Now that Layla had handed that Chimera over to Mary, she relaxed and did not have to think much about it. Instead, she could review her paperwork and ensure it was handled well.

There was a mountain of paperwork as tall as she was and then some. There were multiple piles in front of her, depressed Layla, but she worked herself up and started to get to the pile, one paper at a time.

When the day began and when it ended, she had no idea. If not for Luna's insistence for her to sleep, Layla would have kept going and not stopped writing on the piece of paper until she could finish it all.

The next day, Layla woke up before anyone else. This was rare, but Layla felt that her body was warning her about some kind of danger.

She looked at the door, which opened while she was paying attention. The Chimera entered the room, holding a small knife in his hand. As soon as he noticed that Layla was awake, he threw the knife down and kicked it away from himself. He showed his harmless hands and waited for Layla to say something.

"Tsk, do you want me to praise you or something? Well, you are lucky that I need your help. Otherwise, I am not sure what would have happened to you."

Layla sighed as she looked at the almost-nervous chimera. He seemed to be glancing over his shoulder, and his body swung where he stood. He felt nervous, and that was a big feat for someone who had not even been born for a day.

*Sigh*

"Mary, are you there? Just what did you do to Roma to make him look like that? And don't you dare tell me that you did nothing? I won't fall for that crap, no matter how much you say it."

Layla called for her maid, who walked out of her hiding spot with a pout on her face. She had the audacity not to look ashamed when she spoke to Layla about what she had done.

"Miss, I trained this uncultured swine so that he is refined enough to serve you. You had no idea how hard it was for me to mold this child into something society would respect. But I am sure I did a good job of this."

Mary spoke in a happy voice as she asked Layla this question. The more she said, the more resentment or similar emotion flashed in Roma's eyes. The kid was not happy with how he was being treated.

But he was also too afraid to come out and say anything to Mary himself. So he kept quiet and decided he did not want to attract her more attention than he already had.

Layla felt sorry for the kid but also knew that this kid would be in trouble if he were left alone. Mary's methods might look harsh at first, but they were good for the kid…somewhat.

"Alright, leaving that aside. Do we have news about the Duke and his response to what happened? I am sure he was not happy with how his castle suddenly burned down. Does he suspect anyone?"

Layla asked his maid, who had the highest chance of knowing. Mary was close to the Duke, and that older mage relied on the demon often. As such, she would have a plethora of knowledge anyone else lacked.

"Well, according to the Duke, it was officially an accident caused in the kitchen, and those responsible for it have been killed off. But the duke told me to investigate this attack and to find something 'precious' he had lost. He did not tell me exactly what he lost, but I can guess pretty well."

Mary looked at Roma when she spoke. The more she had taught him, the more she had gotten a feeling that this kid was not human. His endurance and stamina far exceeded that of a human.

But his core felt like nothing and a lot of things at the same time. This was disturbing and interesting, and it made Mary press her luck and try to break this kid.

She had not tried to do anything because she did not want to mess up Layla's plan. And for a demoness like her, that was a big consideration.

Somehow, Layla could sense Mary's thoughts, which made her sigh. She decided to take matters into her own hands and send Mary away with the kid.

"Mary, I am going to hand you complete control over Roma, so train him and make sure he survives to take his revenge over the Duke. Meanwhile, I will complete this paperwork and then head out. I need to take care of something before the Duke does it for me."

The time for the talent house the Duke ran and Layla's previous home's demolition was coming close.

Initially, the Duke was supposed to order Roma to destroy that place and take Layla under his wing when he rediscovered her hair and eye colors. But Layla was not at that house this time, and the Duke did not have Roma.

This event had changed, and there was no telling how it would unfold. This thought made Layla nervous, but she gathered herself and started to finish her paperwork.

Once she was done, it was time for her to head out. But instead of an unknown guard accompanying her, a familiar person stood at the door.

Blond hair and silver eyes greeted Layla before that stiff face came into her vision, and Layla's heart told her that she knew this man who towered over her by at least a few inches.

"Miss Layla, it's a pleasure to have you back among us. Mary told me that you are well enough to receive guests and that you want a guard when you head out. Please allow me to accompany you and help you out with whatever you need. It would be my pleasure."