Lenia Valtalere. The b*tch who betrayed me.

Lenia, with her braided hair hanging sideways, looked elegant and charming still. There were no traces of weariness displayed on her smooth face. She was similar to Eleonora.

Why do the beautiful women in the world have a nasty temper? Cant I find a pretty and sweet sister here?

Hello, Lady Asil. Lenia briefly glanced at Noah and gave a soulless greeting. Then, she merely passed by her. However, there was not a minute chance that Noah would allow Lenia to ditch her again, as she had done.

The vines that were entangled among the walls of the Imperial Palace quickly grew in size and blocked Lenias way. Lenia stopped shortly, and Noah slowly approached her, suppressing the mana, which flowed in the vines, lest it would spiral out of her control.

In fact, Noah had planned to visit Lenia again after she was released. Not only because it was the root cause of the huge punishment of 200,000 hours of volunteer work imposed on her, but because it seemed to her that Lenias condition in the underground prison that day was strange.

She had no facial expressions and uttered words without even the tiniest emotion as if she had memorized them.

I dont know anything, Lady Asil.

It was the same as now. Noah didnt say a word, but Lenia repeated the same thing she had said the last time as if she had read Noahs mind.

No matter how much you threaten me, you wont get anything.Maybe. Noah placed a hand on Lenias shoulder to see if anyone around would approach them. Are you being threatened by someone? You said that to me on the deck of the ship. If we get caught, were going to die this time.

Silence.

You know, I dont think Im very reliable, but Ive been trying to save you since we were on the ship. I was mad at you then because of the situation. Noah said, stroking Lenias shoulders soothingly. In order to keep Lenias guard as low as possible, Noah wore the most innocent smile she could muster on her lips. Just tell me. Whos bothering you?

Once again, there was silence.

Give me a little hint, and itll help both me and you

Lenia turned completely toward Noah. There, Noah couldnt talk anymore. It was because a very sinister assumption crossed her mind. Lenia still repeated the same thing.

I dont know anything. I

Words that fell from Lenias mouth were repeated in a dull manner as if it were in a certain set manual. Back in the ship, Angelic, Lenia trembled like a rabbit in front of a tiger and looked immensely frightened and feeble, but now she looked as if she were a completely different person.

Ill go now, Lady Asil. Lenia finally took Noahs hand on her shoulder and turned her back against her. Noah clenched her hands as she looked away from the odd woman. Ill have to check. Lets see if thats the real Lenia.

The walls of the vines swayed about in the wind. Lenias hair, along with the hem of her dress, was swept by the gust. Noah extended one hand towards Lenias back. Slowly, the prickly vines raised their bodies stiffly and aimed at Lenias back. The dragons mana swelled within Noah and the shackles clasped on her neck rattled unstably, but her will prevailed nonetheless. Vines then wounded themselves around Lenias body.

Still, Lenia remained expressionless. Noahs instinct made a move before her mind could think of anything. She grabbed Lenias neck and jerked her aside. Between the braids of hair, she could see a tape attached behind the ears. There was no need to tear it off. It was too obvious what was engraved.

Then, just like what Kyle had done If I attack from here, will it break?

Muells mana faithfully followed Noahs will. Sharply cropped vines rushed in from behind her back, cutting through the wind. Then, the vines pierced right through Lenias neck. It would have been quite a grotesque sight if it had been a real living person, but neither blood nor flesh spurted.

Instead

Tuck. A lump of silver metal fell on the ground. A moment ago, it had just been Lenias head. The letters engraved in the middle of it were clear: lowercase r.

. Noah bit her lips, witnessing Lenias appearance slowly fade from the machine. Fragments of metal rolled on the floor, along with the dresses and shoes that covered it.

Soon, Noah arrived at a conclusion.

It wasnt her fake double that was taken care of.

Lenia did not blatantly claim her innocence by putting aside the double she had set up in Tezeba in a timely manner. The one who was taken care of was the real Lenia who was on the ship with her.