Chapter 2 Your Bracelets Are Very Pretty
Sadie lowered her head, fixating her eyes on the tips of her embroidered shoes.
Lady Talulla may not dislike me, but The Duke’s sons find it very hard to accept my mother as their stepmother. At a result, they end up disliking me as well. It’s human nature for them to react like that. It’s not like I expect myself to be adored by everyone as soon as I join this family.
Still curtsying, she said, “My apologies, Lord Zephyr”
Zephyr didn’t say anything else.
Once he had walked away, Sadie could finally relax.
She then stepped into the room and greeted Talulla respectfully.
Talulla twiddled her prayer beads. “It’s my first time meeting you, and I wasn’t sure what would be a suitable gift for you. I heard that young girls like you are fond of jewelry, so I prepared a pair of gold bracelets for
YOU
„Agnes, Talulla’s maid, smiled. “Allow me to put them on for you, Miss Francis.
Talulla’s gift to Sadie was a pair of solid gold bracelets decorated with scroll patterns.
Sadie recalled that Daisy had also received a pair of gold bracelets in her previous
life.
At that time. Daisy returned home wearing the gold bracelets, yet she complained that Talulla was stingy She even criticized that gold was tacky and that it couldn’t compare to the elegance of jade. She then went on to criticize Talulla’s background, calling the elderly lady crude and ignorant for not even having basic aesthetic sense.
Daisy didn’t care much for gold bracelets, yet Sadie had never worn one in her previous life.
Quincy had spent all his salary on her brothers‘ tuition, and what little was left, he used to buy cosmetics for Daisy. Their family’s finances were stretched thin.
Later on, Sadie helped Oliver earn money, but he never gave her a monthly salary or bonus.
It was only after they moved to Jamore that she owned a few pieces of gold jewelry in her dowry.
Alas, it was a pity that she never got the chance to wear any before dying with her family.
Sadie gazed at the gold bracelets on her wrists.
They were dense and shiny, carved to perfection. The gold bracelets complemented her fair skin, making her seem as though she was loved, cherished, and pampered by her family.
Sadie turned to look at Talulla.
Talulla was sipping tea with her eyes lowered. Yet, she couldn’t help but nervously sneak glances at Sadie, as if she was deeply worried that Sadie wouldn’t like the pair of gold bracelets.
Sadie flashed her a sweet smile, “Thank you, Lady Talulla!”
Daisy hated the gold bracelets, but I don’t. And while she doesn’t like Lady Talulla, I do!
Chapter 2 Your Bracelets Are Very Pretty
Seeing that Sadie was being sincere, Talulla quietly breathed a sigh of relief. Then, she said, “I summoned you here today because I wanted to know if you would like to study at Cranesong Academy:
Cranesong Academy was the best educational institution in the southwestern region.
Apart from noblemen, noblewomen from the southwestern region could also study there through their family’s prestige.
In her previous life, Sadie was filled with envy when she found out that Daisy was able to attend Cranesong Academy. Back then, she had mustered up the courage to approach Daisy, pleading to be allowed to accompany her as a maid, just to have the chance to learn from the sidelines. However, her request was turned down by Daisy.
Daisy claimed that Sadie wouldn’t be a good student as the latter wasn’t bright or articulate.
Adonis, Oliver, and Neville also mocked Sadie for copying Daisy blindly
They said that studying was an elegant pursuit, a privilege that only ladies of high standing like Daisy were worthy of
To them, someone as taciturn as Sadie would only end up making a fool of herself if she went.
Thus, Sadie wasn’t able to attend Cranesong Academy.
As the years went by, she hustled nonstop for her brothers in the political and business spheres. Every day of her life was spent in the painstaking formulation of strategies and schemes, leaving her with no chance to settle down and study.
In this life, Sadie simply wanted to study in peace.
She curtsied and expressed her gratitude by saying. Thank you for your generosity, Lady Talulla.”
“Look at you, thanking me here and there. We’re family now, so drop the formalities!” Talulla said, both amused and slightly vexed. “Also, you should start calling me ‘Grandmother‘ now.”
Having been born into a general’s family, Talulla was brisk and spirited. A golden dragon walking stick. gifted to her by the Emperor, leaned against the bench she was on. Despite her stern and commanding appearance, Sadie could spot a hint of affection in her expression,
Sadie beamed at Talulla. “Grandmother!”
Her voice was sweet and crisp, like the very bite of a green pear.
Two days later, Sadie boarded a carriage to Cranesong Academy..
The academy was roughly a forty–five–minute carriage ride from the Gates Estate, requiring an early departure and a late return.
Sitting in the carriage alongside her was Alexander Gates, the youngest son of the Gates family. He was a year older than her, and going through his rebellious phase.
Sadie pulled back the curtains in the carriage and noticed that Zephyr was also present.
Alexander snorted. “It’s your first day at the academy, and Grandmother’s worried about you. That’s why she specifically arranged for Zephyr to escort you to the academy. Sadic, you must be feeling pretty smug, huh?”
Chapter 2 Your Bracelets Are Very Pretty
Sadie paid no mind to his snarky remarks, focusing solely on Zephyr.
#Finished
Zephyr was sitting astride a tall horse, likely heading to the High Court after escorting them to the academy. He wore a crimson, sharply tailored military officer’s attire, with a belt adorned with loops and fastenings cinched at his waist, and a small–sword at his hip. A black cloak, fastened at the shoulder with a gold clasp. draped over him. With one hand loosely holding the reins, he was looking ahead, and his side profile seemed frighteningly cold yet regal.
Sensing Sadie’s gaze, Zephyr glanced in her direction.
His gaze then fell on Sadie’s wrists.
Because she was holding the curtains, her sleeves slipped down, revealing a portion of her fair arms.
On her wrists were dense, gleaming gold bracelets.
Zephyr said gently. “Your new bracelets are very pretty, Miss Francis”
Sadie was at a loss for words.
Even though he phrased his words as a compliment, there was a hint of mockery hidden in his tone.
It sounded as though he was mocking her vanity and greed.
Sadie let go of the curtains and quietly removed the gold bracelets.
While the other things said by Daisy were not to be trusted, she was right about Zephyr. Not only was he two–faced, acting differently in front of others and behind their backs, but he was also the most annoying person in the Gates family.
When Zephyr escorted them to the academy, it drew a lot of attention.
He was exceptionally handsome, which made him the object of admiration and affection among the young ladies.
Previously, he, too, studied at Cranesong Academy, consistently topping his class. Now, not only was he The Duke’s heir, but he also served as the commander of the Southwestern Army, repeatedly emerging victorious in wars against the bordering nations.
Born into nobility with immense power and having impressive military achievements, as well as being a gentle, polite, and humble man, he was, in essence, the perfect son–in–law that many parents wanted to have. As a result, many noblewomen were discreetly inquiring about his marriage plans for their daughters.
Sadie ignored the commotion and walked into the academy with her satchel.
Her foundational knowledge was simply too poor.
Cranesong Academy held examinations every month, and she didn’t want to perform poorly, but time was tight.
Before Sadie could catch up on the backlog of her studies, the examination had already begun.
Sadie ended up scoring last place in the examination, and Alexander ranked second last.
after class, so I thought you were smart, but it turns out that you’re worse than I! This is great and
In the carriage ride back home, Alexander was brimming with triumph. “You’re always studying before and
you
Chapter 2 Your Bracelets Are Very Pretty
ranking last, Father won’t scold me this time!”
The carriage drove along the street.
Finished.
Upon hearing the familiar clatter of a horse’s hoofs, Alexander lifted the curtains and saw Zephyr returning home after work.
He exclaimed excitedly, “Zephyr, I no longer rank last in the examination! Sadie scored the lowest! Father will surely whip her and make her stare at a wall and reflect on her mistakes as a punishment!”
Just like how Father used to punish me!
Holding the reins, Zephyr uttered in a calm and gentle voice, “Miss Francis came last in the examination?”
His tone sounded caring, but they were passing through a bustling market at the moment.
With the travel of Zephyr’s voice, everyone on the street learned that the stepdaughter of The Duke had ranked last in the examination.
Sadie was left speechless, and she silently clenched her examination paper.
“Seeing the redness in her eyes, Alexander couldn’t help but be shocked. “Sadie, are you crying just because you didn’t do well on the examination?”
Sadie’s voice was muffled. “I’m not crying.”
“You’re clearly crying!” Alexander exclaimed as if he had witnessed something fascinating. He then shouted to the outside of the carriage, “Zephyr, Sadie’s crying because she didn’t do well on the examination!”
Sadie’s cheeks flushed from embarrassment.
She grabbed Alexander’s arm abruptly. “What are you blabbering about?”
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