Evelyn's eyes were fixed on the Relation section. Her face transformed into one of mockery.
Evelyn (Thoughts): "Fiancé... ha... does he really consider me his fiancé? I almost forgot about him after recalling the memories of my past lives, someone I once obsessed over. I used to do all sorts of foolish things for him, but he never even glanced at me..."
Her gaze shifted down to the Trait sections.
Evelyn (Thoughts): "I know he's strange, but what kind of trait is that? Wait... he doesn't like me. Does that mean he wants to destroy me or what?"
Evelyn turned her eyes back to Edrick. He was glaring at her with murderous intent. She had been looking at the panel for so long, it seemed as though she had been staring at him the whole time, which clearly irritated him.
Evelyn (Thoughts): "Aha... I guess he does want to..."
Evelyn gave him a wry smile and said gently,
Evelyn: "Take a seat, Roddick."
Edrick was immediately frustrated by her mispronunciation of his name. He was obsessed with perfection.
Edrick: "It's Edrick, Your Highness."
He walked over to the couch, took a handkerchief from his pocket, and meticulously wiped the seat before sitting down. Evelyn raised an eyebrow at his strange behavior.
Evelyn (Thoughts): "The couch was already clean. There's no way a princess's room wouldn't be properly kept. Even though my mansion isn't grand, Cassy always makes sure my room is spotless. Was there really a need for him to wipe it again? I mean, being clean is one thing, but this is a little extreme. The system did mention he's obsessed with perfection, but I didn't realize he had severe OCD."
Evelyn: "Yes... Aric."
Edrick: "Ha... I heard that after hitting your head, you couldn't even say someone's name properly. Looks like it's true."
He sat down, adjusting his posture as though the act of sitting required meticulous attention.
Evelyn: "The reason I came here is the same, please break off the engagement..."
Evelyn: "Why should I?"
Edrick blinked, caught off guard.
Edrick: "What?"
Evelyn: "Give me a reason why I should break off the engagement."
Edrick: "I don't like you. Is that not reason enough?"
Evelyn gave him a sly smile.
Evelyn: "That's not a reason. It's just an excuse. We're both still children. You can try to like me, or wait until we grow up, or even start tomorrow. Give me a good reason."
Edrick: "You are arrogant, willful, rude, mean, selfish, and unmannered. Everyone knows you are a powerless and useless princess. You don't even act like a princess."
Evelyn fell silent for a moment. Then she slowly smiled again and looked at him.
Evelyn: "I don't act like a princess because no one taught me how a princess should act. I'm arrogant because no one taught me whay kindness is... I'm willful because no one taught me what benevolence is... I'm rude because no one taught me what politeness is... I'm mean because I was never shown gentleness... I'm selfish because no one taught me what selflessness is... I have no manners because no one ever taught me that. I was never taught any of those things... I've never received them from anyone, so it's natural I wouldn't know."
Evelyn's voice was quiet, almost emotionless, but her words struck deep.
She paused and added, her gaze piercing into him,
Evelyn: "But I don't think I've ever been any of those things toward you, have I?"
Edrick fell silent, unable to respond. It was true. Evelyn had never treated him with those traits; she had always been clingy and overly affectionate, to the point of being annoying. But she had never pointed it out before.
Edrick was trying to reconcile the calm, adult-like Evelyn standing before him with the little girl who used to cling to him incessantly. He was at a loss.
Evelyn: "Anyway, I'm still a child. I'm only six years old. It's still the time when I'm growing. I can change over time. Or you can change me the way you want as we grow. Give me a reason."
Edrick: "I... we... we're not perfect for each other."
Evelyn: "Nobody's perfect. Everyone has flaws. Can you bring me someone who is absolutely perfect?"
Edrick: "Th... that... I..."
Edrick couldn't find the words. Evelyn looked at him in silence for a moment, then asked abruptly,
Evelyn: "Do you have someone you like?"
Edrick was taken aback, his eyes widening in shock. Evelyn, who had always snapped in anger when she saw him with someone else, was now asking him about his feelings.
Edrick: "NO!!!"
He blurted out loudly, so loudly it echoed throughout the room. Evelyn laughed.
Evelyn: "Then there's no reason for me to break off the engagement. You can call it off yourself if you want."
Edrick: "You... you..."
Edrick stood up, anger boiling in his chest. He felt like she had been playing with him. His hands clenched at his sides, but he managed to regain control, placing a hand on his chest and bowing his head.
Edrick: "I should take my leave for today, Your Highness."
Evelyn: "Yeah. Sure, Aric."
Edrick stormed out of the room, fuming with rage. Evelyn watched him leave, laughing at his outburst.
Evelyn: "What a perfection freak."
Edrick had come many times before to break off the engagement, but the old me always rejected him because I was completely obsessed with this guy. Now, I would have agreed because I have no desire to shamelessly hold onto someone who doesn't want to be with me and dislikes me. But he should have asked more politely, who told him to mock me...
Although I admit, after living so many lives, I have trouble remembering some names, but he shouldn't have mocked me anyway.
Huh... I don't even need to remember anyone's name, I have the great E.L.S. system.
As Evelyn lost herself in thought, Cassy entered the room with a plate of snacks. She looked around, as if searching for someone.
Cassy: "Has the young master left already?"
Evelyn: "Yes. I'll be resting now, so I won't see any more visitors. Don't let anyone in, Jessy."
Cassy: "It's Cassy... (muttering). Yes, Your Highness."
As Cassy left, Evelyn suddenly called her back.
Evelyn: "Wait, Jessy."
Cassy stopped in her tracks and turned around.
Cassy: "Yes, Your Highness."
Evelyn: "Leave the snacks here."
Cassy: "But you had snacks not too long ago."
Evelyn: "I'm still growing, Cassy. I need to eat more to grow faster."
Cassy: "..."
"Yes, Your Highness."
With a sigh, Cassy left the room, leaving the plate on the table, knowing she couldn't win against Evelyn.
Evelyn picked up the book titled "The History of Aristynne" again. She began reading seriously, eating her snacks as she went along.