Book 1: Chapter 37 - Cornelia [Part 2]

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Together they followed the butler’s measured pace along a paved path lit by lanterns of delicate ironwork. The scent of roses and the distant trickle of the fountain gradually gave way to the warm glow of candlelit corridors. As they approached the main dining hall, she could not help but wonder what the Count truly suspected—and whether his questions were merely small talk or the start of a deeper dance. No matter, there was another, more important thing, on her mind.

Giving her apologies, Seraphina claimed that she needed to see to her appearance in the powder room. Instead, she ascended the stairs toward her private chambers. Halfway up, a strange sound drifted up from below—something metallic and out of place in these refined surroundings.

Peering down, her heart gave a startled lurch. She glimpsed a rag-clad boy, filthy and trembling, his back marred by angry red welts and his ankles bound in pitted iron chains. What on earth was a peasant child doing here? He gave a thin, pitiful cry before several hulking members of the household staff rushed forward and whisked him out of sight.

Ah, so that was the reason the Count had no heirs. It seemed his perversions ran deeper and darker than the elegant veneer he presented to the world. Still, she reminded herself that she was in no position to judge. The man’s proclivities were his own. If the old man’s pleasure lay in tormenting peasants, so be it. The only immediate concern for her was how to turn this discovery to her advantage.

Knowledge like this was a powerful currency. She could wield use it to twist the Count into an ally if ever the need arose. Yes, blackmail might prove quite useful in the future.

Once inside her guest room at the de Viseracs estate, she took a moment to ensure nothing had been disturbed. The mysterious egg—her strange and risky investment, purchased from Lucalle’s Ford—rested beside her bed, kept warm by a steadily burning candle. She strongly suspected it to be a monster’s egg, and she intended to be present at its hatching. According to the rules of the game she knew so well, the creature would imprint on the first living being it encountered.

The egg scraped and scratched more insistently than it ever had during the carriage journey. It was close—she could feel it. If she had to, she would excuse herself from dinner. Missing a dreary meal was a small price to ensure the beast would bond with her.

Of course, if it emerged too monstrous, she would end it without mercy. And as for Gage Barrelmaker, who had sold her this dangerous curiosity—well, she would see him strung up by his ankles and whipped until death was a mercy.

Drawing up a chair she waited.

Seraphina settled into the chair, her heart thrumming with anticipation as the scratching intensified. She leaned close, the last of the sun’s light dancing over her face, and felt the tension in the air crackle. Then, with a gentle crack and a series of minute splintering sounds, the shell parted. A tiny white head—smooth and pearl-like—poked through. She stiffened, hand hovering near her dagger just in case. But what emerged was no monstrous terror. Instead, it was a delicate white snake, barely fifteen centimeters long, its tiny scales shimmering with a soft luminescence.

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“Oh my,” she whispered, reaching out slowly. The snake flicked out a long, red-forked tongue, tasting the air and, at last, her skin. Its golden eyes met hers, focusing on something within her. In that moment, something ineffable passed between them—a binding of wills, a silent pact. Seraphina could feel it in the marrow of her bones before a notice flashed across her inner vision.

You have learned Monster Taming (lvl.3)

She had gained a level in monster taming! she exclaimed inwardly.

The snake showed no sign of fear as it flicked its tiny tongue, tasting the air. In fact, it looked positively adorable, with its button-like nose and perfectly rounded head. Soon enough, it set upon the remnants of its shell, crunching quietly, devouring every broken shard. When finished, it lifted its head and looked at her expectantly. Seraphina, still marveling at her beautiful new pet, wondered what it might one day become. Would it grow large and venomous enough to harvest poison from? Venom to tip her knives, perhaps, or to concoct subtle elixirs that guaranteed compliance or death with Eloise’s help? She smiled wickedly to herself, stroking the snake’s smooth head with a single fingertip, cooing to it as she did so.

“I will have to think about a name for you…” she whispered to it in a silly voice that all pet owners use. “How about Cornelia, my little one?”

The small reptile gave a small hiss, perhaps of approval.

Testing its appetite, she held out a small wedge of dried fruit. The snake flicked its tongue once more, then took a neat bite. Surprisingly, it ate the fruit without hesitation. Emboldened, she offered a scrap of tough travel jerky. The snake gobbled that up as well, bobbing its tiny head in what seemed like approval. It was omnivorous then—very unusual indeed. But then again, it had given her a level Monster Taming so she doubted that it was a normal animal.

She would have to make sure that little Cornelia was fed a lot so she would grow up quickly. Was her snake even a female? Did it even matter, the thing was so lovingly cute!

A sharp rap at her door broke the spell. “My lady?” called Miriam, her maid, voice quavering slightly. “Dinner is served, and the Count requests your presence.”

Seraphina’s lip curled slightly. “Tell him I shall be down shortly,” she said, lifting her voice just enough so that Miriam could hear. “He may begin the first course without me.”

“Of course, Lady Seraphina!” her maid squeaked back in answer.

Miriam’s footsteps retreated, and Seraphina turned back to her new pet. The candlelight danced in the snake’s curious eyes, and Seraphina’s mind whirled with new possibilities. The little creature wrapped itself around her arm, its scale feeling supple and smooth. For now, she had a dinner to attend—and she just had to tell everyone about Cornelia! Why today would be more than just a dinner, it would be a birthday party!