# 34
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“Are you going to meet Her Highness?”
Serena, who would normally have pushed me back, responded indifferently. I can confirm once again that Duke Spelman's opinion has changed.
“Yes! I’m going to meet my girlfriend.”
“I met her yesterday, and do you want to meet her again?”
"Yes."
She frowned grimly.
Rosalina was cutting her nails with an expression that showed no interest in me.
"No? Why? So should we go out to play hide and seek or look for treasure?"
"no!"
Rosalina's answer was faster than anyone else's. Rosalina shook her head with a pale face.
From the way she did her nails with such enthusiasm, I knew she would act like this. She didn't really care, but I could tell what she was thinking.
She will come dressed in elegant and beautiful clothes for Veronica's birthday and will try to get closer to Sertine.
As the sun becomes hotter, it is expected that she will not want outdoor activities.
“Serena, Rosie. Can’t you perform your duties properly? Even if the Crown Princess is being lenient with you, she is still your master!”
Rosalina scolded the maids in a gentle voice.
What a pretender to be kind.
Anyway, thanks to Rosalina's support, I was able to meet Veronica smoothly.
Veronica welcomed me as if she was accustomed to me visiting her without warning.
“I was bored, and it's good that you came now, Evelyn.”
How can siblings be so different?
“Veronica’s birthday is coming up, right?”
“That's right, Evelin. That's why Evelin gave me a gift. This is tea. I've been drinking it every day these days. When I finish it, I'll buy more and drink it. I think my stomach feels better after drinking it.”
Because it is a tea with detoxifying properties, it is normal to feel this way. Veronica's gaze was full of kindness on my face as I hugged the box of cookies.
“I came today because there is something I want to do!”
“What do you want to do, Evelyn?”
"Oh... Rosé said that friends wear matching clothes. That's why Rosé and Serena always wear the same clothes."
Since they were maids, it was natural for them to wear clothes provided by the palace. But I had to find a suitable excuse.
“So when I asked Rosalina to wear the same clothes, she said no.”
"Yes."
Veronica laughed mysteriously.
“That's why I came here because I wanted to do this with Veer! Let's wear the same clothes on Veer's birthday! I want to show people that I'm your friend!”
I said that with a bright smile, as if I had no other intentions.
I knew exactly how ridiculous this was.
These people don't even like to wear similar accessories, so everything is designed especially for them.
If I get what I want, I'll be a laughing stock to people.
Of course, most of the ridicule would be directed at me, but I didn't care.
Please agree. Even if you refused, I would find a way to insist on it.
Veronica poured me more tea. Maybe because I was nervous, I was thirsty, so I drank tea like water.
“Shall we do that?”
"truly?"
It was easier than I expected.
Veronica nodded.
“Of course. It's not difficult. If we want the dress ready within a week, we have to hurry.”
"This sounds so fun! This is a secret, a total secret."
"secret?"
Veronica tilted her head slightly.
There had to be someone from Spelman around Veronica. She is a meticulous person, so she will not allow even a single mistake.
I had to exploit this gap. So no one should know.
Because Spellman might have another plan.
"Yes! Serena and Rosé are Ser's friends. Me and Ver will also be Ser's friends too!"
I wasn't sure if this would work, but I had to try.
Veronica's eyes sparkled. Judging by the amusement in her eyes, she looked like Sirtain.
What do you find interesting?
“It will be interesting to see the faces of the nobles in confusion.”
Veronica laughed lightly.
Maybe you think I don't understand what you mean?
“I really didn't like the way they always brag about it and look down on me.”
Veronica muttered.
I think I get her point.
While there were those who supported Sertin, he spent most of his time on the battlefield. So it was easier for Spielmann to gather allies.
Unlike Cirtain, who was close to the military nobility in the borders, Spielmann maintained friendly relations with the nobility in the capital.
There is no doubt that Szpilman's followers despised Veronica, as Szpilman himf did.
“It would be fun if people confused me with Evelyn, wouldn't it?”
"Yes! Yes!"
I nodded as if I knew nothing.
That was my goal too. As long as our paths are the same, it doesn't matter if our goals are different.
That day, I was ready to be the victim instead of Veronica.
***
On Veronica's birthday...
An atmosphere of tension prevailed in the royal palace without being clearly noticed. The servants exchanged glances among themves.
And the moment Veronica and Evelyn appear.
"Yes…!"
“H, is this…? This…?”
The servants' looks were filled with confusion. Even Serena and Rosé showed shocked expressions. Evelyn was touching her shiny dress in the sunlight with a bright smile.
“I'm pretty, aren't I?”
“Yes? Yes, but...”
"How did this happen? Wasn't this a dressing room choice? Didn't the costumes match?"
Rosie and Serena held their breath.
Evelyn and Veronica were wearing completely identical clothes, except for a slight difference in size and height.
Even the decorations placed on their hair were identical. And the length of the veil as well!
“Evelyn.”
Veronica lightly approached Evelin and whispered
“It's really refreshing to see them make that kind of expression on their faces.”
It was clear that she did not say this in the hope that Evelin would understand what she meant.
Evelin's eyes twinkled beautifully, pretending not to know anything, just as Veronica wanted.
“I know, it feels great.”
Even Serena and Rosé looked confused. Rosalina was staring at their faces with a pale expression.
Veronica and Evelyn set off together towards Olive Hall.
Because of the royal party being held for the first time in a long time, many people attended. Among this crowd, Veronica and Evelyn stood.
The Emperor had no interest in his daughter's birthday, so he did not attend. While the Empress was watching them from the top seat with a shocked face.
“The children seem to have become very close to each other.”
The noble ladies burst into laughter at the words the Empress said in a weak voice.
“How could this happen? This is an act that completely discredits both palaces! The servants of the royal palace must be punished for this act!”
“Tsk tsk! It’s a disgrace to the imperial family.”
The nobles' whispers grew louder.
Evelyn was smiling as if she hadn't heard anything, and so was Veronica.
“Anyway, they will criticize us no matter what we do.”
This was not intended for Evelyn to understand; Rather, it was just words to express her feelings.
Lately, Veronica had begun to speak to Evelyn easily, as if she were speaking to herf.
Evelyn then turned her gaze to Sirtain. It was like a magnetic attraction.
Just as the North Pole N goes to the South Pole S.
Evelyn blinked.
Certain was looking more elegant than ever.
His dark gray hair was shiny, and his blue eyes, full of laziness and calm, were full of smiles. Cyrtain raised his lips.
Evelyn approached him lightly.
“Am I beautiful?”
She spoke with the most innocent expression possible. Sertin let out a low laugh.
He gently grabbed two belts with both wrists.
It felt like all the noise and whispers around us had suddenly disappeared. Sertin leaned towards me.
It's a certin scent.
This scent spread inteny and refreshingly inside me. I took a slow breath so that Sertin wouldn't find it strange.
Conflicting feelings swept over me.
I want to push him away. And at the same time I want to hug him.
I want him to stay away from me. At the same time, I want him to hug me.
I had no choice but to put my hands together and wait for this time to pass quickly.
Then Sirtin whispered
“Yes, you are beautiful.”
My breath stopped.