The petite silver-haired loli burrowed under the soft cotton blanket, forming a small nest-like bulge.

Avril, knowing she’d done wrong, stayed obediently in her room after being brought back.

“What should I do…”

She’d wanted to beg the unfamiliar maid not to tell Master about her escape attempt. But at the sight of the maid’s unfriendly face, Avril couldn’t utter a word.

Curled under the blanket, Avril’s hands kept touching the collar around her neck. This thing constantly reminded her she couldn’t run away. And the terror of punishment anytime Master was displeased.

“Sister Shelley…”

Alone in the unfamiliar fortress. Even Sister Shelley, whom she trusted most, seemed to have abandoned her—unseen all day. Leaving the tense Avril unable to find even a hint of security.

Hunger and fear filled Avril’s mind. She longed intensely for home again. The warm fireplace. Her father’s face beaming with smiles. A wine glass filled to the brim. Inside, sweet blood… With her father, she’d never gone hungry.

“Daddy…”

“Avril misses you so much…”

“Why, why did you all disappear suddenly…”

“We had promised…”

Sobbing uncontrollably…

The fearful atmosphere brought back unpleasant memories. Not just today’s Shelley. But her parents too, who’d promised to return within days. Otherwise, Avril—the ever-obedient good girl—would never have left home. She’d never have entered the dangerous human world her father had warned her about countless times.

While Avril cried in her room, Shelley and Mefia returned from outside. Dusk was falling, the evening growing dim. Mefia stepped down from the carriage and helped Shelley down. Smiling broadly, Mefia was in a good mood after treating herself to a day off.

“Did you have fun, Shelley?”

Mefia had taken Shelley around the Imperial Capital—to restaurants, amusement parks, zoos—and bought her many new clothes. She’d been quite considerate of Shelley’s feelings. Of course she’d enjoyed it. Compared to the boring fortress every day.

“Mm.”

Softly, Shelley nodded with a smile. But her ice-blue eyes faintly revealed worry. Her gaze secretly drifted toward the third floor—likely Avril’s bedroom direction. She had a nagging sense of unease. How was Avril now? She’d promised to visit today but left early with Master without a word. She longed to rush in, explain everything, and check on her adorable ‘little sister’. But on the way, Master had instructed her: go straight to her room, don’t seek out Avril. Perhaps Master sensed Avril favored Shelley over her, fearing dependence would shift from Master to Shelley. Or Master had her own plans. Either way, she must obey.

“How did Avril do today, staying home alone?”

Seeing her head maid Lorin approach, Mefia asked immediately. She wanted to see how the little one fared without Shelley. If it met her expectations, all the better.

“As for Avril…”

“She didn’t come downstairs until late morning.”

Today, following Master’s orders, Lorin had kept some distance. But to report properly, she’d observed discreetly.

“In the afternoon, she spent time in the library and lingered by the flower beds.”

“She also went to the gate. According to Sasha, she seemed to want to escape.”

Though sympathetic, Lorin would never hide anything from Master.

Hearing this, Shelley—standing behind Mefia—felt her heart tighten. Silly Avril, look what you’ve done… Nervously clenching her fists, she stole a glance at Mefia. Master’s attitude decided everything. A pet’s escape attempt was nearly as grave as harming Master. With a cruel noble, death by beating wouldn’t be surprising. Of course, Shelley didn’t think Mefia would be that harsh. But if Master was displeased, punishment was inevitable.

“Wanting to escape?”

Shelley saw no anger on Mefia’s face. Instead, she smiled with keen interest.

“Sasha said when she returned, she saw Avril standing by the gate.”

“Hmm… she seemed very scared.”

Avril, never hiding emotions, expressed fear vividly through her petite frame. Her trembling body. Her face etched with terror. Anyone could see she was afraid, right?

“So she didn’t run away?”

“Yes, Master.”

They didn’t avoid Shelley—it was unnecessary. Hearing Avril hadn’t escaped, only showed signs, Shelley felt slightly relieved. Compared to being caught after fleeing, this still had room for redemption. Besides, it was only Sasha’s word, unconfirmed… Shelley really wanted to warn Avril. If it were her, for unconfirmed things, she’d deny it outright to Master, then snuggle into Master’s arms and act cute. Maybe it’d blow over. But Avril… Could she do that? Without a second thought, Shelley knew no. The little one didn’t know how to please Master that way.

Gently tugging Mefia’s hand, Shelley said:

“Master, yesterday I didn’t take Avril out. She’s unfamiliar with the courtyard.”

“Perhaps… she got lost by accident and ended up at the gate…”

Mefia’s mansion had a vast courtyard—flower beds, statues, small annex buildings, decorative trees, a spacious pool, and a sports field. It was somewhat complex. For Avril’s first time out, Shelley’s explanation wasn’t implausible. Of course, Shelley said this to prevent Mefia’s anger. Avril hadn’t actually run away; Sasha’s words were just her opinion.

“I know, I know. Don’t worry.”

Mefia patted Shelley’s head with a hint of helplessness. So much had happened these two days. Seeing Shelley’s behavior, how could she not know Shelley and Avril had bonded quickly? Though harem harmony was convenient, Shelley anxiously defending Avril before she’d even spoken… It made her a little jealous. She hadn’t seen Shelley like this in ages.

“Master…”

“Alright, alright. I know.”

“Go back to your room and rest. Don’t worry about anything else.”