"That just got depressing all of a sudden" Angelica chuckled.

Although she could not believe it herself, she was able to find comfort from the least expected person. She was happy that it was Gilbert.

"Yes. It did" answered Gilbert.

They might fight and argue like five-year-olds. But at the end of the day, he was no different from family.

"Grumpy Grandpa"

Gilbert continued patting her back. Even though he would never admit it, to him, she was the daughter that he never had. One minute they would quarrel like it was the end of the world and the next minute it would turn into a father-daughter bonding session.

There were times when Lorenz was jealous of Gilbert for spending time with his daughter more than him, that he barged in unannounced and carried her away.

It was so absurd to the point that it left everyone in the residence speechless and confused, including Angelica herself.

"Stupid brat"

Still in each other's arms, they started their usual banter. Yet contrary to the words being said, there was a warm smile on each of their faces.

And it need not be voiced out to know that they love each other dearly.

"Stubborn old man"

"Noisy teenager"

*knock* *knock*

Angelica and Gilbert looked towards the direction of the sound at the same time.

Ralvol was standing at the door with a tray in his hands. He was smiling at the duo with a heartwarming expression.

""What!?"" Angelica and Gilbert asked at the same time.

"I brought some tea to calm your nerves" Ralvol came in and placed the tea on Gilbert's desk.

Angelica and Gilbert let go of each other and went back to their respective seats.

"Bitter!" Gibert yelled towards Ralvol who was organizing the books stacked at the corner of the room.

"Where is the damn sugar!"

"The doctor said you shouldn't take anything sweet for a few days" Ralvol answered calmly and went back to the task at hand.

"Like I care. Just bring the damn thing!" Gilbert continued to roar.

Ralvol ignored all the curses being thrown at him and continued to organize the books.

"Ughh....I feel ominous just by looking at it" said Angelica, taking a glimpse of the golden brown liquid inside the cup.

"Maybe I'm scarred for life"

She cautiously took a sip and almost immediately placed it down. The trauma from the tea drugging incident was still fresh in her mind.

"That reminds me Grandpa" Angelica looked at Gilbert with expectations in her eyes.

"Do you by chance have something that could detect any kind of.....let's say 'undesirable substances' in the stuff that we eat"

"Hmmm"

Gilbert fell into deep thought. He opened the bottom drawer of the cabinet behind him and pulled out a leather box.

"This might be just the thing" He said, opening the box and picking up a small silver ring.

"A ring?" Angelica tilted her head.

"Not just any ring. It is made of compressed azreck crystal embedded in pure silver" Gilbert started explaining.

"This device could detect any kind of dangerous substances. Even if it is just a drop"

"Is that an expensive crystal?" asked Angelica, counting the number of items inside the box.

"That's right. This single piece costs ten bars of gold"

"That one ring is worth ten bars of gold?" Angelica's eyes went wide.

Aside from rings, there were all kinds of jewelry available. Necklace, pendants, earrings, bracelets, and even nose rings.

"Grandpa, you're filthy rich, aren't you?"

"What do you take me for?" Gilbert smirked.

"Wow... So cool" Angelica nodded to herself. The wheels in her head had started turning.

"Can I have one?"

"No" Gilbert closed the box and put it aside.

"Pwease?" Angelica tried to persuade him by acting cute. Even though it was not her forte she tried her best, only to be frowned at.

"The answer is no. You are not responsible enough" Gilbert replied flatly.

As far as he knew, Angelica was one of the least responsible people he had seen. Up until Maria was alive there was a leash around her. But since her death, Angelica had become a lost cause.

"What do you mean by that? I'm totally responsible" Angelica pouted and added to her defense,

"I mean, I just escaped from a marriage by faking my death"

"..."

Gilbert stared at her face with a stupified expression. She was old enough to know that saying reckless things with a straight face does not make it right.

"What are you going to do about Edward Frost?" Gilbert asked with concern for both of his students. Although there were a lot of complicated things that went into their marriage, by the law they were bound together.

"Whilst I'm not-not blaming Edward. He is in a way responsible for everything I went through"

"Anyway the marriage is void since I'm no longer alive" Angelica shrugged and rolled her eyes.

"He could chase after any pink-head for all I care"

"Pink-head?" Gilbert asked confused.

"Yeah. His future spouse" Angelica answered and popped a grape inside her mouth from the platter of snacks Ralvol gave her.

"Why would you....." Gilbert started and then swiftly stopped himself when Angelica was about to answer him.

"No. Don't answer that. I don't want to know"

"Hmph. Your loss" Angelica turned away.

Gilbert did not bother to question further. He led the topic slide and placed the orb he took out earlier on top of a stand.

"Here. Place your hands on top of this"

"Sure"

Angelica placed her on top of the orb, like an obedient puppy and waited for further instructions while munching on the snacks Ralvol gave her.

"You said you were attacked by sorcerers right?"

"Yeah. And crazy ones at that"

Suddenly the orb started glowing or to be precise flickered with a dim golden light before seizing.

"Why do I have a sense of deja vu? Heh!" The corners of Angelica's mouth twitched. She pulled her hands away and glared at Gilbert.

"Looks like they didn't put any curse on you. You're good to go" said Gilbert with a satisfied look on his face.









One hour later...

*neigh*

"What are you going to do about Clive?" asked Gilbert, looking at Angelica getting on top of her horse.

"I'm not sure myself. There are a lot of options" Angelica pondered.

She was ready to leave for the west after receiving the necessary information and items she required to avoid checkpoints. The key to discreet travel is to move along the forest path instead of warping since it could be traced. She had to leave before the sunrises to avoid being seen before crossing the capital borders.

From Gilbert, Angelica acquired a detailed map and some traveling gear to help in her journey. She also made that Clive gets a beating the next he sees Gilbert so now, her mission was fully accomplished.

"The iron maiden, the rack, the boot, the classic guillotine, and then there's my personal favorite, the brazen bull" Angelica smiled.

"I might as well throw him in a body of oil and fry him like a chicken wing"

"Wha.." Ralvol turned pale from hearing the unexpected words.

"Snap out of it" Gilbert whacked Ralvol in the head to return him back to his senses.

Ralvol might have the appearance of an adult beastmen, but he was no different from a child scared of old ghost stories.

"Safe travels, Lady Ashford" Ralvol waved her goodbye while Gilbert clicked his tongue.

"Tell Clive. I'm looking forward to meeting him" Gilbert said and went back inside the house without looking back.

*neigh*

"See you later" Angelica raised her hand to wave goodbye to the two and dashed through the gates.

'Good god. Save us from the turbulent times ahead' Gilbert thought taking a seat at his desk. This was not how he expected the future to be. Things were about to be complicated in more ways than one.

Suddenly he noticed a small note on the center of his desk.

'Clive will pay for it. Be sure to charge extra

-Love, A'

Gilbert opened the box at the side of the table to find one of the azreck devices missing. His face flushed red with anger.

"That brat!" He shouted at the top of his lungs.

"Just you wait till I catch you!"