11 I Don't Need the Prince! 08

On the ride home, Avina and 5025 were planning their next steps. Of course, it's tiring to plan each step after another, but how else is Avina supposed to be confident in her missions.

Good things come to those who plan.

But before she had to get serious, Avina asked 5025 to show her the situation between Jane and Earl John. She expected Jane to at least tell Earl John something about their meeting, and she anticipated the reaction the Earl would have.

On their own personal holographic viewer box thing, the figures of Jane and Earl John gradually became more clear.

Jane had immediately came to see Earl John ready to ask about who exactly was Ariel. But she did not let her manners slip and first greeted him with an appropriate curtsy and greeting.

"Good evening, Father," at first it was uncomfortable for Jane to call someone 'Father', but she gradually got used to it. In her heart, she may not have a deep emotional connection to him, but he provided her with a life full of splendor; one she could only read from her novels but never dared to wish.

Earl John gave a slight glance at her before asking her to sit with him and then ordered his attendant to prepare tea. Although he was the one to accept Jane as his daughter, it was clearly evident in his eyes, he held contempt to this commoner.

Jane, still unused to and uncomfortable to his gaze, was the first to break the dull atmosphere.

"I met a girl in the garden today. I thought you might know who she was," Jane fiddled with her dress out of nervousness. It was a habit she developed from being scolded by the teacher in her old local school, and she never seemed to have gotten out of it.

It was ingrained in her, just as Earl John had arrogance ingrained in his.

At the mention of this so-called "girl," Earl John immediately knew who Jane was talking about. His expression grew dark and his eyes hid a sharp glint. Jane did not see his expression changing as she had her head facing her lap, but Avina and 5025 had first seats to it.

If it was possible to munch on popcorn in your own mind, Avina and 5025 were already munching on the second bucket.

Earl John controlled his emotions and expressions because he still had use for this 'daughter' of his and it was still best to maintain closeness. He did not understand why Ariel Devera was so fixated on Jane, but his instincts told him it was no good. At least, no good for their plan.

Luckily (or should it be, unfortunately), when Jane lifted her head to receive an answer, Earl John had an amicable expression. His original harsh lines smoothen out revealing a soft touch easily deceiving those who saw him think he was a kind elder.

'Clearly, he's not. Look at him, he could have made it big being an actor!' Avina munched on her imaginary popcorn, pointing at the cunning fox wearing sheep's skin. 5025 nodded, taking more notes, but this time on acting.

It thought that if it ever encountered troubles with its seniors, then he had just witnessed a 1st rank actor acting and could probably imitate it. Maybe. It was, after all, data.

"Then, do you want to be friends with her?" Earl John asked. "She is a lady of the Devera house, and it wouldn't hurt to be friends with a kind and lovely lady like her."

Although Earl John asked such a thing, he did not want Jane to be in contact with Ariel at all. But he couldn't put down his "kind, gentle Father" image. Not now.

Jane never expected Father to actually allow her to be friends with Ariel. Her status did not shock her as much because she expected Ariel to be a lady of high rank. Where else would you find a lady with such high manners?

Father had tried several times to send her to tea parties to help her become friends with others, but she always felt something off about it. This time, she was the one who first met Ariel and Ariel was the first one to reach out to her.

They shared so many things in common, and she truly felt there was a true friendship between them. She was even prepared to go against her Father for it!

Jane could not contain her excitement anymore, and before she could even take a second glance at her Father, she had already jumped up with joy and said, "Thank you! I will go send her a letter right now!"

Before Jane finally exited the room, she did not forget to bid him goodbye, "Good-bye, Father! I hope to see you tonight at dinner!"

The Mary House did not have a habit of eating together at dinner. It was just a formal comment, but this time Jane truly meant it. Other than being somewhat allowed to read her novels, she had no freedom in the house. This time, she had the freedom to make a friend, and she could not have been more excited.

After Jane walked out, Earl John's facade fell and his face grew several shades darker. 'Darn that blasted girl. Why can't she be more considerate.'

Forget about reading minds, Avina and 5025 could clearly tell each thought he had from his face alone. He held high contempt and disdain for commoners, and this all concentrated on Jane. She was the only one who held value in the plan, but her value was greatly outweighed by his disdain for commoners.

No matter how well Jane did in her studies, he will always feel she is never enough. She will never be a blue-blood. Sadly, Jane did not know about her Father's thought, but even if she did know, she would not have been surprised. It seemed all nobles hated "her kind." (She would argue aren't they all the same "kind", a human?)

Avina had 5025 put away the holographic screen, and she had an even clearer view of the secret mechanics behind the plot. 5025 may not be much help to her specific character, but it seemed to have limitless potential in anything but her.

It was simply a big cheat!

Once their mini-drama show ended, the coachman had already arrived in front of their door opening it. Avina replaced her deep expression from earlier with her Ariel impression. She limped weakly down the carriage not forgetting her injury and prepared to hold onto a maid's arm to be guided back into the house.

When she prepared to call out for a maid, she spotted George standing right outside.

His posture was still ramrodded straight with both his hands behind his back. His chest elevated displaying the natural dispositions of royals - lofty and dignified.

His cold eyes slowly glanced at her, and his brows furrowed a little.

Before she could smile at him, he had already started walking towards her.