Chapter 3 Miss Francis Is Really Delicate
Alexander leaned close to Sadie’s face.
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The corners of her eyes were tinged with red, her eyelashes damp with a hint of moisture. Together, they convinced him that she was on the verge of tears.
Admittedly. Alexander found Sadie extremely beautiful with her round and rosy cheeks as well as hair tied up in yellow ribbons. At that moment, her pale fingertips had turned a light shade of red due to her strong grip on his sleeve.
She wasn’t great at studying, and neither was lie.
At that, Alexander could feel himself growing closer to her. He stroked her head and reassured her. “Don’t worry. I’ll definitely protect you if Father wants to give you a beating when we get home!”
Sadie was speechless. If ‘hat’s with the look of empathy on his face? I don’t want to empathize with him on such a
Looking at Alexander’s animated expression. Sadie recalled how he had his legs broken from having an inn collapse on top of him in her previous life, an accident that turned him from a vibrant young man into a disheartened invalid. Unconsciously, she clutched her handkerchief.
Perhaps, she could help Alexander avoid the accident.
Zephyr’s concerned voice could be heard from outside the carriage. “Did Miss Francis really cry?
Alexander poked his head out of the car window like a puppy, “Yeah, Zephyr! She came in last in the examination, so she’s crying so hard!”
Sadie couldn’t see Zephyr’s expression, but she could hear him chuckle and say, “Miss Francis is really delicate.
His tone was that of an older brother doting on his younger sister,
Yet, there was a hint of inexplicable satisfaction hidden within.
Upon their return to the Gates Estate, Alexander and Sadie were summoned to the study by Nicolas.
Howling in pain from the beating, Alexander scampered around the room. “Wait, Father! She came in last place in the examination! It’s Sadie, not me! Why am I the one getting a beating?”
Nicolas, a burly six–feet–tall man, held a stick in his hand while fumming with rage.
He was chasing after Alexander to beat him up. “So what if Sadie didn’t do well on the examination? She’s new here, so it’s fine that she didn’t do well. In fact, she can score however she wants in examinations! As for you, I hired so many teachers to give you extra classes, yet you still managed to score so low!”
Sadie stood by, watching the session of beating quietly
She was well aware that, as his stepdaughter, Nicolas wouldn’t punish her even if he was displeased with her
examination results.
When Nicolas became exhausted from punishing Alexander, he flashed a sheepish smile at Sadie. “Sorry you had to witness that.”
Chapter 3 Miss France Is Really Delicate:
Sadie shook her head and asked. “Is my mother still sick?”
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Eleanor had been claiming to be unwell since marrying into the Gates family, and she never left her room. She never interacted with Talulla or the other women in the household, nor did she care for Sadie.
Sadie felt that Eleanor had never loved her or her siblings.
Nicolas stroked his beard, a look of deep concern etched on his face. “Your mother is frail. I’ve already engaged a miracle doctor to treat her, and he says she needs a good rest. Why don’t you and Alexander go have dinner at your grandmother’s? We won’t be joining you all.”
By the time Sadie and Alexander arrived at Pine Manor, Zephyr was already there.
Talulla arranged for Sadie to sit next to her. With a concerned tone, she asked, “Why aren’t you wearing the pair of gold bracelets I gave you? Do you not like them anymore?”
Sadie touched her empty wrists and looked at Zephyr from the comer of her eyes.
He was eating his meal in a graceful and refined manner.
Sadie didn’t mention it was because of Zephyr that she wasn’t wearing the gold bracelets. Instead, she said gently. “The gold bracelets that you gave me are too precious. I was afraid I might lose them if I wore them. so I took them off.”
Talulla chuckled. “Silly girl, it’s fine if you lose them. It’s not like we can’t afford to lose some gold.”
She then called for Agnes, who handed Sadie an ornate jewelry box and said. “These are from Lady Talulla’s dowry. They’ve remained untouched for years as there have been no young ladies in the household. Now that you’re here, you can have them.”
Inside the ornate jewelry box were a pair of carved gold bracelets and a gold hairpin
The pieces of jewelry were made of solid gold, all of them carrying intricate designs and shimmering. At first glance.one could tell that they were worth a fortune.
Alexander was the first to protest. “Grandmother, why does Sadie get to avoid being punished with a stick and also be rewarded, even though she came last in the examination? I can’t accept this!”
Talulla shot him a glare. “She’s a delicate girl, so how can she be punished? You, on the other hand, have thick skin and flesh, so a few beatings won’t hurt you! Besides, you’re a boy. Why would you need gold bracelets and hairpins? Are you planning on wearing them?”
“Those belong to our family!” Alexander exclaimed, clutching his chest in distress. “How can you give them away to an outsider? Grandmother, I don’t agree with dividing my inheritance with her!”
“You-
Talulla was thoroughly infuriated by him, so she picked up her dragon walking stick, intending to give him a beating.
Despite her old age, Talulla remained energetic, chasing after Alexander at a brisk pace.
Alexander was beaten up so badly that he kept hopping around and wailing loudly.
When Sadie left Pine Manor, the sky had already turned completely dark.
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Chapter 3 Miss Francis Is Really Delicate
She had intended to return to her own manor, but she unexpectedly ran into Zephyr in the corridor.
Holding the ornate jewelry box, she curtsied and said, “Good evening. Lord Zephyr”
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With his hands clasped behind his back, Zephyr spoke, his voice as gentle as ever, “Grandmother is very fond of you, Miss Francis.”
The night was as black as ink.
Zephyr stood beneath the corridor’s lanterns, a gold hairpin securing half of his hair. A belt adorned with loops and fastenings cinched his tall frame, and his crimson everyday outfit accentuated his exquisite and exceptionally chiseled features. Yet, from the tips of his brows to the corners of his eyes, a subtle chill of danger seemed to seep.
He was like a siren of the shadows…
Sadie remained in a curtsy.
She knew full well that Zephyr didn’t welcome her or Eleanor.
In her previous life, Daisy was hastily married off to a low–ranked government official. She found it hard to “believe that Zephyr didn’t have a hand in it
Sadie held out the ornate jewelry box with both hands, baring her heart to Zephyr. “All I ever wanted was to leave my previous family, to study, and to live a peaceful life. I never thought of coveting the Gates family’s wealth. Since you’re unhappy, I am willing to return the gift I got from Lady Talulla.”
Zephyr didn’t take the jewelry box. With a half–smile, he replied, “Miss Francis, you jest. I’ve never felt unhappy.”
Even so, he never asked Sadie to get up.
Sadie lowered her gaze, feeling a slight ache in her legs.
“Since it’s a gift from Grandmother…” Zephyr slowly reached out to rest his hand on the ornate jewelry box and continued, “You should take good care of it Miss Francis. Don’t lose it, as it would break her heart.”
The serenity of the night was broken by a splash. Zephyr had tossed the ornate jewelry box into the pond outside the corridor.
Sadie looked up abruptly, and their eyes met..
The writhing shadows of trees behind Zephyr resembled countless malevolent spirits brandishing their claws and fangs wildly to shred the beautiful lanterns lining the corridor.
A smile slowly spread across Zephyr’s face. His voice was gentle as ever when he continued, “Don’t you agree, Miss Francis?”
