After an unusual lunch, Ulrich left first just minutes ago, leaving the three sisters alone with his parting revelation. Tomorrow, they would make their first excursion to New Ruben, the Royal Capital built from the ground up by his own predecessors.

The news struck them all with a jolt of surprise. Both curiosity and anticipation rippled through the trio, though ’excitement’ was far too strong a word to describe Airam’s reaction. While a small part of her felt relieved at the prospect of finally stepping beyond the estate’s walls, a wariness anchored her thoughts.

For two years, the Rubenhart Estate had served as both a shelter and a gilded cage. They had lived like recluses, severed from the outside world. Now, they had no choice but to step out into the open. Airam’s anxiety ran deeper than mere social awkwardness; her fear stemmed from the dangerous fact that everyone out there knew they were witches. Walking through a bustling capital under such public scrutiny felt like marching onto a battlefield.

She wondered now if it was really a bad idea to go outside where they would be exposed.

"I still can’t believe we are actually going to the Royal Capital. I’m so excited!" Esther beamed, her voice echoing brightly as the sisters made their way down the wide corridors toward the larger room where their next lesson would be held.

"There is nothing to be excited about," Hermione scoffed, rolling her eyes.

"Aren’t you happy, big sister? You always loved those stories about princes and princesses," Esther teased playfully, looking at her sister.

"That was a very long time ago, Esther," Hermione replied, lifting her chin defensively.

"Um... that was only three years ago," Esther pointed out.

"Don’t say it!" Hermione snapped, her cheeks flushing red.

Among the three of them, Hermione guarded her image the most. She wanted to project a persona of flawless, unshakable strength like a real Archmage of Magic. In a way, she was trying to mirror Ulrich, though the comparison fell short. Ulrich never had to put on an act to appear perfect; he simply was a flawless noble, with impeccable etiquette.

Originally, Hermione hadn’t cared much about her manners. But after closely observing her beloved Grandmaster of Magic, watching his calm charisma in action, she had quietly decided to emulate him. Ulrich’s influence on her posture and tone was definitely there, too, even if she would rather swallow poison than admit it aloud.

"What lesson do we have next?" Airam asked, ignoring their bickering.

"Elder sister, you seriously don’t know?" Esther giggled.

As usual, Airam was simply drifting with the current, doing exactly what was asked of her without bothering to check the schedule. She had been the most reluctant to stay at the estate in the beginning. Yet, after deciding to remain until she grew strong enough to survive on her own, she had settled into a surprisingly meek and compliant routine. Of course, this obedience had limits. Whenever she did snap, she quickly reminded everyone exactly why she remained the most terrifying and feared sister of the trio.

"Airam doesn’t care about any of these lessons," Hermione sighed, crossing her arms.

"Is that so? I think big sister really likes Elana’s classes, though," Esther noted.

"Elana’s class?" Hermione repeated, staring at Esther in disbelief.

Elana Etton was their tutor for high court nobility. Her entire curriculum consisted of aristocratic etiquette, graceful stances, and the stifling behavioral rules expected of a high-born lady. It was the last subject Hermione ever expected her cold sister to tolerate, let alone enjoy.

"I think it’s just because Elana is so kind to her," Esther giggled, tilting her head toward Airam.

Airam offered no response, staring straight ahead as they walked. Esther wasn’t wrong. It certainly wasn’t the tedious lectures on curtsies and noble lineages that held her interest. Airam simply felt at ease in Elana’s gentle presence, maybe because she didn’t really force herself into her while being very considerate of her.

"Well, we have Elana’s class today. Good for you, Airam," Hermione grinned, a teasing lilt in her voice.

"I don’t like any classes," Airam replied dryly, keeping her gaze fixed straight ahead.

"You like Elana, though. I suppose she cares about you without being overbearing," Hermione conceded, before her expression hardened into something more serious. "But don’t forget, sister, we are leaving this place soon. There is no room to form any lingering attachments here." 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Airam scoffed. "Look who is speaking. I hope you won’t sob when you can no longer see that old man."

"I would never cry over that!" Hermione shot back immediately. Yet, almost as quickly, her confident mask slipped. A sour look crossed her features as the reality set in. She might never again learn from the Grandmaster of Magic, a man who had unwittingly filled the role of a stern but comforting grandfather figure. "At least... I don’t think I will."

"Hehe, big sister isn’t being honest," Esther giggled, hiding a smile behind her hand.

Hermione snapped her attention to the youngest sister, her eyes narrowing. "You have no room to talk, Esther. Out of all of us, you will be the one bawling the loudest when we leave. You won’t get to see your beloved Ulrich anymore!"

"S—Sister!!" Esther stammered, her face flushing crimson.

Watching the exchange, Airam felt darkness settle over her expression. She didn’t like seeing her sweet little sister react so strongly to the mere mention of Ulrich, yet she couldn’t entirely blame the girl.

Airam and Hermione knew the harsh truth of their existence. They had seen firsthand just how precarious and dangerous their position in the world truly was. Esther, however, had been shielded from that brutal reality, mainly by the presence of their mother. Their mother had been an unbreakable wall, a barrier standing between her daughters and any looming threats.

When she died, that wall shattered. Then, Ulrich appeared and stepped into the void. While the stoic Count was nowhere near as openly affectionate as their mother, he radiated the same aura of protection. For Esther, who was still reeling from the devastating loss of her mother, that security meant everything.

It certainly didn’t help matters that Ulrich, despite his best efforts to remain detached, was definitely kinder toward Esther. It wasn’t necessarily intentional on his part. But faced with Esther’s unfailing sweetness, her perfect behavior over the past two years, her constant gratitude, and her earnest attempts to reach out to him, his icy exterior had simply begun to thaw. It was nearly impossible for him to remain cold when confronted with such genuine warmth and honesty. Though Ulrich would never willingly show it, Esther had impacted him far more than he cared to admit.

Maybe the old Ulrich would have remained unaffected, but Ulrich was no longe just Ulrich because of his memories as Silas.

The sisters finally reached the wooden doors of the study hall.

"Oh goodness, I am already bored, and the class hasn’t even started," Hermione sighed, pushing the door open.

"That is quite rude, Lady Hermione," a calm voice replied.

Elana Etton stood waiting inside, her hands politely clasped behind her back and a serene smile resting on her lips.

Hermione froze, momentarily embarrassed at being caught, but she quickly covered it with a nonchalant shrug.

"Good afternoon, Elana!" Esther called out cheerfully.

"Good afternoon, Lady Esther," Elana replied, her smile softening.

As Airam stepped into the room, Elana turned that same gentle smile toward her. "Good afternoon, Lady Airam."

Airam met her gaze, offering nothing more than a brief, silent nod in return.

"Today’s lesson will mark a departure from our usual curriculum," Elana announced. "In fact, we will be undertaking a specialized training regimen for the next month. I have been informed that you will be attending a royal banquet in honor of the Princess’s birthday."

She paused slightly. "I will do everything in my power to ensure you are fully prepared to face such an environment. By the time that carriage arrives, you will know every nuance required to present yourselves flawlessly."

A single month was a brief window to prepare three isolated girls for one of the most prestigious events in high society. Perfection was the baseline expectation at the Royal Court, and the margin for error was entirely nonexistent. Yet, Elana had no other choice but to accelerate their education, skipping parts and hoping they absorbed it quickly.

"I expect you to take this preparation with the utmost seriousness," Elana continued, her gaze sweeping over the sisters. "Especially since we have a very special guest observing your progress this afternoon."

"A guest?" Esther asked, her eyes widening with excitement.

Elana offered a small smile and took a graceful step aside.

As her figure shifted, the girls finally noticed the presence lingering at the back of the spacious hall. Ulrich sat casually behind his desk, his posture as perfect as ever. He looked entirely settled, as if he had been waiting there for hours, even though he had been eating lunch with them just moments ago. How he had managed to beat them to the study hall without making a sound remained a mystery.

Hermione immediately grimaced.

Of course, it was him!

It seemed like he wouldn’t take his eyes off them for the next month.