Two days had passed since the emotional tempest of the dinner. G6 had been conspicuously absent from the Training Arena.
In her office, she sat behind her desk, chair turned to face the full-wall window and the sprawling capital below. Tina worked diligently at a corner table, learning the paperwork she was meant to take over. The air was heavy, silent. A barrier.
Lilia sat quietly beside Tina. Since that night and her brave, comforting hug, she had become withdrawn, speaking only when spoken to. She moved as if afraid to disrupt the fragile equilibrium, treating her mistress with a new, cautious reverence.
Only Edmund approached without reservation, their secret plan a unique bond. He entered, walked directly to her desk.
"Lady Reise, the Queen's response regarding Lady Brenda's residency." He offered the sealed letter.
"Open it. Read it." She didn't turn from the view.
Edmund broke the seal. "Her Majesty has no objections. She is 'pleased a noblewoman of suitable standing will be in residence to provide companionship.'"
A faint sound of amusement escaped G6. Companionship. Right.
"Inform Brenda. No. Tell her to come here."
"Understood." A curt bow, and he left.
Nobody has bothered me since that night. They must despise what I said. Good.
A proud, cold smirk touched her lips. She was satisfied with how thoroughly she'd shattered their illusions.
Truth hurts like a blade. Not that I'm capable of knowing what 'hurt' is, beside physical.
Her gaze intensified, shifting from the capital to the distant, formidable mountains. A silent challenge.
Edmund descended the grand staircase. He spotted Brenda at the foot, engaged in conversation, a book under her arm.
He offered a precise bow. "Good morning, Lady Brenda."
Her attention shifted, a bright smile. "Edmund! How is Lady Reise?"
"As she ever is. She wishes to speak with you."
"Truly?" Brenda's entire demeanor brightened. She excused herself and hurried up the stairs, Edmund following.
What is her true objective? he mused. It is unlike her to grant such access without demanding significant payment. What does she see?
Brenda waited at the office door. Edmund knocked twice. "Lady Reise… Lady Brenda is here."
"Enter." G6 finally turned her chair from the window.
"How are you, Lady Reise?" Brenda asked, smile warm.
"Unchanged." G6 returned a smile that didn't reach her eyes—a practiced expression. "Sit."
Brenda gladly took the couch. "You called regarding the Queen's response to my residency…"
"She has no objections. You may move in at your earliest convenience."
Brenda's smile widened into a beam. "Truly? Thank you! I shall prepare a proper gift!"
"Unnecessary."
"No, I insist! Please, allow me this."
"Do as you see fit." A slight wave. "However, I have a favor."
Edmund's gaze sharpened. Ah. Here it comes.
"Of course! Happy to be of service!"
"I require these items from the Library storage." G6 handed a folded paper to Edmund, who delivered it with a bow.
Brenda scanned the list. "Training attire and Dimensional Vault earrings? Consider it done. I'll deliver them personally."
"Bring them to the villa once you're settled. Tomorrow."
"I'm ready now!" Brenda declared, her enthusiasm making Tina and Lilia glance up. "My belongings are at the Library. I'll collect everything after my duties!"
She's playing directly into her hands without realizing it, Edmund observed.
"Very well. If we have not returned, seek Janin. She's preparing your quarters."
"Understood! Thank you again!" Brenda rose, offered a deep bow, and floated out.
The moment the door clicked shut, G6's smile vanished. Her focus shifted to Edmund. "The matter from yesterday. Status?"
"I was about to attend to it. I shall see to it immediately."
"Dismissed."
With a bow, he left.
G6's attention turned to her maids. "You two."
They looked up. "Yes, Lady Reise?" Tina asked.
"Did you bring my training gear? This gown is restrictive." She plucked at the fabric.
"Yes, in the adjoining room. Shall I fetch it?"
"Bring it here. I'll change here. Edmund is absent."
Tina nodded and slipped out.
"Lilia."
"Yes, Lady Reise?" Her voice still carried caution.
"Go to the cafeteria. See what's for the midday meal. We'll take lunch here."
The simple, normal command worked. Lilia's apprehension melted into familiar cheer. "Okay!" She hurried out.
Alone, the last vestiges of G6's performance fell away. Cold satisfaction.
Good. I reestablished distance after my outburst. Now I've mended it by giving them what they wanted: a purpose. Predictable. Humans and their fragile, easily manipulated emotions.
With the precision of a master puppeteer, she pulled the strings, mending the fractures she herself had created. The game continued, each person a piece on her board.
「Prince Dio's Office」
Prince Dio sat behind his imposing desk, recruitment paperwork untouched. His mind was elsewhere.
I wonder if she's calmer now.
Would my presence only provoke another… episode?
His eyes were fixed on the door across the hall. G6's office.
"I'm kinda sad. Reise has been absent for two days." Keith's voice cracked through his brooding.
Prince Dio's head snapped up. "How long have you been there?"
"You're too comfortable. We've been here a while," Keith said, annoyed. Earl was also present, a book open in his hands, attention divided.
"Reise is…" Earl began, eyes on his page. "She does not present as broken. And yet, one gets the impression her very soul is… fractured." He closed the book.
"What do you mean?" Prince Dio's brows furrowed.
"I don't know. I can't name it." Frustration edged his scholar's tone. "The Reise now is like a complex artifact. You can't tell where the change originated."
"I'll be honest, her perspective on love was… disturbing. Yet it was all fact," Keith added, his playfulness absent.
"I always observed her before. She was mean to servants and other noblewomen. But mindful around us," Prince Dio said, staring at the papers.
"Especially around you," Earl added. "But her speech after Keith claimed she still has feelings for you… was beyond that."
"The worst she can say is 'no,'" Keith teased. Prince Dio threw him a sharp glance.
The office door was thrown open with force. Brenda stood in the doorway, triumphant, Zen hovering uncomfortably behind.
"What a rude woman," Prince Dio mused, irritation flashing.
"Tch. The only scholar with the manners of a barnyard animal," Keith added.
"Shut up, you two!" Brenda retorted, stepping in. Zen followed, closing the door.
"You seem oddly cheerful, considering you lamented Reise's absence," Earl observed.
"Well, listen, losers," Brenda announced, voice buzzing. "I'VE BEEN SUMMONED BY LADY REISE!"
Her words were a spark. The three men straightened, lethargy vanishing.
"Why only you?" Keith whined, envy plain.
"It's about me staying at the Main Villa! The Queen gave permission. I'm moving in today!"
"Tch. Who told you?" Keith.
"I just came from her office. I ran into Zen on my way out." Brenda flopped into a chair. "She seemed… fine. Offered her usual beautiful sweet smile!"
"I see," Keith said. Then, in a flash, he bolted, leaving the door wide open. He skidded to a halt at G6's office threshold.
Everyone in Prince Dio's office stared, shock freezing them.
G6 was mid-change. Her black dress had slipped down, pooling at her waist. The elegant line of her back, a delicate silhouette against the soft light. Skin like alabaster and rose.
She froze, head turning slowly toward the doorway where Keith stood, paralyzed.
"I'LL KILL YOU."
Her voice was a low, deadly promise. Not flustered. Cold, lethal. An assassin's composure. Modesty was trivial; the violation of her space was not.
"LORD KEITH!!!" Tina cried, lunging to slam the door and shove the dazed Keith back into the hall.
For a moment, no one could speak, the image seared into memory.
"KEITH, YOU IDIOT!!" Prince Dio found his voice, surging to his feet, a possessive anger roaring in his chest.
"YOU AND YOUR WATERLOGGED BRAIN!" Brenda shrieked.
"SERIOUSLY, KEITH, YOU UTTER FOOL!" Earl snapped.
"SHUT UP, EARL! FIRST SHE SAT ON YOU, NOW YOU SEE HER ALMOST—" Prince Dio's shout choked off, jealousy raw.
"DON'T YOU DARE TAKE THIS OUT ON ME!" Earl.
"Please, everyone, calm down!" Zen pleaded, bright red.
"SHUT UP!" the three yelled in unison.
Then, G6's door opened. She stood there, changed, her top hastily tucked, expression pure, unamused annoyance. "What's all the fuss? Close your door; I can hear you." She leaned against the frame.
They all stared, shocked by her nonchalance. Keith, leaning against the wall opposite, looked ready to combust.
She glanced at his scarlet face. "What's wrong with you?" Her head tilted.
Has he never seen a woman undressed? Sheltered virgins. She scanned his mortified expression, the flustered faces. Then she laughed. A short, sharp, mocking sound.
"What the heck. First time seeing a woman's back? Tch. Prudes." She shook her head, stepped back inside, and shut the door firmly.
The latch clicked. Keith exhaled violently, stumbling back into Prince Dio's office and slamming the door. "Hey…" he gasped, leaning against it. "Reise is crazy!"
"I am going to kill you," Prince Dio stated, voice low and shaking.
That imbecile. He laid eyes on what was not his to see. The line of her back… it should be… Prince Dio's thoughts snarled, a possessive heat flaring. And she laughed. She was not ashamed. She was amused. Does nothing pierce that armor? Does she feel nothing? Or does she simply not care whose eyes are upon her? Unacceptable.
"STUPID! STUPID KEITH!" Brenda yelled.
"LEARN HOW TO KNOCK!" Earl barked.
Prince Dio's hand flickered. A searing fireball shot at Keith. Brenda summoned a pebble, launched it with lethal accuracy. Keith yelped, dove behind a couch. Spells scorched the wall.
"ENOUGH!" Zen's voice boomed, uncharacteristically loud. He stepped between them, hands raised. "YOU'LL TEAR THE PLACE DOWN!"
Everyone froze. Keith peeked out. "Oh… Zen is mad…"
"You made kind Zen mad!" Brenda accused, pointing.
The profound shockwaves from G6's dinner speech were forgotten, replaced by chaotic, juvenile fury. In minutes, the scene had devolved from somber analysis to farcical brawl. The most powerful nobles in the kingdom, reduced to squabbling children by the infuriating woman across the hall.
「WEST VILLA」
Time Check: 9:00 P.M.
G6 entered the silent, sleeping villa. She looked ragged, covered in a fine layer of sweat and dirt. Absent from the Arena, her training had not ceased—it had shifted to the cover of night.
"Lilia, Tina. Retire. I'll manage my own bath." A tone that brooked no argument.
"Are you certain?" Tina's concern was evident.
"Yes."
"Then, rest well."
"Good night, Lady Reise!" Lilia chirped, brightness tempered with worry.
"To you both."
Ascending the grand staircase, she found Janin waiting outside her chamber door.
"Lady Reise." A respectful bow. "Good evening."
"Good evening. Why are you still awake?"
"To inform you Lady Brenda has moved in with… notable efficiency. As instructed, I assigned her a room down the other hallway, away from your chambers."
"You have my thanks, Janin. Continue to look after her."
Before she could turn the knob, Janin spoke again. "It seems she finds the main floor… rather lonely, my lady."
"Explain."
"It might be beneficial if you were to take your evening meals with her in the dining hall." Janin's words were careful, laced with subtle understanding. "It would… foster a closer connection."
G6 studied her. "Very well. Tomorrow. This is my final late-night session for a while."
"I shall note it." Another bow. "Rest well." She disappeared down the shadowed corridor.
G6 opened her door, stepped into darkness. The room was lit only by pale moonlight through the balcony doors. There, silhouetted against the glass, stood a man.
"Edmund." Unsurprised.
"Lady Reise. It is ready." He gestured to the low tea table.
He moved to the mantel, lit a single candle. Flame cast long, dancing shadows. G6 unbuckled her harness belt, tossed it onto the bed with a soft thud, walked to the table.
"They are black, as specified."
Upon the polished glass lay twin daggers forged for a singular, lethal purpose. The color of a starless night, matte finish absorbing light. Blades tapered to a vicious, needle-sharp point. Etched into the dark steel were intricate, glowing crimson patterns that pulsed like dormant fire. Hilts wrapped in tough black leather. In each cross-guard, a single blood-red gem gleamed with malevolent, watchful intensity. Not weapons of war. Instruments of assassination.
"Beautiful." Her fingers traced the blood-red patterns, reading a story in the metal.
"Enchanted. Unbreakable, especially for a seasoned wielder." Pride in his voice.
G6 picked one up. Without hesitation, she drew its razor edge across her palm in a swift, shallow cut.
Edmund didn't flinch, but his mind raced. She didn't even react. I just said it's magically sharpened, and she tests it on her own skin. What manner of person are you?
A slow, predatory smile spread across her lips as she watched a thin line of blood well. A hunter reunited with a favored weapon.
I wonder… ally, or the most dangerous foe? Edmund's thoughts whirled. But for now, I trust in the strange, unconscious kindness you show us. You may be unaware of it. We are not.
"Edmund…" she called. "We're set to go." A pleasing smile.
The smile of a wild animal finally ready to break free from its gilded cage.
In the quiet darkness, lit by a single candle and the glow of enchanted steel, the final piece was secured. The playful chaos of the day gave way to deadly serious calm. The mistress of the villa stood not as a noble lady, but as a Reaper admiring her newest scythes. Her steward watched, his loyalty secured by a bond she didn't know she'd forged. The stage was set. The tools were in her hands.
–-To Be Continued…—