NovelEnglish"I've hit the mark and just haven't gone beyond the average. Aunt Aurelia just wantsto shoot up a bit taller before | go on a
diet. But I'm just a late bloomer, that's all. Everyone in our family is tall. How could | be short? It's not like I've got a mutant gene or
something."
Mira explained earnestly, her plump, rosy cheeks making her look as adorable as a ripe apple.
Nina pinched one of those cherubic cheeks, "Chubby bunny, if you keep packing on the pounds, how are you supposed to grow
upwards? Aunt Aurelia wants you to slim down so you can shoot up."
Mira sighed, "Mom never madediet before."
Nina shook her head, her voice tinged with sass, "That's because Mom had her hands full worrying about Dad all day, fretting that
sfloozy might snatch him up. She had no tto fuss over us. Aunt Aurelia doesn't have to worry about Uncle Leopold running
off with sdame, so she can afford to spend more ton us, you see?"
Poor Mom, Mira thought, missing her already. She made a mental note to visit her tomorrow.
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Making a goofy face at Nina, Mira teased, "You're not exactly a model figure either, you're too skinny and a picky eater, and Aunt
Aurelia says kids shouldn't be picky."
Nina put her hands on her hips defiantly, "I'm not picky. | just don't like certain foods, that's all. Aunt Aurelia says it's okay to be a
bit thin as long as I'm not malnourished."
Mira stuck out her tongue, "Anyway, we're pretty much the same."
"Not even close, I'm way better than you," Nina retorted, her eyes wide and fierce, yet somehow still cute.
Mira threw up her hands in mock surrender, "Alright, you're the best and the most beautiful, the perfect Nina."
"Stop with that nonsense," Nina said, rolling her eyes, sensing the lack of sincerity in the praise.
That little rascal!
After lunch, Nina and Mira headed to their rooms for a nap. Meanwhile, Skyler summoned Kane into his room. "William, it's tto
start our lesson."
Kane was puzzled, what lesson? William hadn't mentioned anything. Swallowing nervously, he merely nodded in silence.
"Remember the poison formulas | taught you yesterday?" Skyler prodded. "Recite them back to me."
Kane's heart skipped a beat. So William was learning to concoct poisons from Skyler.
As Skyler's sole student, William would be privy to all his knowledge.
Clutching his forehead, Kane realized he had to feign illness, "Skyler, | think I've caught a cold today. My head is all foggy. Can we
possibly skip today's lesson and pick it up tomorrow?"
"Huh?" Skyler felt his forehead. No fever.
"Do you feel very ill?"
"Yes," Kane nodded, slumping onto the sofa. "I feel terrible. | need to sleep."
Skyler gave him a long and pondering look, sensing something off about him today but couldn't quite put his finger on it.
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"Alright, go get srest. We'll continue the lesson tomorrow."
"Okay," Kane hurried out, aware that even though Skyler was "just a kid," he was incredibly sharp and held a PhD in psychology.
Getting caught would be disastrous.
Once back in his room and the door securely locked, Kane called William, "Are you having fun, William?"
"Yeah," William nodded, currently swapping stories with Susanna. She was filling him in on the latest gossip about their friends.
Aurelia had the servants prepare Elysium's signature pastries to welcSusanna and her family.
"You're managing okay, Kane? No slip-ups, right?"
Kane rolled his eyes, saying, "Skyler nearly caughtout. He wanted to have a lesson, but | claimed | had a cold and escaped."
William stuck out his tongue in mock apology, having forgotten to brief Kane on that part.
"I'll keep up the sick act when | get back then. Don't give the gaway."
"Sure," Kane took a sip of water, "Go have fun. | won't keep you. Just tell Mom, if Dad calls, not to let slip where you guys are or he
might just show up there."
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