Viscount Emmerich was a tough nut to crack. He did not back down from using Duke Lockhart's name, and he even tried to make sense of the situation in a way that would intimidate a kid.

'If only I were a kid, I would have run away from here as soon as possible. But my adult mind can see that Viscount Emmerich is panicking as well. A little more push, and he will fold.'

Layla crossed her legs and put her hands under her face to give herself an even more intimidating look.

The Viscount flinched, a clear sign of fear before he regained his composure. He had a child before him, not someone he needed to fear. He did not even realize that he was fearful.

"What do you want, kid? Name your price and go! Is it money? Toys? Support? I'm willing to pay it all if you leave me alone."

Viscount Emmerich finally relented, but none of this was what Layla wanted from him.

"A price? You are underestimating my greed, Viscount Emmerich. I am here to arrest you and have you testify against what you did. None of what you can offer me will suffice."

Layla spoke with unwavering confidence, and the Viscount's frown deepened.

He had allowed Layla to resolve this mess without bloodshed, but she had declined. Now, what was about to happen was not in his hands.

"Tsk, I gave you a way out, but you are the one who did not want to take it. Sorry, kids, but I will need you to forget what happened. Hans, use your magic now."

Layla felt a little shocked when the magic suddenly rose around her. She had not even noticed a magic circle where she had been sitting.

Layla was too late to chant any protection spell since she was unprepared to use any.

'Tsk, this is troublesome.'

"Raziel, come here."

Layla yelled, and the older former slave ran toward her quickly. He made it in time before the magic could be fired off, and his divine magic canceled the spell.

A minute passed, and nothing happened. Layla let out a relieved sigh inside her mind, but her face showed none of it.

Instead, she looked at the Viscount in front of her calmly but annoyedly.

"Let's proceed to our next step if we are done playing around. I am sure the Duke will have a lot of questions for you…Mary, don't let him escape-"

Layla yelled as soon as she noticed the Viscount glowing. He was casting teleportation magic, and Layla's first instinct was to order Mary to capture her.

Her maid lept at the place where the viscount was, but she backed out at the last second, having realized that she wouldn't make it in time.

The light caused by the spell obstructed Layla's eyes, and when she opened it, there was a monster in front of her where the viscount had been seconds ago.

Mary's axe cared for the monster in one go, but the viscount had run away.

"Mary, you have one hour to find the viscount and bring him to me. I don't care what method you use and what condition that man is. It does not matter to me as long as he is alive and can confess what he has done."

Layla ordered, and an unholy grin spread across Mary's face. This was an order she had been waiting for.

"Of course, miss! I shall carry out the order you have given me. Raizel, you have your first mission as well. Take care of our young miss and make sure nothing happens to her, alright?"

Mary's smile sent chills down anyone who looked at her, but Raziel looked unbothered as he stared back at her.

Understanding passed through the duo's eyes before Mary hurried after her target, and Raizel took his place behind Layla.

"Let's go and meet the Duke. I am sure he will be here any minute now."

Layla spoke as she walked out. Most of the guards had been knocked out already, and Raziel and Layla easily cared for the ones who had not.

They only had to wait ten minutes before Duke Lockhart's carriage showed up, and he got down from it.

His dark clothes had tints of red that looked like blood, making his striking features stand out even more.

But Layla did not point to any of this. She did not bow before the Duke like the others did when they met him.

"I've sent Mary to capture the mastermind behind the slavery incident. Would you like to wait for her inside?"

Layla asked in a cold voice. Her lack of excitement caused many of the Duke's guards to look at her.

Their confusion was apparent since Layla was not acting like the kids they had seen. Most of the kids had some hint of emotion when the Duke came to see them.

But Layla was too calm and good at hiding her emotions. It was to the point that she did not even feel like a six-year-old.

The Duke did not say anything, but he walked past Layla and went inside the gate. His intention was clear- to get inside and wait for Mary.

Layla followed without sound while the guards quickly went to secure the mansion. It was a chaotic time, and no one knew what they were doing.

All they knew was that the Duke had accepted his ward's offer for a truce. This was one of the first times the Duke had done this.

"You! Get me some tea and snacks. It is quite boring just to sit here and wait for Mary to be back."

The Duke pointed to one of his guards as he sat in the mansion's living room.

The guards were not surprised when their Duke made such a request. He was often like this, and the guards quickly got used to it.

"Of course, Duke. Would you like to have sweet snacks or salty ones with your tea? We will prepare accordingly."