Chapter 36

‘Huh? Everything is gone!’

Just then, the High Priest Julius, who had been in his study, came out to the sacred hall with a solemn expression. He also seemed to have sensed something outside.

“Priest Arche, what’s the matter?”

“Oh, High Priest. I think I saw a puppy nearby.”

Julius stroked his beard as if he didn’t know and said, “You don’t have to worry about it. Weren’t you supposed to prepare the plan for the charity event to be held at the upcoming prayer ceremony? How is that going?”

“Um… I will report back soon.”

“Good, make sure you prepare on time.”

“Yes, don’t worry.”

“You may go now.”

After sending off Priest Arke, Elliana, who had been hiding behind the statue, came out quietly. High Priest Julius approached her carefully.

“Lady! You have returned.”

“Yes. Thank you for waiting.”

“I am glad you came back soon.”

“That other person earlier, was he also a priest?”

“He is the Priest Arche. He has been in this temple for a long time, but his power is weak, so he still holds the position of a lower ranking priest.”

‘He seems like a suspicious person….What was that heavy and ominous energy I felt earlier…’

Elliana shook her head, feeling suspicious. She felt like she needed to keep an eye on him secretly.

“Even though it was brief, I felt an ominous energy. Did you feel it?”

“Is that so?”

If he had an ominous energy, there were a few clans of werebeasts that could be suspected. There were some secretive group that worshiped the darkness. But the Priest Arche was still a priest serving in a temple dedicated to the gods.

If he possessed the energy of darkness, he must have had a hard time enduring in the temple for such a long time. However, there was still something suspicious about him. The shadow that had been following her earlier was undoubtedly him. And he was also looking for the puppy.

The wrinkles around High Priest Julius’ eyes deepened. He stroked his chin and said, “Hmm. We will look into the Priest Arche separately. I don’t know why, but it’s better to be cautious…”

“Yes.”

Elliana also began to feel more and more suspicious about the priest.

‘Could he have something to do with my past? Either way, it’s better to be cautious.’

* * *

‘Right, today is a joint class for the Seedling and Stem classes. Let’s go to the auditorium.’

Elliana followed Rex with Eren and Yuvina following behind her. There were about ten children gathered in the large auditorium. Among the children sitting around were Zaka, Lenea, and Ian.

When Lenea and Elliana made eye contact, she waved her hand first. Suddenly, Elliana remembered Ian’s warning to be careful of Lenea.

‘Lenea seems nice on the outside…’

When Elliana stared intently at Ian, he turned his head quickly and avoided her gaze. It was true that Ian seemed to have a bad personality. But Ian was her older brother. She wasn’t sure if he saw her as a younger sister or not.

Even in her previous life as a palace maid, there were people who pretended to be kind in front of her but betrayed and spoke ill of her behind her back. Thinking about that, it was true that she should be more careful of people who seemed as nice as Lenea. Rex looked around the children carefully and explained, “Today, we will train to strengthen our ice abilities. All the seniors in the Stem class have manifested their ice abilities, so for the Seedling class, this will be like a field trip and a valuable learning opportunity. Understand?”

“Yes!”

“Got it.”

Elliana, Eren, and Yuvina quickly responded. As the Seedling class teacher, Caroline, entered the auditorium, she scanned the room.

“Alright, students. Who wants to volunteer to be a study mates for the Seedling class?”

However, no one stepped forward. Caroline furrowed her eyebrows and said, “Is no one willing? There will be extra points for being a study mate.”

Hearing that, Zaka raised his hand confidently.

“I’ll do it.”

“Good. Zaka, who do you want to help?”

Then, Zaka glanced at Elliana and tried to hide his smirk as he said, “Her. The youngest kid.”

Caroline frowned and scolded Zaka.

“Say her name, Zaka.”

“Ah, right.”

Suddenly, Zaka’s mind went blank. He knew this arrogant little girl, but had forgotten her name in the meantime.

“Are you sure you want to help her?”

Zaka, who was taken aback, couldn’t say anything. The truth was that he wanted to be her study mate so that he could have some power over this little girl.

At that moment, Lenea raised her hand and smiled sweetly.

“I want to become Elliana’s study mate.”

Ian raised an eyebrow and then sighed, putting his hand that he had been holding in his pocket.

“No, I’ll take care of my younger sister.”

“…?!”

“Elliana is my younger sister.”

Elliana’s eyes widened at the mention of “sister.”

The hall became noisy. Since Elliana had not yet been announced as the successor of the Crovache family, everyone thought she had less than capable parents. But she was actually the successor.

“…What? How did this happen?”

“Is she the successor?”

“That can’t be. Her hair isn’t even silver.”

“Exactly, but if she’s the duke’s child…… Where did she come from all of a sudden?”

“She looks so frail.”

As the children’s attention turned to Elliana, she didn’t know what to do.

‘What? It’s awkward to reveal it like this……! But he did admit I was his sister?’

At the same time, her heart felt strangely warm and cozy.

Come to think of it, Ian had been taking care of her since last time. She had always thought of him as a cold and uncaring person….

‘…Was it because I gave him the biggest and most intact shrimp?’

Elliana blinked in disbelief.

“Woah, Elli. You’re the most popular.”

Yuvina was also surprised and mumbled, while Eren covered Elliana’s ears. It was a considerate gesture to protect her from the kids who might say hurtful things.

“Just ignore them.”

Caroline and Rex were also taken aback by Ian’s sudden confession, even though they already knew.

“Don’t make a fuss, everyone!”

Kwaaaag!

Crash!

Caroline slammed the ground with her spear and then activated an ice aura, freezing the ground.

The children’s mood cooled down with the shock. Peace finally returned to the hall.

“I won’t forgive unnecessary disturbances. Ian, be Elliana’s study mate.”

“Yes, teacher.”

Ian approached Elliana and stood by her side. Everyone’s attention was now on Elliana and Ian.

Eren and Yuvina also found new study mates.

Zaka openly expressed his disbelief, whispering to Lenea.

“Is this even possible? That little girl is the Crovache successor?”

Lenea was trembling silently. In terms of grades, appearance, and status, she was on top. However, it was impossible for her to catch up to Elliana’s status. She might have to be reborn to achieve that.

As soon as the fluffy little girl appeared, she immediately had everything.

‘Why… How can she easily get what I couldn’t? I can’t forgive her!’

Lenea’s anger and inferiority complex grew silently. Meanwhile, Elliana looked up at Ian, who was standing next to her.

“Why did you suddenly reveal it like that?”

Ian remained silent as he gazed at his new sister’s face. Her cheeks were puffed up and her small lips pouted like a duck’s.

“Why shouldn’t I? You are my sister. I am your big brother.”

Elliana was a little happy because Ian’s purple eyes somehow felt warm when he answered like that. She thought it would take a long time to get close to Ian. She didn’t even expect to be able to become a family.

Ian put his hand on Elliana’s round head.

“So why don’t you call me?”

“…What?”

When she tilted her head, her plump pink cheeks also shook.

“You know, the way a younger sister would address her older brother.”

“….”