Chapter 33

Back at Massacre Manor, Becky Erring works through payroll while Gideon Sage watches her too closely. With the manor’s barrier weakening enough that the front door and two windows are visible in the trees, Keeley and Min have taken guards into the woods for added security, leaving Becky responsible for monitoring Gideon.

Gideon explains that Becky resembles someone he once saw while serving with the Valiant, during a royal diplomacy visit to a powerful southern family. Becky hides her anxiety and insists she has no connection to the Valiant Guard or powerful families, making it clear she cannot afford Gideon’s suspicion.

Lyssa Sage interrupts with cookies she helped Edwin bake, and Becky responds with prickly disapproval despite being tempted by the sweets. Gideon kindly accepts a cookie and dramatically praises it, encouraging Lyssa and earning a shy, delighted smile from her.

Blade Gushiken enters shirtless, sweaty, and dirty, distracting Becky despite her determination to maintain professional distance. Becky scolds Blade and orders him to bathe, refusing to acknowledge her attraction or soften her workplace boundaries.

Marvin then rushes in to report that the interns are fighting in the mess hall because one has found a way to repair the barrier, and they are battling over who gets to present the discovery to Becky and the boss. Since the staff are cheering and betting instead of intervening, Becky takes her gold letter opener and heads upstairs to stop the brawl herself, brushing off Blade’s offer to handle it for her.