"Thank goodness…" Anna let out a quiet breath, the tension in her chest finally easing. "I used enough of the sleeping drug last night."
She didn't dare waste any time. Moving quickly and quietly, she slipped off her outer robe, bundled it in her hands, and sneaked out like a thief, heading straight for the secluded water source behind the house.
The early morning light was faint, the surroundings silent. She crouched by the water and scrubbed hard at the bloodstain. The icy water stung her fingers red, yet the brown mark stubbornly spread, dissolving into a faint reddish smear—like an indelible trace of last night's sins and madness.
She was focused on cleaning, far enough from the house—
Naturally, she did not see that after she left, the "deeply sleeping" junior sister's long lashes trembled ever so slightly, a faint smile curling at the corner of her lips.
Then, just as quickly, she returned to that harmless, deeply "asleep" appearance.
After washing up and changing into clean clothes, Anna returned to her room.
Seeing Elena still "asleep," a flicker of doubt crossed her mind. Did I use too much yesterday? The effect… is lasting a bit too long.
She walked to the bedside, her gaze falling on her junior sister's youthful, peaceful sleeping face.
The lingering excitement of last night's killing—and that budding sense of power—still pulsed faintly in her veins. Looking at that defenseless face, a strange impulse rose within her, a mix of control and a mischievous cruelty.
She reached out and pinched Elena's cheek, tugging lightly.
"Wake up, sleepyhead!" she called, her voice deliberately louder, carrying a hint of lightness—one that even she didn't realize belonged to someone in power.
"Mm… ah! Let go, Senior Sister, let go!" Elena "woke" with a startled cry, her face puffed from the pinch, her eyes instantly misting with tears—so convincing it was flawless.
Satisfied, Anna released her. The lingering unease faded, replaced by a sense of ease. Almost humming off-key, she led her still-drowsy junior sister downstairs.
Downstairs, the servants were preparing the day's relief porridge.
Steam rose from the large pot, but the grains of rice were sparse, the broth thin and watery.
Anna glanced at it, her brows immediately knitting together.
When the Baron was alive, it was like this. Now that he was dead… it was still like this?
Then what was the point of his death?
She had taken his place. Naturally, she now possessed the authority to alter others' fates. This pot of porridge would be her first test of that power.
"Add more rice."
Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried unquestionable authority. With a flick of her hand, she pulled out an entire sack of Grain from her storage pouch and dropped it at the servant's feet.
"Now. Put it in."
Startled, the servant didn't dare question her and hurried to obey.
Watching as more grains finally filled the pot, a sense of control surged within Anna.
Imagining the refugees outside, overwhelmed with gratitude, she almost felt herself floating.
"Still… not quite enough?" she murmured, her fingers reaching for the storage pouch again.
Behind her, Elena frowned slightly.
The Baron had just died, and her senior sister had already changed this much. Adding so much grain—wasn't she practically inviting suspicion?
"Senior Sister," Elena suddenly spoke, her voice gentle, yet sharp as a needle, perfectly puncturing Anna's swelling pride, "you seem… especially happy today. Did something good happen?"
Anna's hand froze midair. A thin layer of sweat instantly formed on her palm.
"I'm just… in a good mood!" she laughed awkwardly, forcing an explanation as her heart pounded.
Even this seemingly naive junior sister noticed something was off?
Was she practically advertising I'm guilty on her forehead?
The thought jolted her awake. Cold sweat trickled down her back.
She couldn't add more.
Changing things drastically right after the Baron's death would be like waving a torch and shouting there's something wrong here.
"Pfft."
Watching the two of them, Van Helsing couldn't help but chuckle. They were far too amusing—he decided not to expose anything for now.
That faint laugh in her mind made Anna's heart skip again.
Had she really acted that suspiciously?
Though he said nothing, her face grew hot.
She withdrew her hand awkwardly, forcing herself to remain calm, and gestured for the servants to bring the porridge out.
Outside, a long line of youths had already formed.
Soon, murmurs spread like ripples:
"Hey, today's my lucky day—the old Baron gave me a scoop with plenty of grains."
"Same here!"
"Really? Then it's not luck… the porridge is thicker today!"
"Yeah, there's more rice! My mom can eat a bit more today…"
Hearing the whispers filled with surprise and hope, seeing those faces light up over just a few extra grains, Anna stood upstairs, unable to stop the smile from spreading across her lips.
A warm, tingling satisfaction spread through her body.
This… was power.
A single casual decision could change countless lives—and earn the most direct gratitude.
The feeling was intoxicating.
"For my mom…" One phrase from the crowd stirred her memory.
Her gaze swept through the people, searching eagerly for the little girl from last night. She couldn't wait to see what expression she would have after receiving her "gift."
Soon, she spotted the small figure in a corner, quietly drinking her porridge, subdued and out of place among the others' excitement.
Anna was just about to head downstairs—
Step. Step. Step.
A series of heavy, synchronized footsteps rang out from beyond the compound gates, like pounding drums, instantly drowning out all noise.
Anna turned toward the sound.
Her pupils shrank.
More than a dozen cultivators in uniform dark-blue robes entered in formation, their expressions cold, their auras sharp.
On their sleeves and collars was embroidered a thorn-wrapped wave pattern in black Spirit Stone thread—
The unmistakable emblem of the Enforcement Hall of the Bitter Sea Sect.
The smile on Anna's face froze.
Her blood seemed to rush back into her heart, her limbs turning cold.
So soon?
Had her killing of her master already been exposed?!