A Small Matter

“How late is it already… Where did Viola go, and what is she doing…?”

On the night of Daisy and Viola’s second day at Baron Bolus’s estate, the Bolus family had finally finished their long prayer to the gods and begun their proper, elegant dinner.

Daisy had already been a little hungry before, but now that Viola had mysteriously disappeared somewhere, she didn’t feel much appetite anymore.

Holding a fork in her small hand, she poked absentmindedly at the sauce-covered lamb chop on her plate.

‘Most of the things Viola does… she does for my sake.’

‘Of course I know that… but…’

‘Couldn’t she at least tell me before leaving?’

Meanwhile, dozens of kilometers away, in the center of Viscount Clyde’s territory—

Inside a lord’s mansion far more extravagant than Baron Bolus’s estate, beneath rows of enormous golden chandeliers, the corrupt Viscount Clyde was enjoying dinner with his entire family.

Unlike Baron Bolus, the man had squeezed every drop of blood and sweat from his people and involved himself in every dirty business imaginable.

The two lords were complete opposites.

“Wife~~~~ listen to me~~~~~!”

At the head of the dining table, which was more than twice the length of the Bolus family table, the bloated Viscount swayed a crystal wine glass drunkenly.

“The new marriage tax proposal isn’t what you think!”

“It’s just policy!”

His wife stared coldly at him.

“Oh?”

“The policy where people unable to pay can surrender certain marital rights?”

“Stop dressing it up.”

“You think I don’t know what kind of man you are?”

“You perverted old creep.”

The Viscount immediately protested.

“It’s a misunderstanding!”

“I swear to the gods!”

“I’ve never attended any s*ave auction!”

“I don’t even know any s*ave trader with a green hat!”

“My loyalty to my wife shines brighter than the sun and moon!”

His wife looked at him with utter contempt.

“Then explain why there were rumors about you going to Gran City.”

“Or why I heard you prefer women in chains.”

“Enough already!”

One of the older children suddenly shouted.

“You two are so noisy!”

“We don’t care what your marriage is like!”

“As long as we get money and inherit the title someday!”

Nearby, younger children burst into tears.

“Waaaah! Stop fighting!”

The lavish dining hall descended into chaos.

The Viscount and his beautiful young wife argued fiercely.

Around them sat over ten children of different ages.

Some were nearly Pelinda’s age.

Others were still too young to properly use forks and knives.

Looking at the family, it was impossible not to wonder how many wives the Viscount had gone through.

While this “noble, honest, upright, hardworking” family cheerfully enjoyed enough food to feed commoners for months—

Outside the window, unnoticed by anyone—

A dark figure stood silently.

Silver-gray eyes, cold as moonlight, stared without emotion at the family inside.

Reality was never as simple as stories.

Good people were not always purely good.

Bad people were not always purely evil.

Heroes did not always arrive at the perfect moment to save everyone.

Sometimes good people committed terrible acts through ignorance.

Sometimes bad people had families.

People they loved.

People who loved them.

Punishment could become complicated.

At this moment, such a scene lay before Viola.

Viscount Clyde truly was scum.

But he also had a family.

Children.

If she killed him now, his family could suffer because of it.

Their position could collapse.

Their lives might be destroyed.

But if she left him alive…

Who knew what stupidity he would commit next?

He might threaten Baron Bolus’s territory again.

He might attract the dragon slayers pursuing her.

A difficult problem.

At least…

For humans.

“…”

Standing outside the window, Viola’s face remained expressionless.

Her pale fingers slowly rose.

At their tips, a complex magical formation unfolded.

Like the point of a death sentence.

The killing blow aimed directly at Viscount Clyde.

Viola had long since seen enough of the world’s ugliness.

Things like “he has a family” meant little to her.

She simply did not want anyone interrupting her journey with Daisy.

And for that—

Whether someone lived or died made no difference.

Back at Baron Bolus’s estate—

After dinner, Baron Bolus casually asked Pelinda to bring Daisy back to the guest room prepared for her and Viola.

For Pelinda, this was an unbelievable opportunity.

She maintained perfect noble-lady manners all the way—

Until they entered a dark, empty corridor.

Then instantly—

Her true nature emerged.

“Cute little Daisy!”

“Come sleep in my room tonight!”

She happily hugged Daisy and started dragging her away.

“Wait! Pelinda!”

“I’m waiting for Viola to come back!”

Daisy struggled desperately.

Well…

Not too desperately.

She was worried her dragon strength might accidentally hurt Pelinda.

“Come on!”

“My room has lots of delicious food!”

“Lots of plushies!”

“And lots of storybooks!”

“You definitely won’t be bored!”

“That isn’t the issue!”

Daisy protested helplessly.

Then—

Suddenly—

A dark figure appeared in the corridor.

And Daisy vanished from Pelinda’s hands.

“Eh?!”

“WAAAAAH?!”

Pelinda froze.

She turned around—

And saw Viola standing behind her.

Still wearing her black dress.

Still expressionless.

Holding Daisy securely in her arms.

“M-Miss in Black?!”

“When did you come back?”

“Just now.”

Viola answered coldly.

Then, carrying Daisy, she walked toward their room.

As she passed, she left behind one final sentence:

“My Daisy sleeps best beside me.”

Viola…

She’s back…

Daisy leaned against Viola’s chest and finally relaxed.

She felt safe again.

But then—

As they walked through the dark hallway—

She suddenly smelled something faint.

Very faint.

Like blood.

“Viola…”

“What?”

“What were you doing earlier?”

“Nothing important.”

“Just a small matter.”