Noble Grace and the Crimson Ring
Putting aside the misunderstanding about the Mesmeris dragon, I headed to the baron's mansion with Shai. The sound of his cautious footsteps echoing softly beside me was utterly adorable. As we passed through the garden and finally arrived at the mansion's entrance, an elderly butler stood waiting at the door. His perfectly tailored suit and impeccable expression suited the role to a tee.
The butler gave a slight bow in greeting to me, but his expression shifted subtly when he spotted Shai trailing behind. From the faint arch of his eyebrows, it was clear he was surprised.
"We've been expecting you. So the young master was in the garden as well."
The butler said politely.
"Yeah. We met in the garden."
"I see. This way, please."
The butler bowed his head and led the way. His gait was truly elegant—moving at just the right pace with precise gestures, like a stage actor. The bugs showed their curiosity about the mansion in their own ways. Miel fluttered her wings, sparkling as she admired the high ceilings, while Cecilia bobbed tiny flames on my shoulder, seemingly sensing the room's temperature. Lote alone continued circling me mechanically.
We followed the butler inside. The moment the doors opened, the sight before us was breathtaking. Towering ceilings, gleaming marble floors, elegantly sculpted statues on every pillar, and antique paintings adorning the walls. It was the kind of opulence I'd only seen in photos of European palaces in my past life. A different splendor from Master's domain at the deepest layer of the Sia Kalt Labyrinth.
Whoa! My heart burst with awe, but what actually came out of my mouth was a curt, "Hm."
Why did it come out so nonchalant? I wanted to express all sorts of emotions! I tried turning my head for a better look, but suddenly my neck stiffened like iron. It wouldn't budge, as if rebar had been embedded in it. No matter how hard I tried, my neck refused to move freely.
Ugh. This noble trait even controls my body against my will! Do nobles really live this rigidly? Normally, I'd whip my head around freely to sightsee, but now I could barely manage fifteen degrees. So I only got the bare minimum glimpse.
Guided by the butler, we ascended the grand marble staircase to the second floor. Even then, my body automatically straightened into perfect posture, like I was balancing a book on my head. Was this the dignity of nobility? Being a noble seemed utterly exhausting. Living like this forever would be a surefire recipe for a slipped disc...
As we entered the second-floor corridor, a portrait of a woman on the wall caught my eye. She was a beautiful lady with a gentle smile, dressed in an elegant green gown. Her eyes, brimming with deep emotion, seemed almost alive. Though just a painting, she exuded a grace reminiscent of Master. There was a sense of wistfulness and sorrow about her.
I found myself staring, and noticing my gaze, Shai quietly approached.
"That's... my mother..."
I knew it. The moment Shai called her his mother, the portrait felt even more vivid. That must have been the source of the sadness.
"What was she like?"
Shai's eyes wavered. His small fingers clutched the hem of his clothes tightly. That tiny gesture spoke volumes of his longing for her.
"She... passed away giving birth to me. So I don't really know, but... Father tells me stories about her often."
The classic rofan protagonist mom position! It was surreal seeing a trope from the novels of my old world play out right in front of me. The moms who always died in childbirth, leaving the noble dad to raise the kid... So this actually happens in real life.
Shai's expression held more longing than sorrow. Though he'd never known her, she clearly held a place in his heart. And with his father sharing stories often, the baron seemed like a good dad.
Suddenly feeling sorry for him, I naturally reached out and gently patted Shai's head. His brown hair felt soft slipping between my fingers—warm and alive.
"Eek!"
Shai's face flushed crimson in an instant. He hunched his shoulders and backed away, startled like a timid rabbit. It was so cute, true to his name. The reaction was adorable enough to make me want to laugh, but thanks to the noble trait, I only smiled with refined poise on the outside.
The butler continued leading us, and we arrived at a grand dining room. Stepping inside revealed an overwhelming scene. An elegant chandelier sparkled from the ceiling, illuminating the entire room, and the long table was already laden with a variety of appetizers.
At one end of the table, the baron, Liandel, and Levy waited for us.
"You've arrived, Lady Ricoris."
The baron rose from his seat and bowed courteously.
"Lady Ricoris..."
Shai murmured my name softly, finally learning it.
"Shai came too, I see."
The baron smiled at his son. And I smiled at the table.
Looks delicious!
"Thank you for preparing such a splendid meal. I'm looking forward to it."
Good. I mumbled casually, knowing it'd adjust itself—and it did perfectly.
We took our seats, and the servants swiftly began serving the food. It was fascinating watching the array of dishes pile up. Across from me, Shai ate with his head slightly bowed, but his eyes kept drifting my way. Whenever our gazes met, he'd hurriedly look away.
"Lady Ricoris, might you hail from a foreign land?"
The baron started the conversation.
"No, Lady Ricoris is..."
Levy began to answer but trailed off, glancing at me.
From Sia Kalt.
"Best not to pry into that."
A subtly threatening tone slipped from my lips.
Eh? Had I made a slightly displeased face? Levy's eyes widened as she stared at me. Liandel calmly observed the situation. You're so composed, as always.
"My apologies. That was indelicate of me."
The baron apologized with a tense expression.
An awkward silence fell, broken only when more dishes arrived. My side was piled high with meat dishes—Liandel must have requested it in advance from the baron. Well done!
Yay! Everything looked mouthwateringly good. The aroma and juices from the roasted meats made my mouth water. I was thrilled inside, but my body showed none of it. Instead, it elegantly picked up knife and fork, slicing the meat into precise, tiny portions and conveying them to my mouth with perfect decorum.
The moment the juices burst on my tongue, I felt pure ecstasy, but my face remained utterly serene, unmoving—like someone who ate gourmet meals every day.
Aaaah! Why do I have to eat such delicious meat in such tiny bites! I want to shove a whole piece in and swallow! Normally, I'd stuff my face, but this trait made it impossible—frustrating as hell. At this rate, the meal would end before I even felt full.
Levy and Liandel seemed shocked by my changed demeanor. Levy especially gaped at me. No wonder, after seeing me wolf down meat yesterday.
I'm not doing this because I want to...
Mid-meal, a sudden emptiness hit me. Cecilia munching diligently on veggies. Miel slurping soup. Lote sadly unable to eat.
Oh right! Glessia! I'd left the fellow carnivore Glessia at the adventurers' guild! She would've loved sharing this meat. Thinking of her bored alone there while I feasted made me feel bad. I'd have to load her up with honey later...
"If it's not too intrusive, there's one thing I'd like to ask."
As the meal wound down, the baron ventured cautiously. His voice carried lingering tension from the earlier rebuff.
"What is it?"
"Have you heard about the recent events in the royal capital? Specifically, matters among the nobility."
His voice lowered.
"What sort of events?"
Liandel asked, his eyes sharpening suddenly.
"Nobles have been vanishing from the capital one after another. Especially from the highest echelons—several have suddenly gone missing. People assume they've just left on travels, but..."
Worry shadowed the baron's face. He clearly took me for high nobility and was probing if I knew anything. His concern seemed genuine.
I've barely been in this country a day...
"If you have any recent letters or items from capital nobles, bring them here."
A commanding tone issued from my mouth unbidden.
No! Does this trait hijack my very self? How does it twist my words like that!
"Yes, right away."
It was a bit disconcerting watching the baron obey so promptly. The incident must weigh heavily on him too.
The rest of us—me, Liandel, Levy, and Shai—sat in thoughtful silence. Liandel pondered deeply, Levy shot me anxious glances, and Shai quietly tapped the table with his fingers.
"Lady Ricoris... do you know about this incident...?"
Levy whispered.
"No. Of course not."
I whispered back.
"Pardon...?"
Just then, the baron returned swiftly, carrying a few sealed letters and a small box. His expression had grown even more tense en route.
"This letter is from the Linder Marquess house last week, and this is from the Budan Count house four days ago, along with a ring."
The baron carefully laid the items on the table. As he opened the small box and revealed the ring, the room's temperature seemed to drop slightly.
Hm? The ring held a blue gem, clear and transparent like the sea. But as I gazed at it, the gem's color began shifting from blue to deep crimson.
I gasped involuntarily at the change unfolding before my eyes. It started as a faint red, deepening steadily until it became the color of thick blood. Inside, a black vortex swirled slowly, like dark mist dancing in bloody liquid.
At that moment, the status window chimed.
Mesmeris
A rare gem glowing vivid crimson. A black vortex rotates slowly within, gradually absorbing the life force of those nearby.
As the gem changed color, the baron's face paled. He stared at the ring in disbelief, his hand trembling faintly.
"Wh-what in the world...?"
He asked in confusion.
This has to be it, right!? The authority from Lady Michael!
"The... dragon's eye that sees through all things..."
No! Shai's misunderstanding-filled mutter cut in.
As I tried to respond that it was Lady Michael's power, Lote's orbiting path around me suddenly shifted. No longer its usual steady orbit, it wobbled irregularly like drawn to a magnet, tilting toward the gem.
Then Lote's bluish metal surface gleamed, and it shot toward the gem at the fastest speed I'd ever seen—unbelievable for Lote! Reaching it, Lote opened its tiny mouth and yoink—devoured the gem whole.
Eh...?
"Hoo..."
