Uninvited Guests

Daisy and Viola’s third morning at Baron Bolus’s estate arrived quietly.

Soft morning light slipped through gaps in the curtains and spilled into the room.

Daisy slowly woke up beneath the warm feathered wings Viola used as her blanket.

Still half asleep, she instinctively reached beside her and felt something soft.

“…Mm?”

Then she suddenly froze awake.

Viola.

Only then did Daisy realize she and Viola had slept beside each other again after returning from the previous night.

She quietly pulled back her hand and peeked over.

Strangely enough, Viola was still asleep.

Usually Viola woke up before Daisy every single day.

Daisy had rarely seen her sleeping.

Curious, she cautiously leaned closer.

“Viola…?”

No response.

“Viola…”

Still nothing.

Daisy became a little bolder and leaned in to stare at Viola’s peaceful face.

Her long black hair spread across the white sheets.

Her breathing was calm.

Without her usual cold expression, she looked unexpectedly gentle.

Daisy stared absentmindedly.

Then reached out to poke her cheek.

Before she could—

She suddenly felt her fingertip caught.

“Wah?!”

Viola had opened one eye with a mischievous smile.

“Daisy, good morning.”

“You were awake?!”

Daisy nearly rolled off the bed in shock.

Viola sat up with a small laugh.

“Good morning.”

Daisy suddenly felt her cheeks heat up.

“Go-good morning…”

**

Far away, high above the plains near Baron Bolus’s territory—

Several winged horses cut through the sky.

“Captain Becker!”

One of the armored riders pointed ahead.

“I can see a settlement.”

“Should we investigate?”

Captain Becker narrowed his eyes.

Their dragon-hunting team had been pursuing Viola’s trail for days after losing it midway.

Though they lacked definitive clues, they weren’t far from their target anymore.

“We’ll go.”

“No possibility is too small.”

“We will find that evil dragon.”

“We’ll decorate the Kingdom of Mirandel’s glorious history with its deserved death.”

**

Not long after, the dragon hunters arrived at the outskirts of Baron Bolus’s farming town.

The villagers panicked immediately upon seeing mounted strangers descend from the sky.

People scattered in fear.

Eventually several local guards nervously approached.

“W-Who are you people?!”

Becker smiled politely and dismounted.

“Please don’t be alarmed.”

“We are members of the Kingdom’s Ninth Royal Knight Order.”

“We’re pursuing an extremely dangerous target.”

“If left unchecked, it may endanger everyone here.”

The guards exchanged uneasy glances.

Then one finally gathered courage.

“Dangerous target?”

“Where were all you important people when we almost got wiped out two nights ago?!”

“If strangers hadn’t attacked us, we’d be fine!”

“Now everything’s finally settling down and suddenly people like you show up asking questions!”

“Our lord protects us!”

“And we’ll protect our land ourselves!”

Becker listened quietly.

Then smiled.

“I see.”

“Then perhaps our target has nothing to do with this place after all.”

He turned as if preparing to leave.

Then paused.

“Oh, right.”

He glanced back.

“We happen to be rather important people.”

“If later we discover you hid information from us…”

“It wouldn’t take much effort to erase a tiny territory like yours.”

“Good luck.”

The dragon hunters departed soon afterward.

But the fear they left behind remained.

**

Meanwhile Daisy’s day passed normally.

Breakfast with Baron Bolus and his family.

Lessons with Pelinda and the unpleasant tutor.

More “social relationship” classes.

More etiquette practice.

Lunch.

More lessons.

Dinner.

Before she knew it, another evening had arrived.

But something felt strange.

Late in the day, shocking news arrived.

Viscount Clyde was dead.

Baron Bolus immediately became visibly disturbed.

Even during dinner prayers he shortened his usual words.

The Baroness noticed.

Pelinda noticed.

The atmosphere became oddly tense.

Only Daisy continued eating enthusiastically.

Slurp munch slurp.

After dinner—

Baron Bolus finally spoke.

“Miss in Black…”

His expression looked unusually serious.

“Do you have some time?”

“I have something I’d like to discuss with you.”

Daisy blinked.

Something was wrong.

She looked at Baron Bolus.

Then at Viola.

Viola’s expression didn’t change at all.

“Of course.”

Her silver-gray eyes sharpened slightly.

“We really should talk.”

“There are things I should’ve said a long time ago.”