Chapter 315
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Chapter 315: Returning Here
Evening Arrival at Tulip Manor
As dusk settled, Evie and Kaluoer rode in a carriage, traversing several districts before arriving at Tulip Manor. The sky had grown completely dark, and the surrounding streets lay in a hushed quiet. Even during the day, the area rarely bustled with activity, given the sparse number of nearby residents.
Evie gazed at the manor ahead, inhaling the strong fragrance of tulips wafting through the air.
“This place… seems decent. So, the man who saved you is a nobleman,” she mused aloud.
As the “princess” of the Kingdom of Dark Light, Evie was no stranger to grandeur. Over the years, she had seen homes of unimaginable luxury—the residences of the Four Great Families, Nine Small Families, and Thirteen Families. Yet, while opulent, the stark disparity between the lives of those in Annottales’ First District and the slums was undeniable.
The Temple of Dark Light and the principal estates of the noble families dominated the First District, an area home to millions. Servants, farmers, and craftsmen ensured the comfort of these aristocrats. Within this world of power, the status of a family hinged on its saint. Once a saint died or lost divine favor, the family’s influence collapsed entirely.
The Burden of Legacy
The “Heart of Dark Light,” an entity alive for over five centuries, had given rise to a vast family of tens of thousands. Among them, the Rurik family stood as the largest of the Four Great Families. In contrast, the “Incarnation of Dark Light” and the “Head of Dark Light”—immensely powerful saints—had no descendants.
Evie, adopted by the
“Incarnation of Dark Light,”
became the sole “relative” of
this transcendent figure. To
many, marrying her was seen
as a golden opportunity to
establish a superfamily
surpassing the Four Great
Families. Yet, Evie cared little
for such schemes.
Her sole concern in this world
was the person beside her—
Kaluoer.
“Why… Why couldn’t I find you
earlier?” Evie’s voice wavered
with confusion and regret.
Despite deploying countless
resources, even enlisting her
adoptive father’s help, she had
failed to locate her sister.
Kaluoer’s response was as
detached as her expression.
“A forbidden soul curse from
the Mercury Ball… ‘Cognition
Filter.’ It concealed us from
being found.”
The curse that bound them in
life dissolved only in death.
Entering Tulip Manor
As the gates of Tulip Manor
creaked open, a steady male
voice resounded in their
minds:
Welcome to the Tulip Manor.
It’s cold outside—please, come
in.
Startled by the older,
composed tone, Evie’s
expectations faltered. She had
imagined their benefactor to
be a peer—someone young,
like herself and Kaluoer.
A black-haired maid, cradling a
cat, greeted them at the
entrance. Her demeanor was
calm yet respectful. “Welcome
back, Kaluoer. The master
awaits inside,” she said,
leading them through the
estate.
The servants within the manor
appeared content and well-
treated, moving about with
ease. As Evie observed the
environment, she noticed
something peculiar: the black-
haired maid, who likely held a
higher status, was treated with
surprising informality.
Meanwhile, the cat in the
maid’s arms seemed oddly
perceptive, its gaze lingering
on Evie and Kaluoer as if
assessing them.
Meeting the Master
They were led to Viscount
Edmond’s private study. Inside,
a middle-aged man with gray-
streaked hair stood by the
window, leaning on a black
cane. Without turning, he
spoke:
“Welcome back, Kaluoer.”
Kaluoer said nothing, but Evie’s
voice cut through the silence.
“Are you the one who saved my
sister, destroyed the Mercury
Ball, and sent me that note?”
“Yes,” the man confirmed
without hesitation.
Evie’s gratitude was pragmatic,
almost businesslike. “I owe
you a favor. Name your price—
wealth, status, anything within
my power.”
“I want nothing,” Edmond
replied.
Evie’s thoughts raced. Could it
be… marriage? The notion
filled her with dread.
Absolutely not!
Edmond’s calm response
disrupted her spiraling
thoughts.
“It was her choice to stay,” he
clarified, glancing at Kaluoer.
Kaluoer nodded. “I have
nowhere else to go. My safe
haven is gone.”
Evie’s heart ached, guilt and
sorrow flooding her. She
blamed herself for her sister’s
pain and the years of suffering
Kaluoer endured. Still, she
declared firmly:
“I’ll visit often. If you dare harm
her, I’ll end you!”
Unfolding Dynamics
Despite Evie’s concerns,
Kaluoer adapted quickly to her
new surroundings. Edmond
offered her the role of his
personal maid, replacing Dai,
the black-haired maid. Dai,
though initially disheartened,
was appeased by the promise
of a promotion to steward—a
role of greater prestige.
Elsewhere, a curious exchange
took place. The cat, Cola,
revealed an unusual sentience,
capable of escaping
Edmond’s psychic scans. Its
mischievous tendencies
earned it a reprimand from
Edmond, who swatted it into
submission. The indignant
creature sulked away, plotting
revenge.
A New Power
In her quarters, Kaluoer felt an
unfamiliar energy coursing
through her. A voice echoed
within her mind:
Hidden Azure, this is your
reward.
With her new ability, “Vanish
into the Void,” Kaluoer had
gained a power befitting an
assassin—a fitting path in a
world where survival
demanded strength.
As she tested her newfound,
the shadows seemed to
embrace her, marking the
beginning of a new chapter in
her life.
