...that says "I can do whatever I want because I'm the heir"
Taken aback, Allan step back, and Evelyn followed.
"But guess what genius! Your stupid ass can only afford to become an heir to this household because you are born male and also because you had a drop of the Duke's blood!"
"..."
"But without those, what can you brag? That stupid face? You also get that from the Duke..."
"..."
"You didn't earn anything, Allan. So don't tell me that you have the right to barge in here. As long as my name is still attached to the only Lady of the Emsworth household, I have the same authority that you have."
"..."
With Allan stun face, she didn't wait for him to react but instead, Evelyn walked out to where the door is, pointing it out and opening it.
"Now, get out!'
"..."
With the continuous bombardment of Evelyn's words. Allan stares at her sister indignantly.
"Let's see how long you can talk big" Allan's last words before he walked out made Evelyn's brow raised in an arched.
"Don't worry, I can talk big as long as your arrogance's still high as the ceiling"
Defeated by his younger sister and left with no words to argue.
Looking at her brother who was glaring like an angry red bull with smoke coming from his ears has Evelyn made aware that it isn't the last time that they will argue.
***
It was a sunny day, the azure sky greeted the morning sun, the birds were chirping happily and the trees were swaying, dancing to the rhythm of the refreshing breeze. It's another good day per se, but not for our Evelyn.
It is the day where she needs to go to her training, usually, she would be happy to have another chance to be strong but it's different starting today.
Her father gave her an instruction to wait early in the morning in front of the training ground and wear her training clothes.
The usual happy-go-lucky look that she has during training was swept with a different vibe today. It is because her father was personally going to train her.
Knowing the full ability of the Duke as the Military-General of the Kingdom of Livingstone, it sure is a privilege to have him teach and become his pupil.
But Evelyn has a different opinion.
She knew well enough from the story, that the Duke is one hellish teacher, giving impossible instruction and routine to his students that most of them quit in the middle of it.
But those who stayed and endure become elite knights... Gambling her chances to become strong. Evelyn was now determined to pass all the challenges that the Duke will give.
"I'll take every challenge... and to my doom fate be ready cuz I'll crush every single one of it hohoho!"
"Evelyn..."
Evelyn who was doing a self-play didn't notice that the Duke was standing at her back and Gil, who knew it, didn't tell Evelyn as she was too absorbed to be disturbed.
"Waaah...!"
"Du-duke... I mean Papa. You're here."
"Good morning."
Evelyn who gained her duly self greets the Duke with politeness.
"hmm, you should stretch first, then let me see how far you learn from Shiek."
"...umm wait, Duke. I mean Papa..."
'Calling him Papa raises my hair skin!' Evelyn laments.
"What is it, Evelyn."
'Is it just me? Or recently, he's been calling me Evelyn? Weird.'
"Are you really going to personally train me? Aren't you busy?"
'Say it! I know you're busy! Just tell me that I should just train myself. I don't want to be in here and suffocate myself with this awkwardness!!!!'
"I am. But I can spare some time."
'Seriously? What is wrong with you?! I'm giving you a reason to let me be!!!'
"How about you train, brother? Brother Allan needs it. He's your heir."
The Duke stared at me with evident annoyance.
'I should stop. Yep! Tsk! Dam it!'
"Go and run 200 laps"
"Huh?"
'Did I hear him wrong?'
"...umm I'll run 20 laps?"
"No. I said to run 200 laps."
"..."
Thus, Evelyn's start of another Sparta training begun.