Aria stood in front of the mansion, the cool morning air brushing her face as the carriage waited with its doors open.

  Elizabeth was at her side, fidgeting with her apron with nervous hands, while María shuffled over, a crooked smile on her face.

  “Well, Aria, have a good one!” María said, raising a hand while scratching her neck with the other. But her eyes glinted oddly, more restless than usual, and her fingers trembled slightly as she waved goodbye.

  Aria tilted her head just a fraction, her light green eyes locking onto María for a moment.

  ‘She’s nervous,’ Aria thought.

  Before she could say anything, Elizabeth gave a little hop beside her, clapping quickly.

  “Miss, let’s go, let’s go!” she squealed, her voice pitching up with excitement as she pointed at the carriage. “We don’t want to be late!”

  Elizabeth’s fangs flashed for an instant, and she tugged Aria’s arm gently, urging her along.

  Aria turned her head to Elizabeth, nodding once.

  “Understood,” she said, her monotone voice slicing through the air.

  Without looking back, she climbed into the carriage with precise steps, leaving María biting her lip as her wave weakened.

  Elizabeth scrambled in after, nearly tripping on the step, and the coachman shut the door with a firm thud.

  The trip started quietly, the carriage’s rattle filling the silence.

  Aria gazed out the window, hands resting in her lap, while Elizabeth sat across from her, drumming her fingers on her knees.

  Esmeria, hidden in Aria’s shadow, had cleared the path earlier: bandits and monsters dumb enough to get close were shredded in the darkness, their remains left behind without Aria noticing.

  Three hours later, the carriage rolled into a city with wide streets and tall buildings.

  Aria tilted her head toward the window, her eyes tracing the wooden and stone structures.

  Elizabeth caught her looking and leaned forward with a nervous smile.

  “Miss, this is Count Albert Ascent’s city!” she said, her tone rising as she waved her hands. “Your father’s, of course! The humans here have made big strides lately. They’ve found ways to process wood faster, and…”

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  Elizabeth paused, scratching her cheek with a finger.

  “They’re building a railed road to connect to the capital. They say in a few years they’ll unveil a new kind of transport, but it’s still in the works!”

  Aria nodded slightly, her eyes not leaving the window.

  “Interesting,” she said, her flat voice echoing in the carriage.

  Before Elizabeth could go on, a low laugh rumbled from the shadow under the seat.

  “Well, look at you, turning into quite the researcher about these humans,” Esmeria remarked.

  Elizabeth frowned, crossing her arms with a huff.

  “Hey, don’t mock me!” she yelped, her voice hitting a childish pitch as she pointed at the shadow. “I just want Aria to be happy! What’s wrong with that?”

  Her fangs glinted for a second, and she leaned toward Aria, eyes shining as she waited for a reaction.

  Aria turned her head to her, her gaze locking onto the vampire without a blink.

  ‘She’s blatantly copying María,’ Aria thought, her mind dissecting the gesture with that cold logic.

  Elizabeth had always been emotional and clumsy, but this goofy, over-the-top act was new, like she was mimicking María shamelessly.

  Aria recalled how the vampire used to stay quiet most of the time, paired with the murderous intent she showed in fights, and this shift grated on her a bit.

  “Thank you for the information,” Aria said at last, her dry tone cutting the air.

  Elizabeth grinned wider, bouncing in her seat.

  “You’re welcome, miss!” she squealed, clasping her hands with a gleam in her eyes.

  The carriage stopped soon after in front of a large mansion—not as lavish as a royal palace, but striking.

  The building had gray stone walls with carved details and a wide courtyard where a few servants scurried around.

  There weren’t many carriages, but one stood out: white with golden trim, parked to the side like it screamed wealth.

  Aria tilted her head toward the window, noting the white carriage.

  Elizabeth, eyeing the same thing, frowned for a second, her hands tensing in her lap.

  “Hm,” she muttered, her smile twisting as she swallowed hard.

  Aria turned to her, her eyes narrowing slightly.

  “Why are you staring at that so hard?” Aria asked, her tone cold and exact.

  Elizabeth flinched, shaking her head fast.

  “N-no big deal, miss!” she yelped, flailing her hands frantically. “I just… got distracted! Today’s your special day, that’s what matters!” Her voice came out louder than needed, and she leaned toward Aria with a shaky smile, like she was forcing a topic change.

  Before Aria could reply, the carriage door swung open with a sharp thud.

  Two servants, a man and a woman in dark uniforms, bowed in unison.

  “Miss Aria Ascent!” the man said, his voice steady as he raised a hand in greeting. “Your father, Duke Leonard, awaits inside with the rest of the family. Welcome!” The woman gave a faint smile, bowing deeper, and gestured softly toward the entrance.

  Aria nodded once, stepping out of the carriage with precise movements. Her eyes scanned the courtyard for a second, catching the servants bustling about with preparations.

  Elizabeth clambered out behind her, tripping on the step and grabbing the frame with a squeak.

  “Ow!” she yelped, straightening up fast as she fixed her apron. “I’m fine, I’m fine!”

  “Let’s go,” Aria said, her monotone voice slicing the air.

  Elizabeth snapped her mouth shut, nodding quickly as she scurried to her side.

  “Y-yes, miss!” she blurted, her tone still wobbly as she followed Aria toward the mansion, Esmeria gliding silently in the shadow.