The hall went silent, her footsteps drew closer as a figure emerged from the darkness. The darkness did pretty well concealing her face. But as she clicked her foot once, the lights all turned on, and she became more visible.

Dressed in a blouse, which hung off her shoulder. A dark short skirt, with long high boots reaching her knee. Her dark hair fell over her face. Obscuring one eye. As usual. She was adorned with jewelry like most baronesses.

I could recognize her from my meeting with the Baronesses, but I had brushed over her. Not fully taking account of her.

"So what do I owe this warm visit? I know you didn’t come here for sightseeing."

She wrapped her arms around herself.

"You’re the new Amor of Hearts House. I still remember your face."

"Yes, I am." Her voice was velvety. From first glance she doesn’t look like someone lethal, rather like she was guileless, shy to even stand before me. Well, it felt deceptive to me.

"Maltie, right?" I asked.

"That’s me..." she replied, followed with a nervous laugh.

"You’re here for a check, right?" I said, pacing around her.

"Yes, I am. I was about to take my leave before you arrived..."

"Sure. I’ll get straight to the point." I pulled out the artifact. Dangling it before Maltie.

Her eyes widened on landing on what I held, before hardened on me. "Where did you get that from?"

"From the assassin who was sent to kill me. Let me keep this straight, Maltie, did you ever open the vault, even if just once?"

"How could I do such a thing?"

"Just answer the question."

"I said how can I do such. To disobey the queen? No, I’m not a rebel. My loyalty is to the queen."

I shook my head. "All you had to say was yes or no."

"No! I didn’t."

"Okay..." I walked up to the gate of the vault, took my hand close enough to the frame without directly touching it.

The aura wrapped around, it reacted to my Mana, my evoked genes from the blood I drank.

Moreover, with dragon potency, I could analyze it. This aura wasn’t just protection, but preserving the artifacts on the inside.

That explains why this artifact still looks new.

"Maltie. The queen made it an order Aria should protect me at all costs. Also she made it clear Aria can kill whoever tries to assassinate me."

"If you come clean, I promise I’ll spare you. If you don’t... I’ll take the work of Aria and kill you myself."

My Mana then flared, illuminating the hall.

Maltie flinched. "Wait." She waved her hand to stop. "I can’t do such a thing... I’m not evil. I sincerely believe in what you’re doing is the right thing, even if I haven’t had the chance to meet you properly. You’re just fighting for your freedom, it’s understandable... I wouldn’t dare to end your noble goal by trying to kill you." Her voice sounded disarmingly meek, like she had no hand in it. But my instincts could tell this was all facade.

"Then how did the assassins get their hands on a forbidden magic artifact?"

"I don’t know but... weren’t the only ones who can wield Forbidden Magic. I’m pretty sure Aria would have told you about them, right? Aria."

Aria was positioned behind us. She didn’t speak until now.

"I haven’t, you know the queen’s rules, Maltie."

"You’re right... sorry I can’t tell you, Amor. But if it makes you feel better. I can’t actually open this vault."

Maltie then demonstrated, walking up to the gate. She pointed at the keyhole. "I have noted they’re too big for keys to fit in."

"For the vault to open, we don’t use keys but the Mana of three specific people." She raised a finger. "One."

"My Mana, which will be channeled through the first gateway. Second is the queen’s. Third is Aldric’s. And he’s dead."

"Who’s Aldric?" I asked.

"The late Amor of Hearts House, you hold his position now." Maltie replied, followed with a quick bow.

"So in other words, this vault is permanently locked."

"I just come here for routine checks to see if the Mana construct is holding together. Hope that clears your suspicion, Amor."

Still, I was wary of Maltie, she seemed to be concealing something. When she bowed, I caught her hide a knowing grin.

Before returning her face rather apologetic.

If she was telling the truth, it means the only suspect was this particular race. They were all hiding from me. At the end I would find out.

I relaxed my Mana back. And the room dulled back into darkness.

"Fine, I’ll let you be for now."

So I left the vault with Aria.

"Wait. Amor, if it’s possible, I could come over just for tea time. I would really be grateful to spend some time with you."

She was either planning to manipulate me to get an heir or kill me... either way, I was prepared for her coming. So I accepted it.

"Sure, I’ll be expecting you." I didn’t stop to reply. Exiting the vault with Aria.

"I could really use a milk bath like last time."

"I’ll be sure to prepare one once we reach the mansion."

My human body was already at its limit. Well, it was a full day trying to prevent my assassination, I deserved a reward.

---

I stepped out of the bathroom, fully refreshed from the milk bath. A towel was tied around my waist. I held one, drying off my hair, walking back to my room.

I was dripping wet. And once more I scented fragrant. It felt nice. Once again back to the mansion.

"I should probably send Solen to get me a bottle of wine. Just one to take before a proper sleep."

Reaching for the doorknob, I noticed the door not fully closed. Which I didn’t fully close before heading for my bath.

I didn’t open the door right away.

Calmly assessing the Mana, I could sense on the inside someone was inside my room. Yet the Mana signature was very unmistakable.

After a second it clicked. I fully realized who it was. I kept myself from laughing.

’I never imagined she would be the first to come seeking.’

My cautiousness from before was washed down with certainty.

I opened the door and stepped into the room. Meeting Lilia seated at the table set at the balcony, the moonlight spilled into the room. The night cool breeze blew the light curtains. Sharp, beautiful features, short dark hair with red highlights, her wings with a mix of white and black folded at her back. Her red dress with fur.

Standing at the door, her fiery crimson eyes scanned me fully. Pale skin glowing in the moonlight, contrasting her fiery eyes. Her lips were slightly upturned, which looked like she was already scrutinizing.

"You don’t walk into people’s room without permission, Lilia."