El opened his eyes. Sunlight was already shining through the window into the room.
“Master, you’re awake?”
Ivena’s voice was as gentle as the morning breeze.
El felt a sharp pain in his head. “Ugh—What time is it now?”
“It’s around ten o’clock. You’ve never slept this late before. I’ve already gone to the academy to ask for leave and came upstairs to check on you.”
“But, judging from your appearance, you didn’t sleep well last night, did you?”
Her lake-blue eyes brimmed with worry.
“Last night… I suppose I had a nightmare, but it’s nothing. Let’s get ready for today’s matters quickly.”
He’d heard that nobles in the past would have maids help them dress, but that was rare nowadays, unless it was for some risqué reason.
After breakfast, El left the house with Ivena.
The Yosse District was rather quiet. The Regis residence was already quite close to the Lower City, so at their pace, they soon entered the Lower City.
Before going out, El had changed into plain clothes, looking much more like an ordinary citizen, or at least not attracting any special attention.
The streets were very clean, with people coming and going, far livelier than the Upper City.
The buildings in the Lower City were generally simpler, but the craftsmanship was not careless; occasionally, tall apartment buildings could be seen.
Ivena clung to El’s side, still wearing her maid uniform.
By rights, someone as beautiful as Ivena, especially with her elven features, should have attracted plenty of attention in the Lower City.
But in reality, she didn’t. On the contrary, it was El’s handsome face that often drew a few surprised second glances.
Ivena had also trained her Concealment skill to Lv8. As long as she willed it, almost no one could notice her presence.
This technique wasn’t invisibility, but rather erasing her own sense of existence. Even if Ivena stabbed someone, that person wouldn’t be able to see her.
Almost every assassin could do it, but only she had trained it to this level.
“Master, is something wrong?”
Ivena noticed El had stopped in his tracks.
“Ivena, look at that sapphire pendant. Don’t you think it would look especially beautiful on you?”
El pointed to a jewelry shop. Its front display showcased several sample pieces, among which a particular pendant caught his eye.
“Eh? Isn’t that unnecessary, Master? Weren’t we here for business…” Ivena was startled.
“Oh? You call me ‘Master’ but still won’t listen? Come on, follow me.”
El walked toward the jewelry shop, and Ivena had no choice but to follow.
“Hello, how much is this ‘Dawntear’?”
The shop was bustling, a well-known jewelry store in the Lower City. The one attending to El was a beautiful young lady with a sweet voice.
Despite El’s shabby attire, his bearing was out of place in the surroundings, and the clerk did not underestimate him.
“Hello, sir. ‘Dawntear’ is priced at two Gold Dragons. It may seem expensive, but please allow me to explain…”
El didn’t bother with further words and directly took out two Gold Dragons.
The clerk was stunned for a moment at the sight of the coins, then immediately broke into a sincere smile. “Please wait a moment…”
“No need to wrap it, I’ll take it right away.”
Ivena couldn’t help but chime in, “Master, this pendant is clearly overpriced. It’s not a natural sapphire, but an alchemical creation. It’s simply not worth two Gold Dragons.”
“The craftsmanship is extraordinary; it feels like the work of a true master. I think it’s worth the price,” El explained.
“Even so…”
“Hurry, Ivena, try it on for me.”
Seeing the expectant look in her master’s eyes, Ivena could only sigh helplessly and take the pendant, placing it around her neck.
The chain was finely wrought and felt comfortable against the skin. The blue of the sapphire was pure, reminiscent of a clear blue sky.
Ivena suddenly understood why it was called ‘Dawntear.’ The gem was like a morning dewdrop, reflecting her beautiful face.
“How is it? Do you like it?” El smiled.
“I do like it, but Master…”
“Are you thinking you’re causing me trouble, Ivena? That I bought you jewelry even though we’re busy with my matters?”
El could see right through her thoughts. Ivena lowered her head and softly replied, “Mm.”
“Ivena, do you have any hobbies?” El suddenly asked.
“Um… baking?”
“That’s because I like sweets, right? Anything else?”
Ivena racked her brain, but found it hard to give an answer that would satisfy her master. She more or less understood what he was getting at.
“You know, Ivena, you’ve always revolved around me, never thinking about yourself.”
“Honestly, you’re already over forty. Do I really have to be the one to teach you these things? Then again, for an elf, forty probably still counts as young.”
El led her to the full-length mirror in the jewelry shop.
“Look, isn’t it beautiful?”
Ivena’s eyes were tranquil, reminding one of a lake in a forest where fairies dwelled. Her features were delicately sculpted, the very picture of textbook beauty.
“This pendant suits you very well, but only if you’re not wearing your maid uniform—otherwise it just looks strange.”
Last night, El had noticed Ivena seemed to be in good spirits, so he wanted to take this chance to tell her these things.
“I understand, Master. I get what you mean. I’ll try to find things I like for myself. But, I really don’t know what sort of things I’d like…”
“That’s alright, you still have a long life ahead. Take it slowly—you’ll figure it out in time.”
Suddenly, Ivena asked, “Then, Master, will you always stay by my side, no matter what?”
“I want to say I will, but… my life isn’t—”
“You just have to answer—yes or no!” Her voice rose.
…Clouds. El decided not to upset his maid for the time being.
Ivena showed a sweet smile.
It wasn’t until they walked out of the jewelry shop side by side that the sales clerk quietly muttered, “He’s been talking to himself the whole time since he came in—what a strange man. Still, he spends generously.”
“Master, where exactly are we going?”
“The Black Street in the Lower City. Cerys knows the Lower City well, and he told me there’s someone there suited for the role of an informant,” El replied.
“By the way, Ivena, why do you always call me ‘Master’? I’m already the head of the Regis family now.”
“Oh, that’s a secret. What, don’t you like ‘Master’?”
Because, Ivena believed that as long as she called him ‘Master,’ El would stay forever young, as if time never changed.
Just like she’d said before, calling him ‘Lord’ would make El seem old.
Actually, Ivena didn’t quite agree with what El said.
He thought she learned to make desserts because of him, and that meant she was denying her own interests—but was that really necessary?
Did it really need to be separated so clearly?
When she saw how much El enjoyed the things she made, she felt happy. That was enough.
And yes, she would indeed look even more beautiful in a lavish dress. But Ivena was content with her appearance in her maid uniform. That was enough, too.
Still, perhaps a maid should, at times, display her beauty with poise.
In time, she’d learn to make her own clothes. So she resolved in her heart.