The kid gasped as he felt his throat burn. He wanted to speak, but words would not escape his mouth. He tried to clutch his throat and then clutch at Layla for help.

Layla observed the spell for a moment before casting a counterspell. Because she had taken her time to study the spell being cast on this kid, her counter worked, and the kid released a gasp of relief.

This was a temporary solution, and the kid could not endure it for a long time, but Layla was thankful to help however she could.

She did not mind spending time and effort solving some mysteries as long as she got information about what was happening.

"Are you feeling better now? It seems someone does not want you to open your mouth and tell me what is happening. But worry not! Come with us for now. We have something that could break you free of your curse easily."

Layla was talking about Luna.

Unlike her human nature, which required Layla to continuously pour magic and consciousness into a spell to activate it, a dragon's magic worked instinctively and left no traces.

Once Luna was done with this kid, there would be no sign of what he had gone through on his body. It would be as if this kid had never suffered an injury.

The kid looked at Layla's offered hand with suspicion. He wondered whether this was right, but Layla did not pressure the kid to decide.

She simply held the offer before him and let the kid decide what he wanted to do.

Slowly, the kid began to come around. He grabbed Layla's hand and decided to take a chance.

"Alright, I understand. I will come with you and tell you all I can about what is going on here."

The kid agreed, and Layla brought him back to the mansion.

Before she could hand that kid over to Luna or Mary, she decided to hand him over to a servant she saw nearby.

The servant looked startled to see her, and she also looked ready to question Layla when she noticed Raziel's presence behind her back. This made the servant close her mouth and no longer speak.

Instead, the servant looked at the kid in Layla's arms, who seemed to be flailing around and trying to take in his new surroundings.

"Give him a bath and new clothes. Ensure he is ready to meet someone important in an hour and bring him to Mary's office."

Layla handed the child over to the maid before anyone could complain. The maid and the child looked stunned.

He looked at Layla with an expression that asked her if he was being abandoned. But Layla quickly turned her head away in a way that said she would not answer that question.

Knowing that he lost, the kid sighed and went with the maid.

One trouble was resolved, but Layla felt a little sweaty and gross.

"I will go and take a bath as well now. I will meet you soon, Raziel. Tell Mary that I want to meet her in an hour."

Layla ordered, and Raziel gave a small bow before he quickly left. Raziel's eyes did not leave Layla until she disappeared into her room. Only once Layla was alone did she feel her heart feel lighter. She dropped her clothes on the floor before getting into the bath.

The tub filled with warm water helped Layla realx, but she also felt disappointed at not being able to shower. She missed the simplicity of a shower and how water fell on her head, making her mind go blank.

She could use spells to mimic that, but it did not have the same charm as a shower did for her.

Nonetheless, Layla enjoyed her bath and quickly dried herself with magic. When she reached her room, Luna dashed for her to get back on her shoulder.

Before she could do that, Layla grabbed the flailing dragon in her arms and gave her a stern look.

"I just had a bath and changed clothes, so you are not bringing your dirty paws close to me and making me dirty again. We are going to have a bath before you get to climb anywhere over me."

Layla threatened, and she noticed how the dragon seemed to freeze before Luna tried to run away from her.

It was a mistake on the dragon's part since she was already being held captive by Layla. Ultimately, she could not escape, and Layla brought the dragon to the water and thoroughly cleaned her up.

Luna looked quite disappointed and annoyed with Layla. Her puffy tongue tried to convey her unhappiness, but Layla did not feel affected by this small temper tantrum her pet was throwing. She did not care whether the dragon thought like this or decided to get angry at her.

Due to their bond, this would only be a small fight anyway.

*knock*

Someone knocked at the door exactly an hour after Layla had said she would go and fish up. Logically, she knew that Raziel was the only one who could be out there, but she still decided to be cautious when she opened the door.

"Miss, I am here to escort you to Mary's office. I know there is no need for this, but I would rather not risk your life by holding back."

Raziel assuredly took his place behind Layla's back. He looked regal and ready to protect her if anything were to happen. He was a good man, but this felt a little excessive. There was no need for him to play the bodyguard like this.

They reached the office in record time, and Raziel opened the door for her. The kid she had rescued and brought here was already sitting on the sofa, and he looked tense as he watched Mary with a suspicious expression.

The real trial was just begining and now it was time for this kid to prove his worth to them.