[Swordsmanship Genius]Your hands were born to hold a sword. If you dedicate yourself to it, you will one day become a Great Swordsman among Knights.
[Surgical Genius]Your hands were born to hold a Surgical Knife. If you dedicate yourself to it, you will one day become a leading figure in the field of surgery.
[Sniping Genius]Your hands were born to hold a sniper rifle. If you dedicate yourself to it, you will one day become a sharpshooter who never misses.
These three dazzling green entries made Lian's eyes light up.
He had met countless nobles and commoners recently, but Riel was the only one who possessed so many high-level entries.
Although none of these three were a Silver Extraordinary Entry, if one could reach the pinnacle in these three areas within the realm of ordinary people, they would still have a fighting chance even against a Transcendent.
Lian asked, "Lord Romayada, have you hired a Swordsmanship instructor for Miss Riel?"
"No."
"A lady has no need for Swordsmanship," Romayada said. "I cannot imagine her swinging a sword—that would be far too crass. A lady should know music, dancing, painting, and poetry."
From Romayada's tone, it was clear that Riel's talents were being wasted.
"Swordsmanship, Medical Skill, or Shooting—choose one of the three and find a professional instructor for her. I believe she will accomplish great things in that field," Lian said.
Romayada looked at his wife and mistresses, his gaze meeting those of his sons and daughters.
They all wore expressions of confusion.
Until his eldest son laughed out loud. "Hahaha, Lord Lian must be joking with us."
"Yes, that must be it."
Romayada started laughing as well.
Riel's face flushed red. Though she didn't know why Lord Lian was using her as the butt of a joke, her inherent low self-esteem made her want to flee the scene even more.
Riel gathered her skirt and ran away.
"You shouldn't have laughed at Riel."
Romayada scolded his eldest son, Bai Muyada.
Bai Muyada looked at his father innocently. "Who was it that was laughing the loudest just now?"
Lian shook his head. "If you don't mind, I can be her Swordsmanship instructor."
Romayada and his wife and mistresses exchanged another glance, and in an instant, they understood.
Lian had taken a liking to their young daughter.
Although Riel was only 14, in Green Shade Territory, a 14-year-old girl was old enough to be engaged.
The wedding could be held after she came of age.
Therefore, Romayada immediately agreed to Lian's suggestion.
"If you are willing to instruct her, then of course you may."
Of course, Lian knew what old Romayada was thinking, but he didn't want to explain too much, as it involved his secrets.
He valued Riel's talent and thought it was a terrible shame for such a gift to go uncultivated.
'If I can train her to become the strongest Sword Knight, sniper, and Ripper by my side, my own safety will be that much more secure.'
"I'll go inform Riel right away."
Romayada's mistress, Madam Emil, excitedly gathered her skirts and ran off.
Because Riel was her biological daughter, her own status would rise if Riel became the new lady of the Lord.
Lian continued to participate in Romayada's family banquet.
At her mother's request, Bella was still playing "A Spring Story" on the harp for Lian.
It was a slow and beautiful piece of country music.
Madam Yada couldn't believe that her beautiful second daughter could lose out to the child of a mistress, the good-for-nothing Riel.
She hoped Lian would change his mind and choose a different person to "instruct."
Unfortunately, Lian wasn't focused on Bella's playing. He was constantly mingling with all sorts of girls at the ball, like a seasoned casanova casting a wide net.
A mistress who only had sons said, "My lady, do you think Lord Lian inherited Lord Moria's amorous nature?"
"What's so bad about that? If that's the case, it proves both of my daughters have a chance," Madam Yada said.
The mistress said worriedly, "He doesn't even spare the Maids. He looks like he's hunting for prey."
"You could always dress up your son and present him," Madam Yada sneered.
The mistress and she were not on good terms, as they were rivals in love, both enamored with the same man: the steward, Lu'an Schroeder.
Lian made a lap around the ballroom and finally found the Spy hidden in the richest man's household.
It was Romayada's fourth mistress. She had made a fashionably late entrance, having spent the extra time on her appearance.
She looked to be only 18, dressed flamboyantly, appearing lively and bright.
Standing next to Romayada, they looked like father and daughter.
The wife and other mistresses all disliked her because she was too favored.
"I'm sorry, I'm late."
"This is my mistress, Vanessa," Romayada introduced.
Vanessa gave Lian a slight curtsy and said with a smile, "Lord Lian, you're even younger than I imagined. So young and accomplished."
"Lady Vanessa, you are also younger than I imagined."
Lian saw the looks of infatuation in the eyes of Romayada's two sons as they gazed at Vanessa, and instantly felt that the cuckold's horns on Romayada's head grew a little taller.
"Thank you for the compliment. I'm actually 20," Vanessa said with a smile.
"Oh, you only look 18."
"Really? You're quite the charmer."
Vanessa giggled, covering her mouth.
Her gaze swept over Anna's and Annie's faces before quickly returning to Lian.
Just as Lian was in the middle of a lively chat with Romayada's new mistress, Riel's scream shattered the ballroom's peace.
Lian followed the crowd's gaze to Riel, who was wearing a long pink dress.
Riel stared at the red rash that had suddenly appeared on her hands, screaming and scratching.
"Ah... what is this? What is this? It's so itchy!"
"Riel, are you all right?"
Madam Emil looked anxiously at Riel's arm, where the skin was already broken. "Riel, you have to stop scratching."
"But Mother, it's so itchy, so itchy!"
As Riel spoke, she continued to frantically scratch at the rash, leaving clear, bloody marks on her skin.
It seemed only pain could offer some relief from the intense itching.
"It's the Plague! It's the Plague!"
A voice suddenly cried out from the crowd, sending everyone at the family ball into a panic.
The crowd began to scream and scatter, trying to flee Romayada's estate as quickly as possible and get away from Riel, the source of the infection.
Lian frowned and looked at Romayada.
"Have the estate sealed. No one is to leave for the time being. Find a Doctor to examine Miss Riel, isolate her for now, and stop her from hurting herself further."
"Yes, Lord Lian."
The panicked Romayada suddenly found his resolve and immediately had his steward, Lu'an Schroeder, carry out the orders.
Riel was bound and locked in a room.
"I'm not! I'm not Infected with the Plague! Father, Mother, help me, help me!"
Riel's agonized cries echoed throughout the entire estate, plunging everyone into fear.