Chapter 187

A white light flashed, arcing across the sky like a rose before exploding above the castle. The spectators below the viewing float gasped, "I saw it!" Others cried, "Me too! But I'm definitely not first!"

Liam's quiet reminder to Emma confirmed their status as the first to witness the castle fireworks. Their seemingly chance encounters, they now realized, were meticulously orchestrated.

Returning to Icovine Estate late that night, Liam parked the car. Emma entered the house, overhearing two servants conversing.

"Mr. Hall is so good to Mrs. Hall," the first servant said. "I heard he went to the family residence today. He looked dreadful when he returned, but seeing Mrs. Hall's injured hand in the garden completely changed his expression. You couldn't tell he'd been upset."

The second servant responded, "No wonder I saw Mr. Hall looking gloomy while mowing this afternoon. Mr. Simon must be ostracizing Mrs. Hall again."

"What is Mr. Simon thinking?" the first servant exclaimed. "Mrs. Hall is so kind and capable, so concerned about us. How can those delicate socialites compare?"

The servants' affection for Emma was evident. Smiling, she quietly retreated to her room.

Once inside, she called Levi. "Did Liam go to the family residence today?"

Levi, now privileged to use her blood and fiercely loyal, replied instantly, "Yes."

"Did Simon make things difficult for him?" Emma asked.

Levi recounted the events at the Hall family residence.

"Is that all? Nothing else?" Emma knew Liam; mere friction with Simon wouldn't cause such dejection.

Levi pondered. "I remember now. On the way back, I saw Mr. Hall looking at Mr. Simon's previous wife's photo on his phone…"

Simon's previous wife was Liam's biological mother. Emma, remembering Liam's deceased mother from her past life, realized he likely missed her deeply, although he'd never mentioned her.

"Got it, Levi. Thanks," she said.

"Madam, it's nothing," Levi replied.

After disconnecting, Emma assigned Josiah a new task regarding Liam's mother. Liam then entered, carrying a gift box. "A delivery for you."

"Me?" Emma opened it, revealing a gift from Uncle Philip: a pair of pink wrist guards. They appeared ordinary, but incorporated Philip's latest high-tech invention, offering temperature control and massage functions.

"I overheard you mentioning wrist discomfort," Liam explained. "Your Uncle Philip's been experimenting at Icovine Estate, and it seems he wanted you to have these."

Emma felt a surge of warmth. Though motherless, she had doting uncles. And Liam… she would ensure he felt familial warmth too.

The next day, an official email from Charon Military School confirmed her selection to represent them in the Krot Competition. Few female cadets achieved this honor, making Emma's selection exceptional.

Erza secured the remaining spot, a predictable outcome. Similar to Emma in skill, they were assigned to a separate training program.

Reuniting with Erza, Emma found him characteristically nonchalant, whistling with one hand in his pocket. "Emma, darling, we're going to Yenovia together! You can't refuse me this time, right?"

Emma raised an eyebrow. "If you have the time, why don't you worry about your childhood friend?"

"Childhood friend?" Erza, the inveterate player, had clearly forgotten Faith.

Emma let it drop. At the starting line, she posed a sudden question. "Erza, are you confident about winning the men's world championship?"

Erza, taken aback, asked, "Emma, darling, are you worried about me?"

Emma smiled. "I just want to say I'll definitely win the women's division. If you don't get first, your family probably won't let you leave the army, right?"

Emma knew about the Burnson family's pressure on Erza, who yearned to open an amusement park, rather than pursue a military career. His grandfather, Lennon, had made this deal: a top ranking in the Krot Competition would secure Erza's freedom. He'd strived for this for over a decade.

Emma was confident of victory; Erza needed a first-place finish for the same prize. The competition was fierce, though.

While unconcerned about her personal ranking, Emma wouldn't let Erza’s hopes go unheeded. Erza clarified his perspective: "Grandpa's request is a test. A good ranking is a bonus; otherwise, it's just luck. You perform as usual. It's not about you."

He craved success, but not at Emma's expense. Understanding his sentiment, Emma nodded.

The whistle blew. Emma and Erza exploded into motion, their powerful strides propelling them forward.