Since Ghislaine was not a tenant of the apartment, March 7th couldn't use the Administrator privileges to view her specific attributes. However, based on intuition alone, she could tell that the woman was exceptionally strong. After all, "King-tier" in this world meant one had already joined the ranks of the top-level powerhouses.
"Ghislaine! You have to come outside the city with me right now!" Eris tugged at Ghislaine's sleeve, her tone a mix of wheedling and stubbornness. "Some filthy peasant just blocked my carriage and used magic to freeze my guards! I'm going to catch her and make her my tutor. You're coming with me to grab her this instant!"
Ghislaine looked down at Eris, her brow furrowed deeply. Her voice carried a stern reprimand, yet it hid a trace of imperceptible exhaustion. "Eris, have you gone looking for trouble again? How many times have I told you? The Greyrat family's position is precarious right now. It is only through my maneuvering in the Royal Capital that we manage to maintain our status. Stop causing scenes. If people with ulterior motives catch wind of this and report it to the capital, it will be very difficult for me to protect the family."
"I wasn't looking for trouble for no reason!" Eris abruptly threw off Ghislaine's hand. She argued passionately, her eyes rimmed with red, yet she remained as stubborn as ever. "She was the one who blocked my carriage first! That's why I punished her! But she didn't just dodge, she froze my guards too. It's clearly her fault!"
Strictly looking at the result, it seemed to be exactly as Eris described.
However, if March 7th hadn't been strong enough, she would have been severely injured by that thorned whip. Eris never stopped to consider what her momentary whims meant for an ordinary person.
"Enough!"
Ghislaine suddenly barked, her voice carrying an indisputable authority.
Eris froze, looking up at Ghislaine in disbelief. The anger in her eyes vanished instantly, replaced by a sense of grievance and bewilderment. Since her grandfather's passing, Ghislaine had become her sole pillar of support. Even though she was usually strict, she had never yelled at her with such harshness.
Seeing Eris's reddened eyes, Ghislaine's tone softened. She let out a helpless sigh and reached out, wanting to pat Eris's head, but ultimately she just let her arm drop. "I'm sorry. I was too harsh. It's just that I'm only here on a stopover during a mission. My time is limited; I have to return to the Royal Capital immediately. You must behave yourself lately. Don't make me worry."
"...Oh."
Eris remained silent for a long time before offering a low response. She turned and began walking toward her room, her silhouette looking exceptionally lonely. She didn't look back at Ghislaine once, her footsteps heavy with resentment.
Ghislaine stood in place, her gaze following Eris's retreating back. Her golden eyes were filled with complex emotions—helplessness, guilt, and a deep, soul-shattering weariness.
Only after Eris's figure disappeared behind her door and the wood clicked shut did Ghislaine withdraw her gaze. She turned to look at Lilia, who was standing outside the room. Her voice was cold, carrying an order that brooked no argument: "Protect the young lady well. If even the slightest thing goes wrong with her, you won't need to live any longer."
"As you command, Lady Ghislaine."
Lilia bowed slightly, her tone neither humble nor arrogant. She knew full well that she was a monitor sent by the Royal Family, but as long as Ghislaine was around, she had to do her utmost to protect Eris. If something happened to the girl while Ghislaine was unharmed, a woman of the beastfolk's temperament wouldn't hesitate to take her life.
"Mm."
Ghislaine gave a short nod, turned, and headed out of the manor.
Her steps appeared steady, but in truth, with every stride, her old wounds throbbed with pain. During her time in the Royal Capital, she had carried out one high-intensity mission after another, accumulating many hidden injuries. She was only suppressing them through sheer force of will and her immense strength, ensuring that those coveting her position didn't notice.
But she didn't know how much longer she could keep up this front.
If this were the past, she would have simply drawn her blade and cut down those who plotted against her and the Greyrat family. After all, Eris's wild and stubborn nature was a mirror image of her younger self.
But now, she couldn't. She had the Greyrat family behind her, and she had Eris. She had to endure. She had to compromise.
"Eris..."
Upon reaching the manor gates, Ghislaine suddenly stopped. She turned to look toward Eris's room and whispered softly, her voice thick with concern and longing. A moment later, she pulled her gaze away, gripped the long blade at her waist, and turned away resolutely. She vanished into the distance, heading toward the Royal Capital.
Up on the wall, March 7th's fingers tapped lightly against the cold stone. Watching Eris's retreating back in the courtyard, her heart was a swirl of conflicting feelings. She felt both helpless toward the girl's spoiled nature and determined to take her down a peg or two.
The wind swept through the shrubs in the garden, making the leaves rustle softly. Her gaze sharpened. Using the natural cover, she leapt from the wall like a swallow. The soles of her boots only caused a faint shimmer on the ground before she silenced her movement, creeping toward Eris's room.
This was the perfect opportunity. Someone had to make this pampered young lady realize that not everyone would indulge her every whim.
Relying on her tiny size and agile reflexes, March 7th moved through the courtyard like a ghost, arriving behind Eris's room in an instant. A half-open window seemed to be an invitation just for her. She tapped her toes against the sill and curled her body, slipping inside. She landed so lightly that the carpet didn't even ripple.
"Stupid Ghislaine! Smelly Ghislaine! And that wretch! How dare she refuse me! If I ever run into her again, I'm definitely going to catch her and teach her a real lesson!"
Inside the room, Eris was sprawled across a soft velvet bed, her face buried in a fluffy pillow. Her slender but powerful fists hammered into the pillow with frustrated force. Her silk skirt flounced wildly with her movements, the very picture of a spoiled brat.
"Oh? And just how does the young lady plan on 'teaching me a lesson'?"
March 7th's voice, laced with a hint of playfulness, drifted through the room. It landed in Eris's ear as light as a feather.
"...Who's there?!"
Eris bolted upright, her red hair clinging messily to her cheeks. Her fiery red eyes were wide with alert as she scanned the room frantically. But since March 7th was still in her shrunken form, hidden among the shifting shadows, she found nothing.
"What is it, Milady?"
Lilia's gentle yet respectful voice came from outside the door. A second later, the door was pushed open. Lilia, dressed in her maid uniform, walked in with her hands clasped, her eyes full of concern. Her steps were light, and the hem of her apron swayed slightly, projecting an air of practiced competence.
"Lilia, did you just hear a voice?"
Eris scrambled to her feet. There was a faint trace of panic in her tone, though she tried her best to sound composed.
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