Mesmeris

Leaving aside the misunderstanding about dragons, I headed to the baron’s mansion with Shai.

The sound of his cautious footsteps echoing beside me was quite endearing.

After passing through the garden, we finally arrived at the mansion, where an elderly butler awaited us at the entrance.

His impeccably tailored suit and composed demeanor perfectly suited his role as a butler.

The butler bowed slightly in greeting, but upon noticing Shai behind me, his expression shifted.

His slightly raised eyebrow betrayed his surprise.

“We’ve been waiting. The young master was in the garden, I see.”

“Yes, we met there.”

“Very well, I’ll show you in.”

The butler bowed and led the way.

His gait was exceptionally refined, almost like an actor moving with precise speed and gestures.

Belez showed curiosity about the mansion in his own way.

Miel gazed at the high ceiling, fluttering her wings, while Cecilia hovered near my shoulder, seemingly sensing the room’s temperature.

Rote, however, continued to circle mechanically around me.

We followed the butler into the mansion.

The sight that greeted us upon entering left me breathless.

The high, expansive ceiling, the gleaming marble floor, the elegantly sculpted statues by each pillar, and the classical paintings on the walls.

It was the kind of opulence I’d only seen in pictures of European palaces in my past life.

It was a different kind of splendor compared to the deepest layer of the Shia Kalt Labyrinth.

“Wow!”

My internal admiration nearly slipped out, but what actually emerged was a simple grunt.

“Hm.”

Why did it come out so nonchalantly?

I wanted to express more emotions!

Turning my head for a closer look, my neck stiffened unnaturally.

It was as if an iron bar had been implanted, leaving me unable to move.

No matter how hard I tried, my neck refused to budge.

“Ugh.”

Because of this noble trait, my body wouldn’t obey my commands!

Do nobles really live this stiffly?

Usually, I could turn my head freely, but now I could only manage about 15 degrees.

Thus, I could only glance around minimally.

Guided by the butler, we ascended the grand marble staircase to the second floor.

Even climbing the stairs, my posture remained impeccably straight.

It felt like walking with a book balanced on my head.

Is this the dignity of a noble?

Being a noble seems exhausting.

Living like this would be perfect for developing a back problem…

Upon entering the second-floor hallway, a portrait of a woman caught my eye.

She had a gentle smile and was dressed in an elegant green dress, her deep, expressive eyes seeming almost alive.

Though just a painting, she exuded an elegance similar to the master.

A sense of wistfulness and sorrow emanated from her.

Unaware of my gaze, Shai quietly approached and spoke.

“Mother…”

Indeed.

Shai referring to the portrait as his mother made the painting feel even more vivid.

Was that why it conveyed such sorrow?

“Who is she?”

Shai’s eyes trembled.

His small fingers clutched his clothes tightly.

His gesture revealed his longing for his mother.

“She… she passed away after giving birth to me. I don’t know her well, but… Father often tells me stories.”

“The typical novel protagonist’s mother trope!”

It was astonishing to see a plot device from the novels of my past life unfold before my eyes.

The protagonist’s mother who dies in childbirth, and the noble father raising the child…

Such situations actually exist.

Shai’s expression held more longing than sorrow.

Though he never knew his mother, she still held a place in his heart.

His father must be a good parent to speak of her so often.

Feeling sorry for Shai, I naturally reached out to gently pat his head.

His brown hair felt soft as it brushed through my fingers.

Warm and alive, it was a pleasant sensation.

“Eek!”

Shai’s face turned red in an instant, and he shrank back, hugging his shoulders.

His shy, rabbit-like reaction was incredibly cute.

Truly living up to his name.

His cuteness was so endearing that I wanted to laugh, but due to the noble trait, I merely smiled gracefully.

The butler continued to guide us, and we arrived at a grand dining hall.

Upon entering, the opulent scene took my breath away.

An elegant chandelier hung from the ceiling, illuminating the room, and the long dining table was already set with various appetizers.

At one end of the table, the baron, Ryandel, and Levi awaited us.

“You’ve arrived, Ricoris-nim.”

The baron stood and bowed politely.

“Ricoris-nim…”

Shai murmured, having finally learned my name.

“Shai is with you as well.”

The baron smiled at his son.

And I smiled at the table.

“Delicious!”

My internal excitement.

“Thank you for preparing such a wonderful meal. I look forward to it.”

Yes.

My words came out appropriately, and it seemed to work well.

We took our seats, and the servants promptly began serving the meal.

The variety of dishes being brought in was fascinating.

Across the table, Shai ate quietly with his head bowed, but his gaze kept darting toward me.

Whenever our eyes met, he quickly looked away.

“Ricoris-nim, are you from another country?”

The baron initiated the conversation.

“No, Ricoris-nim…”

Levi began to respond but stopped, glancing at me.

“That’s something you shouldn’t ask about.”

A subtly threatening tone slipped out of me.

“Huh?”

My slightly displeased expression caught Levi’s attention, who stared at me with wide eyes.

Ryandel observed the situation calmly.

As always, so composed.

“I apologize. I overstepped.”

The baron’s tense voice carried a hint of anxiety.

An awkward silence followed, broken only by the servants bringing more dishes.

In front of me were various meat dishes.

Probably arranged by Ryandel in advance.

Well done!

“Yay!”

All the dishes looked incredibly delicious.

The aroma of roasted meat and its juices made my mouth water.

I was genuinely excited, but my body didn’t show it.

Instead, I elegantly picked up the knife and fork, meticulously cutting and eating small portions with grace.

The juices exploding in my mouth brought immense joy, yet my expression remained calm.

As if I were accustomed to such feasts daily.

“Ugh! Why must I eat so slowly when the meat is this delicious? I want to gulp it all down!”

Normally, I’d devour the meat greedily, but this trait prevented me from doing so.

At this rate, the meal would end before I was satisfied.

Levi and Ryandel seemed surprised by my changed behavior.

Especially Levi, who had seen me devouring meat just the day before.

“I didn’t choose this; it’s just how it is.”

Midway through the meal, a strange emptiness settled in.

Cecilia munching on vegetables.

Miel sipping soup.

Rote, unable to eat, looking sad.

“Oh, right! Glacia!”

Like me, a carnivore, left at the guild!

She would have enjoyed this feast.

Thinking of her alone at the guild while I enjoyed this meal made me feel guilty.

I’ll give her plenty of honey later…

“If I may ask something…”

As the meal concluded, the baron spoke hesitantly.

His tone carried noticeable tension, perhaps due to being rebuffed earlier.

“What is it?”

“Do you know about the recent incidents in the capital…?”

The baron’s voice lowered.

“Specifically, events among the nobility.”

“What kind of events?”

Ryandel’s eyes sharpened.

“There have been a series of disappearances among the nobles in the capital. Particularly, several high-ranking nobles have vanished without a trace. People think they’re just traveling, but…”

The baron’s face clouded with worry.

He likely believed I was of high noble birth and wondered if I knew about these events.

His expression bore genuine concern.

“I’ve only been in this kingdom for a day…”

“Bring any recent letters or items you’ve received from the capital nobles.”

A commanding tone unexpectedly escaped me.

“Oh no! Does this trait have a mind of its own? How did my words change like that!”

“Yes, right away.”

The baron left, and his compliance surprised me slightly.

His actions showed how deeply troubling this matter was for him.

Remaining at the table, the three of us and Shai were lost in our thoughts.

Ryandel seemed deep in thought, Levi looked anxious, glancing at me, and Shai quietly tapped the table with his fingers.

“Ricoris-nim… do you know about this incident…?”

Levi whispered.

“No, of course not.”

I whispered back.

“Huh…?”

Just then, the baron returned.

He carried sealed letters and a small box.

His expression seemed even more tense now.

“This is a letter received from the Marquis of Linder’s estate last week, and this is a letter and ring from the Count of Birdan’s estate four days ago.”

The baron carefully laid the items on the table.

As he opened the box, revealing the ring, the room seemed to grow slightly colder.

“Hm.”

The ring bore a blue gemstone, its color resembling the clear, transparent blue of the ocean.

Yet, as I gazed at it, the gem’s color shifted from blue to crimson.

Witnessing this transformation, I involuntarily gasped.

Initially a light red, it deepened to a rich, blood-like hue.

Within the gem, a dark vortex swirled slowly.

Like black fog dancing in a crimson liquid.

In that moment, the status window activated.

『 「Mesmeris」

Mesmeris: A rare gemstone with a vivid crimson hue. The dark vortex inside slowly rotates, gradually absorbing the life force of those around it.』

The gem’s color change left the baron pale.

He stared at the ring as if questioning his own eyes.

His hand trembled slightly.

“This… this is…?”

He asked, bewildered.

It had to be that!

The power granted by Michel-nim!

“Huh… the all-seeing eyes of a dragon…”

Not that!

Shai’s murmured misunderstanding interrupted.

Just as I was about to explain it was Michel’s power, Rote’s movement changed abruptly.

Her usual orbit around me gave way to erratic, magnet-like attraction toward the gem.

Her metallic surface gleamed as she darted toward the gem at unprecedented speed.

Unbelievable velocity!

She opened her small mouth and swallowed the gem whole.

“Huh…?”

“Oh…”