After finishing their preparations, the group set out towards Yebo Delim without rest.

“There are things we need to agree on before reaching the capital.”

“What are they?”

“Things like how you and I met. Once it’s revealed that you’re my disciple, people will swarm around like bees, asking all sorts of questions.”

“Why don’t we just tell the truth, oh…”

Cordelia started to answer without much thought but stopped mid-sentence. Thinking about it, it seemed suspicious that Leonard had entered the body of her dead husband and formed a master-disciple relationship. From a different perspective, her chastity could be seen as quite questionable.

“People aren’t that naive. If they find out I entered your dead husband’s body and took you, his former wife, as my disciple, all sorts of unsavory rumors would spread.”

“You’re right. I’d be seen as the most disgraceful woman in the world, wouldn’t I?”

She imagined people would say she had seduced him with her body.

It wasn’t something to laugh about, but it was just too amusing.

She suddenly recalled the days when she visited Leonard’s bedroom almost daily, trying to win his favor, enduring all sorts of cold words and persevering stubbornly.

Back then, she never imagined things would turn out like this…

“So what should we say?”

“Let’s say we met by chance near the Abrams estate about a year ago. I happened to have some business in the north around that time, so we can insist that I secretly trained you as my disciple there.”

“Can I go around saying that you recognized my talent and begged me to become your disciple?”

“It seems my disciple doesn’t value her life. Go ahead and try.”

Cordelia burst into laughter at Leonard’s merciful words.

* * *

In the distance, the first walls of Yebo Delim came into view. Cordelia stuck her head out of the carriage and gazed at the scenery for a long while.

“Close the door. It’s cold.”

“Come on. How is this cold? It’s clearly spring. Fine, I’ll close it. You’re wearing more clothes than me, yet you complain about the cold whenever a window opens.”

“You have a lot to say about closing one window?”

“Master, could it be that you’re feeling cold because of your age? I heard that when you get old, even a spring breeze can make your bones ache.”

“Want me to show you what it really means for bones to ache?”

Cordelia shrank her shoulders at his stern gaze. Then she quietly closed the carriage window.

She had forgotten about it while being busy with homework and special training, but it seemed like it was time to properly dispose of Craig’s corpse on top of the carriage. She would have to think of a way once they reached the capital.

The city gates, which had seemed close, took another half day of travel to reach. The sun was just about to set. Baron stopped the horse and asked,

“Shall we go straight to the Atilei townhouse?”

“We need to convene the council first.”

“Ah, I’ll send messengers to each family as soon as we arrive at the townhouse.”

“Is that really necessary?”

Leonard opened the carriage door and stepped out. There were many people coming and going through the city gates, but no one immediately recognized him as the head of the Atilei family, who was thought to be dead.

“W-What’s that?”

“It’s the White Snake!”

“Is that Atilei?”

Light flowed from his fingertips, and the shape of a white snake appeared clearly in the sky, like fireworks.

His intention was clear.

By displaying the White Snake emblem, which only the head of the Atilei family could use, for all to see, everyone in the capital would know of his return before morning.

Baron couldn’t close his mouth for a while.

“…Indeed, there’s no need to send messengers.”

“Now that that’s settled, let’s go.”

Baron drove the carriage through the city gates. As expected, when they arrived in front of the Atilei townhouse, several servants were waiting at the front gate with excited faces.

Alex, the townhouse’s butler, was the first to recognize Baron.

“Baron! Then, inside…”

“Alex. It’s been a while. Open the gate quickly.”

No sooner had Baron finished speaking than Alex hurried the gatekeeper to open the main gate wide. All the servants who had already heard the news gathered at the front gate.

The carriage quietly stopped in front of the main gate. Baron opened the door.

Leonard stepped out first. Seeing him perfectly fine without a hair out of place, the servants were all on the verge of fainting.

“Master!”

“My goodness, the head of the family has returned!”

“So he really hadn’t passed away!”

“Then what happens to the second young master?”

“Quiet, quiet! What is this commotion in front of the master we haven’t seen in so long?”

Alex stepped forward and gave a stern warning. The excited servants only calmed down after some time had passed.

Cordelia, along with Lottie, was the last to step out of the carriage amidst all the focused attention. Seeing an unfamiliar woman following right behind Leonard, everyone looked at her with curious eyes.

Baron quickly stepped forward to introduce Cordelia.

“This is Lady Cordelia Abrams, the master’s one and only disciple. Treat her with the utmost respect.”

They whispered among themselves with even more surprised faces than before.

“The master’s disciple?”

“But he said he would never take a disciple…”

“My goodness, today is full of surprises. To think that the master would take a disciple.”

“Come now, everyone get your wits about you and return to your positions.”

Alex clapped his hands to change the atmosphere. When most had returned to the mansion, Baron quietly approached and said,

“Alex. There are two large boxes at the back of the carriage. Move the one with a black circle drawn on it to the reception room, and put the other one deep in the basement.”

“What are those?”

“It’s better not to know. Remember. Choose only those with tight lips to move them.”

“Understood.”

Although Alex was puzzled, as befitting the butler of the prestigious Atilei family, he didn’t inquire further. He simply selected a few servants to move the luggage.

At that moment, a middle-aged woman approached Cordelia with a friendly smile.

“Welcome to the Atilei townhouse, Lady Abrams. I am Anna, the head maid of the townhouse. If you need anything, please feel free to ask.”

“Ah, I don’t like being called by my surname, so please call me Cordelia.”

“As you wish, Lady Cordelia. I’ll guide you to where you’ll be staying.”

As she followed behind her, Cordelia glanced around, taking in the Atilei family’s townhouse. From the luxurious ceiling paintings to the antique furniture and expensive wallpaper, nothing was lacking.

She wondered how beautiful the main castle must be if even this mansion, used only during the social season, was so splendid.

In contrast, the Vasquez townhouse had long been sold due to financial difficulties.

“Oh, this dog is Lottie. She’s a dog I’m fond of, so please take special care of her.”

“Of course. I’ll inform the servants.”

Anna led her to a room with a friendly smile. The door itself was overwhelmingly ornate.

Cordelia thought that even the guest rooms in the Atilei house were luxurious, but she turned her head sharply at Anna’s words.

“This is the room used by the previous lady of the Atilei house.”

“I, I don’t need such a nice room.”

Cordelia was a bit flustered. She had naturally assumed she would be given a guest room, but being suddenly led to the room used by the lady of the house made her feel burdened.

“Lady Cordelia, you are the master’s one and only disciple. The room has no owner yet, so please use it comfortably without hesitation.”

Of course, she had already received permission from the master before guiding her here.

Anna bowed very politely before leaving the room. Shortly after she left, three maids entered and greeted Cordelia.

“I’m Leila.”

“I’m Emma.”

“I’m Talia. From today on, we’ll be serving Lady Cordelia. If there’s anything lacking, please let us know anytime.”

“Alright. I’ll be in your care while I’m here. But first, I’d like to take a bath.”

“We’ll prepare it right away.”

* * *

Despite the late hour, a large white horse stopped in front of the Atilei townhouse. The gatekeeper recognized him and immediately opened the main gate.

Alex came out to greet the guest.

“Welcome to the Atilei townhouse.”

“Is it true? Has Leo really returned?”

“We were instructed to escort you inside when you arrived, Archduke Elfenbaum. Please come in.”

Rosenblur, unable to hide his excitement, tossed the reins aside and strode inside with quick steps.

Unlike usual, he took the stairs two at a time, stepping briskly as he climbed to the reception room on the second floor.

A servant tried to open the door for him, but Rosenblur couldn’t wait and opened the reception room door himself.

There, Leonard was sitting calmly in the center with his legs crossed.

“News travels fast, I see.”

“Leo! You! You’re really alive!”

He ran to Leonard with a bright smile and embraced his shoulders tightly.

“How disgusting. Let go.”

However, Leonard immediately broke free from the man’s embrace with a rough gesture. Nevertheless, Rosenblur couldn’t hide his joy.

“You’ve been alive all this time, right? Do you have any idea what happened while you were gone?”

“I know. Why wouldn’t I? I heard that when news of my death spread, everyone except Elfenbaum betrayed me as if they had been waiting for it. They all approved Maximilian’s succession to the title, didn’t they?”

“Saracen initially opposed it, but… that opposition didn’t last long. If you were alive, why didn’t you show yourself all this time?”

Leonard recalled one by one those who had betrayed him, smiling cynically.

“Ah, that? Well, I should start with the story of how Maximilian stabbed me in the stomach, using mother’s remains as bait.”

“What? What did Maximilian do?”

Although it was a short time, so much had happened that it took quite a while to explain. As Leonard was explaining what had happened on his way to Diloana’s territory, the reception room door opened again.

“Master, my room is, no matter how I look at it, too… Oh, Lord Rosenblur?”

“Cordelia?”

She ran towards Rosenblur in one breath, happy to see him. Of course, it didn’t quite work out that way. Her master instantly snatched Cordelia and sat her down next to himself.

“You stay back.”

“Why? I want to talk to Lord Rosenblur too.”

“What could you possibly have to talk about with him? I said stay back.”

Because he put on a thoroughly frightening face as he threatened her, Cordelia eventually had to stick close to Leonard’s side, only peeking her head out slightly.