I Will Be The New Me
CHAPTRE 23

Penelope's arrival was immediately greeted kindly by dozens of servants. Evan marched on behalf of Bastien to greet his eldest grandson. The blond girl looked back and forth, "Grandfather in Quinn's room? is it really bad, Mr Evan?" Penelope was looking forward to the answer. Hopefully Evan will give a reply that can make him a little entertained.

Evan kept his eyes down, "His Majesty Quinn's injuries were quite severe on his back, but he had not sustained any injuries other than a small scratch on his body, Lady."

Penelope clenched her hands behind the folds of her skirt. "Is that so? thank God, I'm so worried she's okay. I'll see him now." Penelope took off her coat and let the waiter bring her.

Who helped Quinn? damn, why does a useless girl always seem to be lucky?!

There was only one more room that Penelope needed to pass through to get to Quinn's room whose door seemed wide open. "Huh, don't show any irritation, let's just be normal as usual." Penelope had her best expression.

Penelope had wanted to knock directly on the door, but she paled after hearing a casual joking jest from inside. Bastien always tucked away a compliment in every sentence for Quinn. Even Savero, who is usually always flat, now seems to smile more, even though it is very thin.

Both of Penelope's eyes flashed filled with jealousy, hurt, and hatred. All this to the point of making him sick. "If he were to die, I would be in their midst."

Quinn realized there was someone standing by the door. "Penelope? are you that? why are you keeping quiet there? come inside."

The owner of the name was shocked. He then appeared and smiled clumsily, "M-sorry, Quinn. You guys seem to be really excited about something, so I don't want to come interjecting." presumptuous and compassionate, Penelope is good at it.

Bastien waved to have the grandson of his first son come in. "What did you say, son? don't act like you're an outsider. You are also our family, come here." Bastien said attentively.

A red tinge appeared on Penelope's cheek, she entered the room timidly. Sweetness, thought Quinn. "Sorry I'm late, Quinn. I'll stop by the flower shop first. Here, I hope this will cheer you up."

Quinn received the bouquet of flowers with a joyful heart, seeing the beautiful fresh flowers helped to restore her mood. "I really like this gift, Penelope. Incidentally, I need to change the flowers in my room. Thank you, you understand me so much."

"I'm glad you like it. I hope you get well soon, I feel very shocked when I hear you were attacked by a group of bandits." Penelope stroked her cousin's sister's shoulder in a smooth motion. Penelope looked at the bandage wrapped around Quinn's back, "I can't imagine how painful the wound was. Don't you have a fever or something? I hope you're not reckless anymore, we're all worried about you. It's a good thing Killian didn't hear this, if she heard it she might be ditching the first day of school."

Quinn reciprocated all of her cousin's sympathies with a wry smile. Killian's gonna worry about him? huh! it will only happen in the dreamland. "Has Raiden come to see you? he must also be worried about seeing your condition like this."

"...?" Bastien and Savero simultaneously looked at the face of Penelope's disbelief. Bastien put down his teacup, "Penelope is close to the Prince as well apparently?" ask Bastien curiously. During this time only Quinn was truly brave and was allowed directly by Raiden to call out names.

Penelope nodded in embarrassment, her cheeks were already as red as tomatoes. "N-not so close, really. The prince himself told me to talk more casually with him. We're just starting to be friends." Savero glanced at Quinn indifferent to what Penelope was talking about.

This kid, is he not chasing after the Prince anymore? About like that the question that comes to mind Savero.

"So, I didn't expect my two grandchildren to have such a good connection with the future King's candidates. I'd be worried who would support you if you were both chosen as Crown Princess candidates."

Penelope tilted her head in confusion, "Candidate? The prince didn't marry someone he loved to marry, grandfather?"

Bastien looks at two young girls who could potentially be elected in the selection of the Crown Princess which means that it will also be Raiden's life companion. "You may not have heard of it. All right, I'll explain a little."

Bastien then explained about how the Ethereal Kingdom got their Queen.

It had been for two generations that the King of the Ethereal Kingdom chose their Queen through a test. Young girls from among the nobility will be tested and must pass several phases to the final stage. Some of the lucky girls would directly get an official invitation from the palace side and the rest of the participants would register themselves.

They will pass various intelligence tests, codes of ethics, attitude-taking tests on a problem, knowledge tests, and other additional tests. Usually there are only three people who will get to the final. That is where the new King has the right to choose the one person who is best to accompany him. The remaining two unelected girls will be special ladies-in-waiting who serve the Queen in honor.

This particular dayang will stay in the palace as well. They will follow wherever the Queen goes. In simple terms, the Queen's escort's special lady is the same as a secretary. Although they are called ladies, they are still noble women. The king is also free to raise this special Dayang to be his concubine or just his comfort woman.

However, there is absolutely no coercion in this placement. If the two girls who lost the final election did not want to be special ladies-in-waiting, the government allowed them to return. Usually they will go home with a badge of honor which certainly brings benefits such as his reputation that is increasingly up among the nobles.

Bastien knew enough of Raiden's minor character, so he could not be sure whether it was used by him or even abandoned and recorded as history only.

"It's just a prediction, but it looks like Raiden will follow this way. He's a kid who loves tricks. It is hard to guess his way of thinking. It feels, choosing directly the Queen candidate without going through a less entertaining test for Raiden." Bastien pressed the tea in his cup and stood up, "I still have to take care of other work. Savero, you wanna come?"

"Good."

They left the two girls in awkwardness. Quinn was not interested in finding a topic, it was better for him to think of a new plan for the future than to invite the two-faced girl to talk about Raiden the vicious impostor. "These two people are making me tired." Quinn lamented inwardly.

If Raiden likes someone among the participants, it's possible that he will help from behind. That's what Penelope thought. For her, becoming Queen was a great goal that should not fail. By becoming Queen, she will be free from the pain she has been suffering.

Penelope looked back at Quinn's relaxed face. "You're very strong, yes. I'm really proud."

"It's not something to be proud of. I was just a little lucky so I could be free from their siege."

Penelope clasped Quinn's hand, "I'm really curious how you got away from them. Can you tell me?"

Quinn shook her head slowly as a subtle sign of rejection. "I'm sorry, but because of the shock I received, I didn't clearly remember what happened to me that night." Quinn saw dissatisfaction in Penelope's eyes. Yes of course Penelope was not satisfied because no one could tell her how this weak Quinn could still come home alive. "I'm so sorry about you, Quinn. It's such a relief to have you survived despite carrying such a severe wound."

"Yes, thank you, Penelope. You are very attentive. Ah, but I'm sorry, 'cause my tea party failed." Quinn returned Penelope's hand.

"It's okay Quinn, don't think about it. As long as you survive, we can do it anytime Raiden has time. Oh yeah, did Raiden visit you?"

The intensity of Quinn's smile increased, it was very noticeable that the girl was happy. "Yes! u know? he hugged me as soon as he got to the room. I think my heart's gonna explode."

Penelope unintentionally hardened her hand grip responding furiously in her heart that could not be removed. "Ouch!" when Quinn heard about the new pain, Penelope's consciousness returned, "You're the reason, Penelope?"

"O-oh, sorry Quinn, sorry, I really didn't mean it." The baby blue girl hurriedly looked for another topic to distract. "By the way Raiden was here a long time ago?"

"No. Very briefly, because he directly wanted to help grandfather investigate those bandits."

Deg

Penelope stiffened in shock. Raiden helped Quinn investigate his hit men? this could be terrible. If Raiden managed to find out the fact that the one who hired them was himself, what would the Ethereal Prince be like against him? the chance to win her heart. Penelope felt her heart had moved to her ears because it was beating so fast that it reached her sense of hearing.

Penelope's face suddenly paled. Quinn who witnessed it wondered, "Penelope? what was? why are you so dumbass?" a soft pat on Penelope's shoulder managed to make her jump in shock. "Penelope, are you okay?"

"Y-y-yeah, I-I'm fine. Suddenly I felt dizzy and nauseous. I'll go to the bathroom first huh. I'll be back later."

"Oh, okay. Careful."

As soon as Penelope disappeared behind the door, Quinn showed a horrible smile while holding her chin. "Hahaha, it turned out to be him. Pfft! I am so speechless. He was also apparently. What made him rush that? I'm sure he regretted the rash move he took himself."

"Sorry Raiden, you have a competitor now. Which one of you will kill me first? I'm looking forward to it."

Quinn stretched her stiff muscles. "This eye is quite helpful."

"Your Majesty, excuse me. I'm bringing you lunch and medicine."

A young waitress of her age came bashfully while pushing a food trolley inside. "Oh, thank you, yeah. Um what's your name?"

"What a good name. Thank you, Emily. Oh right, I have to go to the library for a while. Can you put the food here? I'll be right back." the ginger-red-haired girl was patted on her shoulder by Quinn who passed away, "I went to the library for a while."

"All right, Your Majesty."

Penelope ran into the garden to breathe fresh air. Quinn's room felt like a dungeon to him. Superstitiously. However, before reaching the park, Penelope had heard the chatter of Savero and Bastien who had started guarding the area where the bodies of the bandits were found. His heart seemed ready to slip out of his mouth.

"How's this? what if everyone knew I was the one who made them attack Quinn." Penelope is honestly not good at doing evil things, she just feels desperate and wants to quickly achieve her dreams. "No, there's no way they know. I just heard that they've been found lifeless." Penelope walked back and forth unsettled while playing her fingers nervously.

Evan, who was already wearing a coat, came to Penelope before going to the Ethereal palace. The restlessness of the beautiful young girl seemed so obvious that everyone could realize she was thinking about something. "Lady, what are you doing out here? didn't you say you wanted to see His Highness Quinn?"

The girl was aghast in shock and looked at Evan with glaring eyes. "T-Mister Evan was just surprised. I talked to Quinn. I came here because I like to see the garden view in my grandfather's house which is bigger than in my house."

"Oh, yeah." Evan smiled as he stood beside Penelope. "You seem uneasy since then, if you can, why don't you share it with me? I might be able to help." he said politely and kindly.

"No, I'm just worried that there's still the rest of that band of criminals hanging around. I have to go home tomorrow, so how could I not be anxious."

"That's it, but actually you don't have to worry about it. The Grand Duke and Prince both tightened guard in the border area of each city."

Penelope nodded in understanding. "Thank God, then, may they all be caught soon. Oh yes, Mr. Evan. Does grandfather know where the bandits came from?"

The glasses guy nodded slowly. "They're not bandits, they're hit men. The prince has confirmed this because he himself came there."

"O-oh hahaha so yeah. Both are dangerous, right? it's a good thing that Raiden helped Grandpa, so things quickly came to light."

"Lady, are you really okay? You're sweating cold and pale. Better get some rest inside."

Penelope can't hide the anxiety. This was the first real crime he had committed to kill his cousin, so Penelope did not dare to look anyone in the face. "Y-yes, that's a good idea. I'll go back inside, thank you, Mr. Evan."

"Do you want me to take you inside?"

"No, I can do it myself. You want to go out too, right?"

"Yes, I brought the report that the Grand Duke has completed to the Prince."

Penelope then held Evan's hand begging. "Can I send my greetings to the Prince? oh, and tell him not to push himself too much."

What kind of man is Penelope? she was acting like a criminal who was afraid that her crimes would come to light, but once she knew Evan was about to meet his real master Penelope immediately acted as if she was the most loving and caring woman. Disgusting.

"Okay, Lady."

At the same time that Penelope was out clearing her mind, Quinn found no book at all. Bastien's library is large, but there is no book on mythological creatures such as fairies or the like. "Grandfather might not like that kind of book. Well, that's understandable."

So Quinn returned the royal history book that had been taken earlier. "Let's see, I think he's in action. Time to catch the thief." a thin grin was imprinted on Quinn's soft lips.

Quinn went back to her room. From the door he saw the food trolley still in the room. Quinn glanced at the dresser. That's where Emily is. She's rummaging through Quinn's jewelry drawer. Even the owner of the room also saw Emily take a favorite flick of the fifth birthday gift from Sirena. "He's really greedy."

"I have to take more. I can eat well with this."

Quinn leaned against the door while watching Emily carefully sort out her own employer's jewelry. "The necklace was given by Raiden. It's a good idea to take something else if you don't want your beautiful hands to break" Quinn said.

Emily, the young girl jumped in shock. He paled, looking back with great fear. "Y-Y-Your Majesty. i-i-it's not what you think it is." he said stammeringly, cold sweat immediately soaked his face.

"Hm, then you want what I think? you're cleaning my desk drawer, aren't you?"

Emily immediately kowtowed and dropped all the jewelry that had been taken to the floor. "Please forgive me, Your Majesty! please forgive me! I was forced to do this because my sister was very ill. Please forgive me, Your Majesty." Emily is not really sorry. He was prostrating to make Quinn pity his circumstances. She knew that Quinn was an innocent and forgiving girl, she could not hate someone and continued to be understanding.

Quinn sat on the sofa, resting her right leg against her left thigh. "Here." said Quinn coldly.

Emily walked over and settled down in Quinn's room.

Plaque!

The loud slap made Emily glare in shock, her face turning the other way forcefully. "Eh...?" who would have thought this would happen.

"You're an only child and you have no family at all. How can one be shameless like this, apologizing but using another lie? it's funny."

Emily prostrated herself again crying. "I'm guilty, Your Honor. Please forgive me! I won't repeat it again, please don't fire me."

Quinn raised Emily's chin for the girl to look at her. "You didn't steal it once or twice. Do you want me to cut off your ten fingers so you can repent, eh?" emily's body trembled violently, her chest tight. Quinn's eyes flashed with anger. The sweet-faced girl looked like the villain in the novel. "S-I promise I won't repeat it again, Your Majesty."

"I know you're a spy. Now tell me, who do you work for?" honestly, Quin already knew, he only tested the honesty of Emily the two eyes who like to steal in order to live well.

"I-it's.. it..." Emily avoided eye contact with Quinn. Raiden is a terrible person. If he opens his mouth, Raiden will take his life.

Plaque!

Again Quinn landed a slap to Emily's cheek so that the two cheeks of the thief girl flushed the former slap. "I don't like being made to wait."

Emily was still considering which answer she would give.

Quinn stood up and looked down at Emily below him. "Grandfather is writing the name of the servant who will be fired. Grandpa will write right away if I recommend your name."

Emily bought in disbelief as soon as Quinn stepped out of the room. Where did that gentle and kind-hearted figure go? "He really didn't give me time to think." Emily's inner, she was really desperate.

One...

Two...

Three...

Grebs

Emily immediately hugged Quinn's leg tightly, holding the girl back from going to report to her grandfather. "Well, Your Majesty. S-I'll do everything you want, please don't fire me, I beg you!"

Quinn's grin widened with brightly lit eyes. "Hahaha, wise decision." Quinn stroked Emily's ginger-red head, "Wake up, Emily."

The young girl who was the same size as Quinn followed the orders of her master with eyes that were still glazed. "I'll give you jewelry every time you do your job properly. Hows it? you interested?"