After arriving home, Uncle gathers everyone in the sitting room for a drink. With the heavy way he sighs while plopping down, you’d think he just fought a war rather than sat in a chair while a man touched his head. I’m a lot more comfortable this time around as Kierra is with me, the two of us curled up in a chair that’s way too small for it. Geneva stands just behind us, head slightly bowed, but I know she’s got her eyes on everything in the room.

“Hmph. Those Grimoires are finally getting what they deserve.” Uncle takes a cup handed to him by a servant and takes a long drink, relaxing into his chair with a satisfied smile. “And we didn’t have to lift a finger.”

“…Lou.”

I look over to my father. He’s sitting forward, wine cup in his hand ignored as he stares at me with a rare intensity. “What happened in that room?”

I sigh as the rest of the room focuses on me. “What do you mean?”

“I’ve known Senior for a long time. He is not a man to make idle threats or do things halfway. The only way he would have left this estate in such a clumsy way is if he was forced. So, again, what happened in that room?”

“You heard. A rule got in his way.”

“Even if such a rule stopped his succubi from acting, it wouldn’t inhibit his own actions. He would have strangled us with his bare hands before letting us make an official complaint to the crown.”

Ugh. Can’t you people take a hint? “Would you believe me if I said my charm?”

They all give me a look that clearly says No. You bastards, what are you trying to say? I’m plenty charming.

Matt leans forward in his chair. His eyes are just as searching but unlike the others, it lacks the starved look. He long ago got out of the power struggles of nobility, preferring to build his name through labor. Out of everyone in my family, I respect him the most. Probably makes me a bad daughter but, whatever. “Will this get you in trouble?”

And his first question is to ask after my well-being. My cousin, you’re a good man.

I stare directly at him as I answer. “I can’t tell you how, but I convinced him that killing me would be more troublesome than he thought.”

Uncle snorts. “More troublesome than a royal inquisition? My niece, you can trust us with your methods. A family is stronger together.”

In other words, if I have something that could benefit the family, he wants it. His glare says he’s practically demanding it. You know what? I’ve had enough of these games.

I pat Kierra’s side and she moves, allowing me to stand. I glare down at them with all the disdain I can muster. “I’m tired of beating around the bush with this, so let’s get everyone on the same page. My secrets have nothing to do with you so you can stop eyeing me like I’m about the drop a golden egg.”

“Watch your words,” Uncle growls. “You are a member of this family and I am the patriarch. A certain respect—”

“Or what?” I raise my hands. “What are you going to do? Or you?” I gesture toward Father. Respect? Ridiculous. Compared to my new divine parent, I don’t owe these people anything. “I have shown you plenty of respect but I’m not going to sit here while you try to mine me for any profit you can squeeze out of me.”

“Lou, stop being unreasonable.” Here comes Jac, the peacemaker. “You make it sound uncouth. We’re all in this situation together. Can you blame us for wanting to know all the details? And as a member of this family, you have a stake in our success. A responsibility, whether you like it or not.”

“I bet that’s what you tell yourself every day to convince yourself you’re happy to marry whatever old man Uncle pawns you off to.” She flinches but I plow on. “Screw your responsibility. What, are you talking about the price of raising me? I can cover that right now.” Not that I want to give these people any of my hard-earned gold. “Really easy because I wasn’t the least bit spoiled. Besides that, I have no idea what responsibility you’re talking about.”

Father stands, teeth grit. As his daughter, this little outburst reflects the worse on him. Too bad I don’t care anymore. “You’ve gone too far. We’ve done everything for you.”

“What? You’ve done everything for yourselves. If I wasn’t going to be shipped off to the Grand Hall, I’d be in Jac’s situation. What part of that is for my benefit? If you ever listened to me once—” I cut myself out and take a deep breath. Ah, not good. I’m remembering some past resentments. I’d resigned myself to my fate before that fateful day but now that I’m in a position to be angry, I see I’ve got a lot to say.

Besides, what he did led to the most fortuitous moment of my life. I could never hate my father. That doesn’t mean I have to be soft to him and none of that applies to the others. “Forget it. This is stupid. You’re stupid.” What am I doing in this place again? Uncle looks like a dog with a bone. He’s not going to let this go and the manor is going to be awkward now that I’ve blatantly balked the chain of command.

I’ve got money for a hotel. One nicer than my room now. The Tome family really has declined. And it’ll be easier to go about my day without worrying about someone peeking over my shoulder. One foot out the door, might as well walk out and slam it behind me. “I’m leaving.”

“What? You can’t leave!” Now Jac is on her feet.  “We’re still under investigation.”

“I’m not leaving the city. I’m checking into a hotel. This place is suffocating.”

“Don’t expect us to pay for—”

“Like I would, idiot. If something comes up, send Matt. Otherwise I won’t let you in.” I turn my back on the rest of their words and leave the room. “Whew. Really did that. Think we can get packed up and out of here before they digest what just happened and try some plot to keep me here?”

“We can. But we wouldn’t have to if it weren’t for that spectacular tantrum of yours, dedia.”

I glare at Kierra but she meets it with a mocking smile she usually gives me when I’m not getting something during one of her ‘lessons’. “That wasn’t a tantrum. They’re—”

“Not the best, but that display wasn’t very noble either. A true leader inspires their subordinates to do better rather than tossing aside those deemed incompetent.”

Huh? Wait, that’s right. She was a captain of some kind of military regiment. Proper background to make a statement like that. “Okay. Saints witness, maybe not my greatest moment. Something besides rationale was motivating my actions. But you have to admit, I’m not wrong. Geneva, back me up here.”

“Whatever you decide is best, Lou,” she responds immediately. Hey, when you say it with that smirk, it makes me feel like you’re making fun of me. “Though, I agree. You do not need them. Succubi do not have family so I cannot understand such loyalty. Master is also correct that it is necessary to lead one’s subordinates but those worms don’t qualify.”

I point at her. “Right there. Besides, I didn’t cut off ties completely. I gave Matt a free pass.”

Kierra chuckles and pulls me against her side. “In the future, that would all be true. Now?” I look away as she raises an eyebrow. No need to point out all my flaws. “The Grimoires are a good start but besides them you have no allies or influence. Coupled with your desire to stay hidden until you’re stronger, your family are the best choices for co-conspirators. Two of them might even be useful. Luckily, it is not too late to rectify the situation.”

“…I suppose.”

“No worries. You are learning. Mistakes are expected.”

“Mm. By the way, which two do you think are useful?”

“Jac and Matt. The girl is knowledgeable, hungry, and has all the tact you lack. The boy is sensible without an ounce of deceit in him. A great worker. The older generation are bogged down by their old ambitions and will be far too difficult to change. Neither of them would be happy not being in charge. Otherwise, the two brothers would be on much better terms.”

Well, I’ve got no problem with Matt. Jac…eh, she’s tolerable. Especially if I’m looking down on her. I mean that in the most unthreatening and non-arrogant way possible. It’s just good to hold the power for once.

Kierra’s right. If Cosmo simply tossed aside people he thought were incompetent, I’d be dead instead of on the verge of greatness.

“You’ve got a point.” I will learn from Cosmo’s ways, like any good daughter. “Shall we see if they can amuse us?”

Kierra gives me a strange look. Her face is very controlled but her eyes are heavy with an emotion I can’t identify. Is she angry I just degraded my family members into toys? But it’s not exactly disapproving…

She looks away before I can get an answer. “We should spend the night and leave early in the morning. Searching for a room this late will draw too much attention I think.”

“Sure.”