Guide to the Education and Training of Girls with Mentally Abnormalities

Chapter 20 The Eve

Winters are especially long in the North.

In other parts of the Holy Kingdom, half a month would be enough for the spring thunder to awaken all things from their slumber, and enough for the vigorous spring breeze to dispel the last remnants of winter.

In this season when everything should be reviving, and tender buds should be sprouting from the moist soil to feel life and prosperity.

The howling, dry, and fierce winds continued to whip up sand and snow, raging through the streets and houses.

The biting cold couldn't stop the glitz and glamour of the bars and hotels, and the dark night couldn't hide the splendor of the noble halls.

Alicia strolled along as the midnight bells rang, accompanied by her old butler, Gareth.

"Young Miss, the tea party has been arranged."

"At that time..."

"Father." Alicia stopped in her tracks.

The Duke of Enfield waved his hand, and the old butler bowed respectfully before quietly leaving.

The candlelight and crystals shimmered with five colors, while the light-colored marble floor was as clean as the sea reflecting the sky, silencing the hall's dazzling dome and the twinkling candlelight.

In the vast banquet hall of the mansion, only Alicia and the Duke of Enfield were present.

"Regarding the tea party, I instructed Gareth to arrange it according to the highest standards of the Enfield family." The warm light illuminated the Duke's face, softening his usually cold and solemn expression.

"Thank you," Alicia said, bowing her head.

A clear night sky does not make the wind and snow feel warm and pleasant.

"In preparation for this grand banquet, in addition to the friends you have invited on ordinary days, I have also sent invitations to other prominent families in the city of Karenbel, and many of them have expressed their willingness to attend."

"...?" Alicia looked up at the Duke of Enfield. She just wanted to find an excuse to ask Edmund out and find out why he had rejected her.

Who knew that my father would go to such lengths to hold this event?

The girl suddenly felt uneasy.

What are we supposed to do?

The Duke of Enfield looked toward the front of the banquet hall, where a small lectern was set up for speeches.

"In the decades I have served as head of the family, I have stood in that position more than once, either like a captain at the helm announcing the future direction to the family members, or like a host welcoming guests to express my welcome and gratitude to them."

"I am still in my prime, but there will always be a day when I have to take my final bow."

"In the prime of your youth, there will always be a moment when you have to face the consequences."

"Although I have never publicly revealed my choice of heir, the other families in Karenbel City can all guess that you were once a fledgling in an eagle's nest, and now it is time for you to spread your wings and make your debut."

The Duke of Enfield stopped and turned around, his gaze settling calmly on Alicia.

"As the heir to the family and the future head of the Enfield family, you should learn how to be a 'mature' leader, instead of continuing to indulge in the illusory bubble of a young lady's pink fantasies as you have in the past."

"But, Father..."

"But what?" Duke Enfield stared at Alicia.

"Could we let Edith...?" Alicia asked hesitantly. "Wouldn't it be... for her to be all alone out there like this..."

"Given the shameful mistakes she's made in the past, the biggest concession I can make is allowing her to demand a fortune from the family and leave with her personal maid, and even agreeing to let you send her an invitation as if she were a nobleman," the Duke of Enfield said coldly, as if he were referring not to his own daughter but to a complete stranger. "Alicia, you need to learn to see things and the people around you with a more mature mindset."

"The will and interests of the family should supersede everything else."

"It's getting late, and I don't want others to see the Enfield family heir drowsy like a drunken camel at tomorrow's unveiling banquet."

Alicia wasn't the only one who stayed up late at night.

179 Green Oak Street, inside the corridor.

Edith, dressed in her pajamas, was holding a pillow in her arms.

In the simulation of the Ga La Ge Mu strategy system, she had sneaked into Edmund's room countless times, but when he was actually just a wall away from her, the rebellious girl hesitated like a wet little animal.

Edith knocked on the door.

"It's already late. If there's anything else, we can talk about it tomorrow..."

"It's me!"

The bedroom door clicked open, and Edmund, who had been woken from his sleep, stood in the doorway, rubbing his eyes groggily.

"Ah...it's you."

"It's you?" She keenly sensed the surprise in Edmund's tone and looked up at Edmund, who was a head taller than her.

Edmund acted as if nothing had happened.

"Miss Edith, is there some important instruction you have for me so late?"

Over the course of more than two weeks, he figured out the style of this "Edith Enfield".

In stark contrast to the reserved and elegant Alicia, Edith's style of doing things is simple and brutal: just like now, if she suddenly thinks of something, she will knock on the door to find the person involved and ask them for clarification, even if it is the middle of the night.

However, Edmund's straightforward style is quite to his liking.

At least he doesn't have to worry about being resented behind his back for saying something wrong or being misunderstood, nor does he need to use roundabout ways to hint at or speculate on the deeper meaning of every word.

"There's a banquet tomorrow. Would you be interested in coming with me?"

Edmund shook his head.

"Miss Edith, it is my honor to accompany you to the banquet, but to be honest, I have an appointment tomorrow."

"But it was such a wonderful party, you couldn't find a better one in all of Karenbel. Aren't you coming with me?" Edith leaned forward, clutching her pillow, her gaze falling on Edmund's hands in the corridor light. "Are you really just going to leave me there like that?"

Edmund blinked, and Edith's figure became clearer in his eyes.

What is this guy saying...?

"I cannot break the agreement made in advance; integrity is the cornerstone of an adventurer's journey in the world."

"What a fantastic party! Even though your name isn't on the invitation, you can attend as my partner."

Edmund shook his head firmly.

Seeing that Edith was still trying to coax him, Edmund subconsciously thought of patting her head, just like he usually did to shut Esty up.

He stretched out his hand halfway, then suddenly remembered that the girl in front of him was not the little kitten he could manipulate at will.

"It's late now, Miss Edith." He rubbed his hands together, then awkwardly put them behind his back. "Whether it's your banquet tomorrow or my appointment tomorrow, we have to get up very early."

Edith stared at Edmund's hand, which had paused in mid-air and then silently retracted.

Why?

"?"

Edmund looked at Edith, who was staring at her hands.

"To touch a lady without permission is an impolite and presumptuous act."

"But I've never seen you ask for permission before touching that white pig. Isn't she a noble lady too?"

"You are different from her."

"How is it different?" The girl's eyes flashed with resentment.

"It's different everywhere."