Chapter 284: Caroline the Maid

"Ding ling ling!"

"My lord, good morning!"

"My lord, good morning!"

"Good morning, Caroline!"

"Good morning… Rebeca!"

With the bell jingling, two maids entered the room.

Indeed, after Freya left, following a brief gap, Gervas once again enjoyed the privilege of being attended by two maids for his morning wash and dressing.

It was peculiar, too—this second maid was not Gervas's own request, but rather recommended by Caroline herself.

In the past, Caroline had feared other maids would compete for favor, and thus held hostility toward any maid who drew near Gervas.

This time, the sun rose in the west—Caroline had actually taken the initiative to recommend someone.

She recommended Rebeca, whose features were exquisite, her skin and demeanor no less refined than those of a noble lady.

Although Caroline had rushed to commission the maid's uniform, she later slightly narrowed the wide collar.

Yet this could not hide Rebeca's youthful beauty.

On the contrary, her youthfulness lent her a unique charm.

Overall, though Gervas did not know what scheme Caroline was hatching,

with the arrival of the young maid Rebeca, Gervas once again enjoyed a morning routine that was… cough, rich in visual delight.

"My lord, we heard a lot of chirping outside just now—was it Tu Haojin coming to bother you again?"

"Yes!"

"And did Tu Haojin bring another bird? We seemed to hear two voices."

Gervas nearly choked. "Cough! No, you're mistaken! Only Tu Haojin is here!"

Fortunately, Caroline had only asked out of idle curiosity.

Seeing Gervas had risen from bed, she said, "Rebeca, let's begin serving my lord with his morning wash and dressing!"

"Yes, Sister Caroline!"

Rebeca then wrung out a towel, while Caroline continued to dress Gervas.

Though Rebeca's movements were still a bit clumsy, they were far better than in those first few days.

Moreover, she was making earnest efforts to learn.

Of course, beyond learning how to labor and serve, she also studied the castle's essential etiquette.

For she had decided: from now on, she would remain in the castle, becoming a maid to serve Lord Gervas!

Her father strongly supported this decision.

For compared to an ordinary serf girl, a castle maid was undoubtedly the most respectable position.

Just as every man aspired to become a castle guard.

More importantly, Lord Gervas was truly kind—he had even saved her and her father.

With Lord Gervas, she was certain her future would be bright.

Thinking of this, Rebeca cast a grateful glance at Sister Caroline.

Outsiders said Sister Caroline was harsh and strict.

But Rebeca felt Caroline was a gentle person who cared deeply for her.

Without Caroline's recommendation, she would never have secured such a fine position.

Caroline sensed Rebeca's gaze and immediately smiled in return.

This girl Rebeca was truly likable.

Of course, Caroline's recommendation of Rebeca as one of Gervas's attendants did carry some personal motives.

She aimed to prevent other maids, like Freya, from becoming the ones to serve Gervas during his morning routine.

After all, relying solely on herself, she could not fully attend to her lord.

In the future, if a suitable candidate appeared, she could hardly block it, could she?

If so, it was better to select a candidate with no threat early on and shut the possibility down.

And by "no threat," she did not mean lack of beauty.

For in beauty, she knew Rebeca was no less than herself or Lady Catherine.

It was threat in intent.

Rebeca was utterly innocent, completely unversed in scheming or rivalry.

Thus, Caroline had no fear that Rebeca would compete for favor.

In fact, in the future, she could ally with Rebeca to jointly resist any other little vixens who might covet the lord.

After all, Caroline knew well the thoughts of maids from the castle.

They constantly dreamed of seducing noble lords, hoping to bear their children and thus change their fate.

She would never allow such an opportunity.

Especially not before they had succeeded…

…

Unaware of the sharp calculations his personal maid was making, Gervas luxuriously enjoyed his morning service.

He then proceeded to the dining hall for breakfast.

Eating swan egg custard, drinking rich milk, and listening to the civil official and Old John's administrative report, Gervas informed Old John of the arrival of the royal capital's carriage team and ordered him to prepare for their reception.

After Old John departed, Gervas summoned Evlan and ordered her to lead the flight squad to the border for reconnaissance.

The sudden appearance of dark creatures at the border again so soon was unexpected by Gervas.

Though the number of dark creatures this time seemed small, their threat was no less than last time.

Although dark creatures were generally far weaker than demons of the same rank—even half as strong—

for the dark death aura had corroded their flesh, weakening their bodily functions,

it also granted them, in turn, a form of "immortality."

Thus, overall, five third-rank dark creatures posed a threat comparable to three third-rank demons.

And he brought other underlings—this made the threat even more formidable.

After Evlan departed, Gervas began refining his aura and secret techniques.

Yet, over an hour later, Old John reported that Marquis Michel's carriage team had arrived.

And again, the leader was the same steward, Ma Kesi.

Of course, compared to last time, Ma Kesi was now far more enthusiastic and courteous.

"Greetings, Lord Gervas! Lord Gervas, I never expected to meet you again so soon! Marquis Michel has sent me to extend his regards!"

"By the way, my sudden arrival hasn't disturbed you, has it?" Ma Kesi asked, noticing the faint beads of sweat on Gervas's brow.

"Steward Ma, you jest! You are sent by Marquis Michel—how could you be a disturbance? I, Gervas, welcome you with open arms!" Gervas replied with a warm smile.

Ma Kesi grew even more cordial. "That puts my mind at ease. By the way, Lord Gervas, I have good news: your magic electric fan and Stormhold are now famous in the royal capital!"

"Really?" Gervas had his intelligence network,

but for specific news from a thousand miles away, he naturally lacked the clarity of those like Ma Kesi, the "locals."

His look of curiosity gave Ma Kesi the perfect opening to continue.

Immediately, Ma Kesi began vividly describing how the magic electric fan had debuted at the banquet.

How it had helped the Crown Prince successfully win over several western envoys.

As they walked and chatted, in Ma Kesi's account, Gervas's magic fan had become renowned among the royal capital's nobility.

And incidentally, Stormhold—the remote southern territory—had also become known to the capital's elite.