A car moved steadily through the Noble District. It was Helena’s Apocalypse Sedan. The vehicle was built to handle rough terrain like an off-road machine, but that durability was unnecessary here. The roads in the Noble District were smooth and properly maintained, unlike most other parts of the capital.

  Helena sat inside, humming softly to herself. The night air drifted in through the slightly open window. Sleep clung faintly to her eyes. She did not truly need much rest, but she preferred to keep ordinary habits. Sleeping. Yawning. Feeling tired. It helped her feel normal.

  The sedan slowed and stopped in front of two large iron gates. Tall stone walls stretched on both sides, decorated with carved patterns. Through the bars, Helena could see the manor in the distance.

  She did not move the car forward.

  Two armored guards stood in front of the gate with spears lowered toward the sedan. They were already alert.

  Without saying anything at first, Helena opened the door and stepped out. She stretched slightly and yawned.

  “How’re you two doing?”

  The guards exchanged a quick glance and tightened their grip on their spears. One shifted his stance, clearly ready to shout the emergency code that would alert the nearest guard post. The estate was not fully staffed yet. There were only around twenty guards and thirty servants maintaining the manor. Any unknown arrival at this hour was a risk.

  Before the guard could shout, Helena’s half-lidded eyes shifted past them.

  Two figures were rushing toward the gate from inside the estate.

  One was clearly running. The other seemed to ignore gravity entirely, covering distance in long, unnatural leaps. Helena watched for a moment. The leaping one was likely using some form of gravity control. She recognized the signs easily. Her husband’s core ability had been gravity-based as well.

  Both of them looked urgent, as if something were chasing them.

  As they drew closer, Helena could make out their clothing. Black and white uniforms. One woman. One man. The woman was running at full speed. The man moved in arcs through the air.

  Even the guards turned to look.

  “Why are they running like that?” one muttered.

  Helena tilted her head slightly. “Want to bet who wins?”

  The guards stared at her, unamused.

  The woman reached the gate first. She was breathing hard but still loud enough to shout at the top of her lungs.

  “LOWER YOUR WEAPONS!”

  The guards hesitated.

  “I SAID LOWER YOUR WEAPONS!!”

  They looked between Helena and the approaching woman, uncertain.

  Helena raised a hand slightly. “I don’t know her,” she said plainly.

  But the urgency in the woman’s voice carried authority. The guards recognized it. After a brief pause, they lowered their spears.

  The woman did not slow down. Instead of waiting for the gate to open, she bent her knees and jumped. She cleared the iron bars in one smooth motion and landed neatly near the guards, who instinctively stepped aside.

  Helena clapped lightly. “Wow. I did that too a few minutes ago.”

  The woman ignored the comment. She straightened her posture, dusted off her long skirt, then bowed politely toward Helena. The guards, noticing her manner and bearing, lowered their heads as well.

  “Welcome home, Lady Helena,” the woman said. “I am Elowen, the head maid of your estate.”

  Helena looked her up and down without hiding it. “Head maid?”

  “Yes. I manage this former ducal estate with my husband. He serves as the head butler.”

  At that moment, the second figure finally reached the gate. He landed inside and looked visibly exhausted. With a small gesture, he dispelled the gravity spell he had been using. Unlike Elowen, he did not attempt to jump over. He opened the smaller side gate and stepped through, holding onto it briefly for support.

  He approached and bowed. “Apologies for presenting myself in such a state. I am Morris, the head butler. It is a pleasure to meet you, my lady.”

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  “So you’re husband and wife?”

  “Yes, my lady,” Elowen answered calmly.

  Helena studied them openly. Elowen was tall, dark-haired, with sharp features and a serious presence. Morris looked slightly younger, perhaps around thirty, with a calmer expression. Even without knowing them, Helena felt she could guess who held more authority between the two.

  A faint grin formed on her face as a few unspoken thoughts crossed her mind. She wisely kept them to herself.

  Elowen cleared her throat gently. “My lady, perhaps we should go inside first. You must be tired.”

  “Well, a little,” Helena admitted. “Let’s head in. Both of you, get in the car.”

  She pointed her thumb toward the sedan.

  Elowen and Morris exchanged a confused glance but did not question her.

  “One person in the front with me, one in the back,” Helena added. “Morris, you’ll probably be more comfortable in the back.”

  She said it casually. Elowen was not fat, but she was tall and broad in a way that made her presence feel larger. Morris, despite being around average height, seemed smaller standing beside her.

  Helena shook her head internally. Stop it. Not your business, Helen.

  “My lady?” Elowen asked. “Is something wrong?”

  Helena cleared her throat. “No. I just realized I forgot to ask. How did you know I bought the estate? I completed the purchase less than half an hour ago.”

  “We received a direct message from Master Exis,” Elowen replied. “He informed us that you had acquired the estate and might arrive tonight. We came immediately to ensure everything was prepared. He instructed us to take care of you to the best of our ability.”

  Helena nodded. “Alright. Let’s get in.”

  She took the driver’s seat. Elowen and Morris stood beside the vehicle, staring at it uncertainly.

  Helena rolled down the window and made a pulling motion with her hand. “Like this.”

  Elowen hesitated, then grasped the handle and pulled. The door opened.

  Both of them had heard that their new master possessed unusual items, but neither had expected this. The carriage had no horses, no reins, no visible means of movement. Traditionally, it would be their duty to escort their master inside while managing the carriage themselves.

  Neither Elowen nor Morris had any idea how to handle this one.

  They chose not to ask.

  Elowen quickly took the front seat, though her knees were slightly bent due to the limited space. Helena reached under her seat and adjusted it backward. The seat slid smoothly, giving Elowen more legroom. She looked more comfortable now, though her long maid skirt still spread across much of the floor.

  From the back seat, Morris suddenly exclaimed, “Are they dead?”

  Helena checked the mirror. He was staring at Laysandra and Rias, who were still unconscious.

  “Relax,” Helena said. “They’re just sleeping. I think.”

  Elowen turned slightly to look at them, concern flickering across her face. Morris hesitated but sat carefully beside Rias. The space was tight, and his shoulder brushed against her. In the mirror, Elowen’s eyes sharpened as she glanced at him.

  Morris straightened immediately, looking even more uncomfortable.

  Helena noticed and smiled faintly. Just as I thought.

  The gates had already been opened. Helena pressed the accelerator, and the car moved forward at a steady pace. Both Elowen and Morris quietly observed the estate grounds through the windows, taking in the unfamiliar vehicle’s smooth motion.

  “Where’s the parking area?” Helena asked. “Or I can just store this in my rings.”

  Elowen’s eyes shifted to Helena’s hands on the steering wheel. Rings adorned every finger. Master Exis had mentioned that detail specifically as a way to identify their new mistress. He had not explained what the rings did.

  “My lady,” Elowen said carefully, “it is the duty of servants to manage and park their master’s carriage. However, neither Morris nor I know how to operate this one. We are ashamed of our lack of skill. If you permit me, I can carry it to the parking area.”

  Helena blinked. “No need. I’ll store it. And don’t apologize for small things. I have a lot of… Pou.”

  “I—” Elowen stopped herself. “My lady, I do not know the meaning of ‘Pou.’ Could you explain?”

  Helena nodded seriously. “‘Pou’ is a word developed by the Hale family. It stands for Power of Understanding.”

  Elowen’s expression went completely flat.

  After a second, Helena coughed lightly. “Bad joke. I’m not great at those.”

  Elowen shook her head calmly. “It is not your fault, my lady. Morris also tends to joke in similar ways. I believe I am simply difficult when it comes to humor.”

  “Oh. Okay.”

  The car eventually stopped in front of the main manor.

  Compared to the other estates Helena had passed, this one was clearly among the largest. Space in the capital was limited, so it was not vast like countryside estates, but it stood proudly. From here, she could even see the Royal Palace in the distance. The palace looked grand, but her manor carried its own weight, with a dignified and historical presence. Even at a slow driving speed, it had taken nearly three minutes to reach the front from the main gates. Other buildings, including servant quarters and stables, lay further behind.

  Helena stepped out and looked up at the wide staircase leading to the large wooden doors. She nodded to herself, satisfied.

  This time, Elowen and Morris watched carefully how she opened the door and followed her example without instruction. Morris adjusted his coat. Elowen straightened her skirt.

  Helena reached into her rings and pulled out two large suitcases, holding one in each hand.

  Both Elowen and Morris looked at the luggage in confusion, but their duty was clear.

  “My lady, please allow us to carry your belongings,” Elowen said.

  “No,” Helena replied simply.

  The suitcases served no real purpose beyond her own satisfaction. She wanted to enter her new home carrying them herself.

  They stepped back without argument.

  Morris hesitated. “What about the two ladies in the carriage?”

  Helena paused. Right.

  Before she could figure out how to manage both luggage and unconscious friends, Elowen had already moved. She opened the back door and lifted Rias in a princess carry with one arm, then secured Laysandra over her back with the other. She handled both with steady balance.

  “Thanks,” Helena said.

  “It is our duty, my lady. There is no need to thank us. Please give us orders freely.”

  Helena gave a small nod and walked toward the entrance. The doors opened from inside.

  Two neat lines of servants stood waiting. Maids on one side, menservants on the other.

  As she stepped forward, they bowed in unison.

  “Welcome home, Lady Helena.”

  Helena walked inside with a quiet sense of satisfaction.

  This was her home now.

  Still, beneath that feeling, there was a small weight in her chest.

  Her family and old friends were not here with her.

  Only their memories were.

  Thanks everyone for the support. I read all the comments on the last chapter, and seeing so many positive reaction honestly made me really happy.

  As for the criticism, don't worry, i didn't take it personally. I have thick skin(lies). And to be fair, they weren't entirely wrong. I had already felt something was slightly off but couldn't quite put my finger on it. I'm picky and bit of a perfectionist, so useful criticism is still useful.

  It still stings a little thought. I'm human. Now please comfort me.