Depraved Noble: Forced To Live The Debaucherous Life Of An Evil Noble!-Chapter 537: The Colour Of One’s Soul

The carriage rattled over the cobbled main road of the estate as they crossed the main gate and ahead rose the grand silhouette of the Holyfield main mansion.

To its far right stood a smaller, more modern estate with high walls and a lush garden, unmistakably Cassius’s private mansion.

Aqua pressed her face slightly against the window, eyes sparkling.

"We’re almost there." She said, the excitement in her tone barely contained.

Maria smiled at her infectious energy before asking gently.

"You seem overjoyed, Aqua. Are you excited to meet your family again? Not just your brother and father, but everyone else too?"

At that question, Aqua’s bright expression faltered just a little. She leaned back in her seat, looking thoughtful.

"Actually..." She began slowly. "The only people in the main estate right now are my father and Cassius."

Maria blinked, surprised. "Only them?"

Aqua nodded.

"Yes. My mother and I, as you know, stay in the royal capital. My older brother lives there too, but separately—he married a princess, after all."

She said this with a slight shrug, her tone light but with a touch of resignation.

"Father’s third wife, the princess of the Dragon Race, is currently in the Dragon Territories handling some ancestral ritual or something."

"Her son—my half-brother—is married to the Princess of the Elf Race, so he’s living in her kingdom now."

"And as for her daughter—my half-sister—she’s off traveling with the Heroes’ Party somewhere."

Maria was surprised as she processed all that.

"Your family...truly is all over the world." She said with genuine astonishment. "Each one seems to be doing something significant!"

"A prince here, a princess there, a hero in another land—it’s incredible how well-connected the Holyfield family is."

"Oh, it’s not as glamorous as it sounds."

Aqua let out a small laugh, waving her hand modestly.

"Father always wanted to build powerful alliances. He used to say that the strength of a family isn’t just in its bloodline, but in the bonds it forms. So he made sure we were all tied to important factions—royalty, heroes, and ancient races."

She sighed, smiling faintly.

"I think that’s even why he married my mother in the first place—she was a princess of the Fairy Race. It was a political move, really."

There was a brief pause as her tone saddened further, and her eyes grew distant.

"But the truth is...the only people I truly feel close to are my mother, Cassius, and my stepmother."

"The rest...well, they’re my siblings, but not ones I grew up close to."

"You don’t get along with them?"

Aqua shook her head gently.

"They’re good people in their own ways, atleast I hope they can be. But they inherited Father’s pride, his obsession with power and status."

"They’re arrogant, always seeing themselves as superior. Even when we were younger, they looked down on Cassius and never treated him like family. They followed Father’s ways blindly."

Her voice darkened slightly as she looked out the window.

"Cassius was always the black sheep. The outcast. And I couldn’t stand that...so I stayed close to him. And ironically he’s one of the few who ever really treated me like a sister."

Maria listened quietly, a faint ache touching her heart.

"Noble families..." She murmured after a moment. "They can be so cold with their hierarchy and pride. Relationships twist and strain until all that’s left is duty, not love."

For a moment, her eyes drifted down, her mind flashing back to her own past—the politics, the betrayals, the cruelty that had shaped her life.

But she quickly shook her head, forcing a gentle smile back onto her lips.

"Forgive me, dear. I was lost in thought."

Then she leaned forward, trying to lighten the mood.

"Aside from your father and brother, is there anyone else here you’re looking forward to seeing?"

At once, Aqua’s mood shifted back to cheerful mischief.

"Yes! My dear Aisha!" She exclaimed, clapping her hands together. "I can’t wait to see that adorable little cat again! I just have to hug her and tease her so much!"

"I’ve also heard she’s still on the brink of becoming an Archmage—can you believe that?"

"Oh? Not there yet, is she?"

"Nope! Still not quite there! So when I see her, I’m going to tease her so much!" She said, puffing out her chest proudly. "I can’t wait to tease her about how I’m an Archmage, while she still isn’t! Her face is going to be priceless—all pouty and frustrated, like a grumpy kitten!"

Maria giggled at her enthusiasm. "You two must be close."

"Oh, we are! She gets embarrassed easily, but she’s so much fun to tease."

Aqua said with a bright smile.

"Not to mention, she’s like a little sister to me—and it’s been too long since I’ve seen her. I’m going to make sure she doesn’t forget who the older and stronger mage is."

Maria chuckled softly at Aqua’s enthusiasm.

"You know." She said with a fond smile. "I’m actually looking forward to having tea with Julie as well. It’s been quite some time since I last saw her."

"Julie? Oh, that clumsy knight!"

"Exactly." Maria giggled. "I just hope she’s become a little less accident-prone since the last time. The last time we had tea together, she managed to spill the whole pot on herself!"

"It was piping hot too—she jumped up and down in panic, flapping her arms like a startled bird. I shouldn’t have laughed, being a woman of faith, but oh...I couldn’t help it!"

She covered her mouth, still chuckling at the memory.

"I did feel guilty afterward, but she looked so adorably helpless that it was impossible not to laugh."

"That sounds exactly like her!" Aqua joined in, laughing lightly. "I swear, Julie could trip over her own shadow if given the chance."

Maria smiled warmly, then turned toward her daughter.

"And what about you, Joy? Is there anyone you’re looking forward to meeting?"

Joy, turned her gaze toward them and for once, there wasn’t sarcasm or cold indifference in her face—but a genuine, gentle smile. Even her eyes softened, glimmering faintly.

"I actually am." She said softly. "I really want to see Skadi again. That adorable little puppy...I just want to pat her head and rub her belly, and pray for her pure, innocent soul."

Aqua blinked in surprise.

"Oh, wow. I didn’t think that you would be actually excited for anything other then executing sinners."

Even Stella’s eyes widened a little in surprise. She leaned slightly toward Maria and whispered.

"I...didn’t know Saintess Joy and Lady Skadi were that close."

But it was Joy who answered.

"Of course we’re close. It’s only natural that I would be fond of someone like Skadi."

She said with a rare, genuine warmth spreading over her usually stoic face.

"After all, she has such a pure soul...so bright and untainted that it reminds me of a child untouched by sin."

Her tone turned soft, almost reverent.

"Even though she’s an adult, she carries that same kind of innocence...and it’s hard not to adore someone like that."

Hearing that, Stella’s eyes trembled a little as realization dawned on her. She remembered one of the divine blessings the Saintess possessed.

Soulbound Appraisal.

It allowed Joy to perceive a person’s essence, to see their moral and emotional nature through colors invisible to normal eyes.

It was said to be both a gift and a burden—a tool that let her judge truth from deceit, purity from corruption, and in the process, understand a person’s heart without a single word.

Aqua, now visibly intrigued, leaned forward.

"Oh right. I totally forgot you could do something like that. So...what about me? What colour is my soul?"

Joy studied her for a moment, before she said,

"Blue. A bright, vibrant blue. It means you’re endlessly bold, optimistic, and always looking toward the future. You have a spirit that’s full of life, always ready to explore and embrace what’s ahead."

Aqua’s eyes sparkled.

"Blue! That’s perfect! I love that!" She said cheerfully, clearly delighted. "See? Even my soul is stylish!"

Maria chuckled. "If that’s the case, then what about me? What color is mine? Has it changed since the last time you checked?"

Joy didn’t even hesitate.

"Warm yellow." She said softly. "Like sunlight. You spread warmth wherever you go, and your presence makes people feel at ease. You have a cheerful, comforting soul, Mother."

Maria’s face softened, her heart swelling. "Oh, my sweet girl...that’s the kindest thing you’ve ever said to in recent times.

Stella, who had been quietly listening, raised a hand hesitantly.

"Ahem...Lady Joy." She asked shyly. "Forgive me for asking, but...what about me?"

Joy turned to her subordinate with a gentle expression.

"Yours is bright purple." She replied. "It symbolizes loyalty and faith. You’re deeply devoted—to your beliefs, to your duty, and to the people you serve. It’s the color of someone steadfast and sincere."

Stella blinked, momentarily stunned—then smiled faintly, bowing her head.

"Thank you, my lady. That means more than I can say."

Aqua, however, leaned closer, still curious.

"So, wait..." She said. "With that power, couldn’t you, like...find all the bad people in the world? You could just look at their souls and be done with it, right?"

Joy shook her head.

"It doesn’t work that way." She said patiently. "A dark soul doesn’t always mean a bad person."

"Sometimes a soul darkens because of pain, grief, or endless struggle—not evil. Darkness can simply mean a heart that has suffered too long."

Her gaze lowered slightly.

"And even if I can see the color of one’s soul, I still need evidence. A soul gives me a glimpse, but judgment requires truth."

Aqua nodded thoughtfully, though a mischievous smile crept onto her lips.

"Then...what do you think my brother’s soul will look like?"

At that, Joy’s calm gaze turned colder.

"I doubt it will be pleasant." She said quietly. "If everything I’ve heard is true, I imagine his soul will be pitch-black, darker than the abyss itself."

"I’ve never seen a soul completely black before...but perhaps your brother will be the first."

Aqua immediately pouted, folding her arms.

"Oh, please! My innocent baby brother? Never! His soul is probably golden and glowing—so pure it would blind you!"

Joy’s lips curved into a teasing, almost ominous smile.

"Then you’d better pray that you’re right, Princess." She said softly. "Because if you’re not...you might not like what I see."

The tension in her voice hung faintly in the air for a moment—before the carriage slowed down, the sound of gravel crunching beneath its wheels.

Stella peeked out the window.

"We’ve arrived." She announced.

Aqua immediately leaned forward to look and right in front of them stood a graceful mansion, elegant yet calm in design. Lanterns flickered along the stone path leading up to the door.

A smile blossomed on her face.

"My brother’s mansion..." She whispered softly. "We’re finally here."

Joy merely crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"Then let’s see."

She murmured quietly.

"What kind of soul your brother truly possesses."