Chapter 86: Happy Birthday

The dream shattered with a roar.

As the sensation of falling enveloped Mel's entire body, the girl's eyes shot open in her sleep, and she sat up with a start.

What met her eyes was the luxurious decoration of The Golden Stag Hotel.

Outside the window, it was already dawn, and the faint morning light streamed in through the gaps in the curtains.

Mel's heart was still pounding violently, the scenes from the dream vivid in her mind.

She looked down at her right hand, where the lunar wheel insignia was still clearly visible, as if silently stating that everything that had just happened was not an illusion.

Mel took a deep breath, trying to calm her emotions.

Then, she slowly reached out and took the gilt-edged invitation card from under her pillow.

The patterns on the invitation had dimmed, losing the strange sense of flow they had last night.

“Charlotte....”

Mel whispered softly, a trace of worry and confusion flashing in her eyes.

Just then, a gentle knock suddenly came from the door.

“Room service.”

A gentle female voice came from outside the door.

Mel looked at the door warily, and after a moment's hesitation, she said, “Please come in.”

The door was pushed open, and a maid in the hotel's uniform walked in pushing a dining cart.

The moment she saw the maid, Mel couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.

For a moment, she had fantasized that the person coming in might be Charlotte.

However, reality was not so kind.

The maid placed an exquisite hard tray on the bedside table, then bowed respectfully to Mel.

“Good morning, miss,” the maid said with a smile.

“This is the breakfast we have prepared for you.”

“But I didn't order breakfast....”

Mel shook her head.

“It is included with the suite.”

The smile remained on the maid's face.

“Well then, please enjoy your meal.”

After speaking, the maid bowed slightly to Mel, then exited the room.

Mel watched her leave, then sat on the bed in a daze for a while, only coming back to her senses when a sharp pain came from the ring on her index finger.

“Sorry, sister....”

The girl ran her fingers through her somewhat messy hair, then got up and walked into the washroom.

While washing up in front of the mirror, looking at her reflection, Mel's thoughts were inevitably pulled back to that incredibly real dream.

What exactly happened to Charlotte....

As the only living being in the entire dream, the deaths of others were merely exits from the dream.

Only Charlotte's death was real.

Therefore, Mel killed her.

Using 【Death】 to prove Charlotte's 【Existence】.

After washing up, Mel returned to the room to enjoy her breakfast.

The silver fork and porcelain plate collided with a crisp sound.

The girl mechanically chewed on the pancake, the sweetness of the maple syrup melting smoothly on the tip of her tongue, yet she couldn't taste a bit of it.

She stared at the iris pattern on the edge of the plate, the gilded lines reminding her of the legal articles when Victoria unfurled her scepter.

The knife and fork suddenly stopped.

Mel's fingertips unconsciously rubbed against each other—the sensation of 【The New Moon】 cutting open Charlotte's chest still lingered there.

A warm, trembling, terrifyingly real sensation.

The girl shook her head, trying hard to stop thinking about those things.

After finishing breakfast, Mel packed her personal belongings, preparing to check out and leave.

She stood at the door and glanced around the room one last time, making sure nothing was left behind, then picked up her luggage and walked towards the door.

As Mel went down the stairs and arrived at the lobby of The Golden Stag Hotel, a familiar voice suddenly called out to her.

“Please wait a moment, Miss Melantha.”

The girl's footsteps paused slightly.

Looking to the side, a well-dressed elderly gentleman was sitting on a sofa in the lobby, seemingly waiting for something.

He smiled slightly at Mel, then gestured for her to come over.

Seeing this, Mel raised an eyebrow, then slowly approached.

“Good morning, Mr. Bond.”

“Good morning, Miss Melantha.”

Bond nodded slightly, “I hope you had a restful night.”

Hearing this, the girl frowned.

“To be honest, I didn't.”

She said bluntly, her tone filled with resentment and dissatisfaction.

However, Bond just smiled gently at this.

“Then allow me to apologize on behalf of the master.”

With that, he stood up and bowed deeply to Mel.

“So, is there something you need from me?”

Mel asked.

“Of course, I am here to fulfill a promise.”

Bond straightened up, then took a letter from the inner lining of his chest.

“This is....?”

“This is what the master promised you.”

Bond explained.

“Please take this letter to visit the Hermes Workshop, and hand this letter to any staff member. The master has already found one of the most professional craftsmen at the Hermes Workshop for you, and all expenses will be covered by the Michel family.”

Hearing this, Mel reached out and took the letter, carefully examining the wax seal unique to the Michel family on it.

“Thank you....”

The girl finally said, her tone carrying a hint of hesitation.

“Um.... I have a question to ask.”

“Of course, I promise to tell you everything I know.”

Bond nodded slightly, “Please ask.”

“The next heir of the Michel family... who is it?”

Mel thought for a moment before asking.

“It is Young Master Edward Michel.”

The butler answered truthfully.

Hearing this, Mel's brows immediately furrowed.

“What about the other members of the Michel family?”

“Young Master William has been sent for compulsory treatment for his drug addiction symptoms, and it seems some conflict has occurred between Miss Emily and Miss Helena.”

“And?”

Mel pressed.

“And?”

Bond showed a puzzled expression, “Who are you asking about?”

Hearing Bond's reply, Mel's heart couldn't help but sink.

She hesitated for a moment, but finally mustered the courage to ask:

“I remember Count Michel seems to have an... illegitimate daughter, doesn't he?”

Upon hearing this, Bond's face turned serious:

“I'm sorry, miss—the master would never do something so contrary to morals.”

Mel's heart instantly sank to the bottom.

She fought back the shock and disappointment in her heart, forcing a smile:

“Ah... maybe I remembered incorrectly.... I'm sorry, I was being offensive. Also, thank you for your help.”

“If there is nothing else, I will take my leave first.”

Bond nodded slightly, “I wish you a pleasant journey, Miss Melantha. After a pause, he suddenly thought of something else: “By the way, I just remembered—the master wishes to entrust you with a matter.”

“Entrust me?”

“Yes, please wait a moment.”

Bond said, then quickly got up and left, returning shortly after with another person behind him.

When she saw that person's face clearly, Mel froze on the spot, her pupils contracting abruptly.

“The master said, he would like to entrust you to take this child with you on your journey ahead.”

The girl's heart raced, her throat tightened, she tried to control her excited emotions, and asked with feigned composure:

“This is...”

“This is a new orphan the master has adopted.”

Bond said with a smile, turning his head to gently pat the young girl's shoulder.

“Come, introduce yourself.”

Hearing this, the white-haired girl following behind Bond nodded, then slowly walked forward.

Under Mel's trembling gaze, the corners of the girl's lips curved up slightly.

“Hello.”

She spoke softly.

“My name is Charlotte.”

Mel's eyes widened, looking at the white-haired girl before her in shock.

Her heart was racing violently, and all the blood in her body seemed to be boiling.

“By the way.”

Bond didn't seem to notice Mel's strangeness, and instead took out a walking stick from behind him, handing it to Charlotte.

“This is what the master instructed me to give to you, Miss Charlotte—in addition, there is also a message.”

The butler cleared his throat, then, under Charlotte's confused and curious gaze, he spoke gently:

“Happy birthday—Miss Charlotte.”