Sebastian opened the double doors with a bow, and as they swung wide, I caught the scent of oils and paint. Inside, Mother sat by the large windows leading to a balcony, her posture straight as she worked on her canvas.

Whenever no work was present, Mother was always in her art room. She had an office, yes, but she preferred staying here to further her art endeavors, and I could tell it was paying off. The paintings she held in high regard were hung over the walls, all depicting some sort of mesmerizing scenery.

Without pausing her work, Mother glanced at us and her eyes narrowed. “Who are you?” she asked, clearly referring to this stranger beside me.

I knew it, my suspicions were confirmed. Mother had never seen him before, which meant he really was not a butler in this house. But still, I kept my expression as indifferent as it always was, my eyes darting between Sebastian and Mother.

“You, what are you doing in my house uninvited, let alone standing so close to my daughter?” Mother said, her voice deep and sharp.

Sebastian’s reaction was swift, leaning forward slightly as he began his side of the story. “But, Your Grace, I have worked here for a long time! True, I rarely show my face around the manor, but I assure you, I work hard each day!”

His words sounded practiced. The note of his pleading was almost enough to make me believe him, if I didn’t already know better. I knew what I saw, his face looked way too disingenuous.

“Tell me your name and contract,” she said, her tone indifferent, “in full detail.”

“My name is Sebastian, Your Grace. I have served this manor for two years ever since you hired me personally. Surely, you haven’t forgotten?” His words came out smoothly, as if they were the truth itself.

“Hmph.” Mother placed down her brush onto the easel. She turned her chair slowly, facing us fully now. Her eyes were locked onto Sebastian, I could sense the air in the room had thickened. “You there,” she said, gesturing to the guard standing beside me. “Move Carine away from that man immediately!”

The guard didn’t even hesitate or question the order. He wrapped his arm around my waist gently, but firmly. My feet barely touched the floor as he rushed me to Mother’s side.

Am I really that light?

Well, things sure escalated quickly. As soon as the guard set me down, he drew his sword, but Mother motioned for him to hand it over. Without a word, he obeyed, and she gripped the weapon tightly, rising from her seat.

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Sebastian stood his ground, his face was that of utter bewilderment, as if he was an old man accused of something horrible.

“Now, ‘Sebastian’,” Mother said, pointing the tip of the blade to Sebastian. “Who sent you here? If I catch another lie from that tongue of yours, be assured you’ll be bringing it home inside a box.”

Mother is seriously cool right now.

The four of us stood perfectly still, none dared to make a move. After a long deafening silence, it was finally broken by a small chuckle.

And, oh no, it can’t be~? Sebastian was smiling and giggling like a maniac! Who could’ve predicted this?!

The guard had a worried look on his face, probably unsure of what he had caught himself into. I pulled him in though.

Mother’s gaze, cold and sharp, narrowed even more, locked entirely on the chuckling man.

Me? My face was barely any different. I wasn’t really shocked, I knew something was up with him as soon as he brought me breakfast. Seeing I was right, I didn’t know if I should cheer or be worried.

“So, that one didn’t work on you, huh?” Sebastian said with a sneering smile. “Meticulous people are the hardest to trick, after all.” His tone was less composed, more playful. His expression finally seemed genuine too.

Narrowed eyes, slight grin. It looked as if he was treating this entire thing as a game.

The air around him had changed completely. His smirk widened as he straightened up. “Well then, I suppose I must drop the act now. The name’s not Sebastian, sorry for deceiving you so.”

Of course, it wasn’t. No butler is named Sebastian, nothing could get that tropey.

Mother’s grip on the sword tightened, and I could see her eyes narrow even further. The guard beside me shifted uncomfortably, his hand gripped into a tight fist. That metal glove would still hurt even without a sword.

“I don’t care what your name is. You’ve tricked your way into this house, and I won’t hesitate to cut you down if you try anything foolish.”

‘Sebastian’ raised his hands in mock surrender, that grin never leaving his face. “Hold on, Your Grace. At least listed to my side of story first! I’m not your enemy, in fact,” he paused for dramatic effect. “I’m here to protect her,” he said while gazing at me.

“...Me?” I pointed to myself. I nearly rolled my eyes at that obvious lie.

“Protect my daughter? Explain yourself.”

“Gladly,” ‘Sebastian’ said. He took a step forward, seemingly not caring at the fact he was closing in on Mother’s blade. “That young lady may not realize this yet, but she possesses something special. A special ‘Talent’ you could say.”

I blinked. Wait, what?

The prospect of me having a special power. Was he referring to my eyes? I didn’t know for sure, but Mother spoke up before I could question it further.

“You really were just spewing nonsense,” Mother didn’t believe him at all, which kinda hurt not gonna lie. “To think I let you have the stage…”

“No, no, no! Wait a minute!” ‘Sebastian’ waved his hands like a merchant trying to bargain with a leaving customer. “Your daughter, she has less than five Talent Symbols, right?”

Mother’s eyes widened, her grip on the sword tightened even more. “How did you—?!”

It was my first time seeing Mother so shocked. ‘Sebastian’’s smirk grew wider when he noticed her reaction. He had struck something, for sure. But what was it?

I had a bad feeling about all this.

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image [https://i.imgur.com/RdC5Gde.png]