When Amira and Kemiro crossed through the portal, the crystals disappeared from Kirianna, who continued watching, reflecting, "It seems my worry about Amira being lonely may finally lessen. She looks happier day by day since meeting Kemiro."

Despite feeling elated about Amira’s progress, Kirianna feels her heart sadden, a complicated feeling that makes her sigh.

“Aaah♥!”

Kirianna jumps at the sound of a sweet moan coming from behind her.

She turns her attention to Daliah, who is fidgeting, crossing her legs while using her long tongue to lick the remaining blood from the bottom of the goblet. Her face up to her ears is flushed. With each breath, she exhales condensed air.

“L-Liah?” Since they are alone, Kirianna calls Daliah by her pet name.

Licking all the blood from the goblet, Daliah also licks her lips and fingers with expertise. She has a love-struck expression with erratic breathing as she says, “What do I do, Anna? I’m going to have to punish Amira for hiding such a delicious prey, just for herself. How dare she be so selfish? Aaah! I’m so proud. But I want to punish her so badly!”

Used to such a sight, Kirianna sighs, asking, “Was Kemiro’s blood really that tasty?”

Closing her eyes and leaning back in her chair, still savoring the lingering taste on her tongue, Daliah comments, “Yes. Yes! His blood is the purest I’ve tasted in decades! It’s impossible to be born with blood that pure. Such purity can only be cultivated. I’m sure he’s refined his body perfectly up to rank 4.”

Kirianna has a shocked expression as she comments, “That explains how he managed to escape my immobilization.”

“Yes. But it’s not just that; there’s something more. There’s a unique flavor. Something I’ve tasted before. In fact, it seems even better. A divine flavor...”

Kirianna’s expression shifts from shock to a cold stare as she asks, “Do you mean, better than that bastard’s?”

Looking at Kirianna, noticing her irritated tone, Daliah smiles, affirming, “Yes. It’s far superior to his... Amira’s father.”

After silently reflecting, Kirianna comments, “But isn’t that strange? Kemiro doesn’t have the aura of someone Enlightened, let alone on the Divine Path.”

“Yes. He’s only at the Initiate Level. However, his body is infused with something divine. That, I’m sure of. I can only imagine it’s due to his Pair or his Constitution. Either way, if that’s only one of the reasons, as he mentioned, I wonder what else my daughter discovered that I can’t see.”

Noticing Daliah’s intrigued expression, Kirianna says, “Well, Kemiro did say he would allow Lady Amira to reveal the secret to you, so it’s only a matter of time until you find out. But I am curious why he didn’t mention making you take an oath as well.”

Adjusting her position, Daliah replies, “That’s because he knows it’s unnecessary.”

“What do you mean?” Kirianna asks, looking confused.

Looking through the goblet, now crystal clear, Daliah responds, “Think about it. What benefit would I have from revealing his secrets? On the contrary, if Kemiro’s secrets are exposed, it’s Amira who will suffer all the consequences. Whatever he’s hiding, the Boronéa House doesn’t know. If the secret gets out, they’ll do everything to control Kemiro, and he won’t be able to support Amira as he has been.”

“Do you really believe he’s capable of manipulating his own family and keeping his Heritage hidden all this time?” Kirianna asks, still struggling to grasp the idea.

Smiling at Kirianna’s incredulous expression, Daliah comments, “It’s not a matter of belief. Whether he received help from his Pair or Safix, it’s a fact he’s kept it hidden until now. But that’s not the point.”

“And what is the point, then?”

“Now, I’m certain his relationship with the Hauveron’s Pristess advanced after a year because, somehow, she got him to reveal his secrets. Since he admitted that even with Amira, whom he swears he holds in the highest regard, he requested a pact, he must have done the same with the Priestess. What’s more, the Hauveron House has a polygamy culture common among those in leadership, so Kemiro must have suggested including Amira. He didn’t miss the opportunity to bring it up and see how I would react. I imagine that’s because he didn’t know when he’d get the chance to meet me again.” Daliah sighs. “I can only pity the incompetence of the Boronéa House for losing someone with such exceptional Quality as Kemiro.”

Noticing certain implications in Daliah’s words, Kirianna asks, “The way you’re talking, it sounds like the Matriarch isn’t really against Lady Amira and Kemiro’s union.”

Shaking her head at Kirianna’s provocation, Daliah responds, “How could I control my daughter’s life any further? It’s enough that she spent twenty-five years of her life trapped inside a barrier. If this is the path she chooses, all I can do is support her and prepare to suppress the Boronéa House from interfering.”

“You would go against even a Pillar House?” Kirianna questions, though she wears a voracious smile.

“A Pillar House isn’t even worth mentioning. If necessary, I’ll break through the divine barrier that protects the Royal family’s territory. If Kemiro is bold enough to profess killing Gods for my daughter, what wouldn’t I do for her, as her mother?”

“It seems the future, where I can finally unleash my seal, isn’t far off,” Kirianna comments, her smile widening even more.

“Yes. I’ve been missing a worthy battle, too.” After a brief pause, Daliah turns to Kirianna, ordering, “It’s been years since my blood boiled this much. Anna, take off your clothes; you’re going to help me extinguish this fire Kemiro ignited!”

“Eh?”