The Bloodborn secretary stepped forward, receiving the document with both hands.
After carefully inspecting it, a satisfied curve appeared on his pale face.
“We shall obey Your Highness’s decree without question. The will of Her Majesty and Your Highness is etched forever in our clan’s heart.”
“You speak more beautifully than you sing. We each take what we need, that’s all.” Seraphina waved her hand dismissively.
“Be careful during mining; do not destabilize the earth veins. Also… treat the miners better. You may go.”
That last addition came because there had been far too many slave uprisings in the Demon Realm before. It reminded Seraphina that the living conditions of the lower demons also deserved attention.
The Bloodborn secretary bowed and withdrew from the study without a sound.
Finally, after staring at the list for a long while with his not-very-bright head, the Giantwing Demon also left, clutching it happily.
Only after handling these two overdue promises did Seraphina let out a long breath.
Fulfilling promises was a necessary means of maintaining rule. Only by blending grace and authority could one win hearts and make them serve willingly.
Seraphina could feel it—over this past year, especially recently—she was gradually gathering into her own hands the web of power that Movira had either abandoned or disdained to manage carefully.
Though exhausting, she at last felt a trace of control. It no longer seemed as if she were merely working for Movira.
…
Night fell like ink. After finishing those few matters, Seraphina had nothing left to do, and the idleness felt strangely uncomfortable.
She wandered aimlessly through the Demon King’s Castle to kill time. Places Movira had once forbidden her from entering were now open to her without restriction.
At last it was time to sleep.
Seraphina instinctively started toward her old room, only to be caught halfway by Movira.
What else could she say? Fine, it’s yours, it’s yours.
“Don’t look so gloomy.”
Back in the bedroom, Movira was not lounging against the headboard as usual.
Instead, she was curled up on an enormous cushioned chaise beside the fireplace, wearing only a loose dark-purple robe draped carelessly over her body, still holding that same ancient tome.
“Everything arranged?” Movira asked without lifting her head, her tone lazy and indifferent, as if inquiring about something that had nothing to do with her.
Seraphina stopped a short distance away. “Huh? Arranged what?”
“Hmm~ Children who lie aren’t good, you know. Shall you tell me, or shall I?” Movira looked up with an expression that saw through everything, fixing her gaze on Seraphina’s eyes.
“Uh… fine… I gave the mining rights to the Bloodborn, settled the compensation for the Giantwing Demons, and… that little Bloodborn girl’s coming-of-age ceremony.”
“You’re attending.” It was not a question but a statement. Movira seemed to have full knowledge of everything Seraphina had done lately.
“Mm.” Seraphina made a short affirmative sound through her nose.
“Fine, no problem. And you don’t need to report the rest to me either—as long as nothing goes wrong, do whatever you like.” She lowered her head again and turned a page, clearly uninterested in such matters.
“You’re doing well enough now, aren’t you? I’ve seen how those old fossils have all been tamed by you. As for the troubles in the shadows—I’ll take care of them for you.”
Movira smiled lightly, set the book aside, and stretched. Her graceful curves flickered in and out of view beneath the firelight. “Didn’t you once wonder what I’ve been going out for these past few days?”
She rose, bare feet sinking into the soft carpet, and walked over to Seraphina. A finger gently brushed a strand of her hair. “Simple. Dealing with some restless nobles.”
“Alright, stop—no more questions.” Movira cut off what Seraphina was about to ask.
There were certain darknesses Movira still refused to let Seraphina see. At least… not yet.
“By the way, that little Bloodborn’s adulthood party? That’s what it’s called, right? Whatever, it doesn’t matter. Go and enjoy yourself. I have no interest in that kind of occasion—watching a crowd of hypocrites exchanging fake pleasantries behind their masks… tch, I’d rather find a puppet. At least it wouldn’t lie to me.”
Seraphina had expected this outcome. Given Movira’s personality, she truly would never attend such a social event.
“Alright, I understand. I… I won’t disgrace the etiquette.”
“Etiquette?!” Movira couldn’t hold back a pfft of laughter.
“Spare me. If you just stay exactly as you are now, that will be more than enough to keep them guessing. Speaking of which… is being with me really such an unbearable thing?”
“No… it’s not.”
“It’s not? Did I ever force you? Ah… fine, I won’t force you either. It’s late. Sleep.”
Indeed, she had never truly forced Seraphina.
Everything had been “voluntary.”
The night… grew deeper.
…
The night was like congealed ink, pressing heavily upon the ancient Bloodborn castle.
Compared to the still-bright Demon King’s Castle, Duke Dekrian’s mansion appeared far older and more serene. Sharp spires seemed ready to pierce the heavens, and blood-red carvings danced ferociously beneath the moonlight.
Inside the study, the fireplace burned quietly, chasing away some of the chill.
Dekrian shed the mask he had worn before Seraphina during the day. His fingertips lightly tapped the desk as he stared fixedly at a sheet of paper, lost in thought.
“Father.” A soft call came from the doorway.
Dekrian looked up. A genuine, warm smile immediately bloomed on his face. “Ailinuo, come in.”
A young girl glided lightly through the air and entered the study.
Her silver-white hair was even softer than Lina’s, cascading like moonlight.
Elegance mingled with the characteristic Bloodborn pallor and mystery. In those crimson eyes burned an excitement that threatened to spill over.
“Father… Her Highness… will Her Highness the Princess Regent really come?” She could not suppress the excitement bursting from her heart; her voice even trembled slightly.
Her hands were clasped tightly before her. Even though Dekrian had told her countless times, she was still incredibly nervous.
Dekrian looked at his daughter with deliberately feigned impatience. “Ailinuo, how many times have you asked that question now!”
A faint blush swiftly rose on Ailinuo’s cheeks. “Father… you know very well… I just… I truly admire Her Highness so much… she… she, um…”
She searched for words to describe Seraphina but could not find the right ones. Her eyes sparkled brightly…
Dekrian rested a hand on his daughter’s shoulder, his tone overflowing with tenderness.
“Of course Her Highness will come. I understand your admiration perfectly. Her Highness is indeed extraordinary—unparalleled in wisdom, an existence the Demon Realm has never seen before.”
Then his tone shifted to gentle warning. “And precisely because of that, Ailinuo, remember: in Her Highness’s presence, do not attempt any little tricks. Her Highness… will see right through you.”
“Also, do not be overly eager. Tomorrow night, you are the protagonist. Even Her Highness will be there for you…”
“Father!” Ailinuo suddenly interrupted him. The resolute look in her eyes softened instantly under Dekrian’s puzzled gaze.
“I’m sorry… Father.”
Dekrian merely smiled through his confusion. It seemed his daughter was already taking an outsider’s side!
“Alright, go to sleep. Tomorrow will be busy.”
He watched her hurried retreating figure and sighed inwardly.
Your Highness… do you even realize the influence you wield?