"Ree-bee-caaa~~~ Yoo-hoo~~ Where are you~~?" Carina cupped her hands around her mouth like a megaphone and shouted.

Rebecca had long known Carina was searching for her, but she simply ignored her. Right now, Rebecca sat perched on a tree at the entrance of Duke's Manor, reading a book. Why climb a tree? To avoid that idiot Carina's antics, of course.

After Rebecca fought her sister Meredith, the Kasmo Empire's atmosphere shifted from peace and prosperity to high tension. Troops stationed in other cities were redeployed near Rucadan. Rucadan itself entered a strict half-month curfew. All shops and entertainment venues closed. Even schools suspended classes to protect students.

Confined to the manor for safety, Rebecca didn't mind the house arrest. She couldn't visit Maggie or practice Demon Potions freely, but she could still read her books. The only nuisance was Carina, who constantly pestered her. Rebecca had nearly lost her patience many times, almost tempted to feed Carina a potion turning her into a crow. But she held back. Fine, if she couldn't avoid trouble, she'd hide. So Rebecca climbed the tree.

"Rebecca, why are you up there? Come down!" a voice suddenly called from below. Rebecca looked down to see Charles returning home.

She snapped her book shut and leaped down smoothly. Charles flinched, ready to catch her, but she landed steadily.

Charles stared blankly. Though her move showed no power, landing so gracefully from that height proved her body was incredibly light.

"Did you jump around like this in the Dark Forest too?" he asked.

"Plenty of trees there."

"Stop climbing trees. Act like a proper lady," Charles said earnestly. But then he heard his wild daughter's triumphant cry.

"Wahahaha~~ Rebecca! I found you~~" Carina spotted her and sprinted over.

Charles's lips twitched. His two daughters were opposites: one calm, one chaotic. He knew Carina's nature well. Seeing Rebecca's resigned expression, he instantly realized she'd climbed the tree not for fun, but to escape his crazy little girl.

"Hahaha... uh... Father..." Carina only noticed Charles when she was right beside him.

"Stop shouting like that! And stop bullying Rebecca—she's your sister!" Charles scolded sternly.

"I'm not bullying her! I adore her!"

"Take the young mistress to the study. Supervise her homework!" Charles ordered his servants without hesitation. Carina wailed as they dragged her away to face her least favorite task.

"If Carina bullies you again, tell me," Charles said, then walked past Rebecca into Duke's Manor.

Rebecca watched him, puzzled. His attitude toward her had changed recently—she could feel it. She didn't know why, but it was a good thing, right?

In truth, Charles had spent weeks investigating Rebecca but found nothing suspicious. She behaved well at home, and Duke Ruta's health improved steadily under her care. Charles slowly let his guard down.

He'd once suspected Rebecca was a spy planted by a rival family. But thorough checks confirmed she was genuinely rescued by Laura's group. Three of those four rescuers came from powerful, complex families with clashing interests—no enemy could coordinate them without leaks.

What about the Demon Race? Could she be their spy? No one considered it. Humans saw demons as overwhelmingly powerful—strong enough to make dragons tremble. Why would such a race need spies? Charles never entertained the thought.

With evidence clearing her of being a rival's agent, Charles dropped ninety percent of his suspicion. The remaining ten percent was his duty as head of the Ruta Family—a responsibility to everyone relying on their legacy. Soon, even that might fade. Duke Ruta's improving health kept Charles in good spirits, undimmed even by recent demon skirmishes outside the city.

Rebecca knew none of this. She just wondered if Charles had changed his nature.

After returning home, Charles conferred with Duke Ruta. Soon, news spread: Rucadan's curfew was lifted.

Charles had led the investigation into the city's outskirts. After half a month of deep searches with the National Defense Department, they found no anomalies. Reporting to the Empress, the royal court debated all morning before deciding to end the curfew. Rucadan couldn't stay locked down forever—halting the Kasmo Empire's capital would cripple the economy.

The shadow over people's hearts finally lifted. For half a month, Rucadan's citizens had lived in fear after that terrifying energy explosion. Many worried the city would be engulfed; only swift military control prevented chaos. Under strict management, unease had simmered, growing restless until it nearly boiled over. Just in time, the curfew ended. Within moments of the announcement at Duke's Manor, cheers erupted across the city, shaking the skies.

No one knew the truth behind the energy chaos outside Rucadan. Countless theories floated, but none convinced. It would become one of Kasmo Empire's greatest mysteries—and its instigator felt nothing special at all.

That afternoon, many visitors arrived at Duke's Manor. Most had nothing to do with Rebecca, but some did.

For example, Hobi Academy sent word: classes resumed tomorrow. Anna had no opinion. Rebecca just sighed—skipping class would be trickier now. Carina, locked in the study, let out a wail that echoed through the manor.

But one visitor surprised Rebecca.

"Big Sis~~ I came to see you~~"

With Carina gone, Rebecca met Green in the manor's lounge, brought by Selena. What was he doing here?

"What do you want?" Rebecca asked. Half a month of reading and practicing spoken Hobi with Anna had improved her fluency.

"Big Sis~ During Rucadan's curfew, Mother worried for my safety and sent me to the heavily guarded palace. Hahaha~ It's comfier than home! Less freedom, but amazing food, and—"

"Stop!" Rebecca snapped her book shut, tapped it against her palm, and glared. "Get to the point, or leave. Don't disturb my reading."

Seeing the book thump rhythmically, Green flinched.

"Uh... Big Sis, I found tons of Demon Potion books in the royal library! I brought them all!" He rushed out, then grinned eagerly. "Did I do well?"

Rebecca raised an eyebrow. Excellent news. "Where are they?"

"Bring the books!" Green yelled. His servants hauled over a large crate.

Rebecca opened it and flipped through the pages. Some recipes she knew; others were entirely new. Royal archives truly held wonders.

"Good work, Green!"

"An honor to serve you, Big Sis!" Green beamed.

"If anyone bullies you at the academy, tell me," Rebecca said, patting his shoulder.

Green blushed. "Anyone at all?" he whispered.

"Of course~" Rebecca murmured, already absorbed in a book.

"I swear loyalty to Big Sis!"

"Mmhmm."

"I'll go now—don't disturb your reading~" Green had sharp instincts.

"Go ahead~" Rebecca waved dismissively.

After he left, Rebecca happily opened a book.

"Huh? This Demon Potion is for magical beasts? Hmm... Give it to a young beast, and after it takes effect, the first person it sees becomes its master. It triggers imprinting behavior in egg-laying creatures? Amazing! I'll brew some, find a powerful beast, and get a pet~ Hehehe~"