chapter.3

The morning light had not yet fully entered the room.

Ella, with a faintly tired smile, said a few words and slowly walked away toward her room.

She busied herself with other work, and I kept watching her leave—

the whole day passed in silence, calling her now and then, but she never returned.

When night came, Ella came back.

Dad and I sat together for dinner.

The night felt calm, peaceful, almost tender.

The Duke’s face held no anger today—only a soft smile.

After dinner, I lay down on my bed,

and as soon as I closed my eyes, sleep came quietly like a gentle shadow.

---

The next morning,

sunlight streamed softly through the window.

I woke up to Ella’s voice—

“Miss! Do you know what time it is? It’s already 8:45! Today’s your first day at the academy!”

Rubbing my eyes, I sat up as Ella almost ran to my bedside.

Excitement sparkled in her eyes, and a bright smile played on her lips.

“Today, I’ll make you so beautiful

that no one will be able to look away from you!”

I laughed. “How could I ever get ready without you?”

She giggled. “Miss, just wait—everyone at the academy will be staring at you today.”

Then she opened the wardrobe and took out a red dress—

soft as silk, glowing like the flame of sunset.

I stared at it silently.

She combed my hair and placed tiny pearl earrings on my ears.

“Now, look in the mirror,” Ella whispered.

When I did, I was stunned—

the face staring back wasn’t quite mine;

there was a new light in my eyes, a quiet confidence on my lips.

Ella said softly,

“Miss, today you look like a princess.”

I smiled gently and replied,

“Thank you, Ella. In your hands, I feel like I’ve become someone new.”

---

After getting ready, I sat down for breakfast.

Ella soon announced, “Your carriage is ready.

But before you go, you should meet the Duke.”

I nodded. “All right.”

At the door of his workroom, I knocked lightly.

A calm voice answered, “Come in.”

Papers were spread across his desk,

but as soon as he saw me, he stopped working.

He looked up—

his gaze was different today, softer, filled with affection.

“Eve,” he said, “today is your first day at the academy.

I want you to enjoy every moment.

You look so grown up today…

it feels like my little girl has finally grown.”

There was pride in his voice.

Something in my heart tightened, warm and full.

“Thank you, Father,” I said softly.

“I’ll do my best to make you proud.”

He smiled and nodded.

“You will, Eve. I know you will.”

---

As I was about to step into the carriage,

his butler came forward and said quietly,

“Sir, Miss called you ‘Father’ today.

I believe she truly accepts you from her heart.”

The Duke paused for a moment, then smiled faintly.

“Yes,” he murmured, “I think so too.”

A tender glow flickered in his eyes.

---

The carriage began to move.

The wind played with strands of my hair,

the sunlight warmed my face,

and inside me, a quiet peace unfurled.

Looking out the window, I whispered to myself,

“Perhaps this is how new chapters begin—

not with fear, but with love.”

The wind seemed to whisper back,

“I love you, Eve.”

I closed my eyes and smiled softly.

“I love you too… more than you’ll ever know.”

---

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