Chapter 41: A Reluctant Arrival at the Crimson Estate

“Listen up, both of you. If anyone asks who you are, just say you’re my friends. No running around my house! No shouting loudly! Understood?!”

Outside the Crimson Family’s sprawling estate, Julie reiterated her instructions to Lucia and Imeline, genuinely fearing they might wander off and stumble upon something they shouldn’t.

However, the Crimson Family maintained excellent security over their secrets. After all, as one of the Arcadia Kingdom’s most prominent noble families, their mansion frequently hosted other nobles and even grand banquets. Had their security been lax, their secrets would have been exposed long ago.

In truth, Julie had been reluctant to bring them here. Yet, Lucia’s offer of two-fifths of her team’s score—a substantial addition to Julie’s own—promised to secure her an undisputed first place in the Anomaly Hunt exercise. This prospect had utterly captivated Julie, leading her to sign the contract in a moment of impulsive excitement.

However, regret had begun to gnaw at Julie during their journey. Protecting the family’s secrets was paramount, far more crucial than any score or ranking in the Anomaly Hunt. Even with the family’s robust security, bringing outsiders in was ill-advised, especially when those outsiders were coming to visit Lovelenica, such a sensitive figure.

What’s more, had she known Lucia would be so desperate, Julie would have extracted even greater concessions. She could have demanded half of Lucia’s score outright, or perhaps some other significant favor. As it stood, Lucia had gotten off too lightly.

Alas, the contract was already signed; there was no opportunity to amend it now.

“I know, I know,” Imeline replied, trailing behind Julie with an impatient sigh. “How many times do you need to say it?”

Truth be told, ever since uncovering the orphanage’s irregularities yesterday, Imeline harbored even less regard for Julie and Lovelenica. Were it not for Lucia, Imeline wouldn’t have uttered a single word to Julie.

As for the Crimson Family’s mansion itself, Imeline had no desire to visit.

She wouldn’t have set foot in such a place if Lucia hadn’t insisted. Yet, a thought struck her: gaining entry to the Crimson Family’s mansion might just yield some valuable clues within its walls.

Lucia, on the other hand, received Julie’s admonitions with utmost seriousness.

“Rest assured,” she affirmed, “we are merely here to visit our teacher. We won’t disturb anyone else.”

“I certainly hope so,” Julie muttered.

With that, Julie led the two into the Crimson Family’s sprawling estate.

The Crimson Family’s estate was situated within the city itself. Over the past century, in recognition of the Crimson Family’s contributions and military achievements to the Arcadia Kingdom, successive kings had bestowed upon them a portion of the royal capital’s land. Consequently, the Crimson Family abandoned their former residence outside the capital and relocated their entire lineage within the royal city.

Truthfully, the king’s grant at the time had caused considerable upheaval among some of the capital’s established noble houses. Several families even banded together, attempting to undermine the Crimson Family, but each attempt was deftly thwarted.

To this day, the Crimson Family remains one of the most powerful houses in the Arcadia Kingdom.

Lucia and her companions entered the expansive courtyard, traversing a series of meticulously manicured gardens before finally arriving at the grand entrance of the Crimson Family’s mansion.

“This… this is where our teacher lives?” Lucia murmured, her voice laced with awe.

“Hmph, your Crimson Family certainly doesn’t lack for arrogance,” Imeline scoffed.

Though Lucia had visited Imeline’s royal residence as a child, she couldn’t help but marvel upon entering the Crimson Family’s mansion. It appeared to rival the royal palace itself in grandeur.

Imeline, standing beside her, was rather displeased. The decor here almost rivaled that of their own royal household, suggesting the Crimson Family’s intentions were far from pure.

“Welcome home, Third Miss,” the head maid greeted, bowing respectfully. “And these two ladies?” she inquired, her gaze falling upon Lucia and Imeline.

“They are my dear friends,” Julie replied. “One is a nun, and the other a magic-user. I’ve brought them home to visit today.”

“Welcome, esteemed guests,” the head maid said, offering a polite bow to Lucia and Imeline as well.

Julie led the two up the grand staircase, offering reminders as they ascended.

“Mother is out today,” Julie informed them. “That good-for-nothing’s room is on the second floor. I’ll take you up, but you are to stay put in her room. Don’t go wandering off.”

“Hold on,” Imeline retorted, her brows furrowed. “You’re telling us we can’t even leave the room when we’re guests in your house?”

“I didn’t exactly invite you myself, did I?” Julie shot back. “In any case, if you need anything, simply ask a maid in the corridor. Just don’t go roaming about.”

“Understood, I comprehend,” Lucia affirmed.

“By the way, Miss Julie,” Lucia continued, changing the subject, “could you perhaps refrain from calling my teacher ‘that good-for-nothing’? It sounds rather unpleasant.”

“Hah? Are you trying to tell *me* what to do now?” Julie scoffed. “I’ll call her what I like!”

Even as she bickered with the two, Julie had already led them to Lovelenica’s room.

“This is it,” she announced.

She rapped sharply on the door: “Knock, knock, knock—”

“Good-for-nothing! Your student is here with her friends to see you! Open up, quickly!”

“Our teacher is ill,” Imeline admonished, frowning. “Why are you knocking so loudly?”

“What if she’s asleep and can’t hear the knocking?” Julie retorted, a hint of exasperation in her voice. “If she doesn’t make a sound, are we supposed to just barge in? Honestly.”

Having delivered her loud summons, Julie prepared to retreat to her own room. She had no desire to linger with the trio; their relationship was strained, and they shared no common ground. It was better to return to the solace of her private quarters.

Julie then quietly instructed a maid in the corridor to keep a close watch on Lucia and her companions. If they attempted to leave or wandered aimlessly through the hallway, the maid was to immediately stop them and alert Julie.

In truth, Julie’s loud knock had not merely been to rouse Lovelenica. It was also a subtle warning, a precaution to ensure Lovelenica had properly concealed any items pertaining to her vampire identity.

Soon, a faint, weak response drifted from within the room.

“Cough, cough… Come in. The door isn’t locked.”