Mann looked into Mei’s eyes. Her gaze was anxious, though her face remained expressionless.
He figured his unusual behavior must have frightened her.
“Mei, come out with me. There’s something I need to take care of.”
She stepped back half a pace and gave a proper maid’s curtsy.
“At your service.”
Watching the maid’s earnest demeanor, Mann couldn’t help but chuckle wryly. The original owner’s social relationships were truly complicated. In this massive mansion, the only person he was close to was the maid before him.
Mei took the black robe Mann handed her and followed him out of the mansion. The two, cloaked in robes, arrived at a hidden pawnshop. Mann exchanged all the items he had secretly brought out for gold coins.
“Mei, come with me for a moment.”
They crossed the bustling market and arrived at a secluded, out-of-the-way spot. He set aside most of the gold coins—conservatively estimated at around 20,000 Kan coins—and handed them to Mei.
Holding the heavy pouch of money, Mei’s expression showed a hint of astonishment. This was enough wealth for an ordinary person to squander for a lifetime.
“What is this?”
Mann didn’t explain the reason for doing this; instead, he changed the subject.
“You still remember this place, right? We used to come here often as children.”
Looking at the familiar surroundings, Mann couldn’t help feeling a touch of melancholy.
“Of course. I remember that when you had something on your mind as a child, you would come running here.”
Mei looked around, recalling every detail of the past.
“Every time it was me who came to find you and bring you back. But I don’t understand…”
As she spoke, tears welled up in her violet eyes.
“Why are you trying to drive me away?”
For the first time, her expression changed. Her helpless look was heartbreaking.
“This journey is too dangerous. I don’t want to drag you into it. While there’s still time, leave this place. Go live your own life.”
For some reason, Mann turned his back to her, a vague and inexplicable guilt weighing on his heart.
Mei listened quietly, then set down the bag of Kan coins. The clinking sound of gold coins rang out.
“Me? I was sold to the earl’s mansion when I was six.”
“I remember when we first met. You didn’t want to pay me any attention. I didn’t know what to do, so I just stayed by your side in silence.”
“After a very long time, you finally agreed to talk to me. That day I made a mistake, and you helped me out of it.”
“Though it may be presumptuous of me, I still feel that from that moment on, we became friends.”
Mann let out a long sigh. Although these memories weren’t his own, they felt as if he had experienced them himself. Each incident, each detail, seemed like yesterday. To say he felt nothing would be impossible.
But he had already been targeted by the Heretic God Sect. Within the Duke’s territory, it was fine, but once he left, his situation would be far too dangerous.
“Leave. You’re no longer a maid of House Matthews.”
Mann finally steeled his heart and said it. Though his heart felt blocked by something, a strange sense of loss.
Light footsteps approached. Mei remained silent. Then, a gentle warmth came from behind. Her pale, slender arms softly wrapped around his body.
“Even if I’m not your maid, I still want to be your friend.”
Mei pressed closely against Mann’s back, closing her eyes to feel his heartbeat.
“You’ve been afraid all along, haven’t you? How could I abandon you in such a state?”
“Geez…” A tear slipped from the corner of Mann’s eye. Feeling her heartbeat, his own mood gradually calmed.
“How can you still reject me when you’re like this?”
The arms encircling Mann slowly loosened. Subconsciously, he wanted to hold on, but a feeling of emptiness filled his mind. He slowly turned around to face the beautiful maid before him.
It was a perfectly standard maid’s curtsy. Then she straightened up and looked at Mann tenderly.
“I am your exclusive maid, Young Master Mann Matthews—Mei Colt.”
The same words reminded Mann of their first meeting.
“I… I swear by the God of Contracts!”
Back then, she wore clothes washed white, skinny as a rail, looking very pitiful.
“I will be by your side for life.”
She lowered her head, knelt on one knee, and extended her fair hand. Watching this familiar scene, past memories churned in his mind.
‘Was it because the original owner had ignored her back then that she had to swear again?’
Mann stepped forward and gently grasped the waiting hand. His eyes grew resolute.
‘I will do everything in my power. I will never let anything happen to you. I swear to the gods!’
A silent oath stood firm in his heart.
“This journey might be very tough. Be mentally prepared, Mei.”