I was reborn as an orphan, But I won't let that stop me

It is finally time for the third prince to arrive and everyone at the Evernight household is prepared. The mansion is spotless and some places are redecorated. Especially the guest room that he will stay in. Even the servants have gotten new work clothes, of course, what Annette has gotten was a male uniform. Since Annette is Cassi's aide she was of course not a part of the cleaning crew intend her job was to guard and take care of Cassi. Right now she is following her to the front garden to greet the prince together with Sebastian and everyone in the Evernight family. Of course, the rest of the servants that will greet him are already there. 

Just as they came outside the prince is just about to go outside the carriage and all the servants bow down to greet him. But what they did not expect was that an uninvited guest would tag along, Alzid Huzen. As Alzid walks out he gives off his typical innocent sunlike smile and greets the Evernight family together with his friend. But from time to time he is secretly taking glances at Annette. While Annette knows that his fake smile and his glances at her mean that he is scheming something and it is most likely something to do with her. She on the other hand is indifferent, after he may toy with others but if he does something to her he might not even know how the tables have turned. She knows that ignoring him will either make him lose interest or he would be so reach that he will make a huge mistake. Besides she can't really do anything to him without him initiating it as she is a servant. But once she is 19 she is old enough to quit her job as a servant and apply as a magic researcher at the royal palace and if her merit is high enough she can be promoted to a higher noble rank. From that, she only needs to work hard to go up in rank until she is the same rank as him. That is when she can cause trouble for him if he keeps being a nuisance. She has already talked to the grand duke about quitting her job as an aide if she is able to pass the exam for a magic researcher and he agreed. After all, he doesn't want to hold her back. It is her life after all. He even said that he can give a recommendation for a noble title as a gift if she passes.

After all, she might not have shown it but with him being so perceptive he could tell that she is someone with high ambition. So he knew that she can't be satisfied by just being a very well of commoner. All he required was that she help Cassi out if she was in danger she could. After all, he knew that his daughter likes her and that if she make such a promise they will not drift apart. That means that his daughter still has a chance to make frains with her. As he knows that Annette when she is her servant is impossible for his daughter to befriend as she very clearly separates her superiors and friends. So when she quits it is an opportunity as well as a disadvantage for Cassi. As if she doesn't have a lingering connection to Cassi Annette will just forget about her. Luckily Annette thought that that is a fair deal. He did not tell her though that he would have still helpt Annette even if she disagreed. But she will never know.

"Alzid Huzen, I was not aware that you would tag along with the prince, don't you have better things to do?" Zack asks. " My apologies grand duke, but when I heard that my best friend is going to live elsewhere for protection I was worried for him and tagged along. So that I can keep him safe." Alzid says and Zack's eyes twitch hearing this. 

He knows that that's a big fat lie, he may have fooled others but that brat is too wet behind the ears to fool him. but he is too clueless to know what he is after, it seems that he has to start to take notice of the younger generation so that he can prepare his children for futer threats. Hopefully, he is not interested in his precious daughter, if he is able to fool her and they get together he can't do anything about it.  A pretentious sadist like Alzid will absolutely break his daughter's heart. She will never be capable of handling him and putting him in his place. And he doesn't believe that his daughter is a masochist either, so it will only end badly.

"You dont have to worry, I am his uncle there is no way I will let my nephew be hurt at my own home. After all not only is he family but even if I did not like him I would be stupid to hurt him at my own place. That will only arouse suspicion." Zack says. " I know, I know, that is why I have already apologized that I came unannounced. But I can't just help myself. Cant you let me stay, I dont need you to especially prepare a room I can take any spare room you have." Alzid answers and he gains brownie points with the servants. He is such a loyal friend. Seeing this he knows that if he refuses he will seem unreasonable and his wife will nag at him again. That he doesn't care about his reputation. "Well, since you are already here I can just through you out. That will be bad for my image." Zack says with a fake smile.

" I knew that you would understand..." Alzid says but stops when he hears Joseth clear his throat. "Uncle, I thank you for helping me out and letting me live here but I think that it is time to. go inside." The third prince says.

"You are right your Highness come, let us walk in." The grand duchess says and they all walk in.