"Of course, Princess," one maid said warmly. "Please, this way."

Misty lifted her chin even higher, completely immersed in her role.

Mike sighed quietly.

"…She's enjoying this way too much."

As he looked around at the grand mansion and the respectful gazes directed at his family, Mike understood what was going on.

It seems Jordan told his family about the Mana Drops, Mike thought.

The contract prevented Jordan from revealing anything beyond the 30% Mana Drop, but he was still allowed to talk about that part—and where it came from.

And since it originated from the Origin World, which is infinite in scale, Mike realized, the Mercer family would rather keep me as an ally than try to search for it themselves.

They were soon guided to their rooms.

"Okay," Misty said, crossing her arms seriously, "go bring me chocolate pudding."

Her serious expression only made her look cuter.

Even the maid couldn't help but laugh softly at the sight.

"Of course, Princess," the maid replied with a smile before leaving.

Not long after, Candace returned, and the maids brought refreshments for everyone.

"Young Master Mike," Candace said politely. "Lord Jordan will be arriving during your stay here. He asked you to remain in the mansion until then."

Mike's parents immediately thanked her.

Candace nodded. "Sir Mike, please come with me. We need to finalize the auction timings."

Mike nodded, but before leaving, he raised his hand slightly.

"Come out"

Dark-red mist gathered beside him.

A woman stepped forward.

She had long silver-red hair, crimson eyes, and beauty that felt unreal—unnatural, even. Her presence alone made the air feel heavy.

"Mom, Dad," Mike said calmly. "This is the bodyguard I found for you."

He continued, "Her name is Roselia. She will protect you and Misty in my absence."

Roselia bowed slightly.

Misty stared at her, eyes wide.

"Are you a princess?" Misty asked innocently, sparkling with curiosity.

Roselia paused for a moment, then smiled faintly.

"No," she replied. "I am an Empress."

She chuckled softly.

Misty's eyes lit up even more.

"Woooaaah…"

Mike cleared his throat lightly.

"Roselia is… special," he added. "Please listen to her if I'm not around."

His mother looked a little startled at first, then smiled politely. "Thank you for protecting our family."

Roselia inclined her head again. "It is my duty. No harm will come to them."

Her voice was calm, confident—absolute.

Mike's father swallowed, feeling the pressure in the air ease slightly. "With someone like you here, I feel a lot more at ease."

Misty, meanwhile, walked in a small circle around Roselia, eyes shining. "So if you're an Empress… does that mean you're super strong?"

"Yes," Roselia replied honestly.

"How strong?"

Roselia thought for a moment. "Strong enough."

Misty gasped. "That's the strongest kind!"

Even Candace paused for a second, clearly surprised, before regaining her professional composure.

"I see," she said carefully.

"Then the Vester family will be in very safe hands."

Mike nodded. "She'll stay hidden unless necessary. I don't want unnecessary attention."

Roselia nodded once. "I understand."

"Though it was not necessary as you are our guest we would have kept your family safe from all harm" She said as Mike shrugged " Just an insurance"

Candace then gestured toward the hallway. "Sir Mike, if you're ready, we should go. The auction committee is waiting."

Mike glanced back at his family.

"I'll be back soon," he said. "Don't cause trouble."

Misty puffed her cheeks. "I'm a princess. Princesses don't cause trouble."

Mike gave her a look.

"…They absolutely do."

Misty giggled.

As Mike followed Candace out, Roselia stepped back and took position near the door—silent, watchful, and unmoving, like a shadow carved from blood and moonlight.

Mike's father noticed her posture and hesitated before speaking.

"Um… you don't have to stand like that," he said gently. "You can sit with us."

Roselia tilted her head slightly. "But my guards stand like this while protecting me."

Mike's mother smiled warmly. "It's alright. Please, sit with us."

In the end, Mike's mother stood up herself, walked over, and gently guided Roselia toward the sofa. She patted the seat beside her.

"Come, sit," she said kindly. Then, with a curious but friendly look, she asked, "So… where did you meet Mike?"

Her eyes held the same expression a mother might use when talking to a future daughter-in-law.

Roselia, however, did not understand that nuance at all.

She answered plainly, without hesitation. "He summoned me."

The room went silent.

Mike's father stiffened.

Mike's mother blinked. "…Summoned?"

Misty also froze, though her thoughts were completely different from her parents'.

If I summon an Empress like big brother, she thought excitedly, then I'll be the master of an Empress! That means I'd be a super Empress!

Her eyes sparkled as she started imagining the day she would grow up and summon an Empress of her own.

"Yes," Roselia replied calmly. "He summoned me."

"But isn't Mike a Knight?" Mike's mother asked, confused.

"He's different from us," Mike's father said slowly. "He's an Awakened. That means he doesn't have the usual class restrictions. He can learn and use skills from other classes as well."

Mike's mother nodded, still trying to process it.

"He summoned me inside a Rank 4 dungeon," Roselia continued. "It was an Ice and Darkness hybrid-type dungeon."

"…Say what now?!" Mike's father exclaimed.

This time, both of them truly understood the danger. Mike was Rank 1—entering a Rank 4 dungeon was nothing short of suicidal.

"Yes," Roselia said, nodding. "He summoned me there and then we formed a contract, I will protect his family and he will help me" She said.

The room fell quiet again as they slowly nodded, their hearts still racing.

After a moment, Mike's father asked carefully, "Can you tell us what rank you are?"

He assumed Mike had survived only because Roselia herself was extremely powerful.

"I am Rank 2 now, just like him," Roselia answered honestly. "My rank is bound to his. He is not a summoner-type Awakened, so he cannot summon beings of higher rank than himself."

That answer left them even more stunned.

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