In the conference hall, everyone sat restlessly.
The protagonist had yet to appear, and their patience was wearing thin, so they began to talk among themselves.
“Mr. Enoch, have you heard about it?”
“What?”
“About what happened that evening two days ago… They say someone saw a red-haired woman fighting another powerful figure.”
“I don’t understand what you’re saying, Lady Caroline.”
“Sir Wood, do you have any inside information?”
“No!”
“I heard that…”
As the chatter grew louder, a figure surrounded by attendants walked in, causing the room to fall silent—at least for a moment.
But when they recognized the newcomer, they whispered among themselves again.
“Why is it Miss Yelena?”
“Could it be that the Lord hasn’t awakened yet?”
“I heard…”
Yelena, dressed in a stunning red gown, walked gracefully to the main seat.
A servant pulled out a chair for her, and she lifted her dress lightly before sitting down.
All eyes turned to her, and inside everyone was silently stunned.
She sat. She actually sat in the seat!
Yelena’s expression was tense.
She took a deep breath, then slammed her hand on the table.
The sudden noise quieted the entire conference room.
Clearing her throat and calming her rapidly beating heart, Yelena mustered her courage and raised her gaze to sweep the room.
Seeing so many eyes focused on her, she felt the urge to retreat.
But after seeing what had become of her sister, Yelena knew she couldn’t remain as she had been before. It just wouldn’t do.
I have to share my sister’s burden…
With that thought, she took another deep breath, steadied her nerves, and began to read the prepared statement aloud to everyone in a steady, measured voice.
“My elder sister is unwell. Though she has awakened, she is still unable to meet anyone. Therefore, I will temporarily serve as the acting Lord and inform you all accordingly.”
“Furthermore, regarding the matter of the rebellion and treason…”
At the table, these people had initially breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing that this inexperienced young lady, Yelena, was temporarily taking the Lord’s place.
Compared to Henna’s intimidating presence, Yelena lacked the authority and power, giving them more room to maneuver and act in their own interest.
Although they were somewhat displeased with such a young Lord, they wouldn’t openly voice complaints.
To them, a Lord who posed no threat to their wealth was a good Lord.
But the moment Yelena spoke the next sentence, the atmosphere in the room grew heavy.
They had all been worried about this matter recently. If they were somehow implicated, losing their property would be the least of their concerns—it could mean the end of their entire family.
Feeling the intense emotions swirling in the room, Yelena swallowed hard and continued addressing those seated at both ends of the long table.
“Viscount Baron Garnard conspired with the heretics and colluded with the Mist Archbishop Order in White Stone City, attempting to overthrow Asades’ governance. His crimes are unforgivable. He is stripped of his viscount title and his assets confiscated. His relatives will be investigated and judged accordingly.”
“Viscount Pryke and Viscount Kost are both accomplices, stripped of their titles and family assets confiscated. As for Kost’s son, Ande, who slew his treasonous father’s head, his actions offset his crimes and he is only demoted to commoner.”
These were the words Henna had made Yelena memorize for this very occasion.
After finishing, Yelena visibly exhaled.
She sat back down and let out a long breath.
So that’s how sister has been all this time? It must be exhausting.
I just want to hug her…
Henna stood behind the balcony railing, peering through the gaps at the scene outside.
Workers were busy repairing the aftermath of the great battle.
Many people were occupied with the restoration.
Beside her stood an elderly man with graying hair.
He glanced down at her and sighed softly before suddenly breaking into a joyful laugh, as if recalling something happy.
“Get up.”
After laughing, he said, “Henna, congratulations. A brighter future awaits you.”
“Teacher.”
Henna lowered her gaze to her scant chest.
She clearly wasn’t eager for this future, but some things couldn’t be wished away. In fact, the more you say no, the more they force themselves upon you.
“Since it’s come to this, I have no choice but to accept it.”
“Yes.”
The old man smiled and nodded. He seemed to have come to terms with Henna’s transformation, perhaps because he had seen such a small Henna before. His hand reached out to pat her head.
Henna puckered her lips and said, “Teacher, I’m no longer that little girl.”
It had been years since anyone had touched her head. Since leaving Red Pine City, her contact with her family had been limited to letters.
Her most vivid family memories were of the time when they drew their weapons against each other.
Henna turned to the old man and asked, “Teacher, have you heard of this Ms. Moth?”
“No…”
The old man shook his head.
Although a sixth-rank magician was a respectable strength, in this world it was only a glimpse into the hidden realm. He knew very little about the higher echelons.
After some thought, the old magician replied, “This Black Nun Moth Lady cannot simply be judged as a villain. We do not understand her motives or objectives.”
“My thought is to try to make contact. Perhaps you can gain something from it and use it to counterbalance Lady Vivian.”
Henna nodded upon hearing this.
The old magician’s thinking aligned with hers: direct confrontation was out of the question, and cooperation was the best way to gain potential benefits.
Still, Henna felt like she had a collar around her neck—a suffocating restraint she couldn’t express in words.
She only hoped that Ms. Moth wouldn’t give her orders that went too far.
“Ms. Moth wants to control me, but not completely. She leaves me considerable freedom—either because she can completely override my resistance or because I’m actually dispensable to her.”
“Hmm… Probably both, right?”
“Do I have to prove my worth? But I don’t even know what she wants.”
Henna clasped her small hands over her head and looked up at the sky.
Her crimson eyes shone like rubies—clear and bright in the sunlight—as she pondered her next move.
She had Yelena act as the temporary Lord because Henna didn’t want anyone to see her current state.
She knew the Shen family ancestors were seemingly non-human, but she never imagined that the bloodline’s intensification would bring about such unexpected changes to her body.
A non-human human Lord—it was strange no matter how you looked at it.
So Yelena had been pushed into the role, while Henna supported her from behind the scenes.
“I just don’t know how I’m going to face Madam Phil after this.”
Henna narrowed her eyes. She remembered promising to paint a portrait of Phil, but now it seemed she’d have to find a way to delay that.
Estelle was finally physically exhausted.
After being struck by the bone dagger, everything went black and she collapsed to the ground.
When she opened her eyes again, she found herself surrounded by forest and blue skies.
She struggled to sit up.
Just then, Enya appeared at her side.