María stood amidst a group of employees, surrounded by the chaos left behind by the bandits’ attack.

Shreds of torn fabric, overturned furniture, and shattered glass were all that remained of the incident.

While the others attempted to tidy up, María was distracted, casting furtive glances at the door where Aria had disappeared minutes earlier with the manager.

‘Will she be okay…?’ María wondered, even though she knew what protected Aria from the shadows.

But what if something went wrong?

Her thoughts were a whirlwind of worry. Though she trusted Aria’s innate composure, María couldn’t ignore that what Aria had done—taking out those men so drastically and in public—wouldn’t go unnoticed.

“Who does she think she is to pull something like that?” one of the women muttered.

“That wasn’t magic, was it? It couldn’t have been. How could a kid do something like that?” another chimed in, her voice low but full of intrigue.

“If it was magic, she’s insane,” added another, letting out a nervous laugh.

María closed her eyes for a moment, pressing her lips together as she held back the urge to respond.

‘Insane? How can they say that after she saved them?’ María thought, frustrated.

But as the comments continued, and despite not wanting to draw attention…

Just as María was about to speak, three city guards entered with firm steps, their armor clinking with each movement.

The leader, a tall and burly man, spoke in a deep voice:

“Where’s the one responsible for the incident?”

One of the employees, nervous and trembling, pointed toward the room where the manager had taken Aria.

“In there… she’s with the manager.”

The guards nodded and began heading toward the room, their boots echoing against the floor.

María clasped her hands together in a pleading gesture and closed her eyes briefly.

‘Please, let this not get any worse…’

“Excuse me…” said a female voice beside her.

María opened her eyes and turned to see a young employee with light brown hair and green eyes looking at her curiously.

“Are you Ethan’s daughter?”

The question caught María off guard, and she furrowed her brow slightly before laughing incredulously.

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That was her father’s name!

Of course, she knew that name!

And it was the name she hated most in the world!

“Ethan? No, I don’t know anyone by that name. I’ve never met or would ever associate with someone called that.”

The employee laughed too, covering her mouth with one hand.

“I knew you’d say that. The man said that’s exactly how his daughter would respond.”

María raised an eyebrow, maintaining a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

‘That bastard!’ María cursed inwardly but couldn’t admit defeat.

María would double down, even if it meant feigning ignorance!

“Look, I have no idea who this Ethan guy is, but I’m definitely not his daughter.”

“Really?” the girl pressed, tilting her head with a mischievous smile. “You’re not María Glutten?”

She’d said it.

She’d said her full name!

María crossed her arms, adopting a casual air.

“I’ve never heard a name so ridiculous in my life. And if that name carries that last name, then whoever named that person has terrible taste in naming.”

The employee burst out laughing, leaning slightly forward.

“You’re as sharp-tongued as he said.”

“W-What are you talking about?” María asked, eyeing the young woman with evident confusion.

The employee stopped laughing and looked at her with a touch of curiosity.

“Nothing, nothing. It’s just… I find it curious that you’re raising a child with that kind of talent.”

An opportunity!

Even though María knew the employee had her cornered, she had to seize the chance to change the subject!

“Aria is an exceptional child,” María said, her voice brimming with pride. Then, her tone grew more severe.

“What I don’t understand is why some of you make such disparaging comments about her when she clearly saved all of you.”

The employee smiled, raising her hands in a conciliatory gesture.

“You’re right. She was brave. But you also have to understand that this city has rules. And one of the most important is not using magic without supervision…”

“What? That’s utter nonsense,” María replied, narrowing her eyes in annoyance. “We were in danger just moments ago, or have you already forgotten?”

The young woman seemed ready to reply, but before she could, a guard who had been lingering nearby decided to step in.

“What did you just say?” he asked in a deep voice, slowly unsheathing his sword.

His eyes locked onto María’s with an intimidating intensity.

‘How had the situation escalated so quickly… and against her!?’

Without a doubt… ‘This had to be her father’s doing!’

María instinctively took a step back, her face paling.

“I…”

“Retract that,” the guard ordered, pointing his sword at her. “Insulting this city’s laws is an insult to Count Roderic. And we won’t tolerate anyone, least of all a commoner, insulting his name.”

María opened her mouth to speak, but no sound came out.

Her hands trembled slightly as she tried to think of something to defuse the situation.

Before she could respond, the doors to the room where Aria was opened.

image [https://i.imgur.com/HxGOirV.png]

Everyone turned to see the small figure emerging, flanked by the other two guards and the manager.

Aria walked with her characteristic cold and serene demeanor, utterly unfazed by the tension filling the room.

Her eyes briefly met María’s before shifting to the guard holding the sword.

“What are you doing?” Aria asked, her voice calm but cutting through the air like a blade.

The guard escorting her stopped in his tracks, as did the others.

The man pointing his sword at María lowered it slightly, though his face showed irritation and confusion.

“This woman was insulting the Count, miss,” he said, attempting to justify his actions.

“Insulting…?” Aria repeated, tilting her head slightly, her gray eyes fixed on him as if analyzing him. “All I see is an armed man threatening an unarmed woman.”

The guard swallowed hard, unsure how to respond.

The other guards exchanged glances before one of them stepped forward.

“Miss Ascent, please don’t misunderstand the situation.”

Aria didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she turned her gaze back to María, who remained frozen in place, before returning her attention to the guard who had spoken.