Millano Capital

The time has come for Kali to go to the capital. She will be travelling ahead first since Theo and Gio have not yet arrived from the Venture and Konrad has to finish some work with the territory. They said they will follow a few days before the debutante ball.

She looks out the window and does not feel happy at all. Aside from the fact she is going to dance and socialize in a party she doesn't want to be, from the count's territory to Millano Capital she had to ride a carriage, like any noble lady should. Ten days travel via carriage is something too dreadful for her to endure. Carriage rides will slowly kill her with nausea. With this scenario on her mind she decided to wear her formal suit suitable for horseback riding.

*Knock knock

"Enter."

"Your Grace." Kali bow respectfully towards the busy count.

"At ease. what is it?"

'I will go to the capitol riding a horse.' She declared her non negotiable demand. She can ride alone now that she has aced her horse riding class.

"You are travelling through the Teleportation Portal." Konrad said without looking at Kali. His eyes had been glued to the papers he was reading.

Kali grimaced as she asked. "How many?"

"3."

"Can I reject it?" She hated teleportation more than the carriage ride.

"You can, but you have to go straight to the palace, since you will arrive just in time for the ball and your dress. Have you found one? It should go with shoes and accessories."

Kali grinds her teeth at bombardment of questions and the serious tone of the Count. She knows the count is aware that she had to go to the capital days before the ball, not during the ball. She also had no dress, shoes nor accessories fit for the debutante ball. All her dresses are quite simple. She swallowed a sigh.

"I'll see you in a few days, your grace." She bowed down and left the office.

Konrad glances at the closed door and the corners of his mouth slightly arch up before he returns to his work.

Kali loses all her energy and feels lethargic as she rides to town for the first portal. The townspeople gather in the portal area to see Kaleena Alexanders, the young lady that returned after 5 years.

"Oh my, is that the young lady? She really has beautiful black hair."

"Her eyes are just like our Lord. "

"Nobles are really different. Do you know where she was for five years?"

"Hmm. . . Who knows, but she came out of the Monster Forest right?"

Speculations and rumors didn't cease for the past two months. Aside from being the Count's daughter her unique appearance, her black hair, was the talk of the town.

Kali rides to the portal on her black horse. She could hear the town's cheer and when she looked at them the crowd cheered louder.

'Ugh' Kali raised her hand and gave a small wave to the townspeople awkwardly.

*Crowd Cheer*

"Noble Obligation." She muttered weakly. She glances back at the portal and struggles to keep a straight face at the sight of the portal. Its blue and white mana spinning spiral space. There are five magicians opening the portal. Portals like this require lots of mana and money to hire someone competent enough to open one and connect it to another one.

"Safe!" One knight emerges at the other side of the portal; several knights enter first.

"Young Master." Vico motioned for her to enter. He will be escorting her to the capital in place of the Alexanders.

She sighed and went inside. When she passed through it, her vision spun around and her insides felt like they were being juggled and twisted. The trip lasted only a second. She passes through a portal and exits in another town.

She hugged the neck of the horse as she closed her eyes for a while to stop herself from falling. It was a weird picture to see but she rather let them see this than her puking all over.

'Two more.' She weakly thought.

Kali arrived in the Count's Residence just outside the capital. Tami and Rissa who went with her. Kali greeted the servants briefly before she let Tami and Rissa assist the half conscious in her bedroom and left her to rest. If Kali were to describe this experience it would be a near death experience.

Kali woke up by a gentle knock on the door. Her dinner was sent to her room. She thanked the servant and sent her away.

She didn't see her room earlier because of her terrible condition but now that she is seeing it. It is just a plain lilac room with huge windows. Smaller than the room she had back in the territory but it is clean but obviously old.

She finishes her dinner and dresses in comfortable training clothes. She went outside and saw Vico waiting by the door. She didn't say anything and he just followed her quietly. She looks at the outdated interiors of the mansion. The mansion is spacious and clean but its furniture is antique and in need of replacement.

'The mansion is even located outside the capital.'

Kali was approached by the servants and butlers to assist her but she politely sent them away saying she wanted to walk around a bit.

They walk in silence. They reach the corridor leading to the outer garden. The garden has no flowers, only well trimmed bushes and several trees. The night begins to get deeper but the moon has not yet to show.

"Sir Vico, is the Alexanders' Family struggling financially?" She asked as she walked to the lonely garden.

'The count is working non stop, are they in debt?' She thought.

"Young Master, I have no knowledge about the finances of the family."

"You are familiar with the capital right?"

"Not Entirely"

"I see. . ."She lowered her eyes and looked far ahead. It's dark and eerily quiet.

"You know who I am right?" She continued to say.

" . . ."

"You know I am not the real Kaleena."

Vico's eyebrow twitched at her words then he met Kali's black eyes. She had removed the ring Konrad gave to her.

"Young ----"

"Dropped the act." She said it lazily. Vico's eyes stopped shaking as he straight hit and stared at her indifferent eyes.

Without the moon, the garden was not illuminated. Vico's hair and eye color were darker than usual. They can be mistaken in black color.

"Since when did you know?"

"I had a vague idea the first time I met you. You were the only one who didn't look happy at all, besides after you appeared the presence of the person watching me disappeared."

". . ."

"Of course I consider it can just be a coincidence but something about you that bothers me so I was careful to watch you. You are always alone and distanced except for Sir Yurik. Both of you watched Kaleena grow up. He told me many stories about Kaleena's childhood since he believes I lost my memory but you are different. You . . . you are watchful around me. You report my activities to his grace?"

"My lord is right about you." He said it in inaudible voice

"Well, it is expected. It's not like I don't understand. Sir Vico, I am curious about one thing. Are you an assassin?"

"..?!"

" You and the servants from the old mansion belong to Count's hidden force, right? I know you don't belong to any division. If you were wondering how I knew, it is simple, your footsteps and breathing. It is soundless and controlled, almost impossible to hear, that's why I know. "

Vico scowled. He can't refute any of her words.

"No need to be alarmed, It is perfect. I am just extremely sensitive in my surroundings. . ."

With Kali's experience with Monster Forest where she exposes her body to different poison, her animal instinct to stay alive while she is in a weakened state, were honed and sharpened. The fact that someone is watching and tailing her constantly made it more natural to her.

That's all the reason she knows they are alone in the garden.

". . . though it's hard to sleep at night with you watching me." Kali looks above and gazes at the moonless night sky.

Vico remembers her being uncomfortable in her bed and sighing before picking up a book and sitting by the window. Vico thought it was strange because she obviously looked tired. He thought maybe she was suffering from insomnia. It was common and ordinary to feel that way in a new environment but he never thought it was because of him.

"What are you planning?"

"Luna, my wolf."

". . ."

"I won't force you to come but I am warning you to stay out of my way."

Vico knew right away her agenda but how will she achieve it, he is curious about it.

"Did the master allow this?"

"ofcourse, who do you think will give me the information?"

"What do you need me to do?" Vico's new tone is more comfortable to Kali.

"I just need some simple things."

She smiled a little as she breathed the cold night air.