Silin’s face twisted in displeasure.

‘Jeanne Massif?’

Seeing Jeanne’s face, Silin clenched her fists tightly.

Who was Jeanne Massif?

Once, she was the knight every girl had admired.

The girls around her seemed to recall that time, letting out soft sighs of awe.

“Lady Massif as a nanny... I never imagined it, but it suits her quite well.”

“Right?! Now that I think about it, Lady Massif is the perfect fit for the title of nanny.”

“Kind to the weak and elderly, resolute to enemies, and just in character... truly a nanny’s temperament.”

“Is she smart? She was a staff officer for the central elite troops, wasn’t she?”

“Plus, an outstanding martial artist. No need to assign a bodyguard.”

The girls squealed and fussed excitedly.

“How did Erilot Astra think of making Lady Massif her nanny? She really is clever.”

When one girl said that, others nearby chimed in their agreement.

“Her choices have always been excellent, haven’t they?”

“She even put the wandering mercenary Kali Muso under her command.”

As praise for Erilot rose, Silin clenched her skirt tightly.

Silin glanced around.

There was no one to speak for her.

‘At times like this, the Southern Army’s elite troops would be useful.’

But she had fallen out with those troops she used like limbs—all because of Erilot.

Silin forced a smile and said,

“But I am a little worried.”

“Worried?”

“I’m not sure Lady Massif fits the Astra status well...”

“Oh, right.”

She had become a criminal after assaulting a superior.

A subtle groan arose from the surroundings.

“Yeah... that’s true.”

Some even nodded.

Silin hid her satisfaction and said,

“I’m worried she might lack the restraint not to commit crimes.”

She sighed in fake concern and continued.

“I just hope she won’t be violent to the Western Army’s elite troops...”

“Despite the uncomfortable issues with the Astra family, you sincerely care for Miss Erilot Astra. Miss Chateaubriand is truly kind.”

“That’s embarrassing.”

“No, it’s admirable.”

“My father always says he worries about that side of me.”

“In this harsh world, being so gentle alone makes one a concern.”

The girls praised Silin for being truly wonderful.

A Northern Army elite watching this shook his head.

He whispered to Sebastia of the Eastern Army beside him,

“How can they all admire her so sincerely?”

Sebastia handed a glass of juice to the attendant and replied,

“They don’t know Silin’s true nature.”

They could never imagine how Silin reigned among the elite troops.

While the elite troops realized it through simulated battles and faction fights within the Imperial Guard...

‘Because the usual Silin Chateaubriand wears a perfect mask.’

Even her grandfather, Duke Biferi, thought she was well-mannered.

“Silin Chateaubriand do such things?”

“Yes, she’s a snake among snakes.”

“That’s different from what I heard. Could it be jealousy clouding your judgment?”

“......”

Recalling the past, Sebastia twisted her lips.

‘No misunderstandings here.’

Silin truly was a snake.

Showing her true self only to the elite troops proves that.

‘Whenever elite troops speak ill, they just say it’s out of rivalry.’

Just like her grandfather.

That alone showed how cunning she was.

To the public, Silin was a perfect child.

Polite, kind, thoughtful...

‘No one would suspect she manipulates others to get what she wants.’

Moreover,

She had a childish side, panicked when losing attention.

Sebastia stared intently at such Silin.

“How modest. Don’t flatter her so much.”

“Too much humility is poison. Miss Chateaubriand must realize her greatness.”

“Miss Posa is just... trying to cultivate her heart─”

Just then, people’s gazes suddenly focused behind Silin.

‘What?’

Silin followed their gaze.

“Greetings, Central Elite Troops.”

It was Erilot Astra.

Silin forced a smile, trying to compose herself.

“Yes. And greetings to the Western Army’s elite troops as well?”

“No.”

“...Yes?”

“I am not well.”

What was with this girl?

Why did she cling to such a formal greeting?

I had no choice but to ask why she was ‘not well.’

Especially now, with people watching her.

The ‘thoughtful Silin Chateaubriand’ had to ask.

Silin pretended surprise and asked,

“Is something wrong?”

“Yes. I was attacked on the way to the lounge.”

At once, the crowd stirred loudly.

“Attacked?”

“Attacked? In the Outer Palace?”

People in the party hall were shocked and stared at Erilot.

“Yes, there was an attack in the Outer Palace. Conveniently, just before the ‘Ghoul Extermination’ mission.”

Youngsik, known as a gossip, fussed,

“Please, tell us exactly what happened!”

Then the atmosphere grew cold.

They looked down on Youngsik for eagerly asking the person who was attacked.

Youngsik, noticing the eyes, added,

“Well, it’s in the Outer Palace, right? The Imperial Guard failed, so it concerns the royal family...”

“That’s right. So we requested investigation from the emperor’s knight corps.”

Silin flinched and gripped her skirt.

‘So contacted that girl?’

But she looked fine.

Was the claim that Veil’s mission success rate was 100% a lie?

“Central elite troops? Your face is pale. Are you uncomfortable?”

Erilot asked, and Silin smiled awkwardly.

“I was startled by the word ‘attack.’”

“Understandable. How dare a rogue trespass in a space belonging to the Imperial Palace... treason.”

“......”

“No matter who the client is, they’re foolish and reckless.”

“......”

“Isn’t that right?”

“...Yes.”

Silin bit her lip.

‘Am I foolish? I, Silin Chateaubriand?’

She chose the Outer Palace because she was confident she wouldn’t be caught.

Erilot Astra always had guards when outside; there was no opportunity elsewhere.

‘I secretly the Veil contact.’

Blessing .

If they break a promise, a magical explosion occurs inside their body.

No chance of survival.

That’s why my name never comes up in Veil.

‘Even if His Majesty searches the entire army, he won’t find a single hair of mine.’

Silin clenched her fists tightly.

“This is truly a coincidence. An attack right before the ghoul extermination...”

“Yes.”

“The gossips might say, ‘She’s making excuses for losing the mission by claiming she was attacked.’”

Silin made a pitiful expression and grabbed Erilot’s hand firmly.

Then she shouted,

“Everyone, I guarantee the passion of the Western Army’s elite troops! I hope there are no harmful misunderstandings because of this!”

“......”

“Western Army’s elite troops, I trust you. We will have a great competition.”

“Veil.”

“......!”

Silin’s face noticeably stiffened.

Erilot smiled faintly.

“My nanny said that recently, among the ultra-high nobles, it’s been common to use a subversive force called .”

“......And?”

“Judging from the description of the attacker, it closely matches a member of Veil.”

“Why do you say that? It doesn’t fit the flow of conversation.”

“I think this.”

Erilot glanced around.

“The gossips might say that the attack and defeat were just excuses to protect Erilot.”

“That’s unlikely.”

“Please take the match seriously. If the central elite troops hear such things, they’d be heartbroken.”

Erilot released Silin’s hand.

“Well then, I must visit the emperor’s knight corps now.”

Silin glared as if wanting to tear Erilot apart.

Erilot turned and walked away lightly, then stopped and said,

“Oh, but you know?”

“Yes?”

“Why my nanny Jeanne Massif assaulted her superior.”

“That is...”

“Because she witnessed her superior molesting a subordinate. Don’t tell me you don’t know? ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) You’re an elite troop, after all.”

“......I know.”

“Yes. It was an honorable act.”

Despite knowing, Silin disparaged Jeanne as a criminal?

People whispered, glancing at the stiffened Silin.

“Wow, it really is Lady Massif. I wondered why she assaulted a superior...”

“More than that, isn’t the central elite troop acting strange?”

“Yes... knowing the facts but slandering someone as a criminal?”

“Now it’s not wisdom...”

“Just shallow thinking.”

Silin’s face flared red with anger.

I left the hall with Jeanne.

Jeanne opened her eyes wide and looked at me.

“Hm?”

“Ah... I just thought you were really amazing.”

“What do you mean?”

“You deliberately revealed the attack and mentioned .”

“Mm.”

“You told the high nobles that Veil had failed a mission, right? So they won’t use Veil anymore.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Plus, you let them know Veil will be investigated, so they definitely won’t use Veil again.”

That was true.

I smiled and nodded.

“That’s right!”

“Also, emphasizing that it happened before the ‘Ghoul Extermination’...”

“Mm, so people think Veil is involved with the central elite troops.”

“You were probably probing the central elite troops as well.”

“From their reaction, the culprit is 99% likely.”

I’m someone who’s spent both my lives always reading the room.

I pride myself on my awareness.

‘Their faces stiffened as soon as I mentioned Veil.’

I saw the embarrassment reflected in their eyes.

‘The client is definitely Silin.’

As I thought that, I felt a sharp gaze nearby.

Jeanne narrowed her eyes and looked at me.

“If you’re so clever... approaching me wasn’t a coincidence either.”

Ah.

I flinched and turned toward Jeanne.

“I didn’t mean anything bad!”

“Hmph.”

“It’s true! Jeanne’s a really kind person. So I’m not trying to take advantage of her...”

—then I stopped mid-sentence.

“...Not exactly. I sometimes take advantage of kind people. Very rarely.”

“Hmm.”

“But I didn’t try to use Jeanne, I just wanted to bring her as my nanny. That’s the truth!”

“......”

“But I did do a background check and arranged for her to come to our house secretly... that was wrong.”

I nervously fiddled with my fingers and mumbled.

Jeanne stared into my eyes and then burst out laughing.

“It’s okay.”

“...Really?”

“Yes. I’m very weak against cute little girls. And─”

Jeanne poked my cheek gently with her fingertip.

“I did the same thing.”

“The same thing?”

“I studied everything about the Young Mistress, like favorite foods, colors, animals... and scents.”

Jeanne spread her arms lightly.

“I prepared hard, so what do you think?”

“I like it...”

“Then hug this nanny, Young Mistress.”

I hurried into Jeanne’s arms.

Thinking back, I’m incredibly weak around motherly types.

‘Maybe because I never had a mother in my first life...’

No, I did in my second life, but that person was the mother of my half-sister Se-eun.

The only one she truly loved was Se-eun.

‘Anyway, I really like Jeanne.’

If I had a mother, she’d definitely be like Jeanne.

Jeanne gently patted my back.

“I’ll tell you a secret.”

“A secret?”

She lowered herself and cupped her hands by my ear to whisper.

“I actually found you adorable from the first time I saw you in the alley.”

I burst out laughing.

Late at night, Astra’s Second Count’s Mansion.

Balzac, Joshua, and Richmond hurried down the corridor.

Bang─!

Balzac shouted, as if to break down a door.

“There was an attack at the Outer Palace’s party hall!”

Saying that, Balzac dashed into Erilot’s room.

Joshua and Richmond followed behind.

“Are you alright?”

“Are you hurt anywhere...?”

Richmond, asking with a grim face, stopped mid-sentence.

Balzac and Joshua also froze, looking at the bed.

More precisely, at Erilot, who was sitting on the bed, moving her legs lightly...

“Uh... is she hurt?”

Balzac looked embarrassed and glanced at his brothers.

They too seemed unfamiliar with the sight.

“So, so Isez learned the proper way to manipulate magic power─!”

Erilot was babbling with an excited face.

‘That only happens in Balzac’s imagination.’

In Balzac’s fantasy, Erilot is like this:

“Ugh, I was so hungry, but I wanted to wait for my older brother...”

Joshua and Richmond sneered, saying that would never happen in reality.

‘Kind of... close?’

Usually clinging tightly and asking about my day ten times with a sigh,

“Life’s all the same. What else is there?”

—my adorable self who says that...

—That Erilot who talks like that...

—That youngest sibling who talks like that...

Who on earth was the woman who dragged a day’s schedule out of Erilot’s mouth?

“Having ability and passion is valuable.”

“Yeah!”

“But Young Mistress, I think the young masters have something to say.”

Erilot nodded big like a child (though she was a child, her usual behavior was far from childish).

Then when she turned to them, she said,

“What? Why?”

...Her usual cold self appeared.

This was the final boss everyone in Daymond jurisdiction would have to compete for—Erilot’s love.