Chapter 29 Never Got The Chance
Zephyr reluctantly answered, “She is…”
“What part of her is beautiful?”
“All parts.”
Talulla was so irritated that she slammed her dragon walking stick on the ground in frustration. You’re just humoring me!”
Sadie got up, feeling a
a loss. She didn’t know how to quell the old woman’s anger. “Grandmother…
Talulla waved her hand at Sadie. “Don’t speak. I’m only interested in his answer!”
Zephyr couldn’t help but take another look at Sadie. “Her dress is very beautiful.”
“Her dress!” Talulla grew even more frustrated and angry.
“She’s fair–skinned, and the dark purple color really suits her complexion.” Zephyr did his best to describe Sadie’s beauty. “Her eyes and eyebrows are beautiful, her nose is beautiful, and even her lips are beautiful…
His gaze fell upon the young girl’s lips.
Her lips were as red as cherries and just as plump, akin to a tempting, eye–catching cherry.
With traces of baby fat still lingering on her cheeks, she looked enchantingly innocent. Her appearance reminded one of cherries during the time spring turned to summer, not yet fully ripe. Biting into one would fill one’s mouth with a sweet and sour juice.
Their gazes met unexpectedly.
Keeping his composure, Zephyr subtly shifted his gaze away.
Talulla was quite pleased with Zephyr’s response, and she mused, “A daughter of the Gates family should marry into a good family! Although I don’t particularly care about their origins, if they come from a splendid background, that’s even better. At the very least, your sister won’t be mistreated in terms of food and clothing that way. Character, appearance, and talent – these three are equally important. Those who are unattractive, you absolutely must not introduce to Sadie. Otherwise, she’d lose her appetite seeing them every day and wake up in the middle of the night startled by their ugliness.”
Upon hearing that, Sadie couldn’t help but smile. Her gaze toward Talulla softened, filled with tenderness.
Her own family wanted nothing more than to marry her off to a fool, just so she could spend her life caring for his every need.
Yet, in Talulla’s eyes, she was worthy of the finest
an in the world.
From this attitude alone, it was easy to tell who her true family was.
At that moment, Alexander walked in, yawning. “Grandmother, I’ve come to greet you! I’ve l those jujube cakes from your manor–oh, Zephyr, Sadie, you two are here early!”
craving
Sadie placed a plate in front of him. “Here, jujube cakes. Grandmother had instructed the kitchen staff to prepare them for you first thing in the morning.”
20:05 Wed, 13 Aug
Chapter 29 Never Got The Chance
“Hehe!” Alexander took a bite of the cake before a glimpse of her open calligraphy practice book on the desk caught his eye. “Are you practicing your calligraphy at Grandmother’s?”
*Mhm!” Sadie answered with a smile. “In two months, it will be the Spring Gala. Mr. Jenkins mentioned selecting a few pieces of calligraphy from our academy to display in the Sunlit Arcade. Alex, I really hope to be chosen!”
Every time spring rolled around, the local authorities would host a Spring Gala in Flora Park to celebrate the revival of nature.
On the day of the grand event, not only would there be actors who entertained through the night with a myriad of plays, but there would also be merchants from all over, swarming in to sell their odd and curious items.
That wasn’t all. The Spring Gala would also host a variety of competitions. Regardless of their wealth or background, young teenagers were allowed to join in. They would ride their horses across the field, testing their skills in various weapons and strategies. If they were able to show exceptional talent, they might even be selected on the spot by some high–ranking generals, who would then groom them to be the next generation of military leaders.
In Sadie’s previous life, Neville had made a name for himself during one such competition.
He had been handpicked by a highly respected, veteran general who wanted him to train under his command. The general promised that within two years, Neville would have made significant achievements and been awarded a military rank. Unfortunately, Neville found the idea of joining the military too tiring. and he felt that military officials were less glamorous than civil servants. Thus, he had been adamantly against it.
Eventually, it was she who advised Quincy, saying that Neville’s chances of passing the imperial examination were slim. Since he had encountered someone who wanted to nurture his talents, joining the army would actually be a golden opportunity for him. This kind of once–in–a–lifetime chance had to be seized firmly, even if it meant dragging Neville there by force.
Unexpectedly, from that point on, Neville harbored a deep resentment toward her…
With an innocent look on his face, Alexander earnestly asked, “Sadie, what is the Sunlit Arcade? I visit Flora Park every year to play, but how come I’m not aware there’s such an arcade inside the park?”
Sadie lowered her lashes, trying hard to push the matters concerning Neville to the back of her mind.
She earnestly said, “The Sunlit Arcade is a place specifically for showcasing calligraphy and paintings. Only those of exceptional quality get the chance to be displayed on the day of the gala.”
In her previous life, both Adonis‘ and Daisy’s calligraphy were showcased in the Sunlit Arcade.
She stood alone in the corridor, her gaze lifted toward the calligraphy and paintings they had hung up high. An indescribable admiration swelled within her heart.
She had once wanted to practice calligraphy too. But she didn’t even have a proper desk, let alone the necessary tools like quill, ink, parchment, and inkwell.
There was a time she attempted to practice her calligraphy on the steps, using a stick dipped in water.
However, Oliver stumbled upon her and eriticized her for being a hypocrite, for pretending to be virtuous when she was far from it. He accused her of making a fool of herself for trying to copy others blindly.
20:05 Wed, 13 Aug
Chapter 29 Never Got The Chance
In her previous life, she never got the chance to perfect her calligraphy.
Sadie was feeling rather downcast. Alexander ruffled her hair affectionately, his eyes crinkling with amusement as he said, “Then you better work hard! Once your work is displayed in the Sunlit Arcade, I’ll bring all my friends there to see it!”
The young man was defiant yet cheerful, much like a loyal and enthusiastic puppy.
“Yeah!” Sadie’s eyes sparkled brightly as she nodded vigorously.
Just then, Talulla suddenly said, “Oh! I recall that Zephyr has quite the talent for calligraphy. Zephyr, you don’t have much official business these days, so why don’t you take an hour each day to teach Sadie how to write? Agnes, have someone set aside the West Room to be converted into a study.”
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