The guard weighed the Token in her hand, confirming it was genuine.
Her gaze swept between the One-Eyed Lioness and the man behind her, a look passing in her eyes that all women understood.
“Go in. Patrol carefully, and don’t wander near the Guest Courtyard.”
She waved her hand, tossing back the Token and Nameplate.
As Astreia and Wendy’s figures disappeared behind the door, another guard beside her spat quietly.
“Truly, the world is in decline. Even such an ugly woman can find a ‘bell’. Beautiful men these days will throw away their pride for a few stinking coins.”
“Exactly,”
The earlier guard curled her lips in disdain.
“Tsk. When it’s my shift, I’ll go to the Drunken Dwarf Tavern and find a handsome one, too….”
The Lord’s Manor was heavily guarded, far more so than it appeared from the outside.
Wendy and Astreia, under the guise of patrolling, moved between corridors and courtyards, secretly observing the layout of the estate, trying to locate the Berwick Countess.
But as they turned a corridor, hurried footsteps sounded from behind.
“Stop!”
A sharp female voice rang out.
The two immediately halted, turning back cautiously.
A woman in a black and white steward’s uniform stood behind them.
She was slender, her chest as flat as a board—by this world’s standards, a classic beauty.
“One-Eyed Lioness!”
The Housekeeper stood akimbo, scolding fiercely.
“Look at the time! Your Patrol Shift started ages ago! You’re this late—don’t even think about your salary this month!”
Astreia was stunned by the sudden reprimand.
She almost instinctively tried to defend herself, but managed to remember her current role just in time.
After a moment of internal struggle, she squeezed out a line.
“I… I had something to do. Got delayed…”
The Housekeeper frowned, about to continue, but then her eyes caught Wendy behind Astreia.
Those sharp eyes suddenly brightened.
What did she see?
A boy peeking from the shadows, only half his face visible.
That face was so exquisite it didn’t seem mortal—deep blue short hair softly framing his cheeks, a pair of peach blossom eyes glistening with unshed tears.
He clung tightly to the corner of the lowly woman’s clothes before him, his whole being radiating a fragile, pitiful aura.
The Housekeeper’s breath stopped for a moment.
Immediately, all her anger toward the One-Eyed Lioness vanished, replaced by a businesslike yet barely concealed eagerness.
“Perfect. A Noble Guest arrived in the Master’s courtyard, and they’re short a male attendant for tea service. You look just right. Come with me.”
She reached out, trying to grab Wendy’s arm.
Astreia’s body tensed instantly.
Who do you think you are? Daring to touch my man?!
But Wendy was faster.
The Prince stepped forward, skillfully positioning himself between Astreia and the Housekeeper.
“Esteemed madam,”
He bowed gently, voice soft.
“I was hired by this lady with her own money. How much do you intend to pay to hire me?”
Astreia’s anger stuck in her throat.
The Housekeeper’s eyes flashed with irritation.
“Money?”
She sneered.
“The guest you’re to serve is Lady Laxana of the Klein Family! Chief Grand Mage of the Academy! If not for her ugly looks and eccentric personality, do you think such good fortune would ever fall to you?”
“As long as you can please Lady Laxana, never mind gold coins—if you become a Steward Husband of the Klein Family, you could enjoy a lifetime of luxury!”
Laxana?!
Wendy’s heart pounded.
Wasn’t she supposed to be negotiating? How did she become a ‘Noble Guest’ here?
Could she have really used the Klein Family’s name and her own skill to persuade the Berwick Countess to side with the Northern Army?
No, something’s off.
If Laxana succeeded, why would the Lord’s Manor still tighten security and recruit desperate people like the One-Eyed Lioness?
There’s something fishy here.
I must check the situation!
In a split second, Wendy made his decision.
Turning his back to the Housekeeper, he pulled out several Gold Coins looted from the One-Eyed Lioness’s corpse and tossed them into Astreia’s arms with disdain.
“Commoner! I’m going to serve Lady Laxana! Take back your stinking money and don’t get in the way of my good fortune!”
As he shoved the Gold Coins over, he silently mouthed three words to Astreia, his back to the Housekeeper.
[Catch, Count, Ess.]
Astreia instantly understood.
After that bar scene, she already knew Wendy’s methods.
Even though leaving her beloved alone with the hateful Housekeeper made her a hundred times uneasy, she trusted Wendy’s judgment more. Besides, with Laxana there, Wendy should be safe… right?
Thinking this, the Princess’s acting skills kicked in.
She glared fiercely at Wendy, grumbling ‘pretty boy, you win,’ then spun around in anger, heading down another patrol route.
Her retreating figure was all aggrieved indignation.
“At least you know your place.”
The Housekeeper snorted in disdain.
She then pulled Wendy along, leading him through ornate corridors and spiral staircases, finally stopping before a carved, ornate door.
This was the top floor of the Lord’s Manor—clearly reserved for Noble Guests.
“Go in.”
The Housekeeper opened the door and shoved Wendy inside.
The room was huge—opulent even.
The air was scented with calming incense, a large round bed dominated the center, a screen beside it.
The floor was carpeted in unknown animal pelts so soft they swallowed your ankles.
Outside the Great Balcony was Berwick City’s nightscape.
The Housekeeper did not leave.
Instead, she walked straight to a wardrobe, pulled out several garments, and tossed them at Wendy’s feet.
“Change. Lady Laxana likes clean, pretty boys.”
Wendy picked up the clothes, pupils contracting.
One was a pure white silk shirt, blue bows at collar and cuffs, the fabric so thin it was nearly see-through.
Another was a matching pair of lantern shorts, so brief they barely covered above the knees.
Worst of all, there was a pair of knee-high white stockings!
How was this a servant’s outfit?
This was clearly clothing for the bedchamber!
A bad feeling rose in Wendy’s heart.
This was no ‘warm hospitality’.
It was a thorough trap!
Sure enough.
The Housekeeper, as if reading his mind, pulled out a clear Crystalline Recording Stone from her pocket and handed it over.
“One more thing.”
“What’s this?”
Wendy feigned confusion.
“Recording Crystal.”
The Housekeeper grinned wickedly.
“Later, while you and Lady Laxana are being intimate, record the entire process.”
“Ah???”
Why is there Venti’s picture there? 😭