The mansion doors opened, and Nisya smiled as she stepped into the dining room. Leonor, who was happily eating, turned and grinned widely.

"Big Sis Nisya!" Leonor greeted.

Nisya walked over and saw Leonor eagerly eating the honey-seasoned smoked meat.

She also turned to the side and lowered her head respectfully toward Edmund.

"Did Sebastian already explain everything to you?" Edmund asked.

The woman softly cleared her throat and nodded. Sebastian had already explained everything, including Nisya’s new duty.

"That’s good. I’m glad you’re here to help Leonor, Nisya."

"I’m the one honored to receive your trust, Viscount Edmund."

Cheerfully, Leonor held out a piece of honey-seasoned smoked meat toward Nisya.

Nisya looked slightly surprised. She raised her hand, held the fork, and ate the smoked meat before wiping her lips with a handkerchief.

Edmund observed Nisya’s behavior. Even though she was only a servant, her table manners were worthy of praise.

While sipping his wine, Edmund thought Nisya was probably the right woman to guide and educate Leonor.

After all, Leonor looked cheerful and happy whenever she was with Nisya.

She would listen to Nisya more than she listened to Edmund.

Leonor’s drink arrived, its color much paler and lighter compared to Edmund’s wine.

Edmund smiled and explained that the drink was more suitable for Nisya. The woman tried it and immediately liked it.

"This tastes good and refreshing."

Edmund remained seated at the dining table, carefully watching Leonor.

The attention of all the maids in the room was also fixed on Leonor, finding the girl’s innocence adorable.

Fifteen minutes passed, and Leonor had finished all the food on the table.

"Ah, I’m full."

"I’m glad you liked the food, Leonor," Edmund replied.

"This food is delicious. Of course I like it."

Edmund finished the wine in his glass, showing that he was done drinking while accompanying Leonor.

He stood up and explained Leonor’s situation to Nisya. "That’s enough for today. Tomorrow, we’ll learn something else."

"You can take Leonor to her room. I still have some business to handle."

"Yes, Viscount Edmund," Nisya replied.

Just as Edmund was about to leave, the front doors of the mansion opened again. He thought Sebastian had arrived, but it was not him.

"Clara?" Edmund asked.

"Hi, Big Brother Edmund," the girl said. She was Edmund’s younger sister, Clara Aschwin.

She stepped into the dining room and saw a girl sitting at the dining table, wearing simple clothes, with messy hair, and used utensils scattered all over the table.

Clara did not say anything. She simply hurried toward Edmund and hid behind him.

"Who... is she?" Clara asked softly.

Edmund extended his hand toward Leonor. "She’s Leonor. She officially became my adopted younger sister."

"Leonor? That’s a nice name."

"Thank you. Your face is cute too," Leonor replied to Clara’s compliment.

"Thank you too. My friends say that a lot."

Leonor smiled, climbed down from the dining chair, and bravely stepped forward until she stood beside Edmund.

She stretched out her hand, which was still covered in smoked meat sauce. Edmund sighed, reached into his pocket, and took out a handkerchief.

Edmund cleaned Leonor’s hand before encouraging Clara to shake hands with her.

"I’m Leonor," Leonor said.

Clara briefly glanced at Edmund, and the man responded with a small nod.

After gathering her courage, Clara shook Leonor’s hand.

"I’m... Clara."

Edmund was happy that Leonor and Clara had finally met each other.

Since their ages were not that far apart, Edmund was sure they could become good friends.

"Nisya," Edmund called out, and Nisya stepped forward.

"Let Leonor and Clara play together. Watch over them," Edmund instructed.

"Yes, Viscount Edmund."

Nisya led Leonor and Clara toward one of the rooms where Leonor would stay.

The two girls nodded and followed Nisya.

Elsewhere, Edmund headed toward his study room. Leonor was already living in this house, but there was still no sign that the bond mission had been completed.

Maybe there are still many things I need to teach her. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

The door to Edmund’s study opened.

Unexpectedly, Sebastian was already inside the room, standing behind Edmund’s desk after entering through the open window.

"Just because you’re an assassin doesn’t mean you can use windows whenever you want," Edmund joked.

"Sorry. It was the fastest route. I need to tell you something," Sebastian replied.

"What is it, Sebastian?"

Sebastian took out a document and handed it to Edmund. The man accepted it and opened the contents. It was a guild mission registration certificate.

"According to my informants, there are no high-grade monster cores in the city. So I posted a mission at the guild," Sebastian explained.

"And? Did any adventurers take it?"

"The last time I checked, an A-rank adventurer party had already accepted the mission," Sebastian explained. "Their estimated return time is two to three weeks."

Edmund nodded with satisfaction, stepped toward his desk, and placed the document on top of it. "We can’t wait for them. Send similar missions to guild offices in other cities."

"I’ll do it, Lord Edmund."

Sebastian stepped closer again, now standing right beside Edmund. The man whispered something into Edmund’s ear.

"The Police Department has already cooperated with Livden Academy. They’re sending investigator mages to help with the case," Sebastian whispered.

Edmund let out a sigh. Investigator mages possessed the ability to trace mana energy.

If they successfully identified the mana energy from the victims’ corpses and conducted a full investigation, they could catch Leonor.

"Let them," Edmund replied.

"Let them? Then what about Leonor?"

"I’ll forbid them from inspecting everyone inside the Aschwin Mansion. As long as Leonor doesn’t leave the mansion, they won’t know," Edmund answered.

"I understand. Should I do something about them?"

"There’s no need. Let them work. I hope they manage to find whoever killed the other four victims," Edmund said.

"So I won’t have to sacrifice civilians."

Sebastian nodded in understanding, knowing what Edmund was thinking and planning.

He turned and said goodbye to Edmund.

He needed to return to the Adventurer Guild office and ask them to send the mission request to other guild branches.

Edmund remained in his study, walking forward and standing right behind the glass wall while observing the front yard of the Aschwin Mansion.

"Leonor must never leave the Aschwin Mansion, no matter the reason."

"She has to stay here and learn basic noble etiquette from Nisya and Clara."

The man briefly turned his gaze toward his desk, which was piled high with documents waiting to be completed.

"Because no matter what, Leonor now carries the Aschwin name. Once she enters the academy, the Aschwin reputation will follow her."

"I wonder what comes to her mind when she hears about Livden Academy?"