Pendleton Revolution - Chapter 1.4
“He truly is a good person.”
Andie Julinas sheathed the sword that she’d first inspected. Andrea Julinas’s best friend Maria Hellegen, who had read Andie’s letter together with her and even flipped it about, shrugged and put down the letter.
“Indeed. He seems to be a good person. However, doesn’t it seem like he believes you’re male?”
“No way. I’m sure he’s been given basic information on his ward’s identity. After all, it is the most basic of basics to run a background check on a prospective ward for criminal records before playing as a sponsor. At the very least, he would have received a portrait of me.”
18 year old Andie Julinas, or to be more accurate, Andrea Julinas, who was the oldest orphan at the best orphanage within the Capital’s vicinities, Calabasta, held no doubt in her mind. First, she took the letter back, folded it neatly, carefully returned it to a clean envelope, and placed it in her storage box. Then she lowered her gaze filled with expectations that she just couldn’t hide.
Andrea Julinas was a young girl who had piercings and short blond hair cut to the length of a boy’s. Originally, she had a lot of interest in politics, the military, strategies, and tactics, not to mention, was naturally gifted with a great bone structure and physique, so she had carefully requested sponsorship for her studies in martial arts. But, in the end, she had received a sword as an addition. For a poor orphan with a common background, there was no greater honor than to be bestowed a sword by an aristocrat.
Having touched such an expensive sword for the first time in her life, the excited Andrea Julinas proceeded to open the second chest. Even as Andrea looked through the rest of the gifts, Maria Hellegen did not empathize with her greatly. Maria merely rubbed her chin and calmly chatted with Andie.
“I wonder. Just from the contents of the reply, he didn’t seem to be the kind of person to care for such things in particular. I’m sure he’d done his research as it’s a matter that decides whether one would become a part of high society or not. At the very least, he would have seen your portrait when he received it. That’s what I think as well.”
“Ah.”
“What is it?”
“He must think I’m male.”
What Andie Julinas lifted out from the gift box was male training clothes. It came along with a small card telling her to wear it as she pleased and to send notice should she need a new one due to it getting damaged or the like. Maria Hellegen who had poked out her head from behind covered her mouth with a most pitying attitude; alas, she let out an exclamation.
“Even if he received a portrait, if it’s you…”
“Shut up.”
At Andie’s sharp reply, Maria Hellegen immediately turned away pretending nothing in particular had happened. Then, she folded her hands behind her back and spun around.
“Congratulations on meeting a good sponsor, Andie.”
“What do I do? Should I write a letter explaining how I’m actually female? I don’t think he’ll look for additional information on me in the future either.”
“Is there a reason to do so? Just peacefully receive his charity and study. Don’t bother to take the risk of ruining your life by getting involved with the wrong aristocratic man.”
The forever wise Maria Hellegen slightly lifted her skirt and exaggeratedly curtsied as though she’d become one of those aristocratic ladies.
“Should he find out in the future, just go: ‘Oh my, I thought you’d definitely know I was female.’ You know, drip tears of hurt for being misunderstood. If a patron doesn’t do his research properly before the sponsorship, that’s his own fault.”
“What if he makes a strange request after finding out in the future?”
“Oh my, to you?”
After hearing Andie’s worry, Maria dismissed it refreshingly in her unique way by blossoming like a beautiful and elegant flower in the day.
“Wake up, Andie. You might be some upper-class madam’s preference, but you’re definitely not to the taste of an upper-class man. If you’re truly scared, then you might as well seduce some aristocratic madam who’d defend you before your identity is revealed.”
“Shut up.”
“If you have the time to concoct such worries, hurry up and become a handsome knight who will come take me away.”
As Maria Hellegen pressed forth with a sulky expression, Andrea Julinas decided to agree this time as well. She shrugged as if she couldn’t help it.
“Yes, yes. I shall do as our flowery lady wishes.”
“It’s fine since Andie’s handsome. How can one be handsome and beautiful at the same time?”
“My, my. Thank you sooo much for the compliment.”
Andrea Julinas responded sarcastically and quietly shut the chest, deciding to store the patron’s gifts carefully in some far corner and only use it for appearances.