As soon as Margaret stepped into the Duke’s office, she heard Professor Rine’s excited voice:

“Ah, there you are! Your test was flawless! In other words… your level is equivalent to Grade Five, which means you can skip ahead straight to Year Six.”

“What?! So she’ll be in the same class as me?!” Emilia gasped in disbelief.

“That’s correct,” Professor Rine nodded. “The sixth-year class has only been in session for two weeks.”

Duchess Isabella smiled warmly.

“If she’s in the same class as you, I’ll feel much more at ease.”

The Duke turned to Margaret.

“What do you think, my dear?”

Before she could answer, Emilia clasped her hands together like she was praying.

“Say yes! Pleaseee~ Let’s study together!”

Margaret looked around at everyone, then nodded gently.

“If it’s possible… I’d like to join my sister’s class.”

Professor Rine’s face softened into a kind smile.

“Excellent. Then the day after tomorrow, you’ll officially begin your studies.”

“Yes, sir.”

Duchess Isabella rose from her seat.

“Now then, shall we have lunch together?”

She added, her eyes twinkling playfully,

“But before we eat, let’s play a little game — we’ll disguise ourselves as commoners, buy our own food, and have a picnic at my secret flower garden.”

Margaret’s eyes widened, while Emilia clapped her hands excitedly.

“That sounds amazing!”

After changing into simple clothes, the three of them left the carriage and strolled through the nearby market.

Emilia wore a plain white dress with a light blue ribbon in her hair, while Margaret was dressed in a soft cream linen dress with flat shoes. The Duchess, meanwhile, looked elegantly understated — a thin silk cloak draped over her shoulders and a hat with a lace veil half-covering her face.

“All right then,” Isabella said cheerfully. “Let’s go buy some food!”

They stopped by a grill stand, a bakery, and a fruit stall. At each place, the Duchess paid quickly and politely.

Once their baskets were full, they headed toward a small forest just beyond the city. Hidden within was the Duchess’s secret flower garden — surrounded by rose trellises, with a large picnic blanket, a few soft cushions, and a wooden table waiting in the center.

“It’s beautiful…” Margaret breathed.

“This is where I come whenever I want some peace and quiet,” Isabella said with a smile as she sat down. “From now on, you girls can come here too.”

The three of them settled in and began their cozy little picnic among the blossoms.

“Hey, Margaret!” Emilia called, her mouth full of pastry. “You start school tomorrow. Nervous?”

“A little bit,” Margaret admitted softly.

“Don’t worry. The only scary one’s Professor Tiara — she looks like an old witch.”

The Duchess laughed, handing her daughter a glass of juice.

“Before you go scaring anyone, maybe try not to fall asleep in class first.”

“Moooom~~!”

After their picnic, the three returned to the mansion. When Margaret entered her room, two freshly delivered school uniforms were already laid neatly on her desk.

The next morning — her first day at Everine Academy.

Emilia was already waiting in the foyer. A few moments later, Margaret descended the stairs in her new uniform: a pale blue dress trimmed in white, her silver hair braided softly to the side. She looked so graceful that even the servants couldn’t help but smile.

“There’s my little princess!” Emilia cried, rushing forward to hug her.

“Let me go, sis!” Margaret protested, half laughing.

Soon after, the two sisters arrived at the academy gates.

Professor Rine was waiting for them, smiling approvingly.

“Excellent. Today, Margaret officially joins the academy — in the same class as Emilia.”

At Everine Academy.

The classroom door opened. Professor Rine stepped in first, followed by Margaret. She walked up to the front of the room while the professor introduced her.

“Everyone, we have a new student today — Lady Margaret Wahles. She passed the entrance exam with a perfect score and will be joining this class.”

The class immediately buzzed with whispers.

“She’s adorable… like a little porcelain doll.”

Then a voice rose from the back:

“Wait, isn’t Emilia the only daughter of House Wahles?”

Margaret’s smile faltered slightly.

At that moment, an icy pressure filled the room — subtle, but chilling.

Kione, sitting beside Emilia, noticed her expression change. Her eyes glinted dangerously toward the group of boys who had spoken.

“Oh boy,” Kione muttered. “Here we go again.”

Emilia suddenly propped one foot up on her desk, her gaze sharp as a blade sweeping across the room. The chatter stopped instantly; everyone looked down in silence.

“She’s my little sister,” Emilia declared coolly. “Got a problem with that?”

Margaret took a steady breath and stepped forward, bowing politely.

“I’m Margaret Wahles, ten years old. Please take care of me.”

She walked toward her seat beside Emilia, feeling the lingering stares from her classmates.

“Hello, little one~” Kione teased with a grin.

Bonk!

Emilia’s fist landed squarely on his head.

“Who gave you permission to call my sister ‘little one,’ huh?!”

“Ow! I didn’t mean anything by it…” Kione mumbled, rubbing his head in defeat.