Episode 21

“Kyle, did I upset you?”

Kyle, seeming a bit anxious, asked cautiously.

“No, I was just mulling over what you said. So, in essence, you’re saying we should meet after you receive your deaconate? Exactly when would that be?”

“Um… it’s unlikely this year.”

Spring was just ending, and to Rosanna, the thought of waiting through three more seasons, until next year, was a shock. She couldn’t bear the thought of waiting that long, like a tamed animal teased with a treat just out of reach.

“I’ll wait.”

Yet her answer didn’t match her true feelings. From the world of social circles, she had learned that honesty wasn’t always the best policy.

“Are you sure? I’m grateful, but… I know it’s a lot to ask. I heard that noblewomen should find a husband before three social seasons pass. I worry that you might miss the chance to meet someone else because of me… that I’m wasting your time.”

He wasn’t entirely wrong. A noble daughter debuted into society as soon as she came of age, making her first appearance at the grand debutante ball, and from that moment, she was effectively “on the market.” The social seasons might return each year, but the real opportunity was within those first three. The longer it took, the less desirable one became.

But Rosanna was outside that world. She wasn’t so compliant as to follow rules that didn’t apply to her.

“Are you suggesting that after your confession, I go meet other men?”

“That’s not it!”

Kyle ruffled the back of his hair in exasperation.

“I just meant… marriage for a woman of high society is often a family affair.”

“No one’s trading on me. The Enache family is more than secure—after all, we’re the high nobility of Lumanó.”

Rosanna shrugged.

“I’m not doing this as a favor; I’m doing as I please. I’ll decide where I spend my time.”

“Thank you.”

“Hmm?”

“For telling me not to feel guilty.”

She hadn’t meant it that way, but if Kyle took it that way, so be it; she decided to count it as a moment of grace.

Just then, light footsteps sounded on the stairs. It seemed the young lion, who’d keep Kyle until late in the evening, was finally awake.

“Kyle, it’s time for you to say hello to Henry.”

* * *

Watching Kyle’s carriage pull away, Rosanna returned to her room and sat on the edge of her bed. Night had deepened outside, casting a dark veil over the landscape.

“He could have stayed just a bit longer.”

She felt a pang of regret since the dinner had been enjoyable. Still, their conversation over the meal had given her a hint of what to do next.

“I have one question,” she murmured.

“What is it?”

“You’re saying we can’t make plans to meet alone, but it’s not like we can’t see each other at all. We might just happen to cross paths, right? At Ingdberry Cathedral, for example, or attend the same service. Or I could visit the orphanage to see the children and happen to run into you. Would I have to pretend not to see you then?”

“That would never happen. It’s not like we’re cutting ties. I’d feel hurt if you ignored me, Rosanna.”

So, chance meetings were allowed. There were plenty of excuses to visit Ingdberry Cathedral, meaning she didn’t actually have to wait until next year to see Kyle.

But Rosanna couldn’t be satisfied with just that.

“I want to focus solely on theology during this critical time.”

Recalling the clear meaning behind his words, a surge of irritation flared within her.

“So, I come second to your god? That so-called Lord…”

Humans, in their frailty, seemed to need something to worship. At least, that was how it appeared from Rosanna’s observations—a weakness. Vampires had no such concept, but if Kyle needed his god, she could tolerate that.

Though his god didn’t necessarily need to be the current one.

Rosanna was more than willing to become his god, and she resolved to do so.

“One can’t serve two gods, after all. One of us has to go.”

She would pry Kyle away from his Lord. Desire, take, and claim what she wanted—those were her specialties.

A smile spread as a plan to ensnare her attachment toy took shape in her mind.

“This will be fun. First, I’ll need Bishop Johan or the archbishop to…”

The room plunged into darkness.

Rosanna held her breath, alert to her surroundings. A gentle breeze drifted in through the now-open window, and as the curtains fluttered, she could make out a silhouette beyond.

“Who’s there?”

Three intruders. Judging by the feel of them, they weren’t human. Vampires… with a dhampir among them.

“If you have business, it’s proper to use the front door. Come back tomorrow during the day, and I’ll be kind. Otherwise, leave now.”

She couldn’t use her mesmerizing powers; she could only affect one person at a time, which would leave her vulnerable to the others.

It seemed she’d have to resort to a physical confrontation.

Rosanna’s eyes gleamed red. She cracked her knuckles, loosening her tense muscles as they closed in.

“You’ll need to come with us.”

“Where to?”

“It would be best if you come along quietly.”

“It’ll be better for everyone if you follow us.”

From their voices, it was clear they varied in age and gender. It was impossible to discern their affiliation.

“Even the little ones in this household know not to go off with strangers.”

A sudden, chilling thought blanked her mind—Henry. Was he safe? Were there more upstairs?

She tensed her legs, ready to dash to Henry’s room, when the door opened, and a leg stepped through.

“The butler!”

Never had a face been more welcome. Holding Henry in one arm, he entered.

“My lady.”

Ignoring the intruders, the butler approached calmly and laid Henry down on the bed.

“He’s asleep and won’t wake until morning.”

“Perfect timing. Now we just have to deal with these strangers. I’ll take two of them.”

“No need. I know who they are.”

Turning to face the intruders, the butler loosened his collar and reached into his pocket for a pill, which he bit down on with a loud crunch. A series of cracks echoed as his bones and muscles shifted. His eyes glowed crimson.

The butler, now bulked up, exhaled slowly.

“It’s been a while, Crow.”

Those addressed as Crow assumed combat stances.

“Come now, young ones. Don’t make this old man exert himself.”

“Sir Pepita Elgon, please step aside.”

“You recognize me, yet you don’t flee? Bold of you, but knowing when to retreat is key if you want to last in this line of work.”

“Sir, this is troublesome. Are you resisting?”

“I’m already retired. As a humble butler, I serve only one master—this lady here.”

Four pairs of crimson eyes shifted toward Rosanna, who was beginning to piece together the situation, aligning her suspicions with reality.

“Butler, explain. Are they, by any chance, the Shadows of the Senate?”

“Their official name is the Crow Unit. All in black like a murder of crows, don’t you think?”

At this, she cast a more scrutinizing glance at the intruders. Even in the dark, her vampiric vision allowed her to see them clearly.

They wore sleek black attire, clearly designed for mobility. Their faces were obscured by hats with triangular brims resembling the beaks of crows. The designer had rather grotesque tastes—fashioning them like birds with human bodies.

“What would the Senate’s agents want with me? Planning to drag me off somewhere to kill me?”

“The Crow Unit’s duties aren’t limited to assassination,” one of them interjected hastily.

“We seek your cooperation, not a fight. Please, Sir Pepita, help us make this clear. This concerns the peace treaty, so an inquiry is necessary.”

“So, they intend to bring you to the interrogation room, my lady. In that case, you may need to go.”

“And if I refuse?”

“Then word will go to your family estate.”

“This is an issue that could spark factional strife. As the future head of your family, it would be wise to handle this with care.”

As both the butler and one of the Crows spoke in quick succession, Rosanna felt her urge to resist dampen. She had no desire to deal with rumors reaching her parents’ ears and causing needless trouble.

“I’ll go, as long as you don’t threaten me. You could just wait for a moment of inattention and assassinate me.”

“We would never dare to harm the daughter of Count Enache. I swear to safely escort you, with Sir Pepita’s word as witness.”

The intruders knelt, lowering their heads with one knee on the ground, all facing the butler. From their deference, it was clear that he was a legendary figure among them.

“Butler, were you of rather high rank?”

“Merely a servant of the Senate’s will. I founded the Crow Unit upon command and led it. In my later years, I served as an instructor.”

“…How old are you, exactly?”

“Well, older than you, my lady.”

“Is that even possible?”

“It appears I was destined for longevity.”

To Rosanna’s knowledge, dhampirs didn’t live particularly long. Although they outlived humans, few of them reached several centuries in age, certainly not in such robust health. And yet, he claimed to be older than she?

There was a theory that injecting a higher vampire’s blood into a dhampir could extend their lifespan, but the practice had been outlawed after the first trials led to necrosis. The heads of each clan had gathered to unanimously forbid further research.

So it couldn’t be that. Surely not.

Rosanna shot him a suspicious look but found no abnormalities beyond the recent physical transformation induced by that pill. The pill was likely a combat stimulant used by the Crow Unit.

“It’s time to depart. We can’t delay any longer,” one of the Crows reminded, stepping forward to fulfill their duty. The comment snapped Rosanna out of her thoughts.

“My lady, safe travels. I’ll guard the house in your absence.”

Nodding slightly, Rosanna gave a final instruction.

“Send word to Vlad to return immediately.”