Chapter 84: Restarting Blackstone Outpost! And the Hidden Eyes

Due to these matters, Movira allowed Seraphina a few more days of rest, and the magic assessment was postponed as well.

In the following days, Seraphina once again plunged into the whirlwind of state affairs.

Seraphina appeared behind the study desk after a long absence, yet the scrolls spread before her remained unturned for a long time.

Her fingertips traced the feathers of the quill, trying to drown those irritating memories in work.

She even proactively took on some trivial tasks from Erasia—reviewing, categorizing, issuing orders…

Her actions were mechanical and efficient, like a precise machine.

Only in this way could she temporarily forget Movira’s eyes, forget her whispers, forget those hands that ignited flames on her body.

“Your Highness?”

Ailinuo’s gentle voice pulled her back. “Here is a verification report on the various mining districts. It requires your signature.”

Seraphina snapped out of it, restraining her excess emotions and donning her mask of indifference once more.

She took the scroll from Ailinuo and quickly scanned it.

“Output has increased by half compared to last month, but the accident rate has risen considerably as well.” Ailinuo added.

“Mmm… have Dekrian draft…” As soon as the words left her mouth, Seraphina realized that addressing him by name in front of Ailinuo… was a bit inappropriate.

…

“Uh, have your father… tsk, have His Grace the Duke submit a safety outline for the mines he operates. I remember his accident rate is the lowest.”

For a moment, Seraphina surprisingly couldn’t think of how to properly address Dekrian.

Had it been too long since she last handled affairs?

“As for the compensation for the injured and deceased—if there’s no improvement in the next report, have the relevant officials come see me in person.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Ailinuo said nothing about how Seraphina referred to her father.

Perhaps in her eyes, daily life was daily life, and work was work.

In daily life, he was her father; in work, both he and she were subjects.

Ailinuo acknowledged it, carefully noting the key points.

At the same time, she sensed that Seraphina seemed a little different after this long period of rest.

But she didn’t pry, simply proceeding meticulously with her duties.

On the other side, Lina was silently reviewing some documents.

She now had her own desk.

It had been indirectly gifted by Dekrian.

Why indirectly?

A subject bypassing the sovereign to give a gift directly was a great taboo, so Dekrian had presented it as an offering to Seraphina.

Seraphina already had no shortage of desks, and at Ailinuo’s suggestion…

It was given to Lina.

The desk’s arrangement was perfectly one grade lower than Seraphina’s.

In these few months of learning, Lina had basically become familiar with most of the Demon Realm’s script.

Even for particularly difficult characters, there was a scholarly maid nearby—she could just ask directly.

Lina’s movements were precise and swift.

Occasionally, she lifted her eyes toward Seraphina.

Seraphina noticed Lina’s gaze but deliberately avoided it.

What she needed now was a normal work environment.

And those words Lina had said before… would undoubtedly leave Seraphina utterly embarrassed in her presence.

However, the numbing effect of affairs seemed to be weakening—especially when reports related to the “Ashen Corridor” were presented.

This institution she had insisted on establishing had, in just a few days of operation, displayed vitality unmatched by old organizations.

But it had also faced enormous resistance.

Dekrian cleverly used the Corridor’s framework to expand his influence—all those private motives were seen clearly by Seraphina.

But with his daughter “serving” at her side, and since he truly hadn’t done anything particularly outrageous, Seraphina turned a blind eye.

The combination of Giantwing Demons and Whiplash Demons showed unexpected efficiency in resource allocation—though one side’s style had offended quite a few old departments…

Under the Whiplash Demons’ maneuvering, tensions had eased somewhat.

The Shadow Demons focused on border development—successful enough to praise, but progress was slow.

And the Flame Demons… though they had received Movira’s “talk,” their reports always left Seraphina feeling as if there was a layer of glass in between…

Just then, a report from Blackstone Outpost was delivered.

The wax seal on it was very familiar to Seraphina.

Bask’s.

The first half was the usual military report.

In the latter part, Bask described all the major changes on the frontier in his simple, direct style.

That section alone took up nearly 80% of the entire letter!

It showed just how tremendous the progress had been!

A strong impulse exploded in Seraphina’s heart.

Since she needed to maintain distance from Movira recently anyway, why not make another trip to Blackstone Outpost?

It would be perfect for inspection—and also to test whether Movira’s promised freedom truly counted.

There were soldiers who supported her, Bask, the first fruit of her new policies!

And… space far enough from the Demon King’s Castle.

She clutched the report tightly, lifting her head to look at the busy Ailinuo and Lina.

“I plan to visit Blackstone Outpost again for an inspection—right now! Prepare for the journey!”

The news quickly spread—and reached Movira’s ears.

Going out?

This wasn’t just a simple inspection.

It felt more like fleeing to a place far from her.

This made Movira doubt if her approach had been wrong.

Her recent behavior had largely gone against her own nature—she herself wasn’t quite used to it.

But when she calmed down and thought about it, Seraphina’s shy reactions couldn’t be faked.

At least… not yet.

“Playing hard to get? Or testing me? Or perhaps… both?”

“Fine. Let her go alone this time.”

She raised her hand to summon Erasia. “Send extra knights to escort her. And… have Bask strengthen patrols.”

Seraphina set off just like that.

Ailinuo was still young.

Even though she pleaded, Seraphina didn’t let her come.

In the end, it was once again Seraphina and Lina heading toward Blackstone Outpost.

In the carriage, Seraphina carefully sensed every shadow behind the vehicle.

After several days of magic lessons, Seraphina had become more sensitive to Movira’s aura.

But this time, she detected not even a trace of that familiar presence.

“Phew—great.”

Looking out the window, even the gloomy sky seemed brighter.

Movira had kept her word, after all.

As usual, Lina handed over a sachet to ease dizziness.

Seraphina leaned against the soft cushions, relaxing her tense nerves.

However, when the carriage passed the farthest boundary marker from the Demon King’s Castle, several pairs of dim eyes gazed from the distant mountain rocks…