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nHer sister and her most detested scoundrel were heating things up, of which the oblivious Seraphina had fled.

nShe wiped away her tears haphazardly and walked with a heavy heart along the bustling streets of Red Frost City, her somber demeanor contrasting sharply with the laughter and clamor of the passersby.

nAlthough it was the main city of the Red Frost territory, it had not always been so prosperous. Ansel had meticulously explained this to Marlina, detailing some unique aspects of the Red Frost territory, the power struggle between the two grand dukes, and the reasons behind the reckless and unscrupulous actions of the Count of Red Frost, who was pushed to the spotlight by dukes.

nAnsel’s explanation was thorough, and Marlina had gained a comprehensive understanding of the situation in the Red Frost territory.

nHowever, Seraphina, who was also deemed “gifted” by Ansel, found herself kicking stones in frustration and helplessness on the street. 𝘪𝘳.𝒸𝘰𝑚

n“‘He’s the benefactor we need to repay; don’t make more mistakes’… How ridiculous!” The girl mimicked her sister’s words in a mocking tone. “That guy almost got me killed! And he said it was just a ‘simple post-lesson test’! What a heartless bastard who doesn’t value human life!”

nShe gritted her teeth and muttered to herself, “One day, I’ll make you taste the bitterness of being half-dead!”

nFuming, Seraphina kicked a stone with such force that it shot out like a bullet, piercing a hole in the carriage of a vehicle some ten meters away.

nScreams erupted from within, and a well-dressed gentleman emerged, surveying the scene with fury: “Who did this! Which madman dares to harm people in the street?!”

nThe surrounding crowd’s gaze fell upon the strikingly beautiful girl with snow-white hair, who seemed somehow out of place.

n“…” Seraphina’s expression stiffened, and through the open carriage door, she could see a woman inside with a bloody, terrifying wound. Biting her lip, she swallowed her anger and approached the gentleman without a murderous expression.

n“I did it. I’m sorry,” she said, her voice tense. “How much do I owe you?”

n“I don’t need your money!” The gentleman glared at Seraphina. “First, apologize to my companion, and then we’ll proceed with a trial according to the laws of the Red Frost territory!”

n“I—”

nSeraphina’s mind went blank. In all the trouble she had caused, the outcomes had always been the same: either the other party was persuaded by her fists, or a false reconciliation was reached through some unrelated means.

nTrials and laws? She had never found them useful; otherwise, why would so many nobles continue to oppress her?

nThe girl fell silent for a moment, feeling a sense of rightful fear.

nBut even so, she clenched her teeth and responded without any hint of evasion: “Fine. To the lady inside, I-I’m truly sorry. I apologize!”

nWithout hesitation, Seraphina drew her hunting dagger from her waist and slashed a deep gash across her forehead. The sight of the severe wound and the blood streaming down her face was shocking.

n“I don’t know how the court will judge this, but this is my sincerity.”

nThe gentleman was taken aback by Seraphina’s actions, his anger dissipating. He hesitated, but seeing his weeping companion, he said coldly, “I respect your sincerity, but I won’t drop any charges against you, miss. Let’s meet in court when the guards arrive.”

nSeraphina returned the dagger to her waist, wiped the blood from her forehead, and stood her ground, showing no intention of fleeing.

nHowever, instead of the guards, a lavish carriage approached the gentleman and Seraphina. The owner of the carriage leaned out of the window, ignoring the gentleman, and greeted Seraphina: “Your sincerity is admirable, Miss Marlowe.”

n“…You know me?”

n“How could anyone in Red Frost City not know you?” The middle-aged man, who appeared to be either a merchant or a noble, smiled. “Everyone knows that the beautiful girl with hair as pure as the snow atop the mountains is the powerful guardian of Lord Hydral, don’t they?”

nBefore Seraphina could respond, the gentleman’s face turned pale at the pregnant mention of “Lord Hydral.”

n“My friend,” the middle-aged man spoke gently to him, “Are you new to Red Frost City for business? Under Lord Hydral’s management, the Red Frost territory has shown signs of revitalization. Remember… when in a new place, it’s always better to be more tolerant. It helps to make more friends and avoid trouble.”

nHe withdrew into his carriage and ordered the driver to move on, leaving Seraphina and the gentleman behind.

nSeraphina didn’t understand the man’s intentions, but it didn’t matter to her. She was prepared to wait for the guards to arrive.

nTo her astonishment, the now face-paled gentleman opened his mouth. He looked at Seraphina, who stood with her arms crossed and a calm expression as blood flowed down her face. After several failed attempts to speak, he finally managed to utter with difficulty:

n“Miss… Miss Marlowe, let’s just leave it at that. Please forgive my slight offense. I was out of control earlier due to my anger…”

n“What? What do you mean, ‘leave it at that’?” Seraphina was taken aback. “What do you mean, ‘forgive you’?”

n“You see… you’ve apologized, and you’ve hurt yourself even more severely. I don’t think I have any reason to pursue this further—”

nAs she looked at the weak and evasive gentleman, Seraphina suddenly understood something.

n“Hydral…”

nShe murmured and took a step forward.

n“Because… of Hydral.”

n“Miss… Miss Marlowe?”

n“Tell me!”

nSeraphina stormed over to the carriage, yanked the gentleman out, and held him by the collar. “Is it because of Hydral that you’re not pursuing me?! Speak!!”

n“No, it’s not! It’s because I—”

n“Enough!”Seraphina released the limp gentleman, her words seething through gritted teeth.

n“There’s no end to this, no end because of Hydral! There’s only the trial that should take place!”

n“I’ll be right here, not going anywhere.”

nShe stared coldly at the collapsed gentleman, indifferent to his desperate gaze.

n“You, too.”

n*

nAs Ansel enjoyed his lunch amidst the melodious music of Eula’s performance, Saville’s figure suddenly appeared behind him.

nThe old butler’s expression was somewhat peculiar as he bent down and whispered into Ansel’s ear.

nThe young Hydral listened to Saville’s account while continuing to use his knife and fork, but as he listened, his movements came to a halt, the gleaming silver dinner knife suspended in midair, reflecting the delicate waist and soft arms of the musician.

n“Pfft… Haha… Hahahaha—”

nAnsel laughed heartily, his magnetic yet youthful laughter harmonizing with the music, creating a captivating melody.

n“Should I say, ‘as expected of Seraphina’?”

nAnsel, nearly in tears from laughter, put down his knife and fork, sighing to catch his breath while shaking his head with an upward curve at the corner of his mouth.

n“No matter how much I consider, she always manages to surprise me.”

n“Young lord, what do you plan to do? It seems that unless there’s a formal arrest of Miss Seraphina, she won’t give up.” Saville inquired.

n“Is there any need to ask? Of course, we’ll proceed according to the rules.”

nAnsel held the dinner knife in front of him, gazing at the reflection on the blade, and chuckled, “She didn’t bring any money when she left, and she probably won’t return tonight, which means she’ll have to endure hunger and find a place to sleep in the cold. I can’t bear to see her like that.”

n“If she were placed in a cell, wouldn’t that solve the problem? Besides…”

n“She hasn’t received her punishment from me yet.”

nIn the reflection of the dinner knife, the mischievous snake’s eyes sparkled.

n𝑖𝘦.𝑐𝘰𝘮

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