Asher squinted his eyes and turned around to see a petite, beautiful young woman wearing an ornate red gown and having her long red hair tied into pigtails.

Any ordinary person would feel their eyes melt at the sight of such a cute young lady who had an innocent charm around her, especially when she had a smiling face just like now though there was a hint of annoyance lurking in her eyes.

But someone like Asher wasn’t going to judge a book by its cover, especially someone like her, “No wonder you are the Floor Warden of this floor, Silvia.”

Silvia kept smiling as she took small but continuous steps toward him as if she was dancing. The moment she reached before him, she tilted her head as her bright red eyes examined him closely, “This is the first time as a Warden, this lady is seeing someone break through the illusions in the trial like that. How did you know that the trial would only get dangerous as much as you fear the illusions?” She asked as she blinked her big round eyes.

Asher realized it was just as he guessed it. Those illusions would have killed him if he got scared by them. Fortunately, he had gone through enough to not get intimidated by things like that, even if his life was really at risk. Being scared wouldn’t really help him get through situations like that.

Asher turned up one of the corners of his mouth as he said, “I didn’t. But fortunately, fear is my ally.”

Silvia pursed her lips, feeling that not only his bloodline but his mind was formidable as well. No wonder she failed the first time.

But she felt piqued that he passed her floor so easily when she was planning to play with him once he entered her floor. If only he had failed, she would have got a good opportunity to make him her ‘playmate’.

Still, she didn’t want to give up and said with her hands on her hips, “Silvia is impressed you passed but…” Her lips turned into a mischievous grin as she leaned forward, her fingers playing with her fancy necklace, “This lady wants to give you a gift as congratulations to you. “

Asher had a jaded look as he winced and said, “I appreciate it but apologies, since I am quite busy. Now, I will be on my way,” Asher knew what exactly she wanted, and there was no way he was going to let her get into his mind.

If only circumstances allowed it, he would have dealt with her right here and now. But for now, he had to be patient.

Silvia’s forehead wrinkled upon seeing how he refused when anybody else would feel honored just to have her attention.

Silvia pouted and said with a saddened look, “Silvia is being kind to show you a favor, and this is how you respond? How could you be so rude and impolite to this lady again? Last time Silvia let it go because she felt pity for someone who was ignorant about everything, but Silvia now knows you are not as ignorant as you appeared to be. You tricked not only this lady but everyone for a long while. So this lady demands compensation for fooling her.”

Asher subtly scoffed as he raised one of his brows and asked, “And what kind of compensation would a lady like you want from me?”

Silvia blushed as she averted her gaze with a sweet smile and said, “Perhaps you will know once you follow me,” Saying so, she briefly lifted the ends of her gown, revealing a pair of smooth, slender legs.

Asher inwardly facepalmed, seeing her pathetic attempt at trying to seduce him. He could make a guess or two why she was doing this, but he shook his head and bluntly said, “Sorry to disappoint, but I am not interested in small girls,” What Asher meant was that he was not interested in a small-minded girl like her. But since physically also she didn’t appeal to him, he felt his choice of words weren’t wrong when coupled with the fact that she tried to sabotage his mind once. He wanted to make sure his message was loud and clear.

Saying so, he walked past a stunned Silvia.

Her friendly demeanor quickly faded away as her face contorted into a scowl of anger, “Did you just call this lady…’small’…” She hissed, her previously innocent tone turned into a sharp and biting one, like the edge of a knife. Her bright red eyes had a dangerous light as she fixed her gaze on Asher’s back.

Asher knew he pissed her off, but his expression didn’t change as he turned around and asked with crossed arms, “Yes…and what are you going to do about it?”

Silvia was noisily breathing as she said in a low, sharp tone, “This lady is 59 years old, and nobody refuses this lady twice. You will compensate me one way or the other,” Saying so, her hands began to glow with a red light.

“Really?” Asher smirked while wondering if she was really going to attack him in this tower, which could result in very unfavorable consequences for her, especially because of the Head Warden.

But on the off chance she was that crazy, he had the means to deal with it.

The room was tense as Silvia advanced towards Asher, her eyes narrowed with anger, and her glowing hands clenched into fists. Asher, on the other hand, stood calmly, a small smirk playing at the corner of his lips which only ticked her off even more.

But just as she was about to raise her hand, the door suddenly swung open, revealing Sabina standing in the doorway.

Silvia stopped in her tracks, her expression quickly changing from anger to surprise to nervousness as she saw Sabina.

Sabina entered the room with a charming smile on her face, her eyes glinting with a hint of amusement, “Hello, you two!” Sabina chirped, seemingly oblivious to the previously tense atmosphere.

“I heard the royal consort was already participating in the second trial. So pardon my insatiable curiosity to see how you fared,” Sabina let out a soul-melting giggle as she stepped forward and put her arm around Silvia, whose expression paled.

“Oh, I hope I am not interrupting anything, am I?” Sabina asked with a guileless expression as she glanced between the two.

Asher softly chuckled and said, looking at Sabina with a smile, “Of course not. I was just about to leave after thanking Lady Silvia for congratulating me.”

“Aww, that is so sweet of you, Silvia, to congratulate him personally,” Sabina said as she placed her hand on her chest while looking at Silvia with an appreciative look, who clearly seemed as if she just wanted to get away from her, “S-Silvia was just being kind,” She said while her eyes darted towards the door.

Sabina curved her lips subtly before looking at Asher, “Pardon, but can you wait for me outside? I want to have some girl talk with Silvia here for a minute,” Sabina said with a playful wink.

Silvia swallowed her saliva as she heard her words and squirmed her body as if she was trying to struggle free from Sabina’s hold.

Asher couldn’t ask for better as he shrugged and said, “Of course. Take your time,” Saying so, he left the room right away though he did notice how Silvia always seemed to be jittery around Sabina. However, he missed the sight of a crimson cape floating out from the corner of the ends of the hallway, which disappeared right as he came out.

But the moment the door closed,𝐎𝚟𝗅xt.𝗇t

*Thwap!*

“AH!”

The resounding sound of a slap echoed in the room, followed by the sound of a soft body smashing against the floor.

“Unnn…my cheek hurts…unnnn…” Silvia softly moaned in pain as she lay on the floor while clasping her reddened right cheek, which hid a slender red palm print. Her eyes were welling up with tears as she squirmed her legs.

But before she could even collect her thoughts, she grimaced in pain upon getting lifted by her hair, “AH! AH! My hair! Please…Sabina, let me go…” Silvia cried out, begging Sabina with a teary face.

“Aww, I don’t think we ever had a Floor Warden who cries like you. How pathetic. It’s embarrassing, don’t you think, or am I being too mean?” Sabina asked as she pulled Silvia’s head back before smashing her body against the wall, “Forget all that. I once kindly warned you not to mess with what is mine. But it seems like I may have been spoiling you for too long for you to take my words lightly. Perhaps this big sister should help you remember some memories from the past?” Sabina said with a menacing smile as her palm pressed against the back of Silvia’s head.

Silvia let out pitiful whimpers as she said in a shaking voice, “N-No, Silvia won’t do it again…Silvia didn’t mean to offend Sabina. Silvia apologizes, but please let me go…” Silvia continued to grimace with her face pressing against the wall.

Sabina coldly smirked as she remained silent for a few moments before suddenly letting go of Silvia’s head, “You are lucky I am feeling kind today. But if this happens again then…”

Silvia felt chills in her chest upon seeing Sabina’s ghostly red eyes glowing with an eerie light.

“It won’t…” Silvia whimpered with pursed lips as she wiped her tears and stumbled back.

“Aww, don’t look so sad. I know you are a good girl who knows better than running to mommy with your tears,” Sabina said as she brushed Silvia’s hair to make it look proper and neat, though Silvia’s hands were trembling, her gaze downward.

“There you go, looking cute and lovely again. Unfortunately, we have to talk later,” Sabina said as she gave a light peck on Silvia’s forehead before leaving the room with a pleasant smile.

As Sabina left the room, Silvia’s face contorted, her fists clenched tightly, and her eyes flashing with a dark intensity, “Silvia never forgets…”