The water in the bath was different from the natural stream and could not reflect the specific appearance of the maid behind him. Shade could only see her swaying shadow in the lake through the water surface, stopping behind him.
"Knight, I'm sorry, it's because we were not prepared to receive guests and we offended you at the door just now."
A familiar voice said cautiously:
"Because we were not well prepared, you miscalculated the time and arrived early. I'm really sorry."
"Actually, it's nothing. After all, I accepted the Duke's commission. It's okay to wait a little longer."
Shade answered, and then saw the shadows on the water getting clearer and clearer, and then he felt the hair sweep over the top of his head, and then across his shoulders that were exposed out of the water.
The maid behind her bent slightly and whispered in Shade's ear, as if she was worried about being heard by the duchess. The large hot spring bathroom was very empty, and even the low voice was extremely clear:
"The tutoring at the Duke's Manor is very strict, and maids who make mistakes will be severely punished."
Even if he didn't turn his head to look, even if he couldn't see the reflection in the water clearly, Shade could guess that Tifa must have lightly bit her red lips after finishing these words.
The warm and moist air from her breath gently caressed Shade's ears as she spoke:
"So, knight, can you please not inform Duchess Carina Cavendish of our mistake?"
Only at this moment did Shade wonder whether the conversation inside and outside the gate of the manor was intentional or accidental by the beautiful maid.
"Please rest assured, I swear by the honor of the knight, I will not tell the truth. Your hospitality is very thoughtful..."
Then his words were interrupted very rudely. There was fear in the voice, but more of a smile:
"This is not okay. Master's punishment is really serious. If you tell her what just happened, each of us will be punished. So..."
This was definitely not Shad's illusion. His ear was bitten. Then, a smooth and white arm rubbed his neck and stretched out from his back like a long snake. The maid's hand held Shad's hand impolitely.
chin, forcing him to turn his head sideways.
So, he saw Tifa Servit squatting down and bending down by the bathtub, saw her long, silky black hair that had been wetted by the steam, and saw her fair, milk-like skin that contrasted with her black hair.
, saw the pursed red lips, the handsome nose, and the black eyes staring at him.
Tifa looked at him and said softly:
"So, distinguished guest, Knight Hamilton of Reged, please give me a punishment, as long as you don't tell Duke Carina Cavendish about our rudeness, as long as it can calm the anger in your heart, except for that matter
, you can do anything..."
Although Xia De's heart is indeed filled with some emotion now, it is definitely not anger:
"Please wait a moment, I'm getting more and more confused. That's right, you don't need to apologize to me."
"But it's not up to you, knight. I come to you to ask for reward."
So, the maid who made the mistake took the initiative to make a decision for him out of "panic" and "guilt".
She closed her eyes, her black eyelashes stained with water droplets trembled slightly, and then kissed Shade.
The two people's shadows on the lake were reflected on the water, but with a "plop" sound, the "rude" maid and the knight waiting for the Duchess's summons fell into the water together.
(Little Mia is running...)
At four o'clock in the afternoon, in the guest room on the first floor, in front of the floor-to-ceiling mirror, Shade opened his arms and asked the maids to arrange his new formal clothes. He actually didn't want anyone to help him get dressed, but Tifa
When looking at him with black eyes, Shade, who had just come out of the bathroom together, really couldn't say any more words of rejection.
The black-haired maid was naturally here, but she stood beside Shade and arranged Shade's tie. Because she had just taken a shower, the smell of perfume on the girl's body was quite clear. Seeing Shade staring at her through the mirror, the maid was still concerned.
warned:
"Knight, I'm going to see the Duke later. You must not keep staring at her like this. The Duchess of Saladir is hundreds of times prettier than me. Don't show such disrespect."
"Just now......"
He wanted to know how the girl in front of him viewed the relationship between the two parties, but the maid's finger pressed on Shade's lips:
"Now, don't say anything."
She looked at Shade, with a very gentle expression in her black eyes:
"I just helped you adjust your mood so that you can go see the Duke with a clear mind. This is the duty of a maid."
The maids who helped Shade adjust his cuffs, pockets and collar all laughed, and even Shade couldn't help laughing.
Tifa kissed the side of Shad's face:
"Behave yourself soon, knight."
After Shade changed into decent clothes, he was led by six maids lined up in two rows in front of him, followed by six maids lined up in two rows behind him, and finally got the honor of going upstairs to meet the Baroness.
.
Miss Tifa Servit followed him by his side to prevent the visiting guest from wandering around, teasing the maid or causing damage to the manor.
The floor on the second floor was covered with a red carpet, so under such solemn circumstances, Shade entered the study room on the second floor. After nearly two hours of long and wet waiting, he finally saw Carina Ka
Duchess of Vendish.
The red-haired duchess is obviously well-dressed, just like the description of "noble-born female aristocrats" in all chivalric novels. She has a noble posture and a proud expression sitting behind the desk. There are many things on the desk that can set off her very well.
A unique golden pen holder, a jade paperweight and some very old books.
After the maid's announcement, she put down the pen in her hand, then sat up straight and looked at the young knight who walked in the door.
The thirteen maids did not leave, but stood in two rows on both sides of the desk. Only Tifa came behind Miss Carina.
She winked at Shade. Shade, who had just received the "audience training" downstairs, put his left hand on his right shoulder, and then knelt down on one knee on the red wool carpet:
"It is an honor to meet you, Carina Duke Cavendish."
The maids on the side were holding back their laughter. After all, everyone here knew about the relationship between Shade and the master of the manor. The black-haired head maid glanced at them with "stern" eyes, asking the girls to stay decent, and then said loudly
:
"Knight Hamilton of Rejed, you followed the glorious tradition and accepted the Duke's mission. So, have you brought the treasure that the Duke desires at this time?"
"Yes, the most noble guardian of Saladir, the great witch in charge of balance, the purple azalea of Cavendish, the guardian of the south of Delarion..."
Shade recited the "lines" he had just been asked to memorize. Of course, Miss Carina's titles were far more than these. At this time, he only said the more important ones.
"I brought you those treasures, please allow me to offer them to you."
He stood up and looked at the four girls holding trays on the side, and then the four of them walked to the desk in turn and showed the items covered with red cloth to the owner of the manor.
"The crown that symbolizes Delarion's highest power, you deserve such noble power."
The crown was presented, Miss Carina took a look at it, pursed her lips and confirmed that it was indeed the genuine article.
"Please let me offer you the spring water that spurts out endless wine. But even the most noble wine is not as good as one ten thousandth of yours."
The wine bottle was presented, with a small nozzle placed next to it. A note introduced the information about the wine bottle. In fact, Miss Carina also knew about this relic. She just didn't expect that Shade would find this.
.
"Please allow me to offer the ancient Holy Grail, which comes from the solid earth beneath our feet. May the earth be with you and me."
The red cloth on the Holy Grail was removed. Miss Carina looked at the small golden cup, then slightly widened her eyes and looked at Shade suspiciously. This was not the clay Holy Grail she thought. This golden cup reminded her of the parliamentary records.
some other creation.
"Then, please allow me to present to you the Philosopher's Stone, which represents the highest skill of alchemy and is known as the 'Crown Jewel of Alchemy'. Look at the bright red color, it matches your hair color very well."
Shade spoke the vocabulary that Tifa had patiently taught him in the bathroom.
"Did you really find him?"
The duchess, who looked expressionless on the surface, was actually quite shocked. The maid placed the tray in front of her, and after the red silk cloth was removed, the pendant in the jewelry box was displayed.
It looked like a shining scarlet "gem" embedded in a silver shell. Even the well-informed witch couldn't help but take a deep breath at this moment. It was indeed beautiful.
Four trays were placed on the desk. Even though I had heard that it only took Shade three hours to find all the "treasures" while taking his pet cat for lunch, this moment was full of experience.
The Duchess of Guang still sighed in her heart:
"Is this... destiny?"
"knight!"
The Duke would not talk directly to the knight, so the black-haired maid loyally asked questions on behalf of her master, looking at the knight with a smile in her black eyes:
"Of the five treasures, only four have been taken out at this time. Haven't you found the last treasure yet, your fiery heart? This is the treasure that the Duke wants most."
"No, I have found it. Please allow me to offer it to Duke Carina with my own hands now."
Shade said and walked to the table.
In fact, even Tifa doesn't know what Shade is planning to bring out. But the "heart" treasure is actually the simplest. As long as Shade can show his feelings, it will pass.
Therefore, they did not doubt whether Shade could get it, but were curious about Shade's choice. Then, the Duke and the maids watched Shade unbutton his coat, and then unbutton his white shirt.
