Their romance storyline only begins on the second playthrough?

Chapter 30 The Girl's Mystery

Reception room.

It's still the same layout.

"That's how it is." Rhodes was a little thirsty, but perhaps not really thirsty; he just couldn't quite figure out what had just happened, so he picked up his tea and took a sip.

At that moment, the Duchess sat gracefully on the sofa, covering her mouth in disbelief with her hand, and murmured in shock:

"Vina, did she really say that to you?"

as predicted.

Even this lady was shocked by how bizarre this matter was.

In fact, she had just heard the message from Daphne, but when it came from Rhodes's own mouth, she found it utterly absurd.

It's unbelievable that Rhodes managed to bring Vina back to her normal state just by fighting her once;

It's worth noting that she and her husband went to great lengths to increase the number of times Ivina was in a mentally stable state.

Neither special artifacts imbued with divine power nor powerful individuals capable of manipulating souls could awaken her...

After all, no one can wake someone who is pretending to be asleep, right?

But Rhodes accomplished it so easily?

Moreover, Vina was even able to shake hands with him?

Even if Vina returned to her normal state, she should absolutely resist contact with strangers...

The Duchess also felt that things were beyond her expectations; she looked at Rhodes as if he were a monster—

Is this the power of a divinely favored family...?

Rhodes nodded:

"Yes. So I'm a little curious, what exactly is it?"

"First of all... thank you." The Duchess extended both hands and instantly grasped Rhodes's hands tightly, her face full of gratitude.

"What you just did pulled her back from her mental slumber, which is why she appeared normal again. But the problem is..."

The Duchess suddenly hesitated, her tone wavering.

"Speak frankly."

"We've summoned many people, even [Heroic] level experts from the capital, to help us summon the Soul Seed... but even that lord couldn't accomplish it. So why are you..."

"I only used very ordinary soul skills," Rhodes shook his head.

Both sides fell silent.

Both of them were thinking the same thing in unison: "What on earth is going on?"

"And the biggest problem is, does Miss Ivina not touch other people?" Rhodes asked the more important question.

Rhodes didn't really care how her soul was restored; what he cared about was why Ivina seemed to treat him differently.

"This... I don't know either." The Duchess fell silent again.

At this moment, the Duchess felt that things were truly very unusual.

She's supposed to be Ivina's mother, even if only in name, but she knows absolutely nothing about her...

Moreover, this was indeed beyond her comprehension.

Could it be that her daughter had fallen in love with Rhodes at first sight...? This absurd thought even flashed through her mind for a moment.

At this moment, both sides were in a state of extreme confusion.

Rhodes paused for a moment before asking, "Does Ivina have a twin sister or something, Duchess?"

"Never. Vina was my sister's only child." The Duchess shook her head. "What does it matter?"

"..." Rhodes exhaled quietly, his voice concealed.

Got nothing.

Oh no… Rod discovered for the first time that there was such a hidden plot in the story.

What exactly is going on with Ivina Sanders?

Rhodes stared intently.

Ultimately, it doesn't matter how Ivina treats him specially; the key is whether this special treatment will help him successfully get Ivina to go with them.

Save her to prevent her symbiote from becoming a vessel, or kill her and dispose of the body.

Rhodes only has these two choices.

"I understand. It seems that some things are not so simple."

But all in all, I made good progress that afternoon, Mrs. Sanders.

Although she still showed her disgust towards me, the fact that she allowed me to touch her was, in a way, a significant breakthrough.

I think, maybe I really can do it.

Duchess Sanders' fingertips trembled slightly. When Rhodes said, "It seems like I could just kidnap your daughter," the Duchess's heart was filled with complex emotions.

indeed so.

Rhodes succeeded so well with just one contact, so what's next?

Three days, five days, ten days?

Is it really possible to do it in ten days?

Are you kidding me? Her daughter can be kidnapped in ten days?

Her breathing was a little erratic, but undeniably, if it could make Ivina happy, that would be good.

However, things had developed to such a bizarre point that she had no choice but to get the master back as soon as possible.

What exactly is going on...?

The Duchess paused for a moment. "I hope you succeed. Now it's almost noon, so it's time for you to go and see your temporary accommodations. I'll have a maid take you there."

"Yes, thank you, Madam."

Rhodes nodded in aristocratic manners, then rose.

At that moment, a red-haired maid stepped forward, walked to the door, carefully opened it, and said:

"My lords, this way please."

Rhodes walked toward the door, his mind still racing.

The situation has become even more chaotic. Not to mention the witches, there's a strange mystery surrounding Ivina as well...

……

...

The red-haired maid led them the way.

Walking along the corridors of the Duke's mansion, the midday sun streamed in through the ornate stained-glass windows, illuminating Rhodes and his companions.

The red-haired maid somewhat reservedly introduced the basic architecture of the mansion to Rhodes and his companions:

"This area, on the west corridor, is not actually where guests stay."

Most of the rooms are occupied by long-term residents, usually nobles from the Duke's mansion, or those like Lady Felicity who have lived here for a long time.

"However, Madam specifically instructed that you gentlemen be arranged to stay here," the red-haired maid said softly, head bowed, "because... it's more convenient."

Having said that, she stretched out her finger and pointed to the deepest part of the corridor—

That dark area, just separated by sunlight—the only room that wasn't touched by sunlight.

"After all, that's Miss Ivina's room, well... anyway, that's it, Your Majesty Rhodes."

It's clear that this maid is an introverted person; at least from the beginning, she didn't dare to make eye contact with Rhodes at all, and even when she did communicate, she only chose to speak to him, who was in the main seat.

Rhodes nodded and chuckled softly:

"So where are we scheduled to be?"

"Numbers four and six, Your Majesty Rhodes. These are your rooms and that lady's. As for Princess Felicity..."

"I'm in room five," Felicity said quickly, a sweet smile spreading across her face. "Luo can come to my room anytime, and um, and..."

Felicity smiled, her eyes narrowed, but her gaze was fixed on Lilith, adding, "Miss Lilith, you can come too."

Lilith's lips parted slightly, her blue eyes revealing a hint of inner confusion.

Why did Felicity specifically separate these two points?

Although she felt a little uneasy, she still nodded and said:

"it is good."

"Yes, that's it. The room is cleaned regularly, so you can move in directly, Your Majesty."

Then... you can decide for yourself whether you want to rest or do something else; the meals will be delivered on time.

"Well then, I'll take my leave now. I wish you all a pleasant celebration of Miss Ivina's coming-of-age ceremony..."

The maid lifted the sides of her long skirt with both hands, squatted slightly to pay her respects, bowed again, and then turned and left.

At that moment, Rhodes glanced briefly at Ivina's room, but then looked away.

We still need to slow things down.

It's impossible to understand someone's emotions in a day, especially for this kind of patient, who needs gentle, gradual companionship.

More importantly, Rhodes understood one fact very well.

Although he did bring Ivina back to her senses, and she did indeed have a special feeling towards him, Ivina still loathed him in the end.

Because the violence in a person's eyes, and the look of intent to kill, cannot be faked.

But this truth also means that the bizarre problem is becoming increasingly fragmented—

Why would she be willing to pull him up at that moment and prevent him from falling?

Clearly, she hates herself.