What must come will come. I’d run off with the adopted daughter meant for a business marriage—Leonard couldn’t just ignore it.

Seeing Emily’s panicked expression, I comforted her softly. “Don’t be afraid. Have him wait in the hall. I’ll be right there.”

“Mhm, Sister, go change upstairs. I’ll answer the door.”

I returned to my bedroom and draped the black robe over my long dress. It was wide enough to fully cover my hands and feet, so no risk of recognition. Then I put on the mask, black gloves, and shoes, and hurried to the hall.

Leonard had come alone. He sat anxiously on the living room sofa, frowning and sighing. “Lord Black, you’ve left me with quite a dilemma!”

I sat calmly across from him, my voice flat. “Oh? What trouble?”

“Sigh, my lord, don’t play dumb. Your clash with young Raymond is common knowledge. Now the Scott Clan is furious. I… I’m in a real bind!”

“Oh, what’s so difficult? Emily hasn’t signed any marriage contract with Raymond or the Scott Clan. She’s completely free. Is serving as my maid a problem? Or do you think serving a Mage like me is beneath your precious daughter?”

Leonard sensed my sharp tone. Sweat beaded on his forehead. “No, no! Serving a noble Mage is her greatest honor. But… Emily’s still young, of marriageable age. As her father, I must arrange things. Besides, I had a verbal agreement with the Scott Clan head six months ago…”

I let out a cold laugh. “Boss Leonard, imperial law doesn’t recognize verbal agreements, does it?”

“But…”

Emily, who’d been standing silently nearby, finally spoke. “Father, imperial law states boys are adults at sixteen and girls at fifteen. An adult decides their own work and marriage.”

I played along, shrugging with feigned helplessness. “Boss Leonard, you see it yourself. Emily signed the work contract with me voluntarily.”

“Sigh, Lord Black, I’m truly stuck! How about this: cancel Emily’s contract. I’ll hire three pretty maids for you and pay their ten years’ salary upfront. What do you think…”

Leonard clearly thought I’d snatched his daughter for her beauty. Emily covered her mouth, giggling softly, and winked playfully at me. If I wanted him to back off, this misunderstanding could be useful.

I beckoned Emily to sit beside me, then boldly pulled her into my arms. “Truth is, I fancy your daughter’s beauty. I want her in my harem. Boss Leonard, if you ruin my plans, you become my enemy. I’ll retaliate with every means possible. Honestly, you don’t want a Mage as an enemy, do you?”

“But… the Scott Clan head…” Leonard sweated profusely.

“The Scott Clan head? Heh. Boss Leonard, let me share a secret. My master is the renowned Stellar Archmage Charlemagne Hughes. I’m his sole disciple—a Level 3 Mage at my age, with limitless prospects. Let’s be frank: marrying Emily to that fat pig Raymond is just a business investment. But wouldn’t investing in me yield greater returns?”

My words made Leonard fall silent. A young Level 3 Mage with a powerful Archmage master… his value might not match the Scott Clan’s short-term influence, but long-term, my potential was staggering.

Seeing his hesitation, I stood with feigned impatience. “Emily is my woman. I won’t hand her over. If Raymond wants trouble, he can come to me. Now, I’m off to study magic. Emily, see our guest out.”

Watching Leonard’s carriage fade from the window, Emily sighed in relief. She patted her chest and looked at me gratefully. “Sister Rylin, thank you! That ‘Emily is my woman’ line was so cool! If you were a boy, I’d totally fall for you! But being a girl is better—I’ve gained a gentle, strong sister. I feel super secure!”

At heart, Emily was just a lively fifteen-year-old. Before, my strange robes and Mage status had awed her. But realizing I was a girl her age, easy to talk to, melted that reverence away. I’d never liked strict hierarchies anyway—this friend-like bond felt right.

“We’re friends. Helping you is natural. But can you stop calling me ‘Sister’? It feels weird…”

“Huh? Sister Rylin, are you younger than me?”

“I’m seventeen. Older than you.”

“Then what’s wrong with ‘Sister’!”

“Uh… how about ‘Brother’?”

“Bro… Brother?” Emily tried, then shook her head. “No, that’s weirder. I’ll stick with Sister, okay?”

“Fine. Only when we’re alone, though. Oh, Emily—is there a big bookstore nearby? I need books.”

“Yes! I passed a huge one last night buying furniture. I’ll take you, Sister. Staying home is boring anyway.”