TSYMVF 29

Chapter 29

Ricardo’s brows were stiff, and a shadow had settled between them.

Even though there wasn’t the slightest breeze, his silver hair seemed to sway.

Maybe it wasn’t the hair but my vision that was shaking—because I was trembling.

‘Private conversations are scary after all…’

Was he going to scold me? Or something worse…?

I looked up at Ricardo with wary eyes when he finally opened his mouth.

“You did well.”

Startled by his unexpected words, I looked at him in surprise.

Was he talking about how I dealt with Permetis?

But he hadn’t been there, so he shouldn’t know the full story.

As I blinked innocently, he hardened his expression again.

Just as I was tensing up, unsure of his intentions, he continued.

“But you need to be more careful in situations like yesterday.”

Yesterday…?

“…It’ll be easier to show you.”

He stretched his hand forward.

Suddenly, the transparent space in front of him began to ripple.

Dark energy seeped into it, bubbling as if water was boiling.

He shifted his outstretched hand about 90 degrees, and like a door opening, the inside was revealed.

When I saw what was inside, I instinctively stepped back.

A black dog with three heads appeared.

Its sleek black fur made it look like a Doberman, but it was far more savage, baring its fangs and growling fiercely.

As it barked like it was ready to devour me, I kept backing away until I almost fell over.

Looking up, I saw Ricardo’s composed expression.

Surely he wasn’t planning to feed me to that thing just because I cried yesterday…?

My mind went blank from fear.

“There are guards in the Winchester estate,” Ricardo said in a low voice.

“They like human flesh and blood. The younger you are, the more voraciously they devour you.”

I instinctively clasped my trembling hands together and stared at the beast.

If I looked away, I felt like it would pounce.

“The staff here never approach the guards, but outsiders unfamiliar with the grounds often become their meal.”

His words sent a chill through me.

So in this medieval European-style mansion, those were the guards?

In the original story, just as the Winchesters planted spies in the Taylors’ household, the Taylors did the same in return.

Some were even sent as assassins.

So these “guards” were a security measure.

If an enemy intruded, those beasts would tear their throats apart…

The three-headed Doberman continued to growl, but when Ricardo turned his hand again, the scene vanished like a closed door.

I now understood what Ricardo was warning me about.

Wandering around recklessly could cost me my life.

Even after the beast disappeared, I stood frozen in place.

Then I heard Ricardo’s voice.

“If you understand, you may go now.”

But even at his prompting, I couldn’t move my feet.

It wasn’t until Maya opened the door after hearing his voice that I finally rushed to her.

“…”

Maya gently patted my shoulder and bowed deeply to Ricardo.

Even that short time felt long to me.

The image of the starving beast had left a deep impression.

* * *

“She’s a clever girl, and I heard she already understands most speech… I worry that she was too startled. She’s not well, after all.”

At Rowen’s concern, Ricardo curled his lips slightly.

Moonlight streamed softly through the window.

“Hearing it a hundred times isn’t as good as seeing it once.”

“Well… that’s true. But the part about devouring young flesh—wasn’t that a bit much?”

As Ricardo furrowed his brows sharply, Rowen gave an awkward smile.

Early education in the Winchester household was strict.

Even Jin and Othello had started sitting at desks by the age of five. Sasha Winchester would be no exception.

Even a gruesome scene like that might benefit a Winchester child.

And the threat—no, the clear threat—from his lord might also be necessary for the young lady’s safety.

The fact that two maids were sent to the labor camp for failing to properly care for her had already been reported to Ricardo.

“She needs to be cautious. Because she’s clever, she’ll likely face danger more easily.”

“…Pardon?”

Rowen looked confused, not understanding what Ricardo meant.

What dangerous thing could the young lady possibly have done?

Ricardo continued.

“Her precise decision-making in every moment… it was refreshingly enjoyable.”

“You are talking about the young lady… right?”

Ricardo didn’t reply, but in his deep green eyes, there was unmistakable interest.

After a pause, Rowen changed the subject.

“She seems to like that ball very much. Perhaps she likes it more because it was a gift from Your Grace.”

He recalled the pink ball Sasha had been holding.

“She almost had it taken away by Miss Permetis, though…”

It was still a scene that made him frown just thinking about it.

“I’ll send Lady Zestia a warning. Next time, she should focus more on educating her child.”

Even without seeing it, he could imagine Zestia’s face upon receiving the warning.

“Yes,” Ricardo replied, lips slightly curved.

He seemed quite pleased.

* * *

Just remembering Ricardo’s cold gaze made me shiver.

I felt ashamed for briefly thinking positively about the Winchester estate—or the Winchesters themselves.

They were the most villainous family in the entire world. Heartless people with neither blood nor tears.

‘If I catch his attention again, he might really throw me to that dog.’

He seemed kind for a moment, and I had let my guard down.

“Miss, are you cold?”

Sasha looked at me with concern and gently laid another blanket over me.

Yes, Maya. I’m cold to my bones.

I really have to grow up fast and get out of this terrifying mansion.

I gulped down the warm milk Maya brought, trying to warm myself up.

“Would you like me to read a fairy tale before bed?”

“No, I wanna sleep.”

“Alright. I’ll read it to you next time then.”

Maya smiled warmly as she took the empty milk bottle from me.

In this bleak and scary mansion, I’m glad at least Maya is here.

“But Miss, your hair has come undone on one side.”

After setting the bottle aside, Maya began brushing my hair.

I hadn’t noticed since my hair was still so thin, but one of my pigtails had come loose.

“Looks like you dropped your ribbon.”

“Don’ have.”

“Now that all the blood relatives have left, the mansion will feel empty starting tomorrow.”

“Mhm.”

“The roses in the garden must be in full bloom. Should we visit the east garden tomorrow?”

Maya asked as she gently brushed my hair.

No, Maya… I don’t think we should wander around. That dog earlier… it was terrifying…

Now that the tension had faded, my eyes kept drooping.

“Oh my, you’re dozing while sitting. So precious.”

With Maya’s voice in the background, my consciousness slowly slipped into sleep.

* * *

Jin stood in front of the grand hall where everyone had once gathered.

Without even laying a hand on it, his dark flame moved the heavy doors.

He stepped into the moonlit, empty space, one foot at a time.

In his deep eyes, there was no fear or hesitation.

Only an icy blue calmness had settled in.

At the center sat an untouched Chalice of Darkness.

It was the same cup into which he, his brother, and their father had once placed small items.

The chalice instantly burned anything from Winchester blood, proving its noble lineage.

“…”

Staring at the cup with cold eyes, Jin slowly raised his hand.

In his hand was a gray ribbon.

Once, it had been tied neatly on a certain child’s head.

The ribbon fluttered slightly in the breeze blowing from outside.

Then, as he lowered his hand and the ribbon’s tip touched the Chalice of Darkness—

Jin let go.

Crackle— Dozens of vivid lights burst forth.

A dragon’s illusion briefly flashed in his mind.

The colors didn’t match his black flames at all.

Could such colors even exist in this world?

“…”

Jin stood silently, gazing at the chalice for a long time.

Only after quite some time did he lower his hand again.

He retrieved the gray ribbon from the chalice and lifted it to his nose, inhaling its scent.

It hadn’t burned in the slightest.

A small sigh, like a quiet breath, escaped him—yet his eyes held a glimmer of joy.

After a moment, he whispered,

“…Right. There’s no way a Winchester could be cute.”