Anatoly, the former princess, smiled brightly as she spoke to me. “The matter with your monster has been settled, so that’s good. But it was to prevent any further accidents, so I hope you understand.” She patted my shoulder and asked with eyes shining with expectation, “Um... would it be alright if I have a meal alone with the general today?” “......” “Erilot is a kind child, so she’ll understand, right?” Anatoly chuckled softly, muttering as if to herself, “Ah, honestly, I haven’t figured out what to say to my brother yet. If I tell him I was in danger, he’ll be furious... Ah, will you help me, General?” “Yes.” Anatoly linked arms with Dad and pulled him away. “......” I stared fixedly at their backs, then turned around. Step by step, I walked as if nothing had happened, but I stopped in a secluded spot. Behind a shadowed pillar, out of sight from others. Quietly, I took out the communication stone and without hesitation, connected it. [This is Michelan.] Michelan answered immediately, as if waiting. “We need to prepare for an attack.” [Is it the Queen?] “No.” Even in the dark shadows, my eyes gleamed sharply. Like a wild beast crouching in the bushes, ready to tear its prey apart. “Anatoly, the former princess.” I knew who had orchestrated this. It wasn’t the Queen or some bold palace official’s scheme. They ended up gaining nothing. Only one person achieved everything they wanted in this situation. Anatoly, the former princess. This entire incident was her doing. ‘How dare she pull this stunt to snatch Dad away?’ I gritted my teeth. Han Jihyuk hurried into the Astra estate. “You must never leave the young lady alone.” Michelan’s warnings echoed in his mind. He quickened his steps to the guest room where Erilot was. “You’re here?” “What on earth happened?” Contrary to concern, Erilot sat calmly. But Han Jihyuk knew very well that this calm Erilot was even more terrifying. “Haven’t you heard from Michelan? It was all Anatoly’s doing.” “Anatoly? Just a fool, they say.” “I don’t know if she’s pretending or truly a fool, but this is definitely her doing.” Erilot’s confident words made Han Jihyuk curious. Wasn’t the investigation ordered due to lack of evidence? “Why?” “An obedient creature like Lagon wouldn’t suddenly become violent without reason.” “That’s true.” “And if he really went feral enough to lose his mind, Anatoly’s maid would have been eaten already.” “Hmm...” “It took me quite a while to arrive after hearing the screams.” “......” “Of course, only about five minutes. But compared to how long it would take a monster to kill a powerless maid?” “Indeed. That’s a long time.” “They screamed in advance, waited for people to come, and then did something to Lagon.” The noise of people running through the forest would have helped them pick the perfect timing. “Besides, Anatoly wanted Lagon dead. Everyone agreed to get rid of him, but she led that mood.” “To erase the evidence.” “Exactly.” “Hah...!” Han Jihyuk exhaled in disbelief. Pushing Erilot into a corner just to get Daymond. “What kind of woman is that? Wow, unbelievable!” “Quickly tell the general—” “No.” Erilot grabbed Han Jihyuk as he stood abruptly. “Why? If he knows, he’ll just get played by that crazy woman’s tricks.” “He’d be hurt because of Dad.” Erilot bowed her head. ‘I never want that.’ The one at fault is someone else, yet the victim has to be the one hurt. Han Jihyuk sighed, looking quietly at bowed Erilot. He sat back down. After all, the one feeling most shocked and angry now is Erilot. Looking out the window, swallowing his frustration, he asked, “So, what now...” Startled. Han Jihyuk turned toward Erilot but froze. Her fierce eyes gleamed from her somber face. ‘W-what...?’ Her gaze was sharp enough to make one flinch. I had never seen Erilot wear such a terrifying expression. ‘...Well, she’s a daughter who adores her father terribly.’ And how much did Erilot adore Lagon? It took a full year for the steel raven to become an adult. Erilot had never once let Lagon out of her arms, nurturing him dearly. They’d sleep with their heads together, she fed him, and they played together every day. ‘It was practically raised with her own hands, and now she’s about to lose him...’ When Han Jihyuk arrived at the factory, Deconz was already leading soldiers into the forest. By now, Lagon was probably... Han Jihyuk placed a hand gently on Erilot’s shoulder. “I don’t know what you’ll do, but I’ll help.” “......” At times like this, Erilot was terribly frightening. If someone she once spared crossed her to the limit, she would never let it go easily. ‘I bet Anatoly’s in big trouble.’ Erilot smiled faintly at Han Jihyuk. She silently fiddled with the wooden flute in her hands. It was the calm before the storm. The next day. The Astra estate was tense, like walking on thin ice. Such a huge incident had occurred only yesterday. Yet the estate’s lord, Duke Astra, showed no reaction. Though clearly displeased, his thoughts were unreadable. The retainers lowered themselves and acted cautiously. Anatoly paraded around dragging Daymond along. She chattered brightly, while Daymond looked expressionless, as if soulless. Everyone knew. Daymond was humoring Anatoly only because of their daughter. “Sigh... I used to think the general had a neutral face, but these days, it’s not neutrality.” “Right? Even a corpse looks better than that.” “Erilot must be upset too, right?” “Of course. Our young lady is so upset, what can we do?” The servants sighed with concern. Erilot was the kindest among the three-year-olds. While the others treated servants like objects, only Erilot treated them as people. “An-nyong!” The lively image of three-year-old Erilot running around cheerfully was still fresh in their minds. She was cute then, and still cute now. “Phew, I wonder how upset Erilot must be...” While the servants murmured worries, Erilot greeted Anatoly with a bright face. “Hello, Lady Anatoly!” Seeing Erilot come to her on purpose, Anatoly forced a reluctant smile. “Oh my, what brings you here?” Usually, Anatoly was desperate not to be near Erilot. She said strange things about thinking of her as a mother. But now with Daymond beside her, her attitude to Erilot showed annoyance. Yet Anatoly glanced at Daymond, then smiled brightly. “I’m glad to see Erilot again so soon after yesterday.” Though it was obviously an act to please Daymond, Erilot nodded cheerfully. “Yes!” “But wouldn’t it be better if you stayed at the estate?” “At the estate?” “Yes. It’s all for your sake, Erilot. After what happened yesterday, adults sometimes cast cold looks at children.” “I know that, but...” Erilot shrugged sadly but tried to stay brave. “I still want to give Lady Anatoly a present!” “A present?” “Yes! A gift of thanks!” “Oh my, what is it?” Anatoly feigned curiosity but wasn’t interested at all. ‘Honestly, I’d rather she disappear quickly than stick her nose in my and Daymond’s business.’ But she was Daymond’s beloved daughter. She couldn’t show disregard for the gift the daughter had prepared earnestly. “Here it is!” Erilot held out a beautifully crafted jewelry box. It was the box where Duke Astra had kept jewelry he gave Erilot. “Thank you for saving Dad and me. This is all I have to give...” “Oh, thank «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» you.” Anatoly took the jewelry box without looking properly. “Now go on.” With that, she sent Erilot away immediately. ‘Now that the nuisance is gone, it’s just the two of them again.’ Anatoly smiled happily, looking at Daymond. Her face softened as she traced his prominent nose and long, delicate eyelashes with her eyes. ‘How... can someone look like that?’ No matter how many times I saw her, I marveled. As they spent time quietly together, I naturally recalled the first time they met. It was at the imperial academy’s opening ceremony. Daymond Astra was there. Among countless students, only he seemed to be in the spotlight. I could only see Daymond. Anatoly fell in love with Daymond at first sight. Her ideal man from her dreams was real and standing right there! Since then, Anatoly chased after Daymond with all her heart. But Daymond never opened his heart to her. ‘No, it’s not that he didn’t want to open up, he couldn’t.’ Of course. The relationship between Astra and the royal family was not good. Even if he wanted to open his heart, he couldn’t. Eventually, Anatoly staged a suicide attempt to convince him to change his mind. ‘But because of that, she had to go study abroad in a distant country.’ The Empress Dowager disliked her falling in love with an Astra man. After that, Daymond stayed only in Astra territory, and they couldn’t meet. But seven years ago, news came out. That Daymond Astra had a daughter! I nearly went crazy then. ‘Another woman kissed him!’ The thought alone made my brain burn with rage. What kind of person was the daughter born of another woman? Anatoly even bribed an Astra estate servant to secretly get a portrait of Erilot. A cute girl with blonde hair and red eyes resembling Daymond. But the child’s face showed not only Daymond’s features. ‘Her facial features are different. Maybe she takes after her mother?’ She couldn’t forgive seeing another woman in the daughter of Daymond. But because she loved him, she endured and endured. And kindly reached out to Erilot. ‘And now she’s come this far.’ Sitting across from Daymond, spending time like lovers. ‘Once they return to the palace, she’ll tell her brother she wants to marry Daymond.’ Now that Daymond’s heart was hers, no one could stop her. Anatoly spent the whole day with Daymond. She looked sadly as he prepared to return to his territory. Daymond also seemed reluctant, giving her his gaze. ‘Don’t worry. We don’t have to part anymore.’ Just wait a little longer. Lost in those thoughts, I heard a maid’s voice. “What should we do with this box?” She was talking about the jewelry box Erilot had given. ‘Who on earth does she take after to be so cunning...’ It was pitiful that such a young child knew how to win favor with gifts. ‘I’ll have to teach her well once she marries him.’ Of course, she mustn’t interfere with her and Daymond’s relationship. “Throw it away.” Anatoly spoke coldly and entered her room. The maid glanced at the closed door and opened the jewelry box. “Wow...” Inside were dazzling jewels. ‘Is this the jewelry box Erilot gave the former princess?’ It was well known that Erilot had given the former princess the box. ‘Astra is truly something else. A ten-year-old child with such things.’ The maid ran her hand over the jewels. “Sigh...” She sighed unconsciously. ‘Anatoly told her to throw it away anyway.’ Taking something thrown away isn’t a crime. ‘It’s not very expensive since it’s a child’s, but it’s still something.’ The maid pocketed all the jewels and prepared to serve. Then, From the maid’s pocket, black smoke like dark clouds silently seeped into the shadows. But the maid didn’t notice at all. That smoke was a monster.