Before I could trigger the self-destruct sequence, Lilia suddenly looped her arm through mine, shielding me as she swiftly put distance between us and Freud. She glared at her husband with a low whine—like a little dog sensing danger.

The atmosphere turned painfully awkward. Freud dismounted and walked toward us.

But for every step he took forward, Lilia shielded me and retreated one step back.

“Lilia, what are you doing?”

“My husband’s about to lay hands on my new bestie! Unacceptable!”

*Cough! Cough!* Freud choked, coughing hard as he shook his head in exasperation.

“Step aside, Lilia. This doesn’t concern you.”

“Of course it does! We’ve had coffee and even gone on a date!”

*Crack!* I almost heard something shatter inside Freud. He froze, expression faltering under the blow.

“Lilia,” he massaged his temples, “as a Knight, if you keep slacking like this, I’ll send you back to the castle.”

“Eep! How’d it get exposed? Did Kroh betray me again? Wait—he’s in the hospital!”

*Sigh.* Aren’t you confessing without being asked? Their bickering was weirdly fun… but why drag me in?!

I really wanted to escape… ( Ĭ ^ Ĭ )

“Ugh… You always lead me off track,” Freud turned to me. “Miss Victoria, in my capacity as Security Commander of Golden Lion City and eldest son of the Duke’s house, I formally invite you to the Duke’s residence.”

Polite words, clear pressure.

“Regrettably,” I smiled slightly, “my lord, you’ve mistaken me.”

I yanked my arm from Lilia’s grip—startling her. Before Freud could draw his sword, I activated the puppet’s flight magic.

“Farewell, my lords. Please forget me—and this incident.”

Light wings unfurled. I soared into the snowy night and vanished.

Pity I couldn’t recover all the Dire Wolf’s magic stones, but the Demon Realm’s core was safely tucked in my Item Vault. This massive stone would prove useful. Something to look forward to.

I landed in the courtyard, retracted my wings, deactivated the barrier, and stepped into the genkan. Every room was spotless, new furniture in place, fresh bedding scented with lavender—but the house still felt hollow.

No one lived here.

I resealed the barrier, turning the house into a fortified magical stronghold. Certain it was secure, I sank into the puppet’s recliner and severed the spiritual link.

A dizzy swirl later, I was back in House Lude’s attic. Midnight neared. My stomach growled.

I pulled a snack platter from the Item Vault and devoured it with bread stolen days ago from the kitchen. Items inside never spoiled or cooled—the bread still warm, fresh from the oven. Since Mary’s death, I’d been careful stealing food. Never caught.

But once my Golden Lion City base was ready, I could buy food there and transfer it back. No more kitchen raids.

Everything was set. Soon, I’d leave this place.

No—this was never my home.

I hated it.

Burrowing into dusty, mildew-scented covers, I seethed. I was House Lude’s eldest daughter, rightful heir. And they treated me like this—even my own father.

I would destroy this family. Leave them all with no grave to rest in.

Just wait.

Morning came. No one cared about the attic child. No maid came to wake me.

I could laze in bed openly—spending days in idle survival. Noble children usually started lessons at six: academics, etiquette, private tutors. Costly.

My foolish, selfish father wouldn’t spend a coin on me. He poured House Lude’s wealth into Elizabeth. The world’s most pathetic lapdog.

Right now, that little bitch practiced violin in her room. Skilled in her past life too—solo concerts, Prince Edward’s favor.

Such an irritating melody.

“Hey, Victoria. Time to rise.”

Chris’s voice cut through my thoughts. I pushed back the covers. A black cat sat at the bed’s edge, golden eyes fixed on me.

“Good morning, Victoria.”

“Not good at all…”

I buried myself again—but he flipped me and the blankets over. The golden-haired, golden-eyed youth stood there, gaze sharp with mild anger.

“Chris, what? I want to sleep.”

“Time to work, Victoria.” He tossed the blanket aside. “Only one sacrifice so far. Quality was good… but I’m not satisfied.”

“What about Thomas?”

“He’s not dead. Doesn’t count.”

Count Lud needed Thomas alive to testify. But I’d already branded him—his soul would belong to Chris upon death.

“We can wait. Spring brings a sacrifice,” I rolled over with shameless nonchalance. “Or… are you impatient?”

“Hmph! Not at all!”

Tsundere Chris was adorable. Hehehe~~

“Fine. I’ll find you a sacrifice, demon.” I hopped out of bed, slipped on shoes. “Perfect candidate in the woodshed. Hehe.”

“Victoria… are you serious? He’s only nine.”

“Revenge has no age.” I flashed a chilling smile. “If Royce claims Count Lud’s seat, he threatens my plan. So—I’ll eliminate him first.”

“…Alright. I look forward to it.”

His words said anticipation, but his eyes held a trace of sadness. Could a demon feel that? A six-year-old killing a nine-year-old was madness. But only madness could quiet the rage inside me.

“Chris,” I took his hand. “Poison, illness, beating, fire—which death sounds more fun?”

He shimmered into a black cat, shot me a look, slipped through the windbreak wall, and vanished.

He ran away.

So cute.

Time to plan Royce’s end. Locked in the woodshed by Father—plenty of openings. How to twist this into maximum crisis for House Lude? That mattered.

First: a letter to Katherine.

Simple text: *House Lude plans harm to Master Royce!* Anonymous. Crooked handwriting. Subtle spelling errors—mimicking an uneducated servant. Katherine ran House Lude for years; she trusted confidants. Or thought she did.

Sadly, most staff were already under Elizabeth’s Beguiling Eye.

I gave the forged letter to Observer No. 2—deliver to Katherine’s hometown, blend with other mail. She surely knew her son was locked up. Desperate. This letter would push her to act.

Next: brew poison.

With enough magic, Ancient Alchemy could forge anything. Arsenic trioxide? Potassium cyanide? Effortless.

Delivery method: cupcake.

Elizabeth’s afternoon snack today. The cup bore “Elizabeth is the cutest~”—made me gag. But Royce? A child. That slogan might lower his guard, make him think it was a secret gift from her.

I had an Observer steal one, laced it with arsenic trioxide. Ready.

“Victoria… a child’s soul is small. Wait until he’s older?”

“A mosquito is still meat. Don’t be picky, Chris.”

I knew Chris tried to stop me. But revenge blinded me to truths right before my eyes.

Night fell. Cloaked in invisibility magic, I became a transparent shadow, slipped silently from the attic, trudging through snow toward the woodshed.

A faint lamp glowed inside. Dry firewood stacked neatly—winter fuel. Its dim light lent a hint of warmth to the cold room.

Damn it. I never got this treatment. Thomas always claimed lamp oil was too expensive. Made me fumble in the dark.

And I actually believed him.

How pathetic I was in my previous life.