Sei enjoyed tea time in the reception room on the third floor, attached to her bedroom. The lazy afternoon sunlight approaching spring made the tea and dessert more fragrant and sweet than usual.

She faintly smiled while watching Kristin, who was giving orders to the Imperial Guard members in the garden.

“I didn’t expect the Viscount to be so helpful.”

A little while ago, Stone was apprehended and dragged away by Kristin’s Imperial Guard. It was honestly a bit shocking. Still, she never imagined her own kin would be such a dreadful serial killer.

Of course, when she saw numerous white bones in the underground cemetery last night, she had some suspicions.

In fact, she had many concerns during the short period yesterday.

Should she tell Stone the truth?

Adele knew about the existence of the white bones, so the Imperial Guard would soon come to arrest her brother. So, get rid of the evidence quickly. Considering the family, that was the right thing to say.

But the other party was Stone.

According to Adele, he was the serial killer, and there was no guarantee that he would spare her, knowing she was aware of the evidence’s authenticity.

Of course, he might express gratitude and help destroy the evidence. After all, he was her blood.

But what after that?

Stone would become the Emperor’s father, and April would become the mistress of this mansion. For Sei, there was nothing left but the honor of being a quasi-member of the imperial family.

For the past eight years, she had been the de facto owner of this mansion. Yet now, she had to hand it all over to a lunatic murderer and an immature princess.

Even though Oswald knew better and could manage it better.

“That monster will become more dangerous. Before you and the family are devoured… there might be a way for you to save Oswald.”

And the words Adele said lingered in her mind. It was sweet and seductive like a devil’s whisper.

My family.

Oswald.

Yes, this is the way to save my family.

There’s no law saying I can’t become the next Viscountess.

As long as Stone disappears…

So, Sei left the mausoleum as it was. In the morning, she treated Stone with kindness and tenderness like a good younger sister. She even screamed like a frightened little sister when she saw him being taken away by the Imperial Guard.

Thanks to that, everything was so peaceful.

“You seem to be enjoying yourself.”

Suddenly, a voice echoed, and Sei quickly turned to look.

Adele, who had approached the window where she was, looked around. It was a place as luxurious as the Empress’s room, filled with exquisite furniture and decorations.

She had been here before, of course, to torment Sei for ridiculous reasons.
She made the maids strip naked, claiming they stole her cherished jewelry, and threw tea at the nobles she detested. Every time, getting slapped or having her hair pulled was a given.

“You’ve become more luxurious. Well, you’ve been acting as the owner of this place for the past eight years. It was all because you were so rampant, requesting to send Stone as an ambassador before the late Viscount returned. Actually, he intended to send him to Orbis for my sake. Unfortunately, he passed away before that.”

“If you’re going to talk nonsense, get out. Otherwise, I’ll call the guards!”

“Well, is there anyone here in this mansion who would dare to touch me now?”

And Adele casually took a seat opposite Seira.

“Who told you to sit down!”

Seira shouted, but Adele ignored her.

“So, are you going to let the guest stand? Is that the etiquette of a Viscountess?”

“Guest?”

Seira was shocked, but she felt a bit deflated at Adele’s expression and tone.

Certainly, Adele was different from before. Perhaps due to people treating her as Kristin’s fiancée, there was considerable pressure on her.

No, that arrogant arrogance was somewhat different. This cold expression resembled Kristin’s.

In the meantime, Adele elegantly picked up a cookie from the plate and put it in her mouth.

“Ugh!”

However, she quickly spat it out, with an expression of disgust, and into the teacup Seira had been drinking from just a while ago.

“What are you doing!”

Adele had a face as if she had chewed on a bug.

“Eating something so tasteless so well.”

Despite Adele’s rude comments, Seira could only seethe with anger but couldn’t call anyone. As Adele claimed, all the mansion’s servants were cautious, mostly avoiding any eye contact with the Imperial Guard. They were worried about getting involved with Stone and facing false accusations.

Seira knew that. As the queen of society, her intuition was sharp.

“If you have something to say, say it quickly and get lost!”

Seira barely restrained her anger and shouted.

Then Adele smiled faintly.

“Why haven’t you cleaned up the white bones in the underground cemetery? If it hadn’t been discovered, your brother wouldn’t have been arrested like this. I didn’t know your words were true.”

Seira felt embarrassed but quickly hid her expression.

“I didn’t think your words were true.”