Chapter 72: Isn't Something a Bit Wrong Here?

“Allow me to introduce,” Butler Bond stepped forward and announced in a loud voice:

“Young Master Edward, Miss Emily, Young Master William, and Miss Helena.”

“Wait, is someone missing?”

I interrupted the butler, but just as my words fell, I suddenly felt my eyelids become incredibly heavy.

Then, a sensation of falling enveloped me, pulling me from the dream into reality.

“!”

I snapped my eyes open and found myself lying on the bed in The Golden Stag Hotel.

The room was dark, with only the moonlight from outside scattering in, casting a faint red veil over the furniture.

My heart was beating violently, and fine beads of sweat formed on my forehead.

Just as I was trying to sort out my thoughts, a voice suddenly echoed in my mind:

“My deepest apologies, Miss Melantha. I was negligent and failed to consider your uniqueness. Please forgive my mistake. I will correct this error immediately.”

This voice was all too familiar to me—it was the voice of Count Charles Michel.

Before I could react, an intense wave of sleepiness suddenly hit me.

I felt my eyelids become incredibly heavy, and my consciousness began to blur.

Before I completely sank into darkness, I faintly heard Count Michel's last words:

“Again, I apologize for the inconvenience. I hope you have a wonderful time in the dream, Miss Melantha.”

“Click—”

When I opened my eyes again, I found myself back in that magnificent hall.

Everything around me was exactly the same as before, with the only difference being that this time, there were five members of the Michel family standing before us.

However, the people around me seemed to have not noticed anything amiss.

Everything seemed as it should be.

“Allow me to introduce,” Butler Bond repeated the same introduction as before.

“Young Master Edward, Miss Emily, Young Master William, Miss Helena, and Miss Charlotte.”

The five of them stood in a line, their gazes sweeping over our group.

I carefully observed each of their expressions:

William looked cold and distant, and seemed to carry a hint of impatience.

Edward's face had a scrutinizing look, while Emily had an air of arrogance.

Helena sat in a wheelchair, her face wearing an elegant but inscrutable smile, with a raven perched on her shoulder.

And the newly appeared Charlotte had a calm expression, like a doll.

“Welcome, everyone.”

Edward stepped forward and spoke, his gaze falling on Victoria, and he nodded at her.

In response, Victoria also nodded back, and the other Michel children also found their respective inviters at this moment.

For a moment, I was a bit lost.

Then, my gaze met Charlotte's.

“Now then, please allow me to convey the master's greetings to you all.”

Bond stood between the two groups and spoke again:

“Esteemed guests, thank you for coming to my manor after receiving the invitation. After this trial concludes, I will present each of you with a small gift to express my gratitude.”

After reading the opening words of thanks, Butler Bond cleared his throat, his expression suddenly becoming serious.

“Next, I will announce the rules of this trial—esteemed invited guests, you will assist my children in competing for the status of heir. My children are the employers, and you will play the role of knights. Once an employer is eliminated, their knight will be disqualified and must leave the manor. Please do not worry, this will not cause you any harm, and my promises and gifts will still be valid. What you need to do is to do your best to lead your respective employers and compete for the one and only position of heir.”

After a pause, the butler continued: “In addition, I will issue some prohibitions to ensure that everyone has a wonderful experience— After ten o'clock tonight, please return to your guest rooms to rest. Until eight o'clock the next morning, please do not leave your rooms. Similarly, during this period, all forms of violence are prohibited, as are any provocations that may cause conflict or disputes. This will be the case from now on. I hope everyone can have adequate rest and be full of energy. If you have any needs, you can use the bell in your room to summon a servant, and the staff in the manor will arrive at the first instance to meet your requests. —The above are the Count's rules. I hope everyone can abide by them.”

I listened carefully to the rules announced by Butler Bond, pondering them in my heart.

And I was not the only one who noticed a problem; Isabella also frowned.

“Since we are all forbidden from leaving our rooms, why add the extra rule prohibiting violence and provocation?”

The others were also confused by this but could not figure it out.

“It feels like.... some kind of temptation.”

I thought for a moment, then said.

“It's like putting a button in front of a child—the more you tell him not to press it, the more he wants to.”

“But.... wasn't the purpose of Count Michel inviting us here to help his children?”

Victoria frowned.

“What on earth is he trying to do?”

While the three of us were still discussing in low voices, Sebastian and Graham had already walked over to their respective employers.

Seeing this, the rest of us didn't want to keep our employers waiting and also walked over.

“Hello, Miss Charlotte.”

I walked to Charlotte's side, carefully studying this white-haired, red-eyed girl, trying to find some clues from this mysterious young lady.

Charlotte's white hair and red eyes seemed out of place in the Michel family.

Her expression was so calm it was almost cold, as if she were indifferent to everything around her.

Hearing my greeting, Charlotte gave me a slight nod.

“Hello, Miss Melantha.”

Her voice was very calm, sounding like a puppet, without any fluctuations.

Just then, I suddenly froze.

I suddenly realized something was wrong.

Charlotte was too young.

So young that it was.... abnormal.

My gaze fell on the other Michel children, carefully observing their appearances.

Edward looked to be around thirty-five, and even the youngest, Helena, looked to be at least in her twenties.

But Charlotte, she looked like she probably wasn't even twenty yet.

The age gap was strangely large.

In addition, whether it was Edward, William, or Emily and Helena, their hair was all a uniform pure black with light golden eyes.

Only Charlotte alone had white hair and red eyes....

Isn't this a bit wrong...?

A somewhat gossipy and offensive thought suddenly rose in my mind.

I shook my head, casting all those unnecessary thoughts aside.

“You seem to have many questions.”

Charlotte looked at the ever-changing expressions on my face and said softly.

Hearing this, I was stunned for a moment, then nodded and lowered my voice:

“Miss Charlotte, may I ask.... why did you choose me as your knight?”

Charlotte's gaze lingered on me for a moment, then she shook her head gently: “I did not choose you, Miss Melantha.”

She said.

“It was Father—Count Charles Michel, who appointed you to be my knight.”

This answer surprised me.

I was about to ask more, but was interrupted by Charlotte.

“There isn't much time, Miss Melantha.”

Charlotte's voice remained calm.

“There is only one hour left until curfew—if you don't mind, I can take you to your room.”

Hearing this, I glanced at the grandfather clock on the wall.

After a moment's hesitation, I nodded in agreement with Charlotte's suggestion.

“Then, please follow me.”

Charlotte said, then turned and walked towards the door.