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Chapter – 09
The head of the household’s room was filled with dark green furniture.
Among it all, the green stag banner symbolizing Hildeit was spread wide open directly behind the lord’s seat.
Every time Eleanor looked at that stag, she felt as though heavy air was tightening around her throat.
Perhaps it was the man staring at her beneath the banner who made the space feel that way.
“Eleanor.”
Jules Hildeit, the head of the Hildeit family, called her in a dignified voice.
His eyes gleamed sharply, yet somewhere within that light lurked something sinister.
Eleanor deliberately lowered her gaze to avoid his eyes.
“Are your preparations for the entrance examination going well?”
“Yes. Thanks to your concern, I believe I will finally be able to show results this time.”
“I told you before. This is your last chance.”
At the words last chance, the corner of Eleanor’s lips lifted faintly.
Yes. The last chance.
Knowing that was precisely why she had already devised a far more certain way to ruin everything.
“I understand, Head of the Family.”
Head of the family.
Jules Hildeit’s eyebrow twitched slightly at the subtly changed title, but he quickly hid his expression.
He had not summoned Eleanor today for such formal greetings.
“By the way, I heard something from Jennifer.”
As he spoke, he carefully observed Eleanor’s reaction.
Normally, she would have immediately realized her fault and apologized — yet today she showed no response at all.
Just as Jennifer had said, she really had changed somewhat. Thinking lightly of it, Jules continued his reprimand.
“I won’t drag this out. Go apologize to Jennifer.”
“I’m sorry, Head of the Family, but I don’t recall doing anything that requires an apology to Mother. What exactly should I apologize for?”
This time even Jules was slightly surprised.
When was the last time Eleanor talked back to him? Had it ever happened?
The daughter who had always craved his affection and watched his mood now seemed different.
He had no intention of indulging such belated defiance.
“You don’t know what you did wrong?”
“No.”
Eleanor replied without the slightest hint of fear.
“I heard what happened in the kitchen, yet you still deny it?”
“So that’s what this is about. I didn’t expect even you to concern yourself with such a matter.”
She even gave a faint laugh.
Jules felt dumbfounded — so much so he wondered if the woman before him was truly the one he knew.
But Eleanor’s next words prevented him from growing angrier.
“I merely gave orders to Hildeit’s employees as the daughter of Hildeit. The employees refused, so I pointed that out.”
“But Anne is not a mere servant.”
“Being not ‘mere’ does not mean she isn’t a servant. Surely you’re not saying I must watch a servant’s mood when giving orders? The Empire’s law would not say so.”
Jules’ expression hardened at the mention of imperial law.
It was widely known that the Emperor had recently begun restraining the growing power of the Four Great Houses.
To avoid provoking suspicion, the heads of the houses endured the emperor’s excesses quietly.
But if Eleanor’s words spread beyond this room — if they reached the emperor’s ears?
It would be obvious who would suffer.
“Ahem.”
He stared at his daughter.
For a moment, the thin girl blinking at him coldly felt like a complete stranger.
Impossible.
He must not have seen her properly for too long. Shaking the thought away, he spoke.
“Fine. You are correct. Let’s end this here.”
“Yes.”
“However, ignoring Jennifer’s sincerity was rude. She has been your mother for seven years now. Isn’t it time you accepted it?”
It had been Jennifer who refused to be a mother, not Eleanor.
Yet he spoke as if the opposite were true.
Yes — the moment he brought Jennifer into this house, Jules Hildeit had also refused to remain Eleanor’s father.
A bitter smile formed on Eleanor’s lips. Everything she had once prayed for before falling into the demon realm felt like meaningless ash.
“It seems my intentions were misunderstood.”
She chose her words calmly.
The moment for revenge had not yet come. Until then she needed to dull everyone’s vigilance.
After all, she intended to destroy not just one or two people — but this entire world.
“I did not ignore Mother’s sincerity. I simply felt she was exerting herself too much and said she need not do so.”
“Is that not the same thing?”
“If society learns the proud mistress of Hildeit still personally manages her stepdaughter’s meals, Mother’s reputation would suffer.”
Her voice was gentle and even — sounding entirely sincere.
“The mistress of one of the Four Houses manages the family’s finances. Carefully tending a child’s diet is a nanny’s work. I was immature before, only gratefully accepting her kindness without considering her reputation. I merely corrected that.”
“…So you acknowledge Jennifer as mistress of the house?”
“I have always thought so, Father.”
Jennifer would foam at the mouth if she heard this conversation.
The mistresses of the Four Houses managed finances because the heads focused on warfare and training.
But Jennifer was different.
Though he favored her, Jules never gave her financial authority. To him, a commoner did not deserve it.
She could hang herself and he still wouldn’t give her the ledger keys.
Knowing this, Eleanor deliberately mentioned it.
“…Indeed. The mistress being treated like a nanny would be improper.”
Jules’ guilt toward Jennifer worked exactly as she expected.
“You are right, Eleanor. It seems your meaning did not reach Jennifer.”
“My poor wording caused her worry.”
“I will explain it to her.”
He intended to take her idea and make himself appear considerate — yet Eleanor nodded calmly.
That was precisely what she wanted.
“If the misunderstanding is cleared, I will take my leave.”
“Ahem.”
Realizing too late the matter was finished, Jules tried to maintain authority.
“The exam is soon. Focus on training. Truly your last chance!”
“Yes.”
Eleanor gave a faint mocking smile and turned away.
She already knew.
She left the room.
* * *
“Miss, you’re back? I had the kitchen prepare dinner!”
Arriving at her musty attic room, Eleanor immediately noticed something unusual.
First, the maid Laura, looking at her with sparkling eyes.
Second, the roasted stag leg placed before her.
“This is…”
“I thought you wanted meat, so I cooked it myself! I kept the kitchen staff away — nothing strange in it!”
“You did?”
“You’re not… suspicious of me, right?”
Laura stepped back nervously. She showed no ill intent.
The meat smelled normal.
“…Good work.”
She had been too tired to cause another scene in the kitchen, even considering skipping dinner. The perceptive maid was unexpectedly useful.
Laura’s eyes widened at the rare praise, barely suppressing her smile.
“T-Then, if you need anything else—”
“Laura.”
“Yes!”
“Until tomorrow, let no one enter my room. Including you.”
“Until tomorrow?”
“If impossible, say so now.”
Her eyes wavered — then she steeled herself.
“I’ll make sure no one approaches your room, no matter what.”
After she left, Eleanor took out the dark herb she had gathered.
“I should ruin the exam hall first.”
The herb would give her the power she needed.
She piled it onto the roasted meat.
There was only one minor drawback — for a while after consuming it, she would feel murderous intent toward all living beings nearby.
But it was unmatched for absorbing demonic energy.
“If anything happens, Laura will handle it.”
Unless an assassin came, normal visitors would be stopped.
Anyone who forced their way in would die.
“…That won’t happen.”
Smiling, Eleanor bit into the meat.
Condensed demonic energy spread through her body.
