The front gate of Nightingale Manor today resembles a war zone. The reputation of Aespa Nightingale's godlike beauty has crossed the borders of the Nadian Empire, reaching far beyond the capital city of Lunaria.
Along the roads in front of the house, grand carriages belonging to high-ranking Nobles—decorated with gold seals and numerous titles from across the Empire—and wealthy, high-status individuals from distant foreign nations are lined up. Their singular purpose is to catch a glimpse of the new Mistress of Nightingale and court her. Even people dressed in upper-class attire cling to the fences, driven by a greedy desire to see Aespa's figure just once, and some attempt to sneak into the mansion grounds.
Furthermore, reporters and cameramen from the city's "Imperial Insight" journal are stationed at the gate, constantly awaiting an image of Aespa. Some brave souls are even seen climbing trees, trying to sneak into the mansion to observe Aespa up close.
The doors and windows of the grand parlor are tightly shut for security, and the entire manor feels heavy and oppressive under the pressure of the outside world.
Inside Aespa's room, she wears a simple white, belted gown and peeks through the window at the road in front of the house.
She then looks worriedly at Karina, who stands motionless.
Aespa (In a low, worried voice):
"Karina… What should we do? We planned to go out today… but there are so many people at the gate. Will we even be able to leave today?"
Karina Sinclair narrows her crimson eyes coolly. She hands Aespa a wide-brimmed hat with a pale pink veil. The hat completely conceals Aespa's silver-white hair and half of her face.
Karina (In a quiet, steady voice):
"Do not worry, My Mistress. We must leave. I have an emergency plan. Follow me."
Aespa nods and puts on the hat. Only her sparkling, deep-blue eyes are beautifully visible.
Karina leads Aespa away from the ornate parlors of the manor and down a narrow servants' corridor on the ground floor. The air here is cold, carrying faint scents of old wood and earth. They stop in front of an ancient, oak bookshelf that covers an entire wall. The shelf is filled with leather-bound history and law books, all covered in dust.
Aespa (Whispering from under the hat):
"Is this… part of the library? I've never been here."
Karina: "This is not the library, My Mistress. This is the oldest part of the manor. And this bookshelf is not just for holding books."
Karina skillfully places her gloved fingertips on the spines of three large books: The Origins of Nightingale Manor, An Essay on the Founders, and The Final Will of the Nightingale Patriarchs.
She presses the books in the specified sequence: Origins, then Founders, then quickly pushes all three books simultaneously.
A soft ''Grinding'' sound shakes the entire wall, and the heavy bookshelf slowly rotates inward, revealing a passable gap. Behind it is not another room, but a dark, damp secret passage lined with rough stones.
Aespa (Gasping): "A secret passage! I thought these only existed in fairy tales!"
Karina: "Allow me to explain, My Mistress. Every grand Noble house in the city must have at least one emergency exit for when they are besieged or during political instability. This tunnel runs beyond the manor grounds and ends near the city's industrial factories. This path has not been used for decades."
As Karina and Aespa step inside, small, magically-lit flames flicker along the sides of the secret passage, casting dancing shadows on the damp, rough walls.
Karina: "The path is secure, but the air is not fresh. Mistress, stay close."
Aespa (Following closely, her hand instinctively gripping Karina's wrist):
"Lead the way, Karina."
Karina leads, her posture unchanged. The secret path slopes slightly downward, and all the noise from outside completely vanishes beneath the stone. Only their quiet footsteps and the distant sound of dripping water are audible.
After walking for a long time along the cold path…
Karina stops in front of another barricaded old wooden door, reinforced with thick iron chains.
Karina gently pushes the door open, revealing an embankment covered with wild grass, far from the manor grounds. The air is fresh and cool, carrying the scent of moist earth and distant woodsmoke. They are free.
Karina (Turning and showing a slight trace of satisfaction): "We are safely outside, My Mistress."
Aespa (Inhaling the fresh air, a small smile appears on her lips): "Oh, Karina. You truly are the best. I feel like I've just escaped from prison."
Aespa adjusts her large hat, covering her face. She looks down the desolate road ahead, filled with the feeling of a quiet adventure.
Aespa: "So… let's continue with our original plan. Where should we go first?"
Karina: "The most suitable place for the Mistress's initiation will be the most crowded area."
Karina steps fully out, her crimson eyes sweeping the surroundings to confirm the security situation. Aespa follows behind, completely free from the dark secret passage.
....
The alleyways near the industrial zone of Lunaria City are noisy and crowded. The air is heavy as black soot drifts down from the high chimneys.
Karina walks close beside Aespa, constantly shielding her body. When Aespa first walks through the large crowd, her deep-blue eyes are briefly filled with anxiety. Though masked, she is still unaccustomed to pushing through such a large gathering.
Aespa clutches Karina's arm tightly with both hands and speaks.
Aespa (Voice trembling):
"K-Karina, is it absolutely necessary to start with the crowd?"
Karina answers Aespa's question earnestly.
Karina (In her usual cold, steady voice):
"Yes, My Mistress."
A moment later, Aespa, still clutching Karina's arm tightly, speaks again.
Aespa (Voice trembling):
"Karina… This crowd is… so dense. My heart is beating so fast. I'm afraid someone will recognize me…"
Karina (Moving closer to Aespa, her voice entering Aespa's ear directly):
"My Mistress Aespa. Suppress the panic. You are safe. This place is even safer than the manor's walls. Because I am here by your side. Do not treat these people as a danger. They are all like the families of your manor workers."
Karina's confidence and stable presence gradually encourage Aespa. Aespa calms her mind and begins to observe her surroundings.
On one street corner, she sees an old man struggling to carry heavy objects, almost collapsing. Aespa immediately forgets her anxiety and quietly walks toward the elderly man.
Aespa (Gently): "Grandfather… Wait. I will help you."
Aespa uses her soft hand to support the heavy burden. Then, she opens her small embroidered purse. The currency inside is not the common Iron Marks, but Gold Sovereign bank notes, exquisitely produced by the Grand Sunderheim Empire.
Aespa pulls out the most valuable currency—the Gold Sovereign bank notes—from the small purse.
The Gold Sovereign notes look like they are made of thin, gold-colored paper. Even in the dim alley, a soft golden glow is visible. At the center of the note, the symbol of the Grand Sunderheim Empire—a majestic Imperial Eagle—is skillfully printed in an ancient smoky gray ink. It is bordered by intricate arabesque patterns and Noble seals. Each note is not mere paper, but a stately work of art.
Aespa collects five of these Gold Sovereign bank notes into a stack and gently places them into the old man's hand.
(The currency value in the Nadian Empire:
Iron Mark (IM): The lowest value, used for daily transactions.
Copper Crown (CC): Equivalent to about 100 Iron Marks.
Silver Crown (SC): Equivalent to about 100 Copper Crowns.
Gold Sovereign (GS): The highest value (equivalent to about 50 Silver Crowns / 500,000 Iron Marks).
One GS note is worth thousands of IMs. It is an impossible dream for a common laborer who can only save about one Silver Crown per year.)
Old Man (Staring in surprise at the golden light in his hand): "Oh, my God! Gold Sovereigns! Five notes in my hand?! Who are you, my lady? Thank you… Thank you so much, my lady. Even my lifelong debts are now paid off!"
Aespa smiles and nods. She wants to wipe the sweat from the old man's brow, but her courage does not yet extend to that level of intimacy.
Seeing Aespa help others with genuine kindness, without regard for social status, a warm smile gently blossoms on Karina's face.
The smile is secretive and extremely rare. Her crimson eyes are now only filled with affection and deep pleasure.
Aespa happens to turn toward her, but just as she does, Karina instantly reverts to her usual cold, stern expression. Aespa misses the smile but recognizes that Karina is pleased.
They continue on. Aespa then spots a poor mother holding a sick child. The mother nervously counts the few worn Copper Crown coins in her hand.
Aespa immediately takes the small money pouch from Karina's hand and quickly walks over to the mother.
Aespa (Her voice is warm and full of encouragement):
"Sister… Take this child to the hospital immediately. Use this money for treatment."
The mother opens the pouch that reaches her hand and sees thick Silver Crown blocks, causing tears to well up. She is speechless.
Mother: "Oh… This much? Who are you, Miss? Thank you… Thank you so much!"
Aespa smiles and nods. Her heart is now filled with joy instead of fear.
Karina stands behind, watching Aespa's actions. Aespa's pure intention and kindness in helping people once again cause a rare smile to bloom beautifully on her stern face. Her crimson eyes sparkle.
This time, Aespa quickly turns, attempting to catch Karina's smile, and sees Karina's beautiful expression before it completely vanishes.
Aespa (In the happiest voice, like a winner):
"Got you! Karina! I knew it. You're happy too, helping the people in the city."
Karina's face instantly reverts to a cold mask. Her smile completely disappears, and her eyes keenly scan the surroundings again.
Karina (In a steady tone):
"No, My Mistress. I am merely assessing the safety of the Mistress. Smiling is not part of my duty."
Aespa (Laughing):
"Yes, yes! But I saw it, Karina. Don't lie."
Just then, a man from a nearby coffee shop looks closely at Aespa and shouts.
Man: "Hey… Isn't that the Silver-White Fairy?"
The word spreads like lightning through the city streets. Within a minute, people on the street surge toward Aespa like a wave.
Reporters from the front—the journalists—rush forward with large lenses, and the flashes from their cameras blink relentlessly.
Reporter: "Miss Nightingale! Why did you reject Lord Montagu's marriage proposal? How will you resolve these debt issues!"
Some people in the crowd mutter jealously about Aespa. Others happily shout "Princess!" Some praise her enthusiastically:
"Is she truly a nine-tailed demon fox?!
"What beautiful eyes… are they the eyes of a goddess?"
"Oh God… it's the Silver-White Fairy in the flesh… Oh, Master, I can die in peace now."
Due to the chaotic situation, Aespa's fear of crowds suddenly returns. Her face goes pale, and her steps become unsteady. She feels instantly trapped within the dense mass of people.
Aespa (Trembling): "Karina… I'm scared."
Karina (Moving without hesitation): "Do not worry, My Mistress."
Karina moves like a calm predator and tightly grips Aespa's soft palm. Her grip is firm enough to feel like stable protection, yet not painful.
Karina: "We run, My Mistress."
Karina visually identifies the weakest point in the crowd and, keeping Aespa close to her side, bursts through the opening with the speed of lightning.
Her movement is incredibly fast and precise, on par with a top mercenary. Bypassing the eyes of the reporters, journalists, and Nobles, Aespa and Karina plunge into a narrow, deserted alleyway of the city, quickly taking cover and disappearing as if melting into the mist.