“I only care about the results. I will ensure they meet my requirements and that no trouble links back to me or House Dale. During this process, you must report your progress to me regularly. You are not to hide any key information.”
Lyra’s lips curled slightly.
Her smile lacked innocence, carrying the sharpness of someone from the underworld.
“Sounds like the work of a professional cleaner or a shadow bodyguard. I like challenging tasks. But…”
She leaned forward slightly.
“What about the pay, Boss? Besides room and board and that ‘legal identity’? The Equal Contract didn’t mention a salary.”
“You need money?”
Freya raised an eyebrow.
“Who would complain about having too much?” Lyra spread her hands.
“Besides, doing certain things requires operating funds, right? I can’t exactly use Lady Freya’s name to run up tabs every time.”
Freya took a crystal card with a magic sigil from her desk drawer and pushed it toward Lyra.
“This is a Secondary Account Card linked to my main account. A fixed amount will be deposited monthly. It’s enough for your daily expenses and general tasks. For large or special expenditures, you must apply in advance. If you perform well, there will be bonuses. Additionally, you may apply for access to the manor’s library, the training grounds at specific times, and my personal collection of magic materials with certain restrictions.”
Lyra picked up the crystal card.
Feeling the faint ripple of mana with her fingertips, she tucked it into her pocket with satisfaction.
“Fair enough. So, what is my first ‘task’ or ‘background briefing’? Is it about that Crown Prince you don’t want to marry? Or those old fossils at the Academy who give you a hard time? Or… other people in your family who bother you?”
She accurately pointed out the potential sources of stress Freya faced.
Freya was not surprised by her sharpness.
Someone capable of deep-cover infiltration and possessing such combat skills would naturally have keen insight.
“All of those are part of the background. But first, you need to understand the basics.”
She unfolded the map of the Aurora Continent, her finger pointing to a region in the north-central area.
“This is Holy Radiance City, the capital of the Kingdom of Kashena. House Dale’s manor is located in the Upper District. The Central Magic Academy is in the eastern part of the city. As for the royal palace, it’s by the banks of Emerald Lake to the north.”
She began a brief introduction of the kingdom’s main power structure, the delicate relationships between the Imperial Family and several major noble houses, and the internal factions within the Central Magic Academy.
She spoke calmly, as if stating objective facts, but Lyra could hear the hidden threads beneath—
A young, talented woman caught in a web of multiple identities and expectations — nobility, royalty, academia. Every step required careful calculation.
“So — “
Lyra summarized.
“You’re not just the granddaughter and eldest lady of House Dale and a star student at the Central Magic Academy; you’re also the designated future Crown Princess Consort — though you’re planning to dump that title. And the eyes and expectations, or rather, the shackles surrounding you, come from all directions.”
She tilted her head.
“You want to use me… to cut some of those shackles? Or at least make those who want to put new ones on you hesitate?”
“You could put it that way,” Freya admitted.
“Cutting shackles requires strategy and strength, as well as the ability to act in the shadows. The latter is something I currently lack and hope you will provide.”
“Understood.”
Lyra stretched, her bones letting out a faint click.
“Then, Boss, when do we start ‘working’? Just listening to this makes my hands itch.”
A light of eagerness flashed in her eyes. Deep within that light was an instinctive thirst for chaos and challenge.
Freya stared at her.
This girl named Lyra was a double-edged sword — incredibly sharp but difficult to control.
Bringing her into her complex world was a massive gamble.
But thinking of her grandfather’s support and her determination to break free from her fate, the hesitation in Freya’s heart was gradually replaced by resolve.
“Soon.”
She closed the map and looked out the window at the sun setting in the west.
“First, you need a more plausible identity and an intensive ‘common sense’ crash course. Aru will arrange a tutor to teach you basic noble etiquette and general knowledge of the kingdom — at least enough to maintain appearances. During this time, I will compile a list of people and matters that need your attention.”
Lyra’s face immediately fell.
“Huh? I have to take classes? I thought I’d just be fighting… er, executing tasks.”
“To walk in the sunlight, you must learn to adapt to its rules, even if it’s just a disguise.”
Freya’s tone brooked no argument.
“This is also part of the ‘job’.”
Lyra pouted but didn’t object further.
She stood up and walked to the window, looking down at the manicured garden below.
“Fine, classes it is. However…”
She looked back, a hint of mischief in her heterochromatic eyes.
“If I learn quickly, is there a reward? Like, letting me get a taste of ‘shadow work’ early?”
Freya fell silent for a moment before saying slowly, “That depends on your ‘learning outcomes’ and… whether a suitable opportunity arises.”
Just then, there was a soft knock on the study door.
Butler Aru’s voice came through.
“Miss, the manor of Earl Elwin has sent an urgent letter. It is specified for your eyes only.”
Freya and Lyra exchanged a glance.
Earl Elwin — Freya’s father.
This urgent letter was likely related to her grandfather’s plan to discuss breaking the engagement or her unauthorized departure from school.
It was even possible… that news of her bringing back a “special assistant” had already reached his ears.
The quiet trial period might be shorter than expected.
“Come in.”
Freya sat up straight, her face returning to its usual indifferent expression.
Lyra retreated into the shadows of the bookshelf, suppressing all her outward emotions. Like a silent shadow, she watched quietly.
Her “work” seemed to have begun at this very moment.
Butler Aru entered the study carrying a silver tray.
On it lay a letter sealed with deep blue wax, embossed with the Wolf and Sword Crest of House Elwin.
He placed the tray gently on the desk in front of Freya and then bowed and stepped aside.
His gaze inadvertently swept over Lyra, who stood silently in the shadows.
“Is the messenger waiting for a reply?”
Freya didn’t pick up the letter immediately.
Her fingertips tapped lightly on the smooth tabletop.
“Yes, Miss. It’s the Earl’s personal attendant. He is waiting in the front hall,” Aru replied.
“Hah — “
Freya exhaled a long breath.
This meant her father was not only urgent but also expected an immediate response.
He might even want her to make a certain promise or return to the Earl’s manor immediately.
Freya’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. She reached out with her slender fingers and picked up the letter.
Under the influence of magic, the wax seal peeled off automatically without damaging the envelope.
As she unfolded the high-quality stationery, her father’s familiar, rigid handwriting came into view.
The content was more direct and aggressive than she had anticipated. It began with a formulaic greeting before the tone shifted abruptly.
‘I have heard that you left school without the family’s permission and have been back at House Dale for over one day.
There have already been some complaints within the family.
Furthermore, there have been some inappropriate rumors about you circulating in the capital recently. Although unconfirmed, they have already drawn unnecessary attention.
Your mother passed away early; as your father, it is my responsibility to guide you to be cautious in word and deed and to uphold your duty as the heir of House Elwin.
The opening ball of the Summer Social Season is approaching, and His Highness the Crown Prince has also asked about your return several times.
You should immediately end your stay at House Dale, return to the Academy to finish your studies, and return to the Earl’s manor before the ball to prepare for the relevant matters.
Do not let your grandfather’s excessive doting cloud your judgment or sense of responsibility…’
The letter wasn’t long, but every line was filled with unquestionable commands and veiled warnings.
‘Inappropriate rumors?’
Freya sneered inwardly.
Was he referring to her bringing Lyra back, or her outward resistance to the engagement? Or had some people at the Academy already started spreading malicious news about her?
She placed the letter back on the tray. No emotion could be seen on her face, but her eyes were colder than before.
“Grandpa Aru, tell the messenger I have received the letter. I need time to consider my father’s views. I will give a clear reply tomorrow.”
“Yes, Miss.”
Butler Aru asked no questions. He picked up the tray, bowed again, and left the study silently.
After the door closed, a brief silence fell over the room. The magical flames in the fireplace crackled occasionally.
“It seems your father isn’t very happy,” Lyra’s voice came from the shadows, carrying a hint of amusement.
She walked to the desk, naturally wanting to see the contents of the letter, but Freya had already turned the paper over.
“This isn’t something you need to concern yourself with.”
Freya’s tone was more distant than before, as if an invisible layer of ice was freezing around her.
Her father’s letter was like an alarm, reminding her that the shackles of reality were everywhere.
Even under her grandfather’s wing, she couldn’t fully block them out.
Lyra didn’t mind the coldness.
Instead, she leaned closer, her red eyes narrowing slightly like a cat observing its prey.
“A commanding tone, fully aware of your whereabouts, even using ‘inappropriate rumors’ and the Crown Prince to apply pressure… Boss, this father of yours has a strong need for control. And he doesn’t seem to like you staying with your grandfather?”
She hit the nail on the head, pointing out the implicit dread of Grandfather Calanso’s influence.
Freya looked up at her, not denying it.
“House Elwin and House Dale do not always share the same stance on certain matters.”
That was a polite way of putting it.
Her father valued a close connection with the Imperial Family and the consolidation of traditional noble status.
In contrast, her grandfather leaned toward maintaining family independence and a pragmatic path of development, holding a more cautious attitude toward the Imperial Family.
Since her mother’s death, the tug-of-war between these two forces over Freya had never ceased.
“So, this letter isn’t just urging you to go back; it’s a test, or rather, a warning?”
Lyra tilted her head.
“A warning not to make any ‘wrong’ decisions under your grandfather’s influence? For example… regarding the engagement?”
Freya remained silent for a moment.
Lyra’s intuition was frighteningly sharp.
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