Seeing Little Herta leave without a word, Newman immediately followed, puzzled. "The exam isn't over yet. Where are you going?"
However, Herta No. 002 simply continued walking silently, not uttering a word. Herta Herself had already issued the command to return home and left, leaving Herta No. 002 to navigate automatically.
Unaware of this, Newman continued to chatter, but his words vanished without a trace. As the silence persisted, he began to wonder if he had somehow offended the Little Tyrant. What did I do wrong? he wondered. I don't think I did anything...
Thus, Herta No. 002 continued on its automated route while Newman trailed behind, racking his brain for any possible misstep. Finally, when Herta No. 002 led him to a residential complex, he realized they had arrived at Herta's home.
Newman knew where Herta lived, of course. But he had always assumed he was following Herta Herself. I'm not crazy enough to abandon the real Herta and barge into her house, am I?
This was his first time in this complex, his first time standing at Herta's doorstep.
But why suddenly decide to go home in a huff?
As Newman pondered this mystery, Herta No. 002 stopped before the door. It didn't take out a key; instead, the door swung open on its own.
"Huh? What's going on? Is someone else in Herta's house?"
The next moment, another Little Herta appeared before Newman. A cute tea-haired girl in a maid outfit ushered Herta No. 002 inside, then glanced at Newman, tilting her head slightly as if puzzled.
"Uh... uh?" Newman stammered, completely stunned. "Wait, you?! Me?! What's going on here? How are there two Hertas?!"
Even as a seasoned spy, he struggled to form coherent sentences, utterly bewildered by the sight before him.
The maid-outfitted Little Herta blinked. Her previously blank expression suddenly livened up with a mischievous smirk. "What are you doing here?" she asked playfully. "Never mind, since you're already here, come on in."
In the next instant, her face reverted to its emotionless mask. She silently stepped aside, folded her hands demurely over her skirt, and stood quietly in the entryway.
Newman's shock deepened. He couldn't have dreamed up something so absurd. In his mind, Herta was the ultimate "Little Tyrant." How could such a Little Tyrant now be standing demurely beside him in a maid outfit?
Frowning deeply, Newman muttered to himself, "When did I fall under this illusion? And who's behind it?"
-
Meanwhile, elsewhere in Pendric Manor, the afternoon sun slanted through the windows, casting diamond-shaped patches of light across the walnut desk.
A refined-looking man, Leif Pendric—Lily's father—set down his documents and wearily pinched the bridge of his nose. As a prominent merchant, he faced countless daily troubles. The moment he laid down his papers, the butler entered the study with a cup of coffee and Lily's freshly delivered report card.
"Ah..." Leif took a small sip of coffee, then picked up his daughter's report card to review it.
Naturally, he adored his daughter. Who wouldn't love such an obedient, well-behaved, and utterly adorable little darling?
However, upon opening the report card and seeing the glaring "Second-to-Last in Written Exam" result, the notoriously calm merchant spat out every last drop of his coffee!
"Ptoo—!"
Fortunately, Leif's reflexes were lightning-fast. He immediately turned his head to the side, preventing the coffee from spraying onto the report card. Unfortunately, the butler standing beside him bore the brunt of the splash.
The butler impassively wiped his face with a white-gloved hand.
"What on earth is this?" Leif roared. "How could her grades plummet like this?"
Of course, his anger wasn't directed at Lily herself. He knew better than anyone how well-behaved his daughter was. Something must have happened, or someone must have influenced her, to cause such a drastic decline in her grades.
As the butler continued wiping his face, he recalled, "Miss Lily seems to have made a new friend recently. After returning home on weekends, she would disappear for entire days. Last week, she didn't even come home at all."
Crack! The coffee cup Leif had just taken a sip from shattered on the floor, sending dark splatters across the room. He froze completely, as if turned to stone, utterly stunned by this unacceptable revelation.
What would any normal person conclude upon hearing these facts and connecting the dots? Naturally, Lily had a boyfriend!
Lily's grades had plummeted because of her boyfriend. Because of him, she, who rarely left the house, was now staying out on weekends.
This is moving way too fast!
Crack! This time, it was the sound of Leif's heart breaking. He shot to his feet, roaring through clenched teeth, "No! I can't accept this! Which little bastard is it? He's dead meat!"
Leif turned to the butler. "Investigate him immediately! Then, by any means necessary, drag him before me. I want to see how he managed to deceive my daughter!"
The butler paused, recalling Lily's words. "When Miss Lily left, she mentioned her friend's name was Herta."
"Herta... Herta?" That name had been trending like wildfire lately. While perhaps not universally known in Great Britain, anyone with even a modicum of social standing would certainly recognize it instantly.
Especially since Leif knew Herta was a girl. His first thought was: Does my daughter... like girls?!
In the Dragon Nation, parents discovering their child was "different" would likely resort to a thorough beating. But in Great Britain, such things were far less scandalous.
Leif frowned, deep in thought. Like many people, he had a habit of fidgeting when pondering—twirling a pen, tapping a table, bouncing his leg, or playing with his hair. He absentmindedly flipped the page of the report card in his hand.
Just as abruptly as he had stood up moments before, Leif now sat down with decisive finality. "Ahem, Herta... never mind then. I had no idea Lily was so capable of connecting with someone of her stature. Excellent, excellent!"
Leif turned to the butler. "Go and select some valuable gifts. I'll be personally visiting Madam Herta later."
The butler watched his master's lightning-fast change of heart, his face a mask of speechless exasperation. "..."
One moment you were threatening to kidnap her, and now you're planning a formal visit?