In the Grand Duke's residence in the Noble District on Sixth Avenue, Kishiniur, Fiona Russell sat wrapped in thick animal furs, staring without blinking at the flames dancing in the fireplace.
"Miss, I just heard good news outside. A bishop from the Church of Dawn said the great Lord of Dawn and the gods of Heavenly Mountain destroyed a Plane in the Bottomless Abyss called the Pit Magic Net. They shattered Spider Lady's realm and won an unprecedented victory..."
"...The butler told me Spider Lady was the Evil God who colluded with the Demon Lord to invade our Violet Kingdom last time. She was the one responsible for sending the Grand Duke to the Underworld... Miss, please don't be sad anymore."
Fiona Russell's maid, Lia, stood beside her, worry plain on her face.
Ever since the duke's soul had entered the Goddess's Divine Kingdom, her mistress had been acting strangely. She didn't seem grieved by his death, but they had always been close. How could she not be? Perhaps she had been so devastated that she had gone numb.
At her young maid's words, Fiona Russell turned her head.
"Lia, I've told you many times. I'm not sad."
"Miss, Master Dena has come to Kishiniur. He's a powerful Psion. Let's pay him a visit."
Once her mistress responded, Lia launched into an eager explanation. "They say Psions are especially good at healing the mind. Lots of Nobility who can't sleep, feel exhausted, or have suffered trauma go to them for help sleeping..."
"Lia, I've told you many times. I'm not grieving."
Because her father could come back to life.
Seeing that her mistress had no interest in that, Lia tried another approach. "Miss, the Knight Capet Jones, who came to Kishiniur with Master Dena, is only thirty-one, but his Class