After far too many steps and even more stress, the mansion finally stood before them—tall and elegant, its white facade glowing under the filtered sunlight that passed through the canopy above.
A polished stone path led to the nearest side entrance, tucked subtly under a vine-covered arch.
Penelope didn't hesitate. She rapped her knuckles on the heavy door three tis, sharp and sure.
It creaked open.
A man in a crisp black suit stood at the threshold, his posture straight and face expressionless in that typical servant-like way.
Kana recognized him as a butler from his appearance alone. His eyes scanned them both, pausing briefly on the plant pots in Kana's arms before traveling back to Penelope.
"Madam. Why did you not use the main door?"
He said, voice smooth.
Penelope sighed and shifted her weight like this was the third or fourth ti she'd been asked that this month.
"Because the main door is boring. My new assistant needs stimulation. And nothing stimulates better than a brisk walk through an unpredictable death forest."
She grumbled.
Kana blinked.
'Death forest?'
The butler's lips twitched downward, his expression caught sowhere between disapproval and weary resignation. He turned to Kana then, taking her in properly for the first ti—and paused.
Kana imdiately felt the air shift.
His brow raised, his gaze sharpened, and a flush crept faintly up his neck.
Kana's charm stat must've activated again.
She grimaced, clutching the plant pots tighter and looking away. It was always like this. She hadn't asked for passive aura-based attraction. Honestly, she'd settle for being invisible.
"I'll just go inside."
She muttered, slipping past the man before he could utter another word.
Penelope gave the butler a knowing look and snapped her fingers in front of his face.
"Don't fry your circuits. She's not for you. Now—where do you want the plants?"
The butler blinked rapidly, recovering from whatever charm-based fog he'd fallen into.
"Ah. Yes. Apologies. The mistress requested these be placed near her quarters. However... it may be best to wait before heading that way. She and her fiancé are... occupied at the mont."
His cheeks turned slightly pink.
Kana didn't ask.
She didn't want to ask.
Penelope, on the other hand, let out a loud, theatrical groan and rolled her eyes.
"I've lived through six wars, two uprisings, and a vampire ex-boyfriend...or was it girlfriend? Whatever they're doing, I promise it's nothing I haven't seen."
Kana stared at her.
"You... Vampires can change gender?"
"Focus, girl."
The butler, thoroughly red now, cleared his throat.
"As you wish. But please don't bla if you witness sothing scarring."
He stepped aside, gesturing toward a hallway.
"End of the corridor, left staircase. Her quarters are on the second floor."
"Good man."
Penelope turned, waving for Kana to follow.
"Co on. Ti to drop these man-eaters off."
Kana trailed her silently, still ntally reeling from everything—the forest, the creepy crawling vines, the weird glances, and now this mansion's strange... energy.
Servants bustled around them like a perfectly choreographed play, cleaning chandeliers, sweeping hallways, carrying fresh linens. It was chaos, but beautiful chaos.
And then they reached a door.
It was large. Dark. Ornate. A faint shimr of mana tickled Kana's senses the mont she stood before it.
Penelope didn't even lift her hand to knock. She simply pointed.
"Inside."
She said.
Kana blinked.
"Aren't you... coming?"
Penelope raised a brow.
"Do I look like I'm coming?"
Kana's eyes narrowed.
"You dragged through death forest, let be hunted by sneaky vines, made haul man-eating plants, and now you're just... making go in there alone?"
Penelope gave her a firm nod, eyes glinting in amusent.
"Correct."
"Why?"
The older woman tilted her head.
"Because this is your job, dear. Orientation's over."
That wasn't the whole reason. Kana could tell from the look in Penelope's eyes—it was the sa look one might have right before tossing a lamb into a lion's den.
Kana took a slow breath.
"Is this dangerous?"
"Emotionally? Possibly."
"That's not reassuring."
"You'll be fine."
Penelope waved her pipe lazily.
"Just don't make any sudden movents, don't look directly at the mistress's fiancé, and for the love of all things green, do not touch anything that talks to you first."
Kana wasn't sure if she was being serious or not.
She adjusted the pots in her grip. They squird faintly, but at least they weren't trying to grab her anymore. That was progress.
With one last look at Penelope's completely unsympathetic face, Kana turned the handle and pushed the door open.
Inside, the air was different. Warm. Perfud. Curtains fluttered gently in a breeze that didn't quite exist, and sunlight poured through tall, arched windows.
The room itself looked like the bedroom of a noblewoman from a fantasy drama—plush velvet seating, soft rugs, gold-trimd furniture.
Kana stepped in slowly.
No one was in sight. The room was empty, save for a few curious floating lights that hovered near the ceiling. She tiptoed to the side table, carefully setting one of the pots down.
The plant hissed softly, stretching its leaves toward the sunlight.
As Kana reached for the next one, she felt it again.
That tingle down her spine.
A sensation like she was being watched.
She paused, heart pounding.
But no one appeared. Nothing moved. Even the air had gone still.
Kana set the last plant down and turned back toward the door, walking slowly, her every step asured.
She wanted to run. She wanted to throw the door open and never look back. But her pride—and maybe her sense of professionalism—kept her going.
Just as her hand touched the doorknob—
"Thank you."
A voice whispered from the corner of the room.
Kana froze.
She didn't look. She didn't breathe. She just stood there, hand trembling on the brass handle, the soft voice echoing in her ears like a phantom.
'Don't look. Don't move. Don't engage.'
She flung the door open and practically dove outside, heart in her throat, breath shaking.
Penelope looked mildly amused.
"You're quicker than I expected."
Kana glared at her.
"Sothing spoke to ."
Penelope puffed calmly on her pipe.
"Did you answer?"
"No."
"Then you passed. Congrats, you have common sense. You just might live to see the end of this week."
Kana didn't know whether to be relieved or terrified by what that implied.
Still, she looked back at the door—its surface smooth, dark, and completely unremarkable—and felt a deep sense of foreboding.
"Whose room is that, anyway?"
She asked.
Penelope only smiled.
"You'll find out eventually."
Kana really, really wasn't sure she wanted to.
Kana clutched her now-empty arms and looked hopefully at Penelope.
"So... are we heading ho now?"
Penelope shook her head.
"Not yet."
Kana's shoulders slumped.
"Why not?"
"Because we haven't greeted the owners of the mansion. It's rude to leave without doing that."
Penelope said matter-of-factly.
Kana opened her mouth to protest, but Penelope cut her off with a raised brow.
"And you are going to let them know the delivery's been made. Consider it part of your training."
Kana stared at her.
"Alone?"
Penelope smiled.
"Of course. You already survived the room. How bad can the owners be?"
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