Guide to the Education and Training of Girls with Mentally Abnormalities

Chapter 26 Parting Ways

"Growth begins with responsibility, and responsibility begins with taking on responsibilities. Your speech just now was truly thought-provoking. Alas, if only my good-for-nothing son could understand these things at such a young age, just like you."

A gentleman with a round belly and a slightly greasy appearance said with a smile.

The lady beside him seemed very displeased with the gentleman mentioning her son, and retorted in a sharp voice.

"Hmph, you have the nerve to say that? Back when I was pregnant with Rick, that bastard was always hanging around the taverns in town. His nickname 'Bunny Girl Heartbreaker' is still circulating in Karenbell City!"

"Alas, I was just making the same mistake every young person makes at that age." The gentleman blinked in dissatisfaction.

He swallowed and said in a strong voice.

"But before that, who was it that went to such lengths to wear their wedding dress, making sure the whole city knew they were a young lady from a wealthy family, willing to risk being labeled as 'looking like they were eloping with some poor boy,' just to drive to the theater in a carriage to see a play by their favorite actor?"

"How can that be the same?!" The lady stamped her foot and glared at the fat, big-eared gentleman in front of her.

Just as the two were about to fight, the gentleman suddenly changed the subject.

"Hey, of course it's different. If it weren't for this, we wouldn't have such a happy life now, right? Except for the kids being a bit disobedient."

"Oh, my dear..." The lady's eyes softened instantly, as if the two were reminiscing about the past.

"Oh, darling~ Yao Yao~~"

Alicia forced a friendly and polite smile, suppressing her nausea as she looked at the two well-dressed nobles embracing each other.

Beside them stood a boy, about fourteen or fifteen years old, dressed in a small tailcoat, who looked up at Alicia with a calmness far beyond his years.

"I apologize, Your Excellency Enfield. My parents are always like this; please excuse their behavior."

"I benefited greatly from your speech today. If it were possible, could I have a copy of your speech manuscript to take home and study?"

"Ah...of course, you can just go find Gareth the butler."

The boy nodded and went in the direction Alicia pointed.

The two nobles separated as if during halftime of a boxing match, looking around but finding no trace of the boy.

"Ugh, that unlucky kid is running around again."

"When will you learn to listen to your father and mother? I'll definitely talk to them nicely when we get home..."

"A new play premiered at the Grand Theatre yesterday..."

"Oh, darling, you're like a mind reader..."

As soon as someone left, a new person would quickly come up and chat with Alicia.

The content was nothing more than probing the truth about this "official heir of the Enfield family," pleading for a chance to rise to prominence like a pledge of allegiance, or expressing congratulations to Alicia on becoming the official heir with long, complicated, and sleep-inducing words on behalf of elders in the family who were unable to attend due to busy affairs.

The formulaic jargon became a tool to get rid of these guys.

Alicia's gaze kept searching for the person she longed for, her mind filled with the tenderness he had never shown her before.

But Edmund could not be found in the crowd.

But the silver-haired girl named Esther remained seated, with Edith beside her, and the two seemed to be getting along very well.

After dealing with the guests who were either being polite or exchanging pleasantries, Alicia came to the two of them.

"Excuse me, Miss Hernandez." She greeted Esther in a friendly manner, her smile gradually fading.

"Edith, if it's alright, I'd like to talk to you."

It was probably Edmund's pat on the head that gave her courage.

Edith rested her chin on her hand, leaning against the table, looking as languid as Cleopatra.

"Of course, but now, should I address you as His Excellency Enfield, or as Sister Alicia?"

……

Outside the banquet hall.

A gentle breeze swept away the cloying sweetness of cream and honey, and the clear winter sky turned a fading deep blue, leaving only the blood-red clouds on the horizon to guard the martyred sun.

"Edith, I really didn't know things would turn out this way. I never imagined Father would expel you from the family so directly. I'm sorry... I really didn't mean it. I pleaded with Father so many times, but..."

"I understand. A talented young man like you, sister, certainly wouldn't need to resort to underhanded means to expel your younger sister from the family in order to solidify your position as heir." Edith nodded perfunctorily, her tone extremely dismissive.

"Since that's the case, is there anything else you'd like to say to me?"

"Is the swan, now adorned with new feathers, displaying its victory to the scrawny waterbirds?"

"You and him..." Alicia still thought about the image of him patting her head.

Edith could guess who Alicia was even with her eyes closed.

"He's right there, why don't you go ask him yourself? You are the heir who will shoulder the heavy responsibility of the family. The future of the family business, from the residents of the territory to the knights, and then to your younger siblings, their fate will all be tied to your decision."

"But you're like a coward, you don't even have the courage to face your own feelings."

"I..." Alicia's lips parted slightly, but she remained silent.

Edith gave a cold laugh.

"What? So deep down you believe you are the future leader of the family, while Edmund is just an adventurer who hasn't been tainted by wealth for long. Although you like him, your statuses are worlds apart from his, and having an open relationship with him would tarnish your bright future?"

"That's right. In my father's words, how can the Enfield family's irises be compared to weeds in the mud? Perhaps only a harbinger of doom like me should stand beside him."

"As for me? My father has always been shrewd and wise. Using the money for a house to wipe away a family disgrace and establish the prestige of the family heir is indeed a worthwhile deal."

"It's getting late, Your Excellency Enfield. I should go back to find my companions."

The girl's forced smile gradually turned bitter.

She watched Edith's retreating figure.

"Father didn't just dismiss you and expel you from the family with a house..."

"He asked you to take Willow with you when you left so that Willow could protect you. He just wanted you to be free from things you shouldn't have to bear and to live a more relaxed and happy life like an ordinary girl."

"Sister, from the moment we were born into the Enfield family, we were destined to be forever separated from the words 'relaxed,' 'happy,' and 'ordinary.'"

The black-haired girl with a ponytail stopped in her tracks. She turned to look at Alicia, her face showing an indifference she had never seen before.

"Sister, I am not you. I don't have as many feathers to cherish. I only know that for the things I cherish in my heart, no matter the outcome, I am willing to risk everything. No matter where the road leads, I will go to the end."

Her figure was bathed in the crimson glow of the sunset, her dark eyes burning and deep as charcoal.

"If you want it, then come and get it yourself if you dare."