“Actually, I’m a little worried too…” Lin Shu showed the book in her hands to Sephina. “Look at where this symbol is. It seems pretty important.”
“If we keep carrying the key around with us all the time, could it cause trouble for us?”
Sephina snapped back to herself and her smile returned.
This little sweetheart naturally used the word “us.” Maybe she was anxious not only for her own sake, but also afraid of implicating Sephina.
“If it feels important to you, you can keep wearing it. We shouldn’t be going anywhere far for now, and there are no outsiders in the manor, so you’ll feel more at ease.”
Seeing that Lin Shu still looked uneasy, Sephina ruffled her hair.
“Don’t worry. I’ve already sent word to my informant and asked him to speed up the investigation. We’ll get a reply soon.”
Lin Shu nodded and put the book back on the shelf.
“Oh, right. Let me show you around the garden, little sweetheart.”
“The garden?”
“Mm-hmm. Didn’t you say you wanted to know my preferences?” Sephina took Lin Shu by the hand. “Come with me.”
*****
Drago’s garden was behind the manor, a vast stretch of land planted with roses of all colors.
In the center of the garden stood a marble fountain. The sound of flowing water and the rich fragrance of flowers filled the air. The moment Lin Shu stepped in, she felt her mood lift.
“So many… This is the first time I’ve seen so many roses.” Lin Shu stared at the sea of roses, unable to hold back her amazement.
“So, does the master like roses?”
“I do. I especially like red roses.”
She reached out, plucking a branch that poked out from the bush, upon which a bright red rose was in full bloom, dewy and vibrant.
Gazing at that blossoming rose, Sephina suddenly remembered—last night, when drinking with Daphne, a strange power had quietly awakened inside her.
It seemed to be the strength given to her by the little sweetheart.
She tried activating her domain skill, and found that the rose in her hand could grow more lush and abundant according to her will.
“Oh? I can do this too?”
Finding it amusing, Sephina experimented a few more times and discovered she could change the rose at will: make it longer, soften or shed the thorns.
This delicate sense of control was utterly fascinating.
She looked up and saw Lin Shu had already walked ahead, diving into the flowerbeds like a fawn.
“There are white roses over here too!” Lin Shu called as she walked deeper in.
Watching her back, Sephina smiled, and a mischievous idea popped into her mind.
“Little sweetheart, don’t wander too far,” she deliberately stretched out her words, “There could be dangerous things deeper in the flower bushes.”
Hearing that, Lin Shu turned back curiously. “What could be dangerous here? We’re in the manor, aren’t we?”
As soon as she spoke, she heard a rustling sound from the bushes beside her. Thin vines slithered out and quickly coiled around her wrists and ankles.
Croak! Why is it always weird things tangling me up?!
After what happened in the underground jungle with those flower monsters, she was nearly traumatized by situations like this.
“Master, the rose is moving!” Lin Shu called out anxiously.
She took a few steps back, but was already firmly ensnared. As she struggled, she could feel a force in the flowerbed pulling her back.
The next second, the vine snapped tight, and the pulling force grew stronger.
“Uwah!!” Lin Shu cried out as she was yanked off the ground.
Her whole body was suspended in midair, wrists and ankles lifted above her head, bound in a humiliating pose like a tightly trussed up package.
Unfortunately, she was still wearing her maid dress, which was already short. In this upside-down position, the hem just drooped helplessly, failing to cover what it should.
Even more unfortunately, Sephina happened to walk out right in front of her, smiling mischievously. “I did warn you, little sweetheart.”
Sephina’s eyes swept over a certain spot, her lips curling into a wicked grin:
“It’s white.”
Lin Shu’s face instantly turned blazing hot, flushing red from embarrassment.
So humiliating! I have to get down, fast.
Ah! Can’t I control the rose vines too? Lin Shu tried to activate her skill, but then realized something was wrong:
The vines binding her had no thorns—unlike the other roses in the garden.
And just as she was about to use her ability, she could clearly feel a much stronger force had already seized control.
D-doesn’t this mean…
“Master, are you controlling this?” Lin Shu caught on and asked.
Sephina’s smile deepened, becoming even more mischievous.
She playfully winked, tilting her head with a look of feigned innocence. “Who knows~”
Liar! Lin Shu could clearly sense it, and it was definitely Sephina who had activated her domain and summoned thornless roses.
Seeing Lin Shu puffing her cheeks in indignation, Sephina let out a light chuckle. With a curl of her finger, the rose vines hoisted Lin Shu up right in front of her.
“Alright, I’ll stop teasing you.”
With that, the vines slowly lowered Lin Shu, setting her safely on the ground.
Lin Shu felt a bit shaken, but also relieved that Sephina wouldn’t actually hurt her.
This suppression skill was a real threat to her. Luckily, Sephina didn’t seem to have any weird preferences… At least, I hope not?!
Sephina brushed some leaves from Lin Shu’s hair and raised her hand toward the flowerbed nearby.
The vine that had just bound Lin Shu suddenly snapped, floated into the air, and—under Sephina’s will—curved, twisted, and wove itself, sprouting little rose blossoms until it formed a dainty flower crown.
Lin Shu’s eyes widened. She hadn’t expected Sephina to be so adept at manipulating rose brambles.
The flower crown fell into Sephina’s hands. She held it gently and placed it on Lin Shu’s head.
“A gift for my little sweetheart.” Her voice was soft.
Sephina admired Lin Shu’s appearance, the red of her eyes unable to hide her tenderness.
This was her favorite flower, and the meaning of the red rose was passionate love.
She had woven her feelings into this flower crown, a symbol of her confession.
Meeting Sephina’s sincere gaze, Lin Shu’s heart skipped a beat, as if something quietly touched a soft place deep inside.
At that moment, footsteps rustled not far behind Sephina.
“Who’s there?” Sephina didn’t turn, but asked directly.
Her brows knit together, clearly displeased at being disturbed.
“Miss.” A maid respectfully stepped into view, hands folded in front of her. “The Master has returned. She asks that you and Miss Lin Shu come over now.”
“So soon… Looks like there’s news from Aunt’s side.” Sephina pondered for a moment, then nodded.
She told the maid to withdraw—they would come at once.
“I’m going too?” Lin Shu confirmed.
Sephina walked a few steps, turned, and smiled. “Of course. We’re solving this together, so naturally we’ll meet her together.”
“Come on, little sweetheart.”
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