Unauthorized Reincarnation
Chapter 7: New Faces and New Pillars
The carriage rolled steadily along the dirt path, its wheels whispering against the earth. Kristina glanced at the sleeping she-wolf girl, a soft smile tugging at her lips.
“She looks cute, doesn’t she?” she murmured.
Lily turned sharply—first to Kristina, then to the girl curled in front of her, and finally to the nurse tending her wounds. Her brow furrowed as she pointed to herself.
“Wait… are you talking to me?”
Kristina folded her arms, her expression cooling. She closed her eyes briefly, then spoke in a low, steady voice.
“I know it was a lie. You made it up… just to save her, didn’t you?”
A quiet sigh escaped her lips as her crimson eyes met Lily’s.
“You don’t need to look so guilty. I knew from the start those men weren’t talking about me. But honestly… I just needed a reason.”
Lily blinked. “A reason?”
“To beat them up.” Kristina’s smirk carried a sharp edge. “They’ve been harassing demihumans all over the district. My guards warned me about them. Today was just convenient. You gave me the excuse I needed.”
Lily sat back, stunned. “So… you already knew?”
“Of course. I don’t waste time on small fry. But when they cross the line…” She gestured toward the unconscious wolf-girl, now resting peacefully in the nurse’s lap. “That’s when I step in. Demihumans may have lost their nation, but that doesn’t mean they deserve to be trampled in the streets.”
Lily studied her profile. Kristina’s tone was calm, almost casual, but beneath it pulsed something fierce—like a flame hidden beneath silk.
“…You don’t hate demihumans?” Lily asked cautiously.
Kristina chuckled, shaking her head. “Why should I? They bleed, they laugh, they cry—same as us. Hatred is a coward’s excuse for cruelty. Besides,” her smile curved slyly, “protecting them annoys all the right people. And I do enjoy watching fools squirm.”
Lily let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. A small smile touched her lips. “You’re… not what I expected.”
“Good.” Kristina leaned back against the velvet cushions as the carriage rocked gently forward. “If you could predict me, I’d be boring.”
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They shared a quiet laugh, the tension softening into something lighter. Outside the window, the scenery shifted—stone houses giving way to wide avenues lined with lanterns and finely kept trees. The city’s noise faded into a serene calm.
The carriage passed beneath wrought-iron gates, where a black-iron crest gleamed in the torchlight—a single rose, burning red, its petals etched in flame. The emblem cast a fierce glow, equal parts beauty and warning.
Kristina tapped her fingers idly on the windowsill, her smile returning.
“Welcome to my home, Lily. The Kardelis estate.”
“That’s… your family’s crest?” Lily asked softly, staring up at it.
Kristina’s lips curved. “The Burning Rose. A symbol of Kardelis pride—and a reminder to anyone who forgets we thrive in both fire and bloom.”
The carriage rolled to a stop before the grand stairs of the mansion. Guards snapped to attention, servants bowed in practiced grace as Kristina stepped out first, her crimson silk gown catching the breeze.
She turned to the nurse carrying the wolf-girl. Her voice was calm, but carried authority like steel wrapped in velvet.
“Take the demihuman girl to the guest chambers. Give her a bath, clean clothes, and proper food. She is to be treated as one of our own. Understood?”
“Yes, Lady Kristina!” the servants replied in chorus before hurrying inside.
Lily followed Kristina through towering doors of carved oak, her eyes widening as marble floors stretched beneath crystal chandeliers. Warmth radiated from golden sconces along the walls, painting the estate in an aura both welcoming and intimidating.
As they walked deeper inside, Kristina glanced at her sidelong.
“You know,” she said smoothly, “I had a feeling I’d meet you sooner or later.”
Lily tilted her head. “A feeling?”
Kristina smirked. “Call it a hunch. I already have someone under my wing—someone who carries a blessing as a special skill. Not two blessings like you,” her eyes gleamed with amusement, “but one was enough to change her life. When she appeared before me, I knew fate was shifting. And when you showed up in the streets today… my suspicion turned into certainty.”
The weight of her words settled in Lily’s chest. She didn’t know whether to feel comforted or unnerved.
Kristina stopped before a heavy double door and pushed it open.
The chamber beyond was lavish, but not in the way Lily expected. A massive bed stood at the center, its sheets folded with military precision. Shelves lined the walls, filled not with trinkets or treasures, but with orderly rows of documents, scrolls, and ledgers. A broad desk sat near the window, its surface scattered with neatly stacked parchment.
Behind the desk stood a young woman in a fitted black suit, her posture flawless. Round spectacles framed her sharp eyes, and her black mid-length hair was pulled into a tidy bun.
The moment Kristina entered, the secretary began speaking in a crisp, efficient tone, bowing her head respectfully.
“Lady Kardelis. Current market standing: profits from Cindralith and Aurevia grain shipments remain steady at fourteen percent above last quarter. However, demihuman trade caravans have faced increased harassment along the southern routes. Losses amount to an estimated seventeen percent this month. Several guilds have withdrawn sponsorship, citing safety concerns. Unless we intervene, the deficit will deepen.”
Kristina lifted a hand lightly. “Not so fast, Shuyi. Our guest should at least sit down before you drown her in numbers.”
Lily remained frozen near the doorway, the weight of the moment pressing against her like an invisible tide.
