THIEF

YULE'S POV

The Marquess has ordered that I'd be grounded for a week as punishment for what I did to Eva. I'm still angry at the Marquess since he didn't even take my side. His child?!?

"Milady, you received an invitation to the birthday celebration from the noble house of Harrison," Kaniz said as she entered the room and gave me the letter. I can't even leave the house due to the punishment.

"I can't go out, I'm grounded." I simply answered.

"Milady, the Marquess has permitted you to attend. Even Lady Eva and the Mistress will be there." Kaniz said. I looked at her languidly.

"Kaniz, even if the Marquess said that, I still don't want to attend. There's no purpose. It's simply a waste of time and energy," I explained as I lay down in bed. Who's going to throw a party in the first place? I climb to my feet and read the invitation.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  YOU ARE INVITED

LADY NATASHA FROM THE NOBLE HOUSE OF HARRISON HAS EXTENDED HER INVITATION FOR LADY ADELLE LOUISE FROM THE NOBLE HOUSE OF LARMALEILLES, TO CELEBRATE HER 10TH BIRTHDAY BANQUET.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Natasha? Daughter of Duke Harrison. Will be having her 10th birthday on Friday at the Noble House of Harrison.

Harrison?

{"Don't get me wrong, I'm simply here to buy my sister a present. By the way, your age is the same,"}

Oh, so he's not lying that time. I thought he lied to me because he just wanted to follow me, but it turned out to be true.

Wait... 'By the way, your age is the same ' so that means,

"Kaniz...how old am I?" I inquire simply.

"Milady, you're turning ten this year as well," she pointed out. But I have the appearance of an 8-year-old youngster. I appear to be young for my age. Perhaps because this body has a weak constitution.

Now that I think about it. I just have another 6 years left before I can finally come to study at the McGregor University of Magic. I've got to practice my swordsmanship skills then. since I can't control my mana, that's why I can't do magic.

"Oh, I see..." I said and put down the invitation.

I don't have to go to that party, and what will I do there anyway? All of the nobility grin at you and subsequently gossip about you behind your back. I don't want to socialize with them since it's a waste of time.

Now I'm on a mission to discover the man Adelle mentioned in her diary. It's difficult to locate someone when you don't know their age or physical appearance; all I knew was that he appeared to be unwell and was selling creepy antiques.

Just how can I find him?

Should I ask for help for Daniel? Maybe he can help me because he's a Merchant. I'll tell him once he delivers his letter to me. My gaze shifts to Kaniz who is cleaning my room. I thought she bought many accessories and clothes but right now she looks plain and does not even have accessories on her body.

"Kaniz, where are the things you bought?" I asked her and she looked at me.

"Milady, They're confiscated by Lady Eva." She sadly answered. I nodded and brought out my jewelry box and gold coins.

"Here, take it and spend it on your own," I said and insisted to give her.

"Milady, I don't need anything. So please take it back." She said. Huh? But she bought many things earlier.

"But you—"

"It's all for you Milady." She cut what I'm saying

So the stuff she was struggling to carry earlier were the things she purchased for me? Even though I advised her to spend the money on herself, she still thinks about me. Kaniz, you're wonderful.

I hugged her and I could feel her startled. But this hug is not enough to thank her for being on Adelle's side all the time.

"Kaniz, Thank you for being there for me." said. And I felt that she hugged me too.

"Your mother..." she said which widened my eyes. I let go and looked her in the eyes.

"Your mother was my sole friend; she was always nice to me, like you," she explained. I-I didn't know that. I'm sure Adelle didn't know either. How would Kaniz react if she discovered the truth? When she realizes that Adelle is no longer here?

"Thank you, Kaniz," I said and hugged her again. Though I felt a pang of guilt, I couldn't do anything.

****************************************

EVA'S POV

"Eva, We're going out to buy a new dress for the birthday party of Natasha." My mother said and left my room.

Natasha's Birthday will be coming, I got to meet him again. Lord Nathaniel. I can't wait to see him. I dressed up and went to my mother's room. Where is she? I walked through the hallway, maybe she left me?

"Adelle? Honey, we're going out to buy a new dress, would you like to come?" I heard my mother say. And turned my back and saw her in front of Adelle's room.

What? She's even inviting her to come with us?

I can't believe this. I rushed towards my mother and gave her a 'What do you think you're doing mother?' look

She didn't pay attention to me; I just rolled my eyes and looked at Adelle. Don't tell me she's going to refuse.

"Oh?... But I don't feel coming" Adelle said. The audacity of her!?

"Okay, then we'll get going," Mother said and closed the door of Adelle's room. We walked to go out of the house. She's not giving me an answer to what she's thinking when she asks Adelle just now.

"Mother—" she didn't let me finish.

"Eva, from now on, be good to Adelle. Roman is right. We failed to be a family to Adelle. I'm doing this for your good too." She said. For my own good? This is not what I expected.

"What if I don't? What will you do mother?" I ask and get in the carriage. She gets in too

"Eva. Adelle is the daughter of the Marquess. Even if he adopted you, there's no guarantee that he will leave you something. Once I bear a child, I hope Roman loves our child, like he loves Adelle and you." She said.

What did she say?

"Eva, I know you are upset. But I know what you did." She said.

Adelle, Adelle, Adelle, Adelle, Adelle, Adelle, Adelle, Adelle, Adelle, Adelle, Adelle, What can she possibly do? Adelle is nothing in comparison to me. She isn't even capable of using magic.

When I try to get Father's attention, he always thinks of her. Everything I've done has been for naught. Everything I tried to make Adelle and the Marquess closer as father and daughter widened their gap. The servants in the home are all on my side. And if my mother changes her mind about Adelle, all of my efforts will be futile.

My effort to take everything from Adelle will be wasted.

**********************************************

We got to the tailor's store. Here in the capital, she is the best dressmaker. I chose a ball gown with a crimson hue. I'm confident I'll stand out at that gathering. And if the chances are in my favor, Nathaniel could notice me.

"Eva, have you made your pick?" Mother asks and I give her a nod.

"Yes, This will do," I said and picked out the best dress.

"Okay, Lady and Madame we will deliver this dress in a few days at your residence." The tailor said.

"Mother, I'll be looking for accessories," I said. And mother gave a nod.

I walk out of the store and look for accessories that can fit my dress. To think that all the accessories that I see are looking so cheap and not to my taste.

Wait...now that I think about it. I think I have found something, beautiful in the house. I don't need to look for it.

**************************************

When we came home, I went hunting for the accessories I'd be wearing, so I opened my drawer and took out the box. I discovered it among the items purchased by Kaniz. In comparison to the other things they purchased, this is stunning. it looks so very expensive. This is mine now.

"I'll be wearing this mother," I said and my mother smiled.

"Darling, Where did you get those? It's beautiful and looks well in that dress." She said. Of course, I didn't pick anything lower than my standards. Even if Adelle claimed that this is hers, I'll just have to deny it and father will favor me. All I have to do is cry.

"Isn't it beautiful mother?" I said and she gave a nod.

*********************************************

YULE'S POV

"Kaniz, Don't you think it's strange?" I questioned Kaniz because Melissa and Eva have been so kind to me recently. They constantly invite me whenever they have a tea party, if they go shopping for a new dress, and they always welcome me whenever they see me. of course, I didn't feel like playing along.

Every time, I feel like puking. I can see the dishonesty in Eva's eyes, but Melissa, I believe has changed her mind about Adelle.

"Yes, Milady. I also find it weird." Kaniz honestly answered.

Today is Natasha's birthday banquet. Maybe I should attend that party... No, no...I don't want to.

I leave my room and head to the garden to get some fresh air. I'm feeling smothered because I've been in my room for a few days. As I walked into the garden, I noticed the carriage preparing to pick up the Mistress and Eva, as well as the Marquess. They now appear to be a very happy family.

It's awful to be in this house. I'm curious when will Leo visit me; he's been busy with the east border.

"Milady, if you wish to come to the banquet, I can dress you up for an hour," Kaniz offered. I had no idea I had been looking at the carriage. I watched Marquess and Melissa walk out to the house, and they were holding hands, oh, how wonderful! If Melissa doesn't treat Adelle like crap before, I might be able to smile at her.

"Eva, let's go, we'll be late," Melissa calls for Eva who's still inside the house,

"Adelle, are you sure you don't like to come?" The Marquess said to me, and I just gave him a nod.

"Coming!" Eva yelled as she dashed to the carriage. And my eyes widened as I realized what was in her head

{"I noticed you didn't buy anything." } That's right. After that night I didn't see the box that he handed me. I immediately rush towards them.

"Eva!" I shouted and she looked at me and gave a weird smirk.

"Sister Adelle, did you want to come with that outfit?" sarcastically said, I pointed the accessory at her hair,

"That's mine, give it back." I seriously said. She's not just a shameless bitch, but also a thief as well.