After waiting for about twenty minutes, Sylvia emerged from her room. She still didn't seem very happy, but there was a noticeable improvement in her demeanor. She had her blonde hair neatly pinned up and was dressed in a deep red uniform shirt with cream-white accents and a gold-threaded, gentle, classical pleated skirt. Her long legs were clad in brown stockings, but she hadn't changed her small leather shoes. Seeing Ryan still waiting, her eyes flashed with a peculiar look as she approached him. "I'm ready, my lord."
"In private, just call me Ryan," the duke shook his head.
"Is that an order?" Sylvia asked.
"Yes, it is," Ryan said seriously.
"...Ryan, we can't stay out too late. Lady Sulia needs my help tonight," Sylvia stood firmly. It must be noted that Sulia's maid was quite a beauty herself, though her strict and stubborn demeanor often led Ryan to overlook her attractiveness.
"Sulia? She has so many people taking care of her; your absence for a while won't be an issue," Ryan said somewhat dismissively. Sulia's care team included four rotating old maids and several Lake Prophetesses, as well as the Lady of the Lake herself. Missing Sylvia wouldn't make much difference.
However, realizing his tone was somewhat irresponsible, Ryan quickly added, "It won't be long. I want an open and honest talk with you."
They began walking out of the castle together. Sylvia's tone remained rigid, "You have Teresa and Veronica as your female advisors, and there's that dark elf. If necessary, you can even talk to Lady Morgiana. Why ask me?"
"Teresa and Veronica are in the wizard tower for research. They gained a lot from the Mousillon campaign and plan to seclude themselves for a year or two for self-improvement. Lady Morgiana is still on her way back. As for Olica, should I call her?" Ryan joked, but seeing Sylvia's displeased expression, he quickly got serious, "The main reason is we need to communicate, and this can only be with you."
"...So, what do you want to ask?" Sylvia, thinking of the dark elf's terrifying smile, felt weak all over. Following Ryan, she blushed and spoke softly, "Anyway, I'm just a maid. Ask whatever you want, and I'll answer."
"Why do you always wear a sword?" Ryan asked, curious. He noticed that Sylvia always wore a long knight's sword, whether in her knight's outfit, maid's uniform, school uniform, or even in more casual attire when they went out.
"The sword bestowed by the king is a symbol of family honor! It must never be removed in public!" Sylvia raised her knight's sword, "This sword represents the history of my family. I will never put it down!"
"I remember you are from the noble Van-Hoosen family and became Sulia's maid." Ryan walked with Sylvia out of the castle. "That's a rare surname."
"Because I am a descendant of the nobility of the Duchy of Cuileux," Sylvia nodded gently. "My father, Vincent Van-Hoosen, served as a knight under Count Anthelm of Cuileux. As his daughter, I was sent to Winford Academy and grew up with Lady Sulia."
"So you're childhood friends. But why did you become Sulia's maid?" Ryan asked curiously.
"Because my father failed to complete his mission during the First Battle of La-Maisonnel Abbey. He didn't hold back the undead archmage Heinrich Kemmler's flank attack as Duke François expected, nor did he delay long enough for the duke to encircle and capture Kemmler, who eventually escaped. François was furious and wanted to execute my father. It was Lady Sulia who pleaded for him. François spared my father, confiscated his lands, and exiled him to the Empire's Ostland as an ordinary diplomat," Sylvia said softly. "To prevent me from being left without support and as a form of compensation and protection, Sulia took me in as her maid, and I have been with her ever since."
"I see," Ryan understood. He thought for a moment, then smiled, "Would you like to reunite with your father?"
"What? Can you do that?" Sylvia stopped, astonished. "Can you really…"
She couldn't finish her sentence, realizing that Ryan might indeed have the power to make it happen. The man before her was the most powerful in the kingdom. François, his father-in-law, wouldn't oppose him on such a minor matter, especially since Kemmler was dead and François's grudge had been settled.
But only a few people in the kingdom could make such a request. Who else would dare bring up something that might displease a duke and a Grail Knight of his stature?
"Are you doubting my ability?" Ryan asked with a smile. "Or my power?"
"...Please, Ryan, help my father. He's over fifty now, and Ostland is a harsh land. He can't endure it anymore." Sylvia's expression changed. Her violet eyes filled with emotion, and she was about to kneel, her voice urgent and pleading, "I beg you, Ryan. My father may not be an outstanding general, but he can assist you with administrative duties. I promise!"
She was about to kneel on the road when Ryan quickly caught her, stopping her from falling. "No, no need for that, Sylvie. You've served Sulia for many years, always working silently and selflessly. This is just a small favor."
Seeing the normally stubborn and serious maid surrender like this, Ryan had a deeper understanding of the allure and terror of power. At his level, a word or gesture could resolve any problem, making him the master of everything.
In such an environment, a person's temperament could change. They might become arrogant, overbearing, because everything revolved around them. Over time, few could remain unaffected, just like Sylvia before him. Strong-willed and stern, she yielded with just a word from Ryan.
Ryan thought it was no wonder Morgiana had such a strong personality. As the Lake Goddess's representative on Earth, she made many crucial decisions. Over time, her temperament naturally adapted to her position. She had controlled it quite well, actually.
But forcing Sylvia to submit in this way was neither glorious nor satisfying. People always sympathize with the weak and dislike the powerful. Ryan reminded himself to never forget his original mission in this world and kingdom. He couldn't and shouldn't force Sylvia to comply in this manner.
"Thank you, Lord Ryan," Sylvia's face was flushed. Unable to kneel, she bowed deeply. "Thank you very much."
"How will you repay me?" Ryan, interested, decided to tease the serious maid a bit.
"Uh… repay?" Sylvia blushed. "What can I repay you with? Take whatever you like."
"Then let's not be so formal. Let's be like friends going out for a drink. You're not a maid, and I'm not a duke," Ryan suggested, thinking it wasn't an unreasonable request.
"Isn't that a date?" Sylvia was still struggling with the concept.
"Aren't we on a date right now? What else would you call it?" Ryan joked. "A work report?"
"...Alright."
Thirty minutes later, in the center of Garon town, at the best tavern, the Grail Praise.
Luxuriously decorated, it sold the Old World's finest wine, "Lady's Reserve," priceless and reserved for Grail Knights favored by the Lady after notable achievements.
Ryan got a private room on the second floor and extended his hand to Sylvia, "Come with me."
"Okay." Sylvia, unaccustomed to the change in roles, reluctantly took his hand, trying to act like his girlfriend.
The feeling was complex, especially dating Ryan behind her lady's back, giving Sylvia a strange mix of excitement and guilt. She felt dazed as Ryan led her to the private room and they each ordered a cup of coffee.
Sitting across from each other under the dim magical lights, Ryan looked at Sylvia's nervousness and laughed, "Does this feel like a date?"
"I… don't know. I've never done this before. I don't know what a date is," Sylvia blushed, shaking her head. "It feels… strange but not unpleasant. Ryan, is this how you and Lady Sulia date?"
Ryan nearly spat out his coffee. Sylvia was twenty-five and still this innocent?
But considering her simple life, it made sense. She focused on personal training and Sulia's matters, with little else.
"Of course not," Ryan smirked. "We do this and that, not just drink coffee. Sometimes, we just need an excuse to be together."
"An excuse? That's wrong. It's deceitful. Ryan, you're a model of knighthood. You shouldn't do that," Sylvia said seriously.
"...I give up. Sylvie, ask me something you're interested in," Ryan said, exasperated.
"Interested?" Sylvia thought for a moment, then asked hesitantly, "Ryan, will you marry me off? I heard rumors in the territory that you would. I swore to be with my lady for life…"
"Of course not. Who spread that rumor?" Ryan was puzzled. He had never intended to marry Sylvia off. She knew many secrets, including his and Sulia's. For practical and emotional reasons, he wouldn't let her go. Plus, her administrative skills were excellent. Since becoming the head maid, she managed the castle well.
"Really?" Sylvia looked relieved but then recalled something, snorted, and moved away from Ryan. "If that's the case, don't blame me for having issues with you!"
"???" Why is she upset again? Ryan was baff
led. He had said he wouldn't marry her off, so why was she unhappy?
Women are so hard to understand, he thought.
Trying to change the topic, he pointed out two knights sitting downstairs, "Sylvie, do you see those two knights in the booth below?"
"They look like northern nobles," Sylvia noted. The knights wore noble attire and seemed despondent. "That's… a yellow background with black fleur-de-lis! They're Mousillon nobles?"
"Correct! They're Count Durin and Count Larote, the ones we were supposed to meet tonight," Ryan said. "They represent the old Mousillon noble forces in southern Lyonnais."
"The land?" Sylvia's attention shifted. "They seek to secure their status and interests or ask for aid."
"Exactly," Ryan smiled. "But I let them wait to make them uneasy. It's necessary. They aren't my people yet. As newcomers, they'll have doubts."
Your people? Sylvia felt a mix of bitterness and melancholy. Knowing she had to play her role, she followed Ryan's lead, "What will you do, Ryan?"
"Help me out, Sylvie. Call them up," Ryan's fingers interlocked on the table, his blue eyes shimmering with psychic energy.
"The changes I need will be made clear now. Some rules must be established!"
"It's time to strengthen my royal authority!"
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