Knock, knock, knock!!
Just as the girl’s gaze was growing hazy, a sudden burst of knocking sounded from outside.
“Boss! Lady!” The voice outside belonged to that cowardly fellow who had surrendered to the Lady before… Erika Reid, the Wind Veiler.
Of course, now she was Jenny’s personal bodyguard and secretary.
She hadn’t shown up before because she really didn’t want to meet Miss Dingzhen’s eyes again.
It was genuinely terrifying.
Naturally… it was also because she now knew that the Lady was none other than the infamous Bloodblossom Demon of the East, Lady Ireya.
Fortunately… that attack had ended in failure.
Otherwise, the Mercenary Companies involved would have been wiped out by soldiers dispatched from Marquis Castle in a fit of rage.
And as the mastermind who orchestrated the assault on the Lady… Erika doubted she’d even have the luxury of an intact corpse.
Still, although nothing had actually happened, Erika’s fear of Ireya hadn’t subsided in the slightest—if anything, it grew with every passing day… to the point that she could barely sleep at night.
So she could only numb herself with nonstop, high-intensity work.
The deep, purplish circles under her eyes made it clear…
Sigh~ Though she was earning far more than before, had much higher status, no longer had to risk her neck, and her life with her younger brother was steadily improving…
Yet every time she thought of what happened before, it felt as if she was walking on thin ice…
That temperamental Lady—what if she got annoyed and just gave the order to have Erika’s whole family hacked to pieces?
The more Erika thought about it, the more the pressure mounted.
That was why, when Ireya came yesterday, Erika had quickly found an excuse to duck out and handle “some business.”
But just now… she’d gotten word that the Lady’s carriage was heading this way.
Click, click…
“Huh?!” As a bodyguard, Erika instantly heard the sound of something toppling over—the instincts of a mercenary acted faster than her brain!
Bang!! Clatter…
She kicked the wooden door open with a single stomp!
“Lady, you—huh?”
But… Erika, just stepping in, saw Jenny slumped in a rather disheveled posture to one side.
“Ahem… I’m fine! I just… accidentally knocked into the table and fell over!”
Jenny hurriedly straightened herself up, brushing off nonexistent dust.
Really…? Erika thought her master’s face looked a bit too flushed…
Well, whatever… as long as Jenny said she was fine, then it didn’t matter.
The important thing was…
“Lady, the preparations for tonight’s ball are just about done, and… just now I got word, the Lady is… on her way here.”
“What?!” Jenny froze, her mind automatically filtering out the first message.
The Lady was coming here today as well?
She… hadn’t prepared anything yet…
Well, never mind, the first priority was to go out and greet the Lady…
With that in mind, Jenny quickly walked a few steps to Erika’s side… and noticed her bodyguard’s hesitation.
Naturally, she understood what Erika was worrying about.
“Heh~ You really don’t need to be so scared of the Lady.”
Jenny smiled, patting Erika on the shoulder.
“As long as you do your job, the Lady is actually quite gentle—especially with us working folks…”
Gentle… huh?
Erika doubted that—seriously doubted it…
After all, in the Crystal Capital, even throughout the East Capital… her reputation was notorious.
“All right~ Go get ready~ You can’t… avoid meeting your superior forever, can you?”
Jenny said as she walked ahead.
Leaving Erika standing there, face still twisted in conflicted expression.
Twenty minutes later, the Marquis’s carriage slowly rolled to a stop outside this villa…
“Lady~” Jenny stepped forward with a smile, like a gentleman welcoming her partner before a dance, reaching out to help the Lady down from the carriage.
“L…Lady…” In the end, Erika still came along, but now she wore a black mask over her face.
As a bodyguard… it wasn’t inappropriate.
“Mm.”
“Jenny!” But before Ireya could reply, a small head popped out from behind her.
Waving her hand enthusiastically~
That was Veil, delighted as ever—after all, visiting Jenny meant she’d get to eat something delicious~
Everything Jenny made—be it meals or desserts—was absolutely first-class!
So… whenever she came to Jenny’s place, it was like a child going to her grandmother’s house where she was allowed anything…
“Uh… hehe, little Veil~” Jenny’s lips twitched…
This girl, still as oblivious as ever to what’s important.
As the group walked inside, Ireya explained her purpose for coming.
“The Lighthouse School, is it… They don’t interact much with the city’s factions, but anyone seeking them out won’t find it all that difficult.”
Jenny stroked her chin.
“After all, exploring the unknown costs money. All it takes is some sponsorship and they’ll open up plenty to us… so that’s not really a problem.”
“It’s just… if we want to find a Scholar of the Divine Era… hmm, there are two options.”
She looked up, a thoughtful light glinting in her eyes.
“First, the Lighthouse School. Many of them are obsessed with ancient culture—sometimes, they care about these things more than their own lives.”
“Second… is through the Gold Vein Chamber of Commerce. Their auctions and stores are always frequented by collectors… These antique lovers, besides having money, all know a thing or two, or at least are acquainted with some impressive scholars.”
Listening to Jenny’s analysis, Ireya nodded slightly.
It seemed Jenny really was taking her job seriously~
“So… should we visit them one by one?” Ireya asked, tilting her head at Jenny…
“No need. I can send someone to notify them. Once they hear the Lady has invited them, they’ll definitely come gladly~”
Jenny smiled, though Erika, standing behind her, muttered internally.
Come they will, but gladly… that’s another question.
“Mm, go take care of it then~ Invite both groups at once if possible,” Ireya instructed.
After all, she knew little about matters of the Divine Era.
If there weren’t real experts sitting by, she’d have no idea if she was being lied to.
“Yes, Lady~”
Jenny nodded with a smile.
“But I’ll need to tally up the numbers and give them some time… Most likely… by midday tomorrow, we can all sit down and have a meal together.”
“Mm~” Ireya nodded.
There was no reason to rush people over in a panic.
This sort of thing couldn’t be hurried anyway.
“Ah—right, Lady… I… have become President of the Ruby Society, all thanks to the noble heirs you saved from the Blue Crow Mercenary Group before…”
Jenny pursed her lips, blinking with a trace of hesitation.
At last, as if summoning up her courage, she spoke!
“Um… if possible, Lady, could you come to my President inauguration ball tonight?”
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