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nTranslator: Latte Editor: BakaReem Proofreader: Adulldoll

nHis tall figure, his method of slaughter, his overwhelming power, and murderous intent. Even with his hood on, Aria could easily recognize this man as Lloyd’s father.

n‘The way they ruthlessly kill people… it’s similar.’

nShe observed him intently. He looked just like Lloyd.

nTheir hair was jet-black and coiffed to perfection. Furthermore, they had the same shape of eyes.

nBut they also had their own differences. Lloyd’s hair was short, and it stopped right above his nape. On the other hand, his father had hair that flowed right up till his chest. They rested on his shoulders, straight yet soft, swaying like prairie grass in the breeze.

n“Hmm.”

nThe Grand Duke stared back at Aria, not avoiding her gaze.

nHe had eyes like a pool of pure crimson blood. As Aria peered into his eyes, she felt as if he was searching deep into her very soul.

nBut for the Grand Duke, her gaze was different. It was a curious gaze that he had never received except from his children.

n“You’re a strange kid. Haven’t you heard rumors of me feeding humans to my dogs?”

n“……”

n“I even tried to kill you.’”

nAria, of course, was prepared to die, so she nodded and grabbed the Grand Duke’s cuff.

nHis eyes widened, and he was at a loss for words. He seemed genuinely surprised.

n‘Huh? Why…?’

nAria was also confused. She didn’t expect him to react that way.

nThe Grand Duke glanced down at the little girl holding his sleeve.

n“I will deposit the down payment immediately. William, handle all the procedures.” He beckoned the butler, ordering him as per usual.

n“Your Grace is very impulsive sometimes…” The butler sighed, tired of the Grand Duke’s spontaneous decisions.

n“Are you dissatisfied with my decision?”

n“Not at all, I am actually quite fond of the young lady here. One who is loved by animals could never be evil.”

n‘I’m not so sure about that…’ Aria thought.

nAfter that, William ordered the rest of the servants to prepare the money.

n“As Count Cortez had affirmed previously, you are not to set foot in this mansion ever again. The butler will erase your memories, and you will forget about today’s events.” The Grand Duke said in a cold tone.

n“If you were ever to break your promise, I will not hesitate to erase the Cortez Family name from the face of this country. Think wisely, for your family is at stake.”

nDespite his outrageous remarks to erase the genius maestro, Cortez, from all history, no one doubted his words.

nFor he was the infamous Grand Duke of Valentine.

n“W-wait, I have one more condition!” Count Cortez spoke, holding his twisted arm.

n“What more do you have to say?”

nThe Grand Duke’s tone was full of malice and hatred. He seemed offended by the Count, who dared to ask for more.

nThe Count was terrified, but he still managed to muster his courage and spoke, “When Aria gives birth, you must give the child to me.”

n“…..”

n“That’s all that I want.”

nIf a Siren gives birth, there’s a high possibility that the child would be a Siren as well.

n‘To think that he’d still be greedy even though I’ve brainwashed him…’

n“I see that you’re willing to become dog-food,” the Grand Duke hissed at the Count.

n“Wh-what?!”

n“I’ll let you disappear from the face of the earth if you’d like,” he threatened.

nThe beasts growled, baring their sharp fangs.

nPetrified, Count Cortez froze at his seat. He no longer had the audacity to ask for more ridiculous requests.

nThe Grand Duke gestured for William to proceed with the payment procedure.

n“Escort the Count out.”

n“What?! Why?”

n“Is it not obvious? Your words might emotionally affect Little Miss Aria here, and I refuse to be in the same room with the likes of you.”

n“What….”

n“Had you not spit out those last words, I would’ve been able to at least kick you out nicely.”

n“……”

n“Erase his memories, including the fact that he had a daughter,” the Grand Duke ordered his knights.

nAria didn’t know that erasing the memories of a person was possible.

nThen, the butler spoke, “The Valentines’ are very skilled at erasing memories. You will only feel a slight tingling sensation on your skin.”

nAt the end of his words, a couple of knights dragged the Count to a separate room.

nA moment later, a blood-curdling scream broke out.

n‘Slight sensation…’

n“Shall we go, miss?” William said, still smiling.

n* * *

n“I ask for your understanding over the lack of preparations. The Grand Duke’s decision was so sudden that we did not have the time to prepare. Young Miss will be staying here for a while until your room is fully furnished.”

nThe room was breathtaking and spacious. It was decorated with lavish furniture, and the decorations consisted of luxurious items and sculptures. The colors were like nothing else; vivid and bright. But above all else, the most distinguished part of the room was undeniably its art.

nThe House of Valentine genuinely treasured art. Infamous and expensive artworks graced the room, and paintings that spoke of their profound history were displayed on the walls. The entire room resembled an art gallery.

n‘An appraiser…’

nAria was in awe.

nHer impression of the Grand Duke changed immediately…

nShe expected the room to be dark and gloomy.

n‘Rather, this is more beautiful than the Imperial Palace.’

nIndeed, it was more gorgeous and vibrant than the Imperial Palace.

n‘Perhaps the rumor about the Valentines’ having authority over the Imperial Family was true?’ Aria wondered.

n‘I thought it was just a baseless rumor.’

nSuddenly, there was a knock on the door.

nWilliam entered the room with a rosy-cheeked middle-aged-lady.

n“Good evening Young Miss. My name is Diana, and I am the head lady-in-waiting and caretaker of the Grand Duke’s son. I will be serving you from now on,” Diana spoke with smiling eyes.

nHer smile was as bright as the sun, blinding anyone who looked at her in the face.

n‘My eyes…’

nAria fiddled her fingers, trying to relax herself.

nCome to think of it. This was the first time someone had actually regarded Aria as who she was and not her identity as a Siren.

n“The Grand Duke’s son….He must be caring for the Madame right now.”

n‘Madame… she must be Lloyd’s mother.’

nShe was one of the few people who will soon be killed by ‘The Devil’s Curse.’

nShe will die soon.

n“I hope you aren’t too shocked by the Grand Duke’s sudden decision,” Diana said in a soothing tone.

n‘Seems like Lloyd won’t welcome me upon my arrival.’

nWell, who would welcome their contracted fiance?

n“First of all, hmm…” Diana said, eyeing Aria.

nAria was very skinny and frail. Upon meeting her, she couldn’t believe that she was ten years old with that tiny body.

n“Please write the types of dishes you prefer so that I can prepare them for you in the future.”

nBaffled, Aria blinked her eyes.

nThen, Diana dipped a quill to the ink and handed it over to Aria’s slender fingers.

nDishes I prefer? My favorite food?

n‘I don’t have any preference….’

nAria had a lack of appetite.

nThe only food she had ever eaten was cold pork porridge, and she would further lose her appetite whenever she was called a Siren.

nShe didn’t even bother anymore.

nEating was just a means to survive.

n‘My knowledge regarding food is limited.’

nThe only things she knew about was alcohol and drugs.

nShe didn’t want to know, but couldn’t help it.

nAria often met nobles who held illegal parties. They were involved in prostitution, drug trafficking, and political corruption. The parties were dangerous and obscene.

nThere was even a rumor that said the Siren would only sing in corrupted places.

n‘It was tough for me…’

nInk smeared the white card.

nAria took too long to think, so the ink droplets dripped to the floor.

nShe had no choice but to write down whatever she could think of.

nWarm soup.

n‘Is this enough?’

nShe thought that it was alright as long as the soup did not smell and was served while still warm.

nUnfortunately, Diana was not satisfied. She had hoped that Aria would write more, so she glanced at her with a despondent face.

n‘She’s disappointed…’

nAnd so Aria pondered some more, and after a while, she noted down another menu on her card.

nBread and cheese.

n‘Is this enough?’ Aria thought.

nBut contrary to her expectations, Diana’s expression sank even more.

nSo she wrote another one…

nCocoa. Tastes like melon.

n“Tastes like melon?” Diana asked.

nAria turned her head towards William, hoping he would explain it in her stead.

nHe bit his lips with a subtle expression, neither smiling nor frowning.

n‘What’s wrong?’

nAria gave the butler a few glances but to no avail.

nShe had no choice but to explain it in writing.

nSoft, white clouds floating on top.

n“Pfft—! Ahem, I apologize.”

nWilliam turned around, holding back his laughter.

nDiana burst into laughter as well, seemed like she and William figured something out.

n“Oh! Haha! The taste is like melon,” she nodded eagerly.

n“Yes, I’ll get it for you right away.”

nThank you.

n“Is there anything else you need?”

nDiana kept asking with an anticipating look, and Aria had no choice but to answer frankly.

nI don’t know the names of any kind of dishes.

nDiana had a tearful countenance plastered on her face.

nAria was embarrassed by the sudden change in the maid’s facial expressions.

n‘Is she crying?’

nAria quickly thrust out another card.

nIf you let me know, I’ll memorize it right away.

nShocked, Diana hugged her.

nThe card slipped out of Aria’s hand.

nShe was bewildered.

nFor the first time in her life, someone had actually embraced her.

n‘What a strange person.’

nAt that point, the arms squeezed a fraction tighter, and Aria breathed slower, her body melting into Diana’s as all her muscles relaxed, giving in to her warmth.

nIt was warm and cozy, just like that time she stroked the hounds.

nStrange enough, she had no intention to push her away.

nAria blinked.

n“Young Miss,” she sniffled. “It must have been so hard. You’re in good hands now.”

n‘Is she’s trying to comfort me?’ Aria thought, puzzled.

nNo one had ever regarded her as family. Everyone abused her, treating her like a worthless puppet.

n‘It’s always like that ever since I was young…’

nThere were times where she’d cry a lot.

nBut now, even her tears had dried out. She felt nothing. Not even despair. She was detached.

nAria wrapped an arm around her shoulders and buried her head into her chest.

n“It’s all right now. You didn’t do anything wrong.” Diana said while patting her head.

nDiana continued to console her.

nThe maid of the devil’s mansion emitted a strange aroma.

n‘The smell of sun-dried blankets…’

nShe smelled like the lingering scent of spring on a blanket that was dried underneath the sun.

n* * *

n“Oh my!”

nDiana was surprised.

nShe was startled because Aria had been standing beside the window since dawn.

n“Did you have a nightmare?”

nAria shook her head.

nDiana looked her in the eyes and concluded that she, in fact, did.

n“It’s my fault!” She wailed. “I should’ve stayed with you awhile longer…”

nNo.

n“You’re still a baby, but I was careless! You were scared, right? It rained all night too…”

nNo.

nAria didn’t usually sleep till morning.

nAria tried to gain back her dignity by holding her No. card over and over again, but Diana didn’t listen. She kept treating her like a baby, and Aria couldn’t help but blush in embarrassment.

n‘Baby…’

nEven if she did travel to the past, her conscience was certainly not that of a ten-year-old.

nMy body may be small, but I’m definitely not a baby.

nAria tried to explain that she was not a baby.

nDiana’s lips rose into a grin, and she lightly stroked her head.

n“Ho-ho, aren’t you still a baby?”

n“…….”

nAria was flustered.

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