Three days later, Selene lay on her bed, wrapped in the soothing effects of the protective barrier Magnus had placed around her. The barrier not only shielded but also exuded a calming aura to ensure she wouldn't be overstimulated again. Merly sat beside her, keeping an eye on her, ready to open the barrier should Selene need anything.
Since Merly was watching over her, Selene had to tell her that she was from another world and not tell anyone else. And in the three days she had been locked up, she also found out that Merly was a Knight class person. Selene doesn't know why she chose to be a maid, but she is not one to pry into someone else's business and believes Merly must have her reasons. Perhaps one day Merly would tell her herself.
Selene sighed inwardly as her mind still tried to process the horrific things that came from Dr. Valmont's memories: the girl he had taken in wasn't a homeless kid, as everybody had assumed, but an orphan who was living in an orphanage run by Ravencroft. Through his memories, it has been revealed that Dr. Valmont kidnapped her on false pretensions of routine checkups.
To make her compliant, he had been drugging and hypnotizing her daily, upping the dosage each time her system started to fight it; hence the overdose that had killed her in the original story. Even worse, following the damage childbirth had wrought, he had surgically removed her uterus so she'd never carry another child. Despite this, he was now planning on taking another girl and had even thought of making Selene his victim before changing his mind.
The deeper investigation revealed a web of complicity:
Five maids who had assisted Valmont.
A drug dealer supplying the illegal substances.
Two other physicians committing similar crimes.
The orphanage dean for failing to report the missing child.
A nun at the orphanage who had accepted bribes.
A knight who had looked the other way.
A total of twelve arrests were made, which stunned everyone throughout the estate.
Upon learning this, Selene's mind reeled, and she fainted again. As a precaution, Magnus had cast not only the protection barrier around her but had also deposited 50 big gold coins in her store interface for anything she might need. She was grateful for his attentiveness yet a part of her wondered where he could have learned such a complicated spell. The barrier's calming effects, however, dulled her curiosity, and she was content to just rest.
But what really shocked her was the reception that Magnus received after he had caused chaos. She had expected backlash or criticism after his rampage through the mansion, but instead, he received widespread praise. Many lauded him as a loving father fiercely protecting his daughter despite her status as a cursed child.
Others were indifferent, thinking that his actions were only practical for keeping Selene safe was the only reason the engagement to the crown prince would not be revoked. Whatever the case, Magnus was untainted by scandal, as steadfast in reputation as ever.
Selene sighed, tugging her blanket higher on her shoulders. Tonight, she would let the tranquility of the barrier soothe her and push all thoughts of Dr. Valmont's nefarious actions aside.
Selene let out a resigned sigh, tugging the coverlet higher over her shoulder blades. Tonight, she'd soothe herself with the soothing sounds of the shield that would keep all of tonight's musings on Dr. Valmont's underhandedness at bay.
As Selene sat there lost in thought, the door to her room creaked open and Magnus and Alaric entered. Heavy-laden with the same weariness, neither was the better for apparent nights without sleep.
A pang of sympathy hitting her chest, Selene flipped open her store interface and ordered snacks and fruit juice, setting them on the bedside table. It had become a sort of routine since what happened with Dr. Valmont for Magnus and Alaric to visit her room. As much as she was under strict orders of rest, the looming death flags over her future meant planning for her survival couldn't really wait.
Magnus plopped into a chair beside the bed with a groan, and Alaric followed suit, slumping into the other. Both sighed in unison, their fatigue palpable.
Magnus muttered a tired, "Thank you," as Selene handed them two cups of coffee. He took a sip, visibly relaxing as the warmth of the drink seemed to revive him slightly. Alaric followed, flashing her a small, grateful smile before gulping down half the cup.
The trio sat for a while without saying much to one another.
Straightening, Magnus eyed Selene. "Two more have been taken in."
Her eyes widened at his words. "Two more?
Magnus nodded grimly. "A maid and a gardener."
"Why?" she asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.
Magnus shook his head. "That's not for you to know."
"Why not?" she asked, beginning to feel irritated.
"Because it's not for you to know" he replied.
Her irritation began to rise at being left out of the details, but the barrier around her bed took effect, its calming influence washing away her frustration. She blinked, suddenly unbothered, and reclined back against the pillows.
Magnus finished his coffee, then retrieved five letters from his storage space and handed them to her. "Reports from my spies," he explained. "I've already read them, so I'll summarize."
Selene sat up and listened intently as Magnus began. "Cedric is at level 112, Lucien at 127, Leo at 125, and the saintess, Eri, is level 131."
She immediately paled. Only 45 herself, that placed her at a severe disadvantage when compared with their skyrocketing levels. This was even without considering Damian was 146 and Aldric 151, adding on to the anxiety she had. She quickened her breathing just as the barrier was used once again, assuaging her nerves and staunching her panic spiral.
Across from her, Alaric clamped a hand over his mouth, clearly fighting to stifle his laughter at the sight of the fast-changing expressions on Selene's face. Meanwhile, Magnus wore his cold and unreadable mask.
Alaric cursed silently. How is he so good at hiding his emotions?
Meanwhile, Selene panicked internally. At this rate, killing even level 1 monsters from the Hatchables is not enough! She gazed at Magnus desperately.
She looked at Magnus, then faltered, before asking, "Can I start my special training early?"
"No," Magnus answered promptly.
"Why not?" she persisted.
"You must have your coming-of-age ceremony first," he stated matter-of-factly.
Selene pouted, then brightened suddenly at a thought. "Then… when I start training, can I go to the beginner dungeon near the edge of the Ravencroft fiefdom?"
Magnus furrowed his brows, and a flicker of hesitation broke through his cold exterior.
Selene clasped her hands together and fell to her knees, begging earnestly. "Please! I need to get stronger. I'll be careful, I promise!"
He stared at her for a long moment before finally sighing. "Fine. But you're taking Merly and a team of knights with you."
Her face lit up with excitement, and she nodded enthusiastically. "Thank you!
Magnus leaned back, rubbing his temples as if he already regretted his decision, while Alaric snickered under his breath at the sudden burst of energy in the room.