"Here, this will be your room. My room is right across from yours. So if you find yourself bored, come over."

Shelly showed Rin his room, but even after showing him the room, she did not leave Instead, she stood outside his room, waiting for him to say something.

Rin had a vague idea of what she wanted based on her character setting, so he decided to cooperate.

"Shelly, I’m bored. Can I stay in your room tonight?"

Shelly broke into a huge smile and she nodded before dragging him along behind her.

It felt like he was entering the lion’s den on his own and Rin tensed for a minute. But once he lay down on the bed and nothing happened, he relaxed considerably.

’Besides, I am not even tied down this time. So isn’t this already different from the other two times?’

Rin’s mind felt more at ease after reassuring himself and he closed his eyes and fell asleep.

Next morning, Rin was not woken up by the yell of a ghost but rather by Shelly’s maid who shouted in panic..

"M-My lady! This is inappropriate! How can you allow a man to sleep in the same bed as you? Oh no! We can’t let anyone see this!"

The maid was having a panic attack but Shelly felt irritated enough to throw her pillow at the maid. The throw should not have caused any damage, but the pillow not only knocked the maid over but also left a mark on her face.

"Ugh, how many times have I told you not to wake me up in the morning? You woke Rin up as well."

Shelly seemed to be in a terrible mood and it felt unsafe to say anything to her. So Rin decided to follow her lead and follow her instructions.

For the first time since their childhood, Rin washed using the scents Shelly picked for him and wore clothes she picked him. He felt like an overly-dressed doll, but it was all well worth it to see the look on the Duke’s face.

...

"Rin, please understand that our Shelly is not a bad kid. She’s just...a little different from normal people. As long as you are willing to handle her with trust and patience, then she is no different from any other child."

It was often said that parents could be blind when it came to their children and their flaws. And there could not have been a better example compared to the Duke in front of him.

The man was ready to give everything to Rin, as long as he willingly embraced his daughter. But little did he know that his daughter was the one in control.

"Father, stop embarrassing me in front of Rin. And why are we heading to the imperial palace? Rin might get traumatised seeing those good-for-nothing people."

"Shelly...your language...Sigh...You have always been like this anyway. I wish your mother was here. You might have grown into a different person."

Rin blinked as he looked at the one-sided father-daughter bickering and he wondered if this was what Shelly would have been like if her father had raised her instead of her mother?

Somehow, it did not feel much different than the current Shelly he knew.

Or rather, if it would be more accurate to say that he could not imagine Shelly being any other way than how she currently was. Even her tendencies felt cute to Rin at this point in his life.

They did not have much time to think about it because the imperial palace came into view and they got off the carriage.

The Duke tried to help Shelly but she ignored his help and instead, extended her hand toward Rin to take. Rin immediately felt everyone looking at him as he was escorted out by a girl, but he kept his head held high.

Some of the guards snickered at the scene but their laughter quickly disappeared afterward.

...

The imperial court was in an uproar. All the princes that had joined hands with House Raven were shaking and trying to defend House Raven. But Albus was not willing to let the matter slide.

"Sir Raven, are you saying that these records are false? Then, do you have proof of where the true records are?"

Rin watched his father falter before searching for him in the crowd. Rin had no idea what that man was planning, but he had a feeling it involved him this time.

"M-My son Rin would be able to tell you where those records are. Rin, use those weird powers of yours and locate those papers for me. I know you can do that. You told me you could hear those voices that tell you things-"

When someone who has only ever lived in luxury is suddenly thrust in a situation they have no control over, they quickly lose their reason. Rin had the perfect example right in front of him.

Everyone turned to look at Rin for how he would respond and Rin had already prepared the final blow.

"Father, do you want me to lie? I can tell the court that you were not the one who went after the royal treasury, or that you did not mean to accidentally help those princes commit tax fraud. Or maybe you want me to serve as a witness to that ’special party’ that is enjoying so many privileges."

Rin knew that his father did not have a hand in all of this personally. But people had used his name to commit all kinds of acts. Not only that, but whatever evidence that was missing had already been planted by Albus.

The emperor looked shaken and he immediately turned towards Rin’s father with his body trembling with rage.

"You all-! Did you want to make fun of me? I will not forgive you all. Albus, you are my only heir now. Everyone else will have to pay. I will review your crimes and deal with you appropriately. And House Raven will be no more from this day forward."

A huge burden lifted from Rin’s shoulders. The ghosts that had been clinging to him started to disappear one by one.

[Ding!]

[You have completed your mission. The world will expire in 1 day.]

Finally, this mission was finally complete. Rin looked at the sulking look on Shelly’s face. He did not see her like this often, so he felt compelled to ask her what was wrong.

"Shelly, is something wrong with your mission? Did you not complete it?"

Rin asked her and Shelly bit her lip before answering him.

"Well, not yet. There is something that is left before my mission can be considered complete."