The Krieg Ring and a Jealous Gaze

Half an hour later.

After passing countless equally opulent estates, the carriage finally halted before a particularly massive grey castle.

Just as when Iqiyah returned to the Blood Manor, servants greeted them and attended to their change of clothes.

Aside from the grander scale, the entire process and specific actions were almost identical to Iqiyah’s treatment at the manor.

Guided by the butler, the trio proceeded to the castle’s reception hall and took their seats.

Inside the blue-decorated reception hall, Claire stood before Seraphina, who was seated on a sofa, and bowed deeply.

“Thank you for saving my life, Miss Seraphina.”

“Oh, my, it was merely a small effort,” Seraphina naturally responded with feigned humility.

“I am truly honored to have been of assistance to you.”

“You are truly graceful,” Claire said with a gentle smile, appreciating Seraphina’s flawless politeness.

“It’s rare to encounter someone so well-versed in etiquette out here in the West.”

“That credit must go to this Iliya… oh, no, Miss Iliya.” Seraphina patted Iqiyah’s back, causing the flattered Iqiyah to blush profusely.

“She is an absolute master of etiquette, not only proficient in all forms of social interaction, but also in poise and demeanor… feh-feh-feh-feh.”

Before Seraphina could finish speaking, a sharp pain shot through her calf.

“Seraphina! You’re talking too much!”

“Right, right. In any case, Miss Iliya is truly a lady.”

“Hahahahaha,” Claire chuckled, naturally noticing Iqiyah’s subtle actions as a scout.

“It seems your relationship is truly wonderful.”

“Of course!” Iqiyah interjected, seizing the opportunity to speak.

“Seraphina is my favorite dependent!”

“Dependent?” Claire offered a hesitant smile.

“Perhaps you meant friend?”

‘Ugh…’

Iqiyah’s small face instantly flushed crimson, realizing her blunder.

“I think… I think…”

Terrified of exposure yet overwhelmed by shyness, Iqiyah turned her head away.

Her hands gripped her skirt tightly, and her voice became a mere whisper.

“Perhaps… family… oh no, lover would be more…”

“Miss Seraphina.”

Perhaps Iqiyah’s voice was too soft, or perhaps she truly wasn’t the focus of this meeting, but Claire didn’t notice Iqiyah’s quiet murmuring.

“The Krieg family has always been grateful for kindness, and a life-saving favor is certainly not something we would ever neglect.”

“Please allow me to present you with—”

Pausing her words, Claire walked to a sofa in the reception hall and picked up an exquisite small box.

“This, the [Krieg Ring].”

Opening the box, a silver-white ring was instantly revealed.

It was adorned with a crystal-clear emerald, upon which a golden eagle, crafted from gilded carvings, was set.

Under the sunlight, it shimmered with two distinct rays of light, one green and one gold.

“In the Empire, if you simply extend your hand and display this ring, even the Emperor himself will open the palace gates for you.”

“Furthermore, should you ever require assistance, you need only go to the nearest Krieg Conglomerate office and present your ring.

They will immediately provide you with every aid they are capable of offering.”

‘Good heavens.’

For a moment, Seraphina fell into a daze.

“Come, please extend your hand~”

As if accustomed to others’ astonishment, Claire deftly took Seraphina’s hand.

She removed the [Krieg Ring] from its box and gently slipped it onto Seraphina’s fair, soft ring finger.

“I swear to you and your family, the Krieg household will forever be your steadfast support.”

Watching the dazzling emerald and the golden eagle shimmering on her ring finger, Seraphina was stunned.

She had originally intended merely to incur a debt of gratitude from the Krieg family, hoping it might prove useful one day.

But now, it seemed she had outright become an honorary Krieg!

“What’s wrong? Is the reward not to your liking?” Seeing Seraphina still in a daze, a hint of panic crossed Claire’s face.

“If you are not satisfied… I can offer you other gifts!”

“No need! Oh, no, I mean…” Realizing her lapse in composure, Seraphina immediately straightened herself.

“Thank you for your kindness, Miss Krieg.”

“Oh, Miss Seraphina~”

Hearing Seraphina’s formal address, a blush crept across Claire’s cheeks.

“Call me Miss Claire, no, even better, just call me Claire.”

“Addressing me so formally makes me feel quite distant~”

“We… are already friends, aren’t we?”

While placing the ring on Seraphina’s finger, Claire subtly took her hand.

A pair of gentle, verdant eyes swiftly drew closer, directly meeting Seraphina’s gaze.

“To be honest, I took a liking to you the moment I first saw you~”

Her golden hair flowed as softly as moonlight, and her delicate features tugged fiercely at Seraphina’s inner masculine side.

Her heart began to pound uncontrollably.

“You, what did you say?”

Perhaps Claire’s voice was too soft for Seraphina to hear clearly… or perhaps she intentionally feigned deafness.

“Mmm~ I meant, I hope we can become good friends~”

Realizing she had been too forward, Claire somewhat reined in her infatuation.

“What, you… are you unwilling, Miss Seraphina?”

“Of course, I’m willing…”

Unable to resist her inner desires, Seraphina’s eyes couldn’t help but roam over Claire’s form.

Claire, at this moment, had shed her scout’s armor.

She was now clad in a red Gothic dress, which, though modest, perfectly showcased her impeccable figure.

Though both were young women, Claire was noticeably half a head taller than Seraphina.

Compared to Seraphina and Iqiyah, she possessed an added youthful allure.

Furthermore, likely due to her training, her physique exuded a classical Greek aesthetic: ample in front and back, slender in the middle yet full on both sides.

Especially one prominent feature, perfectly sized between Iqiyah’s and Levian’s, was truly a work of divine craftsmanship.

‘Hmm…’

‘This… could this be the legendary heroine’s figure?’

“Well then, as a testament to our friendship, please allow me to give you a gift~”

As if to demonstrate their newfound familiarity, Claire’s language grew increasingly spirited.

“Come on, come on, don’t be shy~”

With a gentle but firm tug, Claire pulled Seraphina’s hand and stepped out of the reception hall.

“Hmm… Seraphina, why do I sense some resistance from you?”

“N-no, I’m just worried about Iliya…”

“Mmm~ I can feel your hand pulling back! But… your strength is truly so small~”

“Despite possessing such powerful magic, your physical strength is so meager; you really are quite adorable~”

“You flatter me, you flatter me…”

****

Behind Claire and Seraphina, who were “hand in hand, walking together”…

‘Tsk.’

Not following their footsteps, Iqiyah stood alone in the blue reception hall, her head bowed as she gazed at her chest.

It hurt.

Her small arm slowly lifted, pressing against her aching chest.

“I was here first…”

With a fierce glint in her eyes, the petite bloodkin glared venomously at the golden-haired human who clung to Seraphina.

“A mere lowly human! What right do they have to be so close to Seraphina!?”

Even through her cosmetic contacts, the dazzling red light pouring from her eyes was visible.

“Ugh… it’s always humans. Not only do they invade others’ homes, they also try to steal my, my…!”

“Grrr… detestable humans… detestable humans!”

“Once I regain my strength, I will tear you all to shreds! I will!”

****

It was clear that the Krieg family truly deserved its title as the Empire’s foremost household.

Even in a remote Western estate, the treasures housed within were countless.

“Seraphina, look at this! This is the silver crown of the last king of the Ancient Human Kingdom~

He was pursued and killed by our family after fleeing to the West~”

“How impressive.”

“And this, this! This is a hairpin the Eastern Emperor’s royal family gifted to our household during a visit~ Isn’t it beautiful~”

“It truly is beautiful.”

“And this one, these are Blood Grapes, refined from a thousand bloodkin eyeballs.

They say eating them can restore sight to the blind~”

“Whoa! That’s a bit gruesome!”

Startled by the Blood Grapes, Seraphina quickly took a step back.

“Eh? Seraphina, you seem a little scared?”

“Y-yes, a little. I’ve been afraid of bloodkin since I was young…”

Gazing at the Blood Grapes in Claire’s hand, Seraphina felt a profound fear well up from within her heart.

‘A thousand bloodkin eyeballs… oh my goodness, I have two eyes, Iqiyah has two eyes…

The entire Blood Manor combined wouldn’t even be enough for one of these grapes!’

Just then—

“Miss.”

Suddenly, the butler Gus appeared behind Claire.

“What is it?”

“Outside… three people are asking to see you.”

“They claim… they’re from the L’Hôpital family!”