"Are you sure you got him?"

"Yes mother! Now stop nitpicking!"

"I'm not nitpicking!"

I scowled at my mother while she followed behind me with a worried expression. I held my baby brother in my arms as he pulled on my hair, laughing cheerfully.

We had just arrived in the Imperial City. Apparently it's customary for newborn children to be baptized by the King after they had been named. This was something only higher ranking nobles could hope to achieve.

Unfortunately, that would include us.

So here we are, in the Imperial City once more.

We walked into the Royal Palace and stood at a large wooden door. My little brother giggled as he squirmed in my arms.

My mother looked down at me worriedly, "Maybe I should hold him."

I rolled my eyes, "Calm down! You're being overprotective!"

"But..."

My father chuckled, "It's okay dear. Just relax."

The servant at the door went to shout, but I cut him down with sharp eyes.

"If you even THINK about raising your voice, I will feed you to the wolves."

He gulped. He didn't know why he was so afraid of a little girl, but he dares not question it. Nobles were a terrifying breed of people!

He whispered, "Now introducing the Kane Family."

The King frowned, "What was that?"

We walked in and I smiled at the King haughtily, "What's wrong your highness? Are you going deaf?"

"Seri!" My mother snapped at me.

The King chuckled, "It's been a while and I see she has still yet to learn manners. Although, I can't fault her. I heard my wife was having fun indulging in her ways."

Queen Luna, who sat next to him, looked down a bit guiltily. She shrugged, "I can't help it. She is just too precious."

My parents bowed and greeted the two of them formally. I just nodded. Since I was holding a baby, I figured this gave me a excuse not to bow.

Queen Luna reached out to me, "Come here Seri. Let me see that beautiful baby in your arms."

I walked up the stairs and approached her without another thought. The guards flinched at this action, but didn't move forward.

No one was allowed to approach the King or Queen in the audience room, and yet here they are. The guards secretly disapproved, but knew not to say anything.

Usually a normal family would be afraid of the rumors that would spread if they acted too friendly to the Royal family. However, this was no ordinary family! It was the Kane Family!

The Kane Family seemed to be immune to rumors. They could care less about them. Their businesses succeeded due to their talent, so why would they care about silly rumors?

Although, everyone was surprised this applied to Kane's daughter as well. Usually children are more vulnerable than their parents... And to make things worse, Seri seemed to have the worse rumors surrounding her. But she acted as if she didn't even know about them.

She acted like that because she actually did not know. She was too lazy to pay attention to those kinds of things. However, if something was ever useful, she would remember it. She surely was a strange girl.

I felt the uncomfortable stares from the guards and frowned.

Why do I feel like they are judging me right now?

Queen Luna pinched Oliver's cheeks, "My! How cute! Although it's a shame he doesn't look like you..."

It's not a shame at all! Unlike me who inherited such boring looks, he inherited everything beautiful!

He had my father's deep eyes and luscious hair. While also inheriting my mother's graceful features.

I only inherited a plain looking face!!! Which made no sense because my parents were anything but plain!

Ah. The God of this world must really hate Seri.

I looked over at the empty chair next to Queen Luna, "Where's William?"

She smiled at me, "Oho. Do you miss him that much?"

I frowned at her overly happy voice. I was just curious. Nothing more.

"He is preparing the banquet. He has a very important job." She gave me a wink.

I couldn't help but look at her blandly. I bet his important job is just standing off to the side looking handsome.

After the King and Queen greeted the baby, the procession started. Honestly, it felt like a death march.

After the parents bring the baby to greet the King and Queen, they then walk to the Royal carriages, where they go to the Imperial City's church. They bless the baby there because it's supposed to strengthen the connection of the church to the nobles and to royalty.

Sounds like a bunch of boring bullsh*t to me. Yet here I am, riding in a carriage ready to puke.

We stepped off the carriage and followed the King and Queen inside. Apparently the commoners loved this kind of event. They were all lined up in the road cheering and watching with excited eyes.

Is this really a baptism? Or is this just an excuse to have a party?

As we walked inside I caught sight of two nuns standing up by the alter. My face soured at the sight. Luckily for me, I wasn't supposed to follow my parents to the front. My mother carried Oliver and my father followed closely behind her.

I had a seat next to Dante. He noticed me glancing nervously to the nuns and grabbed my hand. I flinched slightly.

He's been getting too bold lately. But, I do have to admit it is a bit comforting.

I scooted closer to him. At the very least, I could use him as a human shield.

The ceremony started and I felt like falling asleep. Finally, the King called in William. William entered the room holding a basin of water.

He had a serious face and an aura that exuded royalty. A lot of girl's in the room felt their hearts flutter at his dazzling appearance. Even my heart was moved a bit.

Sometimes I forget he's actually a prince.

He stood next to the King who dipped his hands into the water. He then made a mark on Oliver's forehead.

"May God bless this child, Oliver Halgraaf."

Everyone stood up and cheered, wishing for the child to have a good future. I looked at William who was still standing off to the side holding the basin of water.

Yup. I knew it. He's just standing to the side looking handsome.

After we finished, the party moved upstairs. There was a huge banquet set up with food and drinks. The sound of music filled the room. I looked outside and noticed several commoners dancing happily on the street to the music.

That's it. I'm certain now. This most definitely is an excuse just to party.

Lona held Oliver as my mother and father talked to other guests. Queen Luna eventually sauntered over with two glasses of wine. She handed one to my mother.

"Come on Shannon. Drink with me."

My mother smiled awkwardly, "Oh, no Queen Luna. I must decline.."

"Don't be a downer." Queen Luna pouted, "I need a drinking buddy."

"I have to take care of my son."

"Nonsense! Lona has that covered."

Lona frowned at being thrown under the bus. She was technically my caregiver, but since she was the only maid my parents trusted, she was the one they brought along. She liked babies, but not taking care of them while the parents got drunk.

The King then joined, "That's right! Come on Kane! Tonight we celebrate!"

I left them and sat down at the table by the Window. Dante walked over to me and handed me a plate of cake. I happily munched on it.

William joined us with a smug smile, "Well? Didn't I look good?"

I rolled my eyes and looked out the window. The last thing I want to do is fuel his ego.

The sky was slowly turning dark as the sun set. It was truly a beautiful sight.

I wonder if Bertram is having luck. I sent him go check up on the business here. I have to maintain my villain's image after all. Luckily for me, Bertram had several loyal friends here.

They all agreed to "work" under the Black Death in order to spread his infamy. Of course I still rewarded them nicely for their work.

Hmm. Maybe I should start a gang.

My eyes caught sight of flowing pink hair reflected off of the last bit of sunlight.

I nearly choked on my cake.

PINK HAIR?!

THAT'S A MAIN CHARACTER!

Anytime there's someone with abnormally colored hair, they are almost always a main character!

Even though no one in the novels or shows seem to realize this kind of hair color is abnormal... Or if they do, they are able to explain it away.

How do they not see this as weird?!

This is totally weird!!!

I grabbed the black curtain off it's pole and jumped out of the window. If wasn't a far jump or anything, so I landed easily. I hopped over the fence and ran after that pink haired girl.

William chuckled, "All of the girl's keep complimenting my appearance. How annoying. But it is true. Isn't it Seri?"

"She's gone." Dante answered as he realized he was holding a plate of half eaten cake. He didn't recall even having this thrust into his hands.

William sighed in irritation, "She's really getting too good at that."

I tied the curtain around me, hiding part of my face. I saw this in anime all the time. No one recognized the character when they did something like this, so I will be fine.

The last thing I want is to be identified.

Yup! That's because today I'm going to stalk this pink haired girl.

The pink haired girl who will eventually marry William.

None other than Mary herself.

I kept my eye on her as I made sure to stay out of her sight. Which wasn't a hard thing to do...

She was a complete airhead!!!!

She skipped down the road while whistling a carefree tune. In her hand she held a wicker basket filled with vibrant looking flowers. She never thought to look behind her at the person following her so suspiciously.

She stopped at an intersection. She looked like she was thinking about something deeply.

She chuckled and spoke with a soft tone, "Oh no! I appear to be lost. I shouldn't have been watching the sunset so closely. Hmm... Which way was it again?"

My mouth dropped while I watched from my hiding spot. If you're lost then ask for directions you stupid girl!!

She shrugged, "Let's go left!"

IDIOT!!!!

Does she even realize she's heading straight into the red light district at night?! She's a child! She's going to get into trouble!!!

I followed her down the alley. Well, I doubt she will encounter any trouble. This is the female lead of the original novel after all.

She doesn't start encountering problems until the start of the book. And that's not for another four years.

I heard a shrill scream and quickly rushed forward.

Mary stood cowering in a corner as three rugged men surrounded her. She was shaking so bad she looked as if she was going to pee herself. The basket of flowers she was carrying was thrown across the ground.

"Lookie here. What a cute girl."

Another chuckled, "I bet we could sell her for a pretty penny too."

The third nodded, "And just our luck! I heard that Black death fellow is looking for more little girls."

I frowned.

WHY AM I BEING CONNECTED TO KIDNAPPING LITTLE GIRLS?!

Okay. So I may have said that I had been a slave and purchased before.

But why were people still trying to give me children?! It's getting annoying!!

I don't want to be associated with child abductions!

That's one of the reasons I sent Bertram into the red light district. He told me that his friends keep having to purchase children.

Of course, we give the child back to their parents, who seem to thank us endlessly. Luckily that made my villains image a bit better in their eyes.

But why is it still happening?! I really need to reassess this situation...

Ugh. Why is being a crime Lord so much work?!

Oh well. Since this is Mary, then William or Dante will jump in out of nowhere to save the day...

Any second now...

One man chuckled darkly, "Maybe we should sample the goods first?"

Mary's eyes shrunk back in a panic. Her little legs couldn't move a muscle.

Okay...

Any...

Second...

Now...

The men started closing in on her. I scratched my arm in a panic.

WHERE THE F*CK ARE THEY?!