The soft morning light spilled onto the cobblestone path as Livia stood alone before the grand iron gates of the Lord's Manor. Dressed in a simple dark gown, she faced the imposing entrance—a symbol of Edgar's authority and the barrier she now had to overcome.
She had brought no attendants, not even Emma. Today, she had to confront Edgar's defenses by herself.
As expected, the moment she approached the manor, several armored guards stepped forward to block her path.
"Miss Livia, please stop here," one of them said in a low voice. Though respectful, his tone left no room for negotiation.
Livia's gaze swept over them coldly. Without a word, she took another step forward.
"Do you not know who I am?" Her voice was crisp and unwavering, cutting through the quiet morning air.
The guards exchanged uneasy glances. Of course, they knew—she was the Lord's daughter. But their orders were clear: she was not to be allowed inside.
Moments later, a man clad in silver armor stepped forward. His expression was calm, betraying no emotion, but it was clear that he was acting under Edgar's direct orders.
"Miss Livia, though you are the Lord's daughter, this is the Lord's Manor. We are merely following protocol," he stated with impeccable politeness, his gaze unwavering. "You hold no official position here, so we must ask for your understanding—you cannot enter."
His words were airtight, leaving no room for argument.
Livia narrowed her eyes slightly, observing the expressions of the guards. Edgar must have already learned that Marcellus had recommended her to lead the expansion project. It seemed he had no intention of allowing it—hence the guards stationed here.
She could easily slip past them with her skills, even scale the walls if necessary, but doing so would only draw suspicion and unwanted attention, jeopardizing her true objective. Besides, this time, she wasn't acting as Alia the infiltrator. She was Livia—the Lord's daughter.
And Edgar clearly wanted to see how she would handle this situation.
She stood still for a moment, deep in thought, before making her decision.
If force wouldn't work, then she would take another approach.
Taking a deep breath, she lifted her chin slightly, a sharp and commanding presence emerging from her stance. "Very well. Then I will wait here until my father is willing to see me."
Her tone was neither angry nor impatient. Instead, she stepped forward and positioned herself firmly at the base of the manor's entrance steps.
"Miss…" The guards hesitated, clearly caught off guard.
"Do your job," Livia said, her voice devoid of emotion. "I won't force my way in, but I also won't leave. Go ahead and inform my father—let's see if he's willing to let his daughter stand here at the gates all day, becoming the talk of the city."
Her words were quiet but carried a sharp edge.
The captain of the guards frowned slightly. He had a bad feeling about this.
The entrance to the Lord's Manor was no ordinary place. If Livia really stood here all day, word would spread throughout the city. And when that happened, it wouldn't just be Livia's reputation at stake—it would be Edgar's as well.
A faint, almost imperceptible smile curved Livia's lips.
Now then, Edgar—what will you do?
As she pondered how Edgar would react and how she should counter, a voice suddenly rang out from behind her—strong and commanding.
"She's here at my invitation. Let her come with me—I have business with the Lord."
Livia turned swiftly, her gaze landing on the speaker.
A man in military uniform stood before her. Though dressed as a soldier, he lacked the imposing build typical of warriors. His frame was lean, almost frail, and his complexion was pale, with a faint weariness etched into his brow. Even as he finished speaking, he let out two light coughs, as if his body could barely support him.
And yet, despite his apparent frailty, his eyes were sharp, carrying an unmistakable authority that demanded obedience.
The guard captain's expression shifted with hesitation, his tone notably less firm than before. "General Allen… What brings you here today? But the Lord, he—"
He trailed off, evidently bound by Edgar's instructions to keep Livia out. However, against Allen, he was hesitant to refuse outright.
Allen remained composed, unsurprised by the captain's reaction. He lifted a hand slightly, his tone calm but firm. "I will speak to the Lord myself. But until then, Miss Livia is my guest. Since I invited her, I expect you not to bar her way."
His words were soft, yet his gaze held a quiet intensity that brooked no argument.
Livia keenly noticed the way the guard captain's expression subtly shifted. After a moment of silence, he exhaled and finally stepped aside, motioning for his men to do the same.
"…Please, go ahead."
Livia observed the scene with a knowing smile.
She didn't immediately move. Instead, she turned and studied Allen carefully.
Why was he helping her?