Chương 136: Cinderella's Confession

the next day.

In an inconspicuous corner of the vast capital city.

"Feasts, balls, balls, feasts, ha, this city is full of these boring things all day long."

A man with deep-set eyes gazed out the window at the street, muttering to himself.

Turning to the hooded men, he said, "It's time to add a touch of killing to this bland dish."

The hooded people nodded in agreement.

The man then asked, "How's it going?"

A tall, thin hooded man replied, "Everything is as you predicted. The ghost's will was weak and confused, and we easily persuaded him."

The man smiled and nodded.

"Very good, now the most crucial piece of the puzzle for this ritual is complete—but don't let your guard down, the closer we get to this point, the more careful we must be!"

The hooded man nodded and said with a smile, "Don't worry, we are very careful in our operations. Those rich kids at the Robin's School who only know how to hum songs won't be able to find our trail even if it takes them a hundred years."

at the same time.

The city gate, more than ten kilometers away.

Richard and the others are seeing Elsa and Mary off.

Although the little girl did not want to be separated from everyone, some things were unavoidable.

Specifically, yesterday, right after the ball ended, the Conrad family finally received the news and sent a strong delegation to the capital.

They intend to bring Aisha back to their family headquarters in Cloudtop City in the North, where she will officially inherit the Conrad name, and then sign a contract with the enshrined goblin to activate the power unique to the Grand Duke of Ashes.

This is the expectation of the entire empire for Aisha, and it is also the responsibility that Aisha has been determined to shoulder after all she has come this far.

Therefore, Aisha did not refuse and made preparations for the trip with her mother early this morning.

Let's get back to the present.

Before leaving, Isabella gave Mary her final advice: "Madam, remember what I told you before: there are all sorts of people in the Conrad family, so be careful. If you don't know what to do, do nothing. With Elsa's bloodline, no one can shake your position."

"If you need help in an emergency, you can seek out the high priest of the local Church of Radiance, or the old steward of the Conrad family. He was a comrade-in-arms of Archduke Franz in his lifetime, and his strength and loyalty are trustworthy."

Mary listened and nodded repeatedly.

She knew that although there might not be any more vampires chasing her in the days to come, she and her daughter would still face countless challenges.

As Elsa's mother, she must be her daughter's shield!

Meanwhile, Elsa quietly approached Richard, tugged at the poet's sleeve, and whispered, "Can you come over there with me? I want to talk to you alone for a bit."

"Of course~" Richard led her away from the crowd, then patted Aisha's head. Noticing her body trembling slightly, he spoke first: "Are you worried about the future? Don't be afraid. There's no difficulty in this world that can't be overcome. Besides, you have Isabella behind you, and Grace and me—" Elsa chuckled at Richard's encouragement.

"Big brother still treats me like a child."

"You're calling me 'big brother,' what else are you but a child?"

"Hmm, that's true. Then I'll just call you Richard from now on."

Aisha chuckled, then clenched her little fist and looked directly into Richard's eyes, saying, "Richard, the reason I'm trembling isn't because I'm worried about the future. Just as everyone expects, I've decided to become a qualified Grand Duke of Ashes. No matter what the future holds, I won't be afraid anymore!"

Great, very energetic!

No wonder she's a girl who can grill a vampire count!

Richard couldn't help but ruffle the little girl's hair again, then asked, "So what's making you so nervous that you're trembling?"

"For this—" Elsa was speaking softly when she suddenly stood on tiptoe and lightly pecked Richard's cheek with her lips, like a dragonfly skimming the water.

Richard felt the warm sensation vanish in an instant, and then paused slightly in surprise.

Elsa's face flushed as red as an apple, but she still looked at Richard persistently and said, "Richard, I like you!"

"Don't rush to reject me. I know I'm too young and not even in your considerations—"

"But that's alright, because I'll grow up soon, at a speed that none of you can imagine. When we meet again, I won't be a little girl who needs your protection, Richard, but a Grand Duchess who can protect you!"

"When the time comes, I will fulfill my promise to take care of Richard for the rest of my life!"

"Just wait and see!"

After saying that, Aisha, imitating Isabella, also gave Richard a wink.

Without waiting for Richard's reply, she dashed back to the group, leaving him standing there, somewhat amused and exasperated.

What?! Isn't this behavior incredibly childish?

To be honest, I really didn't expect her to say it so directly.

Richard pursed his lips.

He vaguely sensed that Aisha's feelings for him went beyond what a typical child would rely on an elder.

He thought Aisha would keep her thoughts to herself like most shy children, but to his surprise, she went straight for him.

This arrangement did indeed pique his interest somewhat.

and many more.

If this trend continues, in a few years, will I really be able to say from the bottom of my heart that Elsa is a woman who could be my mother?

Bah! Richard, Richard, you shameful bastard, what are you thinking!

Richard smiled, shook his head, and returned to the group.

Soon, the little girl bid farewell to everyone as if nothing had happened, then asked Richard to visit her in the north when he had time, and finally turned around and left the capital with the Conrad family delegation.

As the travelers' shadows gradually disappeared on the horizon, Richard, who didn't usually pray, made a gesture, sincerely wishing that the gods would bless the mother and daughter.

With this, his first objective of coming to the Empire from the Gulf region was completely accomplished.

He breathed a sigh of relief and then began to consider the remaining tasks at hand.

For example, to strengthen their power and to take revenge on William.

Hmm, it's time to go to the robin school!

That afternoon.

Richard then asked Isabella to send a carriage to take him away from his lodgings.

Also traveling with them was Grace—Miss Copper Dragon, who was very interested in the Robin School and, upon hearing Richard's destination, eagerly offered to be his teaching assistant.

And so, the two of them arrived at the Robin's School.

As soon as they got out of the car, they saw the elven-style palace, the tower surrounded by flowers, and the poet statue at the entrance with a rather flamboyant expression and a rose in his mouth.

"Well, this place is obviously a poet's territory—"