The talk of the Duke's party was everywhere. For the first time, the Duke had opened his doors to everyone, regardless of rank and ethnicity, and Layla was sure that it was near the time for him to release his artificial son.

It would have ended in tragedy if Layla had not resolved this situation as soon as possible.

"Mary, are you sure you have no idea what the Duke's part is about? Has he not hinted at anything when he told you about this?"

Layla asked in a small but tired voice. She had stayed up to read all the reports she could, but she had not seen any report about the Duke.

The maid looked surprised that Layla had asked her this question, but she quickly remembered all she knew about the Duke and shook her head.

"I don't have a lot of interest in that child, and the one I was initially contracted to was his father, and it was passed on to the Duke once he took his chair.

As far as that man is willing to use me, he does not trust me."

Mary confessed, and Layla made a noise of understanding. It made sense that a paranoid person like the Duke would not like to confide in a demon maid, no matter how powerful she was.

"I see! I guess I have no choice but to sneak around and do this on my own. How many people know that I have woken up by now?"

Layla asked in a tense voice.

It had been about a day since she had returned, but she had not left this room then. So, as far as Mary had not told anyone about her, no one would know.

"No one knows about your existence, miss. They all think you are still missing. I presume that you want to keep things that way for now?"

Mary asked seriously, and Layla nodded at the older female.

"If possible, I would like to keep things like that. It will become a point of advantage for us if I sneak around alone and try to get to Roma on my own. In the meantime, make sure the Duke is kept busy by something.

You will be able to do that, right Mary?"

Layla asked while looking at her maid.

"Of course, miss! Please leave it to me. I will make sure the Duke will have no choice but to be busy until the party."

Mary promised, and Layla nodded her head. Since she did not want her identity exposed, she decided to put on her mask and head out. The maid watched her go with a surprised expression before she went back to work.

'I have too much to do and insufficient time to finish it. I need to find the experiment chamber where the Duke kept Roma. I am sure the original work said it was somewhere in the original Lockhart castle.'

Layla sugared as she used transforming magic to change into the guarding clothes of the Duke's castle.

She also cast an oblivious spell on herself so that anyone who saw her would not remember her ever having passed that place.

"Halt! Who are you? It is not time for a shift change yet."

The outdoor guards looked at Layla suspiciously, but due to her magic, they did not question why she was there.

As much as Layla wanted to test more of her magic, she knew she needed to keep walking and get inside.

"I was sent on a missing by the Duke and need to report to him. Allow me to pass now, or else-!"

Layla's voice had magic woven into it, making the two guards flinch and step back. Their uncomfortable expressions told Layla that she had been successful in her endeavor.

"Ehm, you don't have to shout like that! We can understand you just fine! And you said that the Duke sent you on an errand? Then you better hurry up and head inside. The Duke has been in a good mood these past few days, and we don't want his mood to sour."

The second guard quickly opened the door for Layla and ushered her inside. Passing the first layer of security was very easy.

Once she was inside, not many people asked Layla what she was doing. Crossing the first hurdle had assured people that she was supposed to be there anyway.

That was how she could roam the halls until she was ultimately stopped by the last person she expected to hear from.

"Halt! And turn around. Let me see your face and your identity. I am not sure I have seen you before."

The Duke walked toward Layla and asked Layla to confirm her identity.

His presence made Layla feel awkward, and she closed her eyes to stop herself from trembling and giving herself away. She remained confident as she turned around to face the Duke and gave a small salute of greeting.

"It is an honor to meet the Duke Lockhart. I am your humble guard hurrying toward his duty after having something to drink. May I help you with anything?"

Layla asked, and she cursed herself as soon as she realized she had forgotten to turn off the charm in her voice.

She hoped the Duke would realize her blunder and call her out, but that did not happen.

The Duke did not seem to have caught on to her, and he looked pleased to hear Layla speak to him so formally.

"Hmm, you might do after all. Come with me and keep your head down. By the way, do you have any family or friends you are close with?"

The Duke asked. Alarm bells rang inside Layla's mind. Why would the Duke ask her this personal question if all he wanted was her help? There has to be more to it than just asking for help.

The Duke had deliberately chosen her for something, and now she had no choice but to wait around to find out why.