At Eliana’s bright smile and cheerful words, Velkirei showed no reaction.
He simply remained seated, his pupils unfocused as he continued pretending not to see.
"This is the attendant I promised to bring you last time. Do you like her?"
Hera spoke to Velkirei in a gentle voice.
Velkirei turned his gaze toward the direction of the voice and gave a faint smile.
His languid voice echoed softly.
"I am sure Mother selected her well."
"I am only grateful that you trust your mother so much."
"I will serve you diligently, Your Majesty."
Eliana bowed deeply.
As expected, he gave no response.
"Still, seeing him this close… Velkirei really does not look human. How can someone possibly look like this?"
His face had a strange charm that made one stare without realizing it.
At that moment, Hera introduced Eliana to Velkirei.
"This child’s ability manifested rather late. Marquis Demeter had been sponsoring her."
"Marquis Demeter?"
Velkirei reacted to the name Demeter.
"Demeter… That must be the man who volunteered to become my sponsor in Hera’s stead this time."
Eliana did not know exactly which Demeter they were referring to, so she simply listened silently.
He had never appeared in the original story, yet his name kept being mentioned, which felt oddly unsettling.
"I heard that after learning the count had been abusing Eliana, he volunteered to sponsor her. As someone devoted to the gods, he must be a very compassionate man."
"Abuse…"
Velkirei slowly drew out the word.
Eliana’s expression stiffened at Hera’s sudden exposure of her family affairs.
Although it was not abuse she herself had experienced, having it revealed by someone else did not feel pleasant.
When Eliana remained silent, Velkirei offered a casual consolation.
"You must have endured much."
"It is all in the past now."
Eliana replied with a bitter smile.
If she had remained in Mushe Castle, it might have become abuse inflicted upon her as well.
Velkirei smiled faintly and whispered gently.
"From now on, I will cherish you. So be at ease."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"It seems Your Majesty is pleased with Eliana. As her mother, that makes me very happy."
Watching Velkirei’s reaction, Hera smiled with satisfaction.
Both of them were smiling, yet neither seemed trustworthy.
Eliana felt afraid that the sharp blade hidden behind those smiles might turn toward her at any moment.
Neither Velkirei nor Hera seemed to be offering comfort for her sake.
From that day forward, Eliana Mushe began living in a side chamber directly beside the Emperor’s bedroom.
It was close enough that she could run to him whenever he summoned her.
Thus Eliana began a dangerous cohabitation with the man who might one day kill her.