The water in the bathtub is different from the natural stream water. It cannot reflect the specific appearance of the maid behind him. Xia De can only see her vague swaying shadow behind him through the water surface.
"Knight, I'm sorry, we were not prepared to entertain you and offended you at the door just now."
A familiar voice said cautiously:
"We were not well prepared and you miscalculated the time and arrived early. I'm really sorry."
"It's nothing, actually. After all, I have accepted the Duke's commission, so it's okay to wait a little longer."
Shad answered, and then he saw the shadow on the water becoming clearer and clearer, and then he felt the hair brushing across his head, and then across his shoulders that were exposed above the water.
The maid behind him bent down slightly and whispered in Shade's ear, as if she was worried that the Duchess would hear. The large hot spring bath was very empty, and even the lowered voice was extremely clear:
"The family education in the Duke's manor is very strict. Maids who make mistakes will be severely punished."
Even without turning around to look, even without being able to see the reflection on the water clearly, Shad could guess that Tifa must have gently bitten her rosy lips after she finished speaking.
The warm, moist air from her breath gently caressed Xia De's ears as she spoke:
"So, Knight, could you please not tell Duchess Carina Cavendish about our mistake?"
It was not until this moment that Xia De began to doubt whether the conversation inside and outside the fence at the entrance of the manor was intentional or accidental by the beautiful maid.
"Please rest assured. I swear on the honor of a knight that I will not tell on you. Your hospitality is very thoughtful..."
Then he was interrupted rudely. There was fear in the voice, but more of a smile:
"That won't do. The master's punishment is really severe. If you tell her what happened just now, everyone of us will be punished. So..."
This was definitely not Xia De's illusion. His ear was bitten. Then, a smooth white arm rubbed his neck and stretched out from his back like a long snake. The maid's hand held Xia De's chin rudely and forced him to turn his head to the side.
Then he saw Tifa Servette squatting and bending over beside the bathtub, saw her soft long black hair wet by the steam, saw her white and perfect skin like milk in contrast to the black hair, saw her rosy lips pursed up, saw her handsome nose, and saw the pair of black eyes staring at him.
Tifa looked at him and said softly:
"So, distinguished guest, Knight Hamilton of Regede, please punish me. As long as you don't tell Duke Carina Cavendish about our rudeness, as long as it can calm your anger, you can do anything except that..."
Although Xia De's heart was filled with some emotion, it was definitely not anger:
"Wait a minute, I'm getting more and more confused. Here's the thing, you don't need to apologize to me."
"But this is not up to you, knight. I have come to ask for your reward."
So, the maid who made the mistake, out of "panic" and "guilt", took the initiative to make the decision for him.
She closed her eyes, her black eyelashes trembling slightly with water droplets, and then kissed Shad.
The shadows of the two people were reflected on the water surface, but with a "splash" sound, the "rude" maid and the knight who was waiting to be summoned by the Duchess fell into the water together.
(Little Mia is running...)
At 4pm, on the first floor, in the guest room, in front of the floor-length mirror, Shad opened his arms and asked the maids to help him put on his new formal suit. He actually didn't want anyone to help him put on his clothes, but when Tifa looked at him with her black eyes, Shad, who had just come out of the bathroom, couldn't say anything to refuse.
The black-haired maid was also here, but she stood beside Xia De and adjusted his tie. Because she had just taken a shower, the girl's perfume smelled very clear. Seeing Xia De staring at herself through the mirror, the maid also reminded him with concern:
"Knight, when you go to see the Duke later, you must not stare at her like this. The Duchess of Saladil is hundreds of times prettier than me. Don't show such disrespect."
"Just now... ... "
He really wanted to know what the girl in front of him thought of the relationship between the two parties, but the maid's finger pressed on Shade's lips:
"Now, don't say anything."
She looked at Xia De, with a gentle expression in her black eyes:
"I just helped you adjust your mood so that you can now meet the Duke with a clear mind. This is the duty of a maid."
The maids who were helping Shade tidy up his cuffs, pockets and collar all laughed, and even Shade couldn't help but laugh.
Tifa kissed Shade on the side of his face:
"Behave yourself later, knight."
After Shad changed into appropriate clothes, he was led by six maids lined up in two rows in front of him and followed by six maids lined up in two rows behind him. He finally had the honor of going upstairs to meet the baroness.
Miss Tifa Servet followed him around to prevent the visiting guest from wandering around, molesting the maids or causing damage to the manor.
A red carpet was laid on the second floor, so in this solemn atmosphere, Shad entered the study on the second floor. After nearly two hours of long and wet waiting, he finally met Duchess Carina Cavendish.
The red-haired Duchess was obviously dressed up carefully, just like the description of the "female noble of noble birth" in all knight novels. She sat behind the desk with a noble posture and a proud expression. On the desk were a golden pen holder that well reflected her status, a jade paperweight and some very old books.
After the maid's announcement, she put down the pen in her hand, sat up straight, and looked at the young knight who walked in.
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 Xia De, who had just received "audience training" downstairs. He put his left hand on his right shoulder and knelt on one knee on the red wool carpet:
"It is an honor to meet you, Duke Carina Cavendish."
The maids on the side were trying to hold back their laughter. After all, everyone here knew about the relationship between Shade and the owner of the manor. The black-haired head maid glanced at them with a "stern" look, asking the girls to keep their appearance, and then said loudly:
"Knight Hamilton of Regede, you have 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 honorable guardian of Saradir, the great witch in charge of balance, the purple azalea of Cavendish, the guardian of the southern border of Delarion..."
Xia De recited the "lines" he had been asked to memorize just now. Of course, Miss Carina had many more titles than these, and he only mentioned the more important ones at this time.
"I have brought you those treasures, please allow me to present them to you."
He stood up and looked at the four girls holding trays beside him, and then the four of them walked to the desk one by one and showed the items covered with red cloth to the owner of the manor.
"The crown symbolizes the highest power of Drarion. You deserve such noble power."
The crown was presented, and Miss Carina took a look at it, pursed her lips, and confirmed that it was indeed the real thing.
"A fountain of endless wine, please allow me to offer it to you. But even the noblest wine is not even one ten-thousandth as good as you."
The wine bottle was presented, with a small nozzle placed next to it. A note introduced the information of the wine bottle. In fact, Miss Carina also knew about this relic, but she didn't expect that Shade would find it.
"Allow me to offer you 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, and 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 it was. This golden cup reminded her of some other creation recorded in the parliamentary documents.
"Then, please allow me to present to you the Philosopher's Stone, which represents the highest art of alchemy and is known as the 'Crown Jewel of Alchemy'. Look at its bright red color, which matches your hair color very well."
Shad spoke the words that Tifa had patiently taught him in the bathroom.
"Did you really find it?"
The Duchess looked expressionless, but she 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 revealed.
It was like a glittering scarlet "gem" embedded in a silver shell. Even the experienced witch couldn't help but take a deep breath at this moment. It was indeed very beautiful.
Four trays were placed on the desk. Even though she had heard that Shade had found all the "treasures" in just three hours, even while taking her pet cat to eat lunch, the knowledgeable Duchess still sighed in her heart at this moment:
"Is this... fate?"
"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:
"There are five treasures, but only four have been taken out. Have you not yet found the final treasure, your burning heart? This is the treasure that the Duke wants most."
"No, I have found it. Please allow me to present it to Duke Carina with my own hands now."
Shade said as he walked to the front of the table.
In fact, even Tifa didn't know what Shad was going to take out. But the "heart" treasure was actually the simplest, as long as Shad could show his feelings, he would pass.
Therefore, they did not doubt whether Shade could come up with it, but were curious about Shade's choice. Then, the Duke and the maids watched Shade unbutton his coat, then unbutton his white shirt, and finally reveal his left chest.