When Lily awoke... she was no longer against the ceiling of the carriage. She was instead rested against something silk... she opened her eyes, only to see the world covered in blue... wait no. Ah. She was laying on her mothers lap.

  "I knew we should have brought a [Maid], whatever are we going to do about this tear in her dress? Her debut will be ruined!"

  The panicked sound of her "Mothers" voice filled her ears. They had been... attacked right? Yes, she winced as she felt the pain of where her wound had been. But she was more worried about the dress! Typical. Of course it did make sense, her "Mother" had healed her as if it was nothing, a simple wave of the hand and a chant. That had been real... right? Yes it must have been, after all as she traced her exposed skin she felt no wound, no scar.

  "Oh dear you're awake! Are you alright?!"

  Her "Mother" instantly noticed her movements and began to check on her. Lily slowly moved up, her head still pounding.

  "Other than my head... I am fine Mother."

  Her "Mother" nodded, pleased before frowning.

  "Oh I'm so sorry Lily, your dress got ripped up and we don't have time to replace it before the party!"

  Lily shook her head.

  "It's fine Mother, I was never going to be the center of attention, I shall simply walk in a manner that hides it the most."

  Heather smiled at that, she always smiled when Lily was practical. Always commenting on how she was her little genius. Lily didn't... mind those praises. She liked being considered smart, considered a genius. She hoped it would remain as she reached adulthood. She was smart for a three year old but that did not mean she would be smart for an adult. She would need to be though, if she wanted to meet Alice again.

  "Very well my dear, I'm sure it'll be fine, it'll show off how tough my little girl is and make sure you're respected."

  Lily nodded, but she really did not want to go to this party. Talking to others? Being engaging, that was always Alice's thing. She had always let her take all the attention when they went out, she hated being in the spotlight. But her "parents" wanted this, and she had to be a part of this society.

  The Blackguard eventually made it to Clawwood Manor, it was late but lights filled the large building as different people went in and out of the different entrances, the main entrance had the occasional group of well dressed individuals while the side doors had a constant stream of servants. Lily collected herself and breathed as she entered the building. It was... interesting. She had expected one of the richest nobles of the southern regions to show off wealth in gaudy ways. But instead Marquess Clawwood seemed to prefer at least some level of proper architecture.

  Lily marveled at the beautifully carved wooden pillars that lined the foyer of the manor. When she looked closer she realized that they were telling the history of the Clawwoods. It showed their humble beginnings as simple farmers and how they expanded farming more land and using the coin they earned to expand further. When the time came to decide who ruled such land the Clawwoods had the most coin. It was odd however, there was a massive war in the Elsetean Kingdom's history, and while the start of it was shown here, the next part of the story on the wood had been charred black.

  "It represents the Great Fire of the year 607. A monster wielding fire magic attacked Ravenshire and burned down the old Clawwood estate. Much of that time was spent rebuilding."

  Lily's gaze turned from the pillars to a man in a suit, nothing too fancy, clearly a butler of the estate.

  "Nothing great about a fire..."

  Lily responded albeit in a small voice, the butler cocked his head, before simply nodding.

  "Lady Lightlash, if you please we are ready for your introduction."

  David Hammerblood did not understand why he needed to be at this party. He wasn't interested in the young Clawwood, she might be heralded as a genius but he already had [Sword Mastery] at Rank Two! It didn't matter to him that she could already cast magic, he had a practical skill and he was only six!

  So he sat grumpily at his table as children and adults mingled. Slowly sipping at the drink he had been given, it was a weak wine he really had no idea why his father was so insistent that nobles drink wine and that he must build a strong tolerance. Couldn't he just buy a Skill Book for [Poison Resistance] and be done with it?

  "You know I hear that Young Lady Lightlash will be presented tonight as well."

  He overheard a conversation between two Lords nearby, he thought deeply trying to remember their names... ah yes. Count Greyspear and Viscount Cloudless.

  "Oh? Hasn't Count Lightlash been praising his daughter at every event? He claims she'll be the one to raise their family to Marquess status! Imagine that! She's what... only two?"

  A hearty laugh came from Viscount Cloudless

  "Oh no no, she's three! Haha! And imagine this, her mother Countess Lightlash is even bolder!"

  Count Greyspear claimed moving in closer near the end and lowering his voice, however neither of them paid David any mind so he was able to listen in with ease.

  "No! Do tell!"

  Viscount Cloudless said in a hush keen to hear the gossip.

  "Well my wife said that in their last get together she said that her daughter will raise them to the status of Dukedom! And when they all teased her she got very stern with them and insisted!"

  Count Greyspear stated making a motion of disbelief near the end.

  "My word... I had heard she was churlish but I would've never thought to that extent!"

  Viscount Cloudless gasped and spoke, making sure he was even quieter as he spoke poorly of the Countess.

  "That's the thing, from how Christina tells it, she's actually quite pleasant and she had never seen her be so serious!"

  Count Greyspear shook his head and explained.

  "Well I guess we'll see what all the fuss is about today, but doubtful it'll compare to Young Lady Clawwood, they say she's a genius only shown every twenty years!"

  Viscount Cloudless pointed out and then chuckled a bit at the very end.

  All in all their conversation was of little value but David had to admit he was at least mildly interested now, for both parents to have such faith in their daughters abilities was not mere parental pride, that was something that was rarely seen among the nobles. They only cared for results and status.

  Either way neither of these would be of interest to him, no David had long since seen the Princess of Zostra and he doubted anyone would compare to her. She was a proper warrior, her performance at the Elsetean-Zostra Gala had been incredible. He was sure he would one day need to settle for less in some deal with another noble family but for now... he set his sights on the heavens.

  A door creaked open, no one paid it real mind, only some going quiet but a majority simply turned their gazes and kept up their conversations as a butler stepped through and began to loudly declare.

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  "Introducing! the Young Lady Lily Lightlash of Fairhill!"

  And suddenly the entire party was silent, the slightest hushed whispers as everyone stared at the little girl who walked through those doors. A pink dress that was torn in some areas, and completely missing on her left side, ripped open exposing the side of her stomach all around it was stained a deep red. But that's not what held the attention of all around. Those golden eyes swept across the room with a clinical feeling to them, cold and unemotive yet so full of clear power when they glanced over him David felt as if his entire being was being judged, like she was staring into his very soul and he was so very worried it was found lacking.

  No shy smile from this one, instead a firm and neutral face as she stepped deeper into the room, her steps echoed as everyone watched in silent, the further she got in the more whispers broke out until she found an empty table and sat down no longer bothering herself with the masses, ha, to think she made him feel like all these nobles were just common people she need not consider.

  David overheard the two next to him begin again.

  "I can see now... why the Countess Lightlash was so... firm on her statement, is that really a child?"

  And then the butler began again.

  "Introducing, Count Anthony Lightlash of Fairfield and Countess Heather Lightlash of Fairfield, [Magi of Flame]"

  Lily felt her heart beating like crazy, she had used [Inspect] on everyone she could see, they were all nobles, every single one! Even the staff had some sort of lower noble title! What's worse is they had all stopped talking when she entered! All stared at her! It took everything in her to find an empty table and escape to it as quickly as possible, and people were still glancing at her right now! They kept stealing looks and whispering what were they talking about? Probably about how dumb her dress was!

  She watched as her "Mother" and "Father" both began to mingle and talk, laughing and engaging. Slowly the party got back into the rhythm but she could still feel the occasional gaze upon her. It all made her feel so uncomfortable! And then a boy approached her, great, just perfect. She quickly used [Inspect] on him.

  Name: David Bloodhammer

  Race: Human

  Class: Squire (Tier 0)

  Level: 3

  HP: 15/15

  Mana: 0/0

  Strength: 8

  Dexterity: 5

  Constitution: 5

  Intelligence: 4

  Wisdom: 3

  Charisma: 8

  Luck: 0

  Skills

  Sword Mastery 2

  Calligraphy 1

  He looked a little nervous, ugh that didn't seem good that probably meant he was going to try and befriend her or worse.

  "La-Lady Lightlash, it's an honor to meet you I am-"

  Lily cut him off, no interest in the pleasantries.

  "The Young Lord Bloodhammer."

  It took all she could to stay calm and collected, she had wanted to simply tell him to go away but that wouldn't be proper.

  He fumbled over his words at that and Lily just stared at him, eye contact, as long as she kept eye contact that wasn't rude. She just had to hold it.

  After a moment of silence he simply did a bow.

  "It was nice meeting you!"

  And then he ran off, his face flushed red, Lily had no idea what to make of the boy but she didn't pay him any thought. She focused on keeping calm; she just had to sit here and greet the occasional person. It was fine.

  A few more introductions happened before it was finally time for the star of the party, hopefully people would stop staring at her.

  "Introducing! The Young Lady, Kayla Clawwood, [Flame Mage]."

  Kayla Clawwood walked into the room with all the grace Lily would expect from a noble. A pleasant smile across her face as she stepped glancing at all the nobles around and giving them polite nods, it had been nothing like her entrance where she was sure she had looked like a rabbit in headlights. She greeted nobles as she walked, a dress that glowed with illusionary flames adorned her, causing light to flicker off her body. Her brown hair was short, cut to just above her shoulders, parted down the middle.

  She walked until she reached the center of the room and gave a curtsy to the entire room.

  "Lords and Ladies of Elsetean, I humbly thank you for attending my Birthday Party. It is an honor to finally meet you all."

  Her voice was calm but kind, everything a noble should have. Lily felt extremely out of place now, her entrance hadn't been anything like that, she had barely managed to make it to her seat much less address the entire crowd, that confidence was incredible. She did not hear the rare whisper stating how she didn't seem as impressive as the Lightlash heir.

  However, much to Lily's dismay it was not just simply done with that, she did not get to slink into the background unnoticed. Because Kayla turned her gaze onto Lily and smiled, approaching her.

  "Lady Lightlash, I saw your entrance. It was quite stunning I must say, I do hope I was able to have nearly as impressive as an opening."

  Lily felt conflicted on one hand; she felt as if she was being mocked, her introduction had been terrible! On another, there was such sincerity in the girl's words that she couldn't feel as if she was being malicious.

  "Oh, thank you Lady Clawwood. Your entrance was most excellent, you are everything that one would expect in a noble."

  Lily said, pushing a smile onto her face. Kayla seemed a little shocked before a giggle escaped her lips.

  "I see the rumors are true, you are a genius, speaking in such a manner at such a young age, it took me two years of tutoring to reach this point."

  Lily paused, again she had spoken with too much... complexity for a three year old, she had to constantly remind herself of her age. Every day finding a spell to speed up her aging seemed more and more desirable.

  "Oh- Right, Um I do apologize."

  Kayla giggled once more, a bigger smile forming across her face.

  "I do not find it offensive, I would be rather insulted if you lowered your speech for me."

  Kayla then sat at the table with her, clearly intent on talking to her further. Lily thought to how they had announced her with a class, just as they did her "Mother". Which was a class she did not know about, for some reason her [Inspect] still did not work on her "Mother". But it did in fact work on Kayla.

  Name: Kayla Clawwood

  Race: Human

  Class: Flame Mage (Tier 1)

  Level: 5

  HP: 15/15

  Mana: 40/40

  Strength: 4

  Dexterity: 6

  Constitution: 5

  Intelligence: 25

  Wisdom: 13

  Charisma: 12

  Luck: 10

  Skills

  Mana Control 6

  Mana Circulation 3

  Flame Magic 5

  Calligraphy 3

  Noble Etiquette 5

  Old Elvish 2

  Arcane Favor 1

  Lily was surprised, she did actually have quite the impressive array of abilities and stats, at the very least impressive for a child.

  Lily really wasn't enjoying this, even more people were staring at her now. She looked over to Kayla and spoke.

  "I hear that the Clawwood Library is one of the most impressive ones this side of the kingdom. Would it be too much to ask that we take our conversation there?"

  Kayla seemed a little shocked before a laugh escaped her.

  "You are quite direct Lady Lightlash, I would not mind escaping the looks of our peers either."

  She said with a smile, standing up and offering a hand to Lily. Lily herself was a little hesitant now that she had been seen through completely. But she nodded and accepted her hand, getting up from the table. She did quickly release the hand and move it away once she was stood up. Kayla seemed a little disappointed but did not say anything as she led her out of the party room.

  Lily looked at all the decor as they walked, she sighed inside as she wondered where Alice was right, wondering if she was alright, wondering if she was daring to let someone else- ugh! What was she thinking, she kept having these possessive thoughts of Alice, as if she was just property to Lily, it bothered her deeply but she didn't know why they kept happening. She tried her best to ignore them, she focused on her other thoughts. In all she really just hoped Alice was somewhere safe, somewhere warm.

  Alice felt her blood flowing down her body, falling into the water below her, she weakly stared up at the massive crow that currently had a talon pierced through her chest.

  Is this... is this how I die? Again?