The door slammed open with a violent thud, shaking the private office as Gabriel stormed in like a barbarian marching to war.
Henry barely managed to steady his porcelain teacup, a few golden drops splashing onto the green-tinged edge of his crisp white suit. His lips twitched, but his gaze remained even.
Gabriel threw himself onto the leather chair across from him, legs wide, arms slung over the sides like he owned the place.
Gabriel: "Your Majesty is quite efficient these days, isn't he? Moving fast. Real fast."
He leaned forward, his voice dripping sarcasm.
Gabriel: "But guess who's even quicker?"
Henry set the cup down with delicate precision, raising a single brow.
Henry: "My lord, please refrain from those horrendous metaphors. I serve the crown with nothing but loyalty."
Gabriel: grinning lazily "Wow~ That sounded like poetry. Did you rehearse that on your way here? Or are you trying to impress me?"
Henry: "Your presence was requested."
Gabriel: leaning back, eyes half-lidded "Not now. I'm tired. I'll deal with the delegates from the middle states later. They're arriving this afternoon, right?"
Henry: "You will attend, of course. But it is not you the Emperor wishes to meet."
Gabriel straightened just slightly, curiosity flickering in his dark eyes.
Gabriel: "Then who?"
Henry's lips curled at the corner—calm, smug.
Henry: "The hooded individual with crimson hair. The one whose rags couldn't quite hide that royal flare. His Majesty has requested their presence."
He slid a sealed envelope across the polished desk. Gabriel didn't reach for it.
Henry: "I trust you'll deliver the individual accordingly."
With a final bow, Henry turned and exited without waiting for a reply.
The room fell silent.
—-
Cordelia lay sprawled across the enormous bed, staring at the intricately decorated ceiling.
Her crimson hair was scattered across the white pillows, and one hand rested beneath her chin.
She had a problem.
A rather troublesome one.
How was she supposed to investigate the Vaelthorne Duchy without attracting the attention of its owner?
Her gaze shifted towards the plush bat sitting on the bedside table.
"Val."
"Hm?"
"I need an excuse."
Val blinked his tiny eyes. "For what?"
"To get rid of Hana."
"Oh."
A moment of silence passed.
Then Cordelia sat upright.
"What if I tell her I need something?"
"That's generally how people ask for things, Root."
She ignored him.
"Perhaps I could say I'm feeling unwell. No, that would make her call a physician."
"Brilliant deduction."
"What if I ask her to prepare some special tea?"
"She'll prepare it and bring it right back."
Cordelia frowned.
"Then I'll ask her to find a rare flower."
"Inside the duchy?"
"Exactly."
Wouldn't that require her to leave your side for a while?"
"Precisely."
Val stared at her.
Then he slowly covered his face with one tiny wing.
"Root, you're making this unnecessarily complicated."
"Do you have a better suggestion?"
"Just ask her to leave."
Cordelia gave him a flat look.
"Your intelligence never ceases to disappoint me."
Before Val could retaliate, a gentle knock sounded at the door.
Knock. Knock.
Cordelia immediately straightened her posture.
"My lady?" Hana's sweet voice came from outside. "I've brought a pair of fresh clothes for you."
Cordelia's eyes widened slightly.
"Y-yes! Come in."
She cleared her throat, attempting to sound as though she hadn't just been plotting an elaborate escape from her own bedroom.
The door opened, and Hana entered with a neatly folded set of clothes resting in her arms.
Cordelia watched as the maid placed them beside the bed.
After changing into the beautiful silky white robe, Cordelia casually adjusted its sleeves.
Then, as though a brilliant thought had suddenly occurred to her, she turned towards Hana.
"Hana."
"Yes, my lady?"
"I've developed a rather unusual craving."
Hana tilted her head.
"Craving?"
"Eastern sweets."
"Oh! Would you like me to bring some?"
Cordelia nodded with an almost convincing expression of innocence.
"Yes. Something sweet. Perhaps a variety of them. I've heard the eastern confectioners make some particularly interesting desserts."
"Of course, my lady. I'll arrange them immediately."
"Wonderful."
Cordelia smiled.
A perfect opportunity.
"And Hana?"
The maid turned back.
"Yes?"
"Take your time. I would prefer something freshly prepared."
"Understood, my lady."
Hana bowed politely before leaving the room.
The moment the door clicked shut, Cordelia's smile vanished.
She turned towards the bedside table.
Val was already staring at her.
"Eastern sweets?"
"What?"
"You spent all that time inventing excuses, and that's what you came up with?"
Cordelia slipped out of bed and walked towards the wardrobe.
"It's called improvisation."
"It's called being suspiciously hungry."
"Keep talking, and I'll turn you into a decorative cushion."
Val shut his mouth.
For approximately three seconds.
"Should I at least come with you, Root?"
Cordelia glanced towards the door.
A faint, mischievous smile appeared on her lips.
"Obviously."
She reached for her cloak.
"Let's see what secrets the Vaelthorne family has been hiding."
Cordelia carefully approached the door.
She paused.
Listened.
Nothing.
Slowly, she turned the handle and pushed the door open just enough to peek outside.
The corridor was empty.
A satisfied smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
Perfect.
She slipped out, gently closing the door behind her. Peeking outside.
The corridor was empty.
A satisfied smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
Perfect.
She slipped out, gently closing the door behind her.
The upper floor of the Vaelthorne Duchy was considerably quieter than the rest of the estate. The servants rarely wandered around this section, and the thick carpets covering the floor muffled almost every sound.
Cordelia glanced in both directions.
Then she began her investigation.
The first door.
A guest bedroom.
Nothing.
The second.
A storage room filled with old furniture.
Nothing.
The third.
An ordinary study, with bookshelves and a rather impressive collection of antique maps.
Still nothing.
She closed the door.
The fourth, fifth, and sixth rooms were equally disappointing.
Cordelia's expression gradually darkened.
What a waste of time.
She had been following the faint traces of demonic mana lingering around the upper floor, but none of these rooms seemed to hold anything remotely interesting.
Perhaps the mana was concentrated somewhere else?
She moved towards the seventh door.
Opened it.
A small sitting room.
Nothing.
Cordelia sighed.
"Seriously?"
From somewhere inside her mind, Val chuckled.
Having fun, Root?
Be quiet.
Seven rooms and not a single clue. Perhaps you should consider becoming a professional housekeeper instead.
Val.
Yes, Root?
I will feed you to the next monster I find.
Val immediately went silent.
Cordelia turned towards the eighth door.
Unlike the others, this one had a rather unusual design. Its dark wooden surface was decorated with intricate silver engravings, and the handle felt strangely cold beneath her fingers.
Interesting.
She reached for it.
But before her hand could turn the handle
A presence washed over her.
It was overwhelming.
Sinisterly holy.
A peculiar contradiction that sent a faint ripple through her mana sense.
Cordelia froze.
For a brief moment, even Val stopped his usual commentary.
"Looking for something, my lady?"
A familiar, deep voice sounded from behind her.
Cordelia slowly withdrew her hand from the doorknob.
Ah.
How troublesome.
She turned around, her expression remaining perfectly composed.
Gabriel Vaelthorne stood a few steps away, leaning casually against the opposite wall.
His silver hair was slightly dishevelled, and his crimson eyes held an unmistakable trace of amusement.
He looked at her.
Then at the door.
Then back at her.
Cordelia blinked once.
"Good afternoon."
Gabriel's lips curved.
"Good afternoon?"
He pushed himself away from the wall and took a leisurely step towards her.
"That's all you have to say after I find you wandering around my private quarters?"
Cordelia maintained her poker face.
"I was exploring."
"Exploring?"
"Yes."
"Seven rooms weren't enough?"
A brief silence followed.
Cordelia stared at him.
Gabriel smiled.
Damn it.
He had been counting.
And somewhere inside her mind, Val was practically rolling around with laughter.