elf, his drinking worsened the poverty of the siblings in distress.

Fortunately, with the persuasion and influence of these two young girls, he barely recovered two years ago.

"Charlene, isn''t the blanket on your legs too thin?" Edith couldn''t help but ask her friend.

"Oh, I''m fine, dear Edith," Charlene replied with a tender smile and a shake of her head. "I can endure all these things. It''s just a pity that I can''t continue with my chemical research."

Former aristocrat Raphael lowered his head. His sister''s nonchalant remark had once again stirred up his sad memories.

In the past, Charlene used to wrap herself in superior snow-white fur blankets during the winter, several of which in rotation.

The mob that confiscated their family''s property said these luxurious blankets would be turned into coats for soldiers in the north. Now, he could only watch his sister suffer from hunger and cold, powerless to do anything.

Ironically, it was just at the beginning of the year when the revolution broke out that he had inherited his title from his deceased father.

In just one short year, everything had turned upside down, what was once his glory had become a source of shame. It was not appropriate to condemn him for his prostration.

Edith felt that she had touched on Raphael''s sensitive nerve, so she changed the topic to something lighter, encouraging Charlene to talk about her chemistry.

As Edith spoke, Raphael lifted his head and gazed at her intently, as if he were beholding a priceless treasure