After hearing those words, Hahn turned around and looked at Vivian in surprise.
"Isn't this the outcome you wanted?" Vivian regarded him with open disdain. "I've long wondered why you held such a strong grudge against me."
"If it were only that trivial matter, you shouldn't have taken it so seriously. Among nobles, it's perfectly normal."
"As for Eileen and the other two arriving, I didn't think much of it at the time—I simply assumed they were pawns you'd brought in to balance me."
"It wasn't until tonight that I finally understood: you'd known my identity all along. You installed them in the Sheffield Family not merely to counter me, but to replace me when necessary."
"Just now Eileen said she received the letter from you. Even if she ran into Freya and was incited, she shouldn't have interrupted us so rashly."
What's more, I know what an Instigator can do—it can only stir up the evil desires already lurking in a person's heart. Eileen's behavior didn't look like the eruption of incited malice."
"If you hadn't been so impatient this time, I might really have fallen into your trap. Still, I have to admit your plan was excellent."
Hahn smiled. "But my plan succeeded, didn't it?"
Vivian asked curiously, "Back then, Leif didn't alter your memory?"
Hahn nodded, then shook his head. "Count Leif didn't erase my memories; he only inserted some details of the original plan—such as Young Master Lucius becoming Count Altair, the Demoness's temptation, and so on."
"Maybe the insertion was rushed, or maybe it was because Young Master Lucius hit me with that vase. My memories were a mess, and it took nearly a month of rest before I could sort them out."
Vivian frowned at him. "According to what you say, I've been schemed against from the moment I entered this estate."
"Exactly." Hahn answered without concealment. "The day you arrived we began assessing you. If you'd seemed more dangerous, we would have eliminated you first."
"The reason you're still alive is that you weren't threatening enough and you could tutor Count Altair, so we kept you."
"We just didn't expect the two of you to fall in love so quickly; it disrupted many arrangements."
"So Leif Strauss wasn't affected by me at all? From the start he sensed my presence and set a series of traps based on my plan." Vivian shook her head with a bitter smile.
"How did you manipulate them? As I recall, you're only a 'Lawyer.'"
Hahn didn't reply; he simply unhooked the golden pocket-watch from his chest, flicked the lid open, then snapped it shut.
To an ordinary person the gesture would have looked unremarkable, but from Vivian's perspective every snap released a surge of spirituality.
A few seconds later she felt she ought to be doing something, yet couldn't remember what, her mood sinking.
When all anomalies faded, Vivian asked in astonishment, "I thought he could only slightly alter memories?"
Hahn pocketed the watch and explained:
"It can change memories, but not only that. Before the sealing was complete, using its other powers cost too much, so we avoided them. Fortunately, Count Leif finished the sealing recently; otherwise I wouldn't dare use it."
Vivian rubbed her temples. "So you relied on this Sealed Artifact to hypnotize them into helping you?"
"Correct reasoning, but not entirely accurate." Hahn said, "Freya did want to rise in rank; I merely used the artifact to ignite her thoughts. In your Witch terms, I incited her."
"As for Eileen, you know her background. For people like them there's only one law of survival: be valuable, or be discarded."
"Let's return to the main point. Your bond with Count Altair may be strong, but the Sheffield bloodline must not end—this is non-negotiable."
Vivian inclined her head. "Then why not let me have a child with him?"
Hahn stared blankly, then looked at her as if she were a fool. "Mid-Sequencers have a chance of passing down a few traits naturally; you know that. Only at High Sequence can you fully control such inheritance."
"But reaching High Sequence is unlikely."
Feeling insulted, Vivian retorted, "How do you know Altair wants children right now? Maybe it's only your wishful thinking. And what's wrong with the Assassin Pathway?"
Her words left Hahn disinclined to answer. He turned to leave, then paused and explained:
"When the next heir is born is Count Altair's choice—now or later."
"But you know Count Leif won't let Altair remain as he is. Lucius is his true name, and eventually he'll revert, which means he must expel the Assassin Pathway traits."
"If you agree, you may take Freya away. If not, please refrain from anything extreme."
"When you punish her, remember the dignity of the Sheffield Family. As for why you punish Freya, you'll need to explain that to Count Altair yourself."
"Inform me of your decision in advance; I'll decide whether we need to hire a new housekeeper."
"Most importantly, do not tell Count Altair about our deal."
With that, Hahn strode out of the drawing-room; his task was finished, and the rest was Altair's private affair.
Both had achieved their aims through the bargain. Meanwhile, Altair was writing letters—she needed to reply to Count Hall and to find someone to accompany her.
To a small private tea or dinner she could go alone, but for a grand formal ball she was still too young and required a chaperone. Only after her social coming-of-age could she attend such events unescorted.
The usual choices were Mother, female companion, or governess—unfortunately, Altair had none of these.
She could only write several letters to her former tutors and see if any could fill the role...