AN EVIL MASTERMIND CREEPS With Luca's return from the World Tree, Athanasia finally has a way to help her father. Little do they know that a peculiar guest of Duke Alpheus has been pulling dark strings in every interaction, with the emperor being of special interest. Meanwhile, Claude's perplexing ailment seems only to ease under Jeannette's company, but he has slowly been more tolerant of Athanasia's presence. Ever hopeful for any improvement in her father's eyes, Athy must face the worst when Claude's health takes a sudden and drastic decline...