As the day unfolded in the Balmount Kingdom, the bustling streets gave way to the serene yet foreboding atmosphere of the Countess's office. The room exuded an air of sophistication, with intricate wood paneling and soft streams of sunlight filtering through ornate curtains. Behind a meticulously organized desk devoid of books or clutter, the Countess sat poised, her elegant attire a statement of her noble station. She wore a long-sleeved blouse with intricate lace details, paired with a high-collared vest adorned with mystical symbols, and a flowing pleated skirt that added a touch of regality. Her amber-gold eyes sparkled with a smile as they locked onto Mira, who sat across from her.
Mira, dressed in her paladin uniform, presented a stark contrast. Her short, lavender-purple hair framed her face, and her forest-green eyes carried a blend of caution and irritation. She couldn't help but wonder why the Countess had summoned her, the uncertainty gnawing at her thoughts. Mr. Kaito, dressed in his usual unassuming attire, moved silently about the room. His presence was both comforting and unsettling as he meticulously set two teacups on the desk.
The teacups were works of art, adorned with delicate floral patterns in gold and white, their rims elegantly curved. The teapot he used to pour the tea matched the set, its handle carved in the shape of intertwining vines. Once he was done, he stepped back, bowing deeply.
"Thank you, Kaito. You may leave," the Countess said, her voice soft but commanding.
"Yes, my lady," he replied, taking the teapot with him and leaving the room with a quiet click of the door.
The Countess picked up her teacup, savoring the aroma before taking a small sip. She glanced at Mira, who had yet to touch her tea.
"Is the tea not to your liking, Mira?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.
Mira sighed, the tension in the room thick. She cautiously picked up the cup, took a tentative sip, and was surprised by the rich, comforting flavor. Placing the cup back down gently, she replied, "It's fine, Countess. The tea is quite good."
The Countess smiled warmly. "I'm glad to hear that. This particular blend has been a family favorite for generations."
Mira, however, was not one for idle pleasantries. Leaning forward slightly, she asked, "Countess, why have you summoned me? Surely this isn't just for tea."
The Countess chuckled lightly, placing her cup back on the desk. "Always in such a rush. That's precisely why I've never bothered to offer you my help before. You lack... patience."
Inwardly, Mira bristled but kept her expression neutral. Help? You've done nothing but avoid me, ignoring every effort I've made to reach out, all while making my duties more difficult.
The Countess opened a desk drawer, withdrawing an envelope, its edges sealed with an intricate wax insignia. Placing it deliberately on the desk, she leaned back.
"This," she began, "contains what you've been seeking for quite some time. Am I wrong?"
Mira's hand instinctively reached for the envelope, but the Countess placed a firm hand over it. "However," she continued, "accepting this means you'll work with me—on my terms. Everything I say must be carried out without hesitation."
Mira frowned, folding her arms across her chest. "I should've known. You never give anything without expecting something in return."
The Countess feigned a hurt expression, her lips curving into a soft pout. "How cruel of you to say. I'm merely trying to share some valuable information. Is it wrong to expect a little gratitude?"
Mira scoffed, not buying it. "Gratitude? You're not the type to hand out favors without strings attached. What's your angle this time?"
The Countess let out a light, almost melodious laugh. "You wound me, Mira. I've always admired your sense of justice. Isn't it natural to offer help when I see your righteous fire burning out of control?"
"Help?" Mira shot back, her voice tight with suspicion. "More like meddling. If you really wanted to help, you wouldn't wait until it benefits you."
A knowing smile spread across the Countess's face as she delicately set down her teacup. "Ah, but you misunderstand. I may be a Countess, but even I have my limitations. I can't simply act recklessly and jeopardize everything I've built."
Mira raised an eyebrow. "So, you're saying you're powerless? That's a joke. You've got the influence to turn the tide if you wanted to."
Sephrina gave a soft hum of agreement. "Perhaps. But influence doesn't equate to safety. There's a delicate balance to maintain. Push too hard, and the consequences can be… dire."
Her gaze flickered, hinting at some unseen danger, but Mira wasn't swayed. "So you're content to let things rot around you?"
"Rot?" The Countess chuckled, her tone calm yet strangely sharp. "No, no. I'm simply ensuring that the rot doesn't spread to me. After all, the world doesn't move by good intentions alone. Even heroes like you sometimes overlook the cost of your actions."
Mira's eyes narrowed. "Stop talking in circles. If you're going to make a point, make it."
The Countess leaned back, folding her hands in her lap. "Very well, Mira. Allow me to refresh your memory. Your subordinates have been causing quite a stir, haven't they? Stirring up rumors, poking at the hornet's nest without thinking of the aftermath."
Mira stiffened, her eyes flashing with defiance. "I don't know what you're talking about. My subordinates haven't done anything worth troubling over."
Sephrina's lips curled faintly as if savoring Mira's response. "Perhaps. Or perhaps you've chosen not to notice. After all, your heart has always bled for the innocent, hasn't it? You wouldn't want to believe they'd overstep their bounds."
"What are you implying?"
Instead of answering directly, Sephrina gestured to the envelope on the table. "Why don't you take a look inside? I wouldn't want to make baseless accusations."
Mira hesitated for just a moment before snatching the envelope, tearing it open with impatient hands. As she scanned the contents, her expression shifted—confusion giving way to shock, and finally, boiling anger. Her hands trembled, and her knuckles turned white as she crumpled the document into her fist.
Sephrina watched with a detached calm, picking up her teacup once more. "You seem upset," she said quietly, her voice tinged with false sympathy.
"How could you?" Mira's voice shook with fury. "How could you ignore all of this when you have the power to stop it?"
Setting her cup down, Sephrina looked directly into Mira's eyes, her own gaze cold and calculating. "And what, exactly, would you have me do about it? These things happen, Mira."
The paladin's frustration reached its peak, and she hurled the crumpled paper at Sephrina, her breathing ragged. "What would I have you do? You have all the evidence right in front of you, and you're asking me that? These are children—children! Used as sacrifices for gods know what! Stones designed to destroy the minds of the innocent! And the Bloodbound Covenant is here, right under your nose, and you sit idle!"
The Countess pressed her palms against the desk, leaning forward with an intensity that seemed to darken the room. "And you think I'm just sitting idle? You think I'm twiddling my thumbs while horrors unfold?" Her eyes narrowed, and her voice became sharp and biting. "You're as naive as ever, Mira. This is why the queen keeps the Paladin Knights at arm's length—you act on impulse without seeing the bigger picture."
"Bigger picture? You're just making excuses to avoid responsibility!"
Sephrina's lips pressed into a thin line as she regarded Mira with a calculating gaze. "And you? Running around brandishing your righteousness like a blade, cutting through obstacles without thinking of the debris left behind. The Bloodbound Covenant is the most dangerous group in existence, feared and untouchable. If I move against them, I'll be dead by morning. Tell me, paladin—what makes you think your gallant ideals will accomplish anything when the world itself thrives on exploitation and deceit?"
Mira gritted her teeth, unwilling to back down. "That doesn't excuse turning a blind eye to the cries of the weak!"
Sephrina's laugh was low, almost mocking. "The weak? The weak stay weak unless they possess the mentality to rise above their station. Only those who refuse to remain at the bottom claw their way up. And those 'so-called children' in slavery? What makes you so certain it wasn't their own parents who sold them out for a handful of coins? You're a joke, Mira. The Paladin Knights are a joke—barking dogs with no teeth."
Mira shot to her feet, shaking with barely contained fury. "Mind you, Countess, the Paladin Knights were explicitly ordered not to interfere in the kingdom's affairs."
Sephrina leaned back with a sly, victorious smile. "Oh, so it's true. Then I don't see why you're here, raising your voice at me. Your presence alone could be construed as a violation."
The remark struck a nerve, and Mira felt the sting of bitter truth threading through her resolve. She hated it—how Sephrina could twist reality and leave her questioning herself. Clenching her jaw, Mira forced herself to remain steady.
"Good day, Countess."
She stormed out, the door clicking shut behind her with an air of finality. Sephrina watched the empty space for a moment, a flicker of disappointment in her gaze before she sighed and murmured to herself, "She forgot to finish her tea."
Moments later, the door opened, and Mr. Kaito stepped in, his eyes falling on the scattered documents.
"My lady?" he asked, concern lacing his tone.
Sephrina smiled lightly, gesturing to the mess. "Please, Kaito, help me tidy this up."
He nodded, entering and closing the door behind him before collecting the papers and arranging them neatly on her desk. As he worked, he glanced up. "How did it go with Lady Mira, my lady?"
The Countess tilted her head back, her gaze fixed on the ceiling, a sly smile curling her lips. "Oh, nothing worth thinking about. Mira will take care of things from here."
Kaito placed the last of the documents in order, his brows furrowing slightly. "But, my lady, won't that create more trouble for you?"
The Countess faced him with an amused smile. "Oh, it certainly will. But I've already made my preparations. Let her handle it. Now, entertain me, Mira."
The scene shifted, showing Mira striding angrily through a bustling crowd, her frustration palpable.
Back in the Countess's office, she sipped her tea and glanced at Kaito.
"Have the other matters been delivered to the queen?"
"Yes, my lady," Kaito replied with a respectful nod. "The queen is quite pleased with the results."
The Countess's smile deepened as she swirled the tea in her cup. "Good. Now let's see how everything unfolds."