Chapter 8
“Tommy!”
Emilia shouted loudly after Tommy as he ran off without even looking back, but he had already disappeared around the corner.
“Emilia.”
Rosetta, the second victim of Emilia’s body slam, sat down on the ground and glared at her.
“Mom, what are you doing like that?”
Just as Rosetta was frowning at Emilia’s clueless shrug, Emilia’s face suddenly brightened. Sensing the change, Rosetta was about to turn around—
“What are you doing sprawled on the ground like a kid?”
“Aah!”
Before she could react, a strong arm slipped under her armpits and hauled her upright in one smooth motion. Rosetta found herself standing straight like a toy tumbler, her limbs trembling uncontrollably.
“W-What do you think you’re doing?!”
Rosetta yelled, her voice still shaking from the shock. Emilia and Aaron both shrugged at the same time.
They looked unmistakably like father and daughter.
“You’re not about to say you sat on the ground on purpose, are you?”
At Aaron’s rebuttal, Rosetta beat her chest like a gorilla. He clearly had no awareness whatsoever that he’d approached without warning and grabbed her under the arms.
Clause One, Article One!
All physical contact must be mutual and done in front of Emilia.
Aaron had violated the clause and was acting completely innocent. Rosetta ground her teeth in frustration, but Emilia was already too excited by Aaron’s appearance to care.
“Daddy!”
“Emilia!”
Aaron grabbed Emilia’s hand and spun her around. They’d only been apart for a few hours, yet they acted like a father and daughter reunited after years.
“Giggle!”
Each time Emilia laughed, the ribbons attached to her outfit danced along, swaying wildly like hula skirts. It was truly a sight to behold. Rosetta lowered her head in embarrassment.
“Such an awkward couple.”
“It must be an act. It’s the academy entrance ceremony, after all.”
Hearing the malicious whispers from the surrounding groups, Rosetta let out a deep sigh. The grim reality layered atop the countless fairy-tale images of stepmothers felt overwhelming.
And right in front of her, enormous ribbons tangled like thorny vines spun wildly in the wind. It was flashier than any amusement-park parade.
“Aaron, stop it.”
Having finally noticed the attention, Rosetta hurriedly tried to stop him. But her quiet voice didn’t reach the overexcited father and daughter.
“Daddy! Faster!”
“Shall I?”
The heroine, still living in a bouquet of flowers in her head, clearly had no intention of ending the situation.
“Giggle! Daddy, this is so fun!”
“If Emilia is happy, I can spin ten more times.”
Lost in their own world, Aaron and Emilia had no idea how much trouble they were causing.
“Both of you, stop right now!”
At Rosetta’s shout, silence instantly fell over the bustling area in front of the auditorium. Even the massive ribbons swaying in a wide circle finally came to a stop.
“…Mom.”
Startled by her voice, Emilia looked up at Rosetta with wide eyes. She had been spun so hard that her already pale skin looked downright white.
“Emilia, this is a public place. Don’t you think it’s better not to do things that might bother other people?”
Rosetta knelt down, met Emilia’s gaze, and gently stroked her head. Only then did Emilia look around.
“Oh!”
Since it was the entrance ceremony, the academy grounds were packed. Carriages arrived nonstop at the main gate, nobles stepping out one after another. And their gazes were directed toward Emilia, Rosetta, and Aaron.
The attention wasn’t solely because of Aaron and Emilia’s commotion. Still, Rosetta saw no need to tell Emilia that people were curious about her stepmother.
“Were you startled? Daddy didn’t seem to hear Mom, so I had to raise my voice. I’m sorry, Emilia.”
Rosetta glanced sideways at the stiff-standing Aaron, then looked back at Emilia.
“It’s okay.”
Emilia crossed her legs and grabbed the hem of Rosetta’s dress. Her face flushed red as embarrassment finally caught up with her.
“Phew.”
Seeing Emilia clutching her skirt tightly, Rosetta finally felt her racing heart calm down.
“By the way, what are you doing here? You didn’t say you were coming when you left for work.”
Rosetta quickly questioned Aaron, who was still standing there.
“I told His Majesty it was Emilia’s entrance ceremony, and he kicked me out of morning assembly.”
“What?”
Rosetta’s eyes widened as she tilted her head. For someone who’d been kicked out, Aaron looked remarkably pleased.
“I had nothing else to do, so I came to watch Emilia’s entrance ceremony!”
With his face red from excitement, Aaron scooped Emilia up, who was hiding her face in Rosetta’s skirt.
“Eek!”
Startled by the sudden height, Emilia squeaked and wrapped her arms around Aaron’s neck. Her flushed face sparkled in the sunlight.
“Shall we go in now?”
At Aaron’s words, Emilia nodded. Seeing the anticipation on his daughter’s face, Aaron kissed her cheek.
“Ah! My friends are watching. Hmph.”
“What do you mean? They need to see how scary Daddy is so no bad kids come near you!”
Aaron looked completely satisfied as Emilia’s face crumpled. Then he held out his hand to Rosetta, who was sighing at the scene.
“What are you doing?”
Rosetta, who had been staring at Aaron’s broad back, finally saw his face as he waved his hand impatiently. Slowly, she took it.
“Ah!”
She was pulled beside him in an instant. Rosetta looked up at Aaron in surprise as Emilia rubbed her cheek against his hair.
“Emilia, how long are you planning to stay like that?”
Even as his hair became a mess, Aaron smiled as if nothing else mattered. He seemed extremely pleased about having stamped a kiss on Emilia’s cheek.
It was the chaotic opening of the academy entrance ceremony.
***
“Welcome.”
In front of the auditorium, Principal Anderson, who would be overseeing the kindergarteners, greeted the parents and children.
“Oh dear, our little one looks very nervous.”
“Huh?”
Seeing Emilia in Aaron’s arms, Principal Anderson opened her arms toward her. After hesitating briefly, Emilia stepped into her embrace—but the moment she did, both her feet landed firmly on the ground.
“You dance very well.”
Anderson said kindly, patting Emilia’s head. Emilia’s face turned red at the praise.
“Thank you.”
“Good manners too. What’s your name?”
“Emilia.”
“Well then, Emilia. Now that you’re a brave academy kindergartener, how about holding hands and walking instead of being carried by Daddy?”
At the gentle persuasion, Emilia’s eyes sparkled and she nodded.
“Okay!”
She immediately grabbed Aaron’s hand.
“Thank you, Principal.”
Rosetta stepped forward to express her gratitude.
“You must have a hard time, ma’am.”
With a warm smile, Principal Anderson looked at Emilia. Her gaze was gentle as it took in the wildly tousled hair and enormous ribbons.
“I can’t deny that.”
Rosetta gave an awkward smile, her shoulders drooping. Dressing a child was hard enough; being a stepmother made the future feel even darker.
Feeling understood, Rosetta found herself venting unintentionally.
“Don’t worry too much about what others think. If she wants to wear it, let her. Some children learn through experience.”
“…What?”
Rosetta’s eyes widened. She didn’t quite understand at first.
“They need to feel discomfort themselves.”
“Oh!”
A realization dawned on Rosetta, and she nodded. Just then—
“Oh my! Isn’t that Duke Biern?”
At the voice behind her, Rosetta’s shoulders stiffened. She, Aaron, and Emilia turned around.
“We met at Count Iteta’s charity party last year. I’m Lily Ruster.”
“Ah! Marchioness Ruster.”
“You remember me? I’m honored. Irena, greet the Duke.”
At her mother’s words, Irena stepped forward, lifted her skirt, and performed a flawless curtsey.
“Pleased to meet you, Duke Biern. I’m Irena Ruster.”
“Nice to meet you, Irena.”
‘Villainess 등장.’
It felt like bells were ringing in Rosetta’s head. The moment she saw Irena Ruster, perfectly dressed from head to toe, the courage she’d gained from Principal Anderson vanished instantly.
‘You’re perfect—even your past.’
Rosetta forced her lips into a smile, but they kept sinking downward against her will.
Marchioness Ruster, sensing Rosetta’s gaze, smiled confidently and looked back and forth between Irena and Emilia.
A deep green dress, a yellow cardigan, neatly braided hair, and ankle-high boots. It was the ideal outfit.
In contrast, Emilia stood wrapped in multicolored ribbons, resembling a village wish tree, staring at Irena with pure curiosity.
‘This comparison is brutal.’
Just as Rosetta forced a smile at Irena, she noticed something unexpected—Irena was glaring at Emilia with eyes full of jealousy.
Sensing danger, Rosetta stepped in front of Emilia and spoke to Aaron.
“Let’s go inside now. We might not find seats if we’re late.”
“Shall we?”
But despite Rosetta’s efforts, the villainess didn’t retreat so easily.
It was the beginning of a truly stubborn and ill-fated rivalry.
