It has already been a few days since the whole incident. Thankfully, mother is recuperating in her rooms, with Seraphina by her side.
In my own childish bedroom, I laid down on bed with my hands stretched down like a snowflake, and emptily stared at the ceiling—pondering all that had happened.
I managed to prevent the death of Isabella Blakesty...
I know that is something I chose to do for my own selfish reason, but I just can't help but wonder...
What will happen to the original storyline now?
"Nothing will happen."
Suddenly, a familiar voice echoed in my head. I flinched in response before sitting up on the bed, and looking around the room.
"No need to be startled. Showing you those memories drained most of my powers, so I'm currently recovering inside your rings."
"Isn't that... dangerous?"
"You don't have to worry. Until I recover, I will just lay dormant without hindering your body. But because of this, our minds are somewhat linked together, letting me read your thoughts a bit."
"A bit...?"
"Yes, just a bit. I promise not to pry."
I placed my hand near my heart, and thought about what Azar said before laying back down on the bed.
Before I knew it, I had closed my eyes and let the silence engulf me for so long before I let out a sigh. "... What do you mean when you say nothing will happen?"
Azar didn't respond for quite a while. I didn't mind the silence, though, since I expected him to not answer the question—just like always.
"This "storyline" that you keep speaking about... True, it might've been the original destiny that the people in this world once experienced. But in the end, it's just a single strand of countless intertwined fates in the world. Destiny and Fate are a complicated mixture—filled with strands of the past, the present, and the future. When a single variable—like you—appears, it completely alters it."
Once I heard his explanation, I slowly opened my eyes, and let out a subtle smile as I came to a conclusion. "I see... so even if I were to follow the original storyline, would my presence itself change it either way?"
"Simple way to converge it. Like I said in the beginning: this world is yours to live to the fullest. You're now able to experience a different life that you couldn't before, and create new and precious memories. Trying to follow the original path defeats the whole purpose."
"... Even if you say that, I would've done what I thought was best, regardless of the original storyline." I sat up on the bed once again. "I already saved mother, and I'll continue to protect the people close to me—while also creating new precious memories..."
I widened my eyes, and dimly looked down on the floor as I recalled the painful memories. "... So that I can share it with them."
The silence that filled the room was so strong and overbearing, yet.... It also puts me at ease.
There is no need to comfort someone like me; there is no need to comfort someone who couldn't even show a true smile to them...
A sudden knock emerged from the door before it creaked open. A young woman with deep-brown skin and eyes, with long black hair tied up in a ponytail, then silently entered the room.
I continued to stare at her—wondering who she was, while raising my guard up. Throughout my time in this world, I have never seen her in this manor.
Her presence here feels suspicious. But even then, what can I do by myself if she is truly a threat?
But despite seeing my obvious suspicion of her, she politely bowed down. "Greetings, Young Master. My name is Nila. Mia is currently being treated, so I will temporarily take her place as your personal maid until she fully recovers."
She stood there in silence once again without saying anything else. An awkward sweat ran down my face as we continued to stare at each other without saying anything.
"... Excuse me—"
"You can call me by my name, Young Master."
I stood there silently once again. Her way of speaking... is quite straightforward and cold.
"Okay then... Nila, right? Is there a reason you suddenly came here?"
She stood there silently, trying to recall why she came before finally remembering. "Ah yes, I almost forgot. His Grace has relayed a message for you."
She cleared her throat, closed her eyes, and stood upright as if the message she was about to say was of importance. "Lysander. Once you are feeling well, please come to my office. I wish to discuss some personal matters with you."
Once she finished relaying the message, I just sat there in silence—trying to understand why father suddenly wanted to have a meeting with me.
Is he finally going to question my unusual actions? I guess that's to be expected... All the things I've done are far from what a normal child my age would do.
I sadly nodded back once I came to a conclusion. "I see... I'll head there immediately then. "
I got down from my bed, and gently dusted my clothes. Nila continued to stand there silently until I finished. Once I walked up to her, she opened the door for me and we began to walk down the corridor towards the office.
I sheepishly walked behind her before my curiosity began to pique.
"... May I ask what your job in the mansion is...?"
She continued to walk quietly before answering my question. "I... you'll soon know when we get to the office."
The office is on the opposite side of the mansion from where we are, so it's going to take a few minutes to get there, longer considering my walking speed. But Nila was considerate enough to walk slowly so I didn't tire myself out.
As we continued to walk in silence, she abruptly stopped. "Young Master... I know this may be sudden, but can I ask you a question?"
I gazed up at her. "Sure..."
She slowly shifted her head, and our eyes finally met. After a moment of staring, her brown eyes suddenly shimmered.
"Hmm... you... What are your thoughts about killing another human being?"
I slowly widened my eyes at the question.
Killing.
That is such a foreign concept to me. The terminology stems from the act of an organism's death caused by the instance of another organism.
Philosophically, the act of killing is immoral.
But... I can't really put my finger on it...
"I can't say... I just think that killing is preventable under the given circumstances."
Yes... I can't put my finger on it. In the past, every action that humans did I always questioned on why they were done, and for what motive.
But yesterday's event slightly changed that perspective.
When I was fighting that girl, I continued to aim at her heart and head.
I was trying to kill her to protect my mother.
"The idea of killing may seem brutal, but in the end... I guess it's controversial. But those who kill out of glee... I truly disdain."
"Hmm... I see."
She crossed her arms, and closed her eyes for a single moment of contemplation before speaking again.
"I was informed that you played a crucial role in not only protecting her grace, but also Mia. We ran an autopsy on the magic swordsman. We had to see just what power she gained from the pill she consumed, and the after-effects of consumption. Many of the injuries caused by you where... how can I say it? Fatal. As if you were planning to kill her instantly."
She then turned around—still staring right into my eyes. "I would like to ask you another question: did you intend to kill the girl?"
I extended my hands forward, and stared at them as she asked that question.
The magic I used... Most of them were designed to kill. I know that, but I continued to use them.
I continued to use them all to protect mother...
I slowly closed my eyes, and clenched my hands into a fist. "... It may have been selfish, but I knew that being naive would have cost someone's life if I didn't have the intention to kill her. But it only extends there."
I then gazed up at her. "Killing is a cruel punishment that I will only rely on if other solutions fail to protect those I care about..."
Nila stood there surprised at my response. After a few moments of deliberation, she suddenly kneeled in front of me before showing me a small smile.
"I see... What a marvelous answer."
She slowly looked out the window, and witnessed the lively trees outside.
"I will not lie. I thought long and hard about the type of Young Master I will have to serve in the future. A spoiled one, a meek one, or one that looked down upon others with power and violence. I was prepared to leave the estate with my brother, even if it meant breaking my promise with His Grace."
She let out a small chuckle before looking back at me, and gently placing her hands on my shoulder.
"I'm glad to see that you're not any of the bad images I had depicted. Your answer told me a lot about what type of person you are. Someone rational, yet kind. Killing is sometimes needed in this world. To eliminate the threats. To eliminate those who commit wrongdoings. But it is also something that can be avoided if necessary. This may be a hard topic, especially for a young child like you."
She awkwardly scratched her cheek. "I honestly can't believe I asked a question like that to a young child... but your response assured me the future of the estate."
With those words, she closed her eyes and bowed down before me. "Young Master... I am willing to entrust my life and honor to serve you as my future master, and ensure your overall safety over mine."
I couldn't help but quickly shake my hand, slightly panicking by all that she just said. "T-Thank you, but you don't have to risk your life for me!"
She lifted her head, and just smiled. "I'll try, Young Master."
I could only continue to stare at her with slight discontent. But even though her choice of words is questionable, I feel like I have more people that I can trust and lean on, like Mia...
"Wait, what happened to Mia? Is she okay?"
Nila stood up, and looked awkwardly at me while scratching her head. "That girl... despite facing such severe burns and injuries, she is doing much better than expected."
I let out a relieved sigh after hearing those words. "That's good to know…"
Nila let out a small chuckle before she began leading me towards the office once again. After a few minutes of walking, we soon reached the father's office.
Once we approached the door, the guard standing beside the door bowed down to us. "Young Master, Miss Nila. His Grace is waiting for you inside."
The guard then opened the door for us. I quickly fixed my posture as this is the first time father has called me into his office.
As we walked inside the office, I saw father standing near his desk, talking to Leo and Veda—while a blonde-haired guy was happily talking to another guy that looked exactly like Nila.
I continued to look around the room, and saw a red-haired girl sheepishly talking to... Mia?
As the sound of door closing echoed through the room, everyone turned silent before shifting their gaze at us. Mia's expression brightened before she hurriedly ran to me, and lifted me up into her arms.
I'm so confused...
Nila told me that she was still recovering from the burns in her hands.
True enough, when I looked at the hands that were carrying me, I saw the bandages.
I began to squirm in her arms, hoping for her to let me down so she won't worsen her injuries. "Let me down! Your hands are still injured! Does it not hurt?!"
Mia blushed before rubbing her cheek against mine. "Awe... the Young Master cares about me~. Don't worry, I'm sure it's safe to carry the adorable Young Master in my arms!"
"Please worry about yourself more, Mia!"
She continued to hug me tightly in her arms while I continued to squirm. But I soon gave up after thinking that if I continued to squirm, I would worsen her injuries.
I quickly glanced at Veda, who was smiling at the sight, to see if she could do something about the situation.
She immediately understood my intention, and began walking towards us before placing her hands on Mia's shoulder.
"Now, Now. You know better than to not bother the Young Master."
Mia pouts before placing me back down on the ground. "Fine..."
I continued to look at her hands, feeling guilty since she was trying hard to protect me and mother.
"Are you really okay...?"
Mia let out a warm smile before patting my head. "Don't worry, Young Master. Most of the fatal injuries were healed thanks to Priya."
"Priya...?"
The red-haired girl quickly stammered before she began to walk towards us. "T-That's my name, Young Master..."
I walked towards her before bowing down, making her flinch while she shook her hands with confusion. "Thank you, Priya. If not for you... I don't know what would've happened to Mia."
Everyone in the room couldn't help but look surprised as they saw me bow down to her.
Mia continued to look at me with a guilty expression before awkwardly scratching her cheek. "Gosh... now you're making me feel guilty, Young Master..."
Priya once again began to panically shake her hands. "I-It's alright! It is my duty as the Head Priest to take care of the injured. M-Mia's burns were caused by powerful fire magic, so light magic was not able to completely heal her injuries. B-But in a few weeks, she should be fine."
As she continued to stammer, I suddenly remembered something. "Wait... if you're the Head Priest, then does that mean you were the one who healed me when I got injured?"
She looked away, and sheepishly nodded.
I couldn't help but smile once again before holding her hand, and shaking with gratitude. "Thank you, Priya."
Her composure became more relaxed as she heard those words before she slowly smiled back. "... It's my pleasure, young master."
Father then let out a small cough as he continued to quietly observe the situation. He then began walking towards me.
Once he stood in front of me, he slightly looked down and crossed his arms.
"Lysander, I need to ask you something."
I quickly fixed my posture, and forced myself to look as serious as I could.
"Yes, Your Grace?"
"I need to ask if you—" His eyes then widened as he heard my response. "Y-Your Grace...?"
Mia and the blonde-haired man began to laugh, while Nila looked the other way—also trying hard to hold in her small laughter. Veda, however, just shrugged with a smile, while Leo just sighed.
The man that looked just like Nila slowly walked towards us before speaking to father. "Your Grace. I suggest you look less... intimidating. The Young Master must've gotten the wrong idea."
I tiled my head, confused about the current situation.
Was he not going to question my unusual behavior...?
Father let out an awkward cough as he embarrassedly blushed. "Forgive me, Lysander, If I gave you the wrong idea..." He took a deep breath, and finally regained his calm appearance. "Though the topic is important, since it is about deciding your future, I called you here to gain your approval."
He slowly kneeled in front of me, and gently placed his hand on my shoulder before smiling so warmly at me—as to not give out the wrong idea once again.
"I know that you have some... things you wish to hide. I understand. But given the circumstances, it's time you received formal education in both knowledge and magic. Normally, you would begin your formal education around the age of six or seven, but..."
He closed his mouth, and his warm smile slowly turned bitter. "... I just wish you don't continue hurting yourself, just like these last few days, because of magic. I know how intelligent and mature you are for your age. But I still worry about you. You tend to take risks for others."
Father then stood back up, but continued to look at me so warmly. "Though, it is up to you if you wish to start your studies early. I do not wish to force you to do anything you don't like after all."
Learning...
In my previous life, learning was something I did to understand the cruel world around me, and for the sake of giving my life some sort of meaning...
But learning new things in this world; in this body—not for the sake of giving my life some sort of value, but to help the people around me…
I want to try it.
My lips curved up, and I quickly expressed a determined expression before fisting my hands up high, just like how a normal child would. "Yes, father. I wish to learn!"
He smiled once again before gently ruffling my hair. "I see. I will begin to make the necessary arrangements then. It might be difficult at first, but I hope that you wish to continue despite the challenges"
He then got up, and began heading towards the door. "For now, I wish for you to stay with these seven people. They may look peculiar, but I promise they are the most trusted people in this mansion. I must talk with your mother about some... things, so forgive me for leaving after having walked all the way here.
I shook my head. "Don't worry, father. I know how angry mother can be when she's left in the dark."
A cold sweat ran down father's face as he forced out a laugh to calm his nervousness. "You're indeed correct... I'll bear the responsibilities. So. just enjoy the feast I prepared for everyone."
After saying those words, the door to the office closed. I slowly turned my body around to look at the people in front of me.
Nila took a step forward from where she was, and extended her hands towards the two unknown men next to her.
"Young Master, let me introduce you to them. The blonde hair individual in front of you is Qadir. He is the sole gardener in this mansion."
I shifted my gaze towards him, and saw just how big his muscles were while his eyes shimmered a delicate mixture of green and purple. After we made eye-contact, he quickly smirked before putting his thumb up.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Young Master."
I nodded back with agreement. "Likewise."
Nila then introduced the other man. "The person next to him is my twin brother, Nilo. He works alongside me with surveillance around the Duchy, or any other mission personally assigned by His Grace."
Nilo slightly tilted his head, and stared at me for a full minute before looking the other way. "... I told you that your assumption was wrong. I bet you even nagged him."
Hearing those words, Nila's eyes twitched a bit before she let out a sinister looking smile.
"I'm sorry, Young Master. Nilo is just in a bad mood since he hasn't been able to spend any time with Qadir. You see, they're sort of in a relationship—"
Nilo quickly looked back at her with a bashful expression. "Stop saying nonsense! We are not a—"
Nila let out an annoyed sigh, and looked so frustrated at Nilo as if this was a common occurrence.
"Then let me ask a question: where were you this morning? I knocked on both of your doors, only to find them empty. You both then sneaked back in an hour later, and acted as if nothing happened."
Nilo took a step back, blushing so much before he argued back. "Did you spy on me!?"
Nila shook her head, denying his claim. "Oh goodness no! I was just coincidentally laying on one of the trees before coincidentally seeing both of you trying to sneak back in."
Nilo's mouth quivered with embarrassment—as if exposed, while Nila displayed a victory smile. Everyone continued to watch the spectacle like it was a normal everyday thing.
Qadir hummed, and stepped in front of Nilo with a subtle smile before calmly gazing at the smirking Nila.
"You have the wrong assumption. His Grace assigned us to gather information regarding yesterday's events, while also making sure if any mercenaries escaped or began to spread rumors."
Nilo intently shook his head in agreement, thought still blushing. "E-Exactly!"
Nila sighed, and began to impatiently tap her feet. "I do remember his grace assigning you such a task, and I know it is tedious, but..." She glared at Nilo, making him flinch and hide behind Qadir. "It shouldn't have taken an entire day considering both of your capabilities."
An awkward sweat ran down Qadir's face as he continued to cover up for Nilo. "We had to ensure everything was clear—even if the process took longer than what was expected."
Nila scoffed at the obvious remark. "Qadir... I know you're always going to be on his side, but don't you care about him rejecting your relationship? You really should stop spoiling him, and just be open about it."
Sparks began to form in between Nila's and Qadir's keen stares. The unfortunate Nilo just continued to hide behind Qadir, while slightly wrapping his arms around his waist—making their relationship more obvious by the minute.
Feeling the tensional atmosphere, I quickly tug at Nila's robe, drawing her attention away from Qadir. "I don't understand what is happening..." I then looked at Qadir and Nilo. "But I give you two my blessings."
Qadir slowly chuckled at my words while Nilo continued to look away with embarrassment.
Nila smirked in response, before gently patting my head. "How nice of you, young master." She then glared at Nilo once again before sighing. "Despite my brother's rejection, their relationship is widely known to us. I truly don't understand why he insists on keeping it a secret..."
Nilo just sighed, and gave up on the situation.
I understand that the concept of same sex relationship in this is not a posing problem because of gender equality and the Bond of Mana. But is there a reason as to why he doesn't want their relationship to be widely known?
Mia, who for some reason had popcorn in her hand... walked towards me before smiling so childishly.
"It's time for you to eat, Young Master! Shall we head to the servant quarter? That is where we decided to have the feast that His Grace provided for us."
"Can I...?"
Mia happily nodded. "Of course you can! His Grace allowed it just now, didn't he?"
I let out a smile, and softly blushed in response to those kind words.
This is the first time I am having lunch with people that I truly see as close friends.
"... If you don't mind, then can I have lunch with everyone?"
Everyone nodded with agreement. With that, Mia's bright smile shone once again before she carried me back into her arms.
"Then let us have a feast, young master!"
I couldn't help but smile with a blush once again before nodding with excitement.
✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦
Everyone was sitting down around a long wooden table filled with countless food and drinks of various kinds. I was sitting down next to Mia, and was just sipping on my wooden cup filled with juice, while an awkward sweat ran down my face as I continued to look at the scene in front of me.
I have a feeling that their drinks are not juice...
Why?
Because Mia's head is plopped down on the table. As I gazed into her eyes, all I could see was her pupils spinning and spinning with no sign of stopping.
I looked in front once again, and saw that everyone else was pretty much in the same intoxicated state.
Nila went on to argue once again with her brother, Nilo, over trivial matters such as who can eat or drink the most. But despite the argument, she continued to wear a bright smile—unlike the cold and stoic face she showed me before.
Despite Nilo rejecting his relationship with Qadir, he continued to affectionately hug Qadir while bickering with Nila. Qadir, who seemed to have a high alcohol tolerance, just smiled warmly as he affectionately hugged Nilo back.
Priya's personality, however, did a complete one-eighty. She began to argue with Nila right after Nilo lost the argument—who whined to Qadir about how mean his sister was before he buried himself into Qadir's arms.
Leo tried to meditate, but was soon dragged into the argument after being called A boy who hasn't entered puberty yet by Priya.
Veda sat on the other seat next to me, watching the people bickering with a smirk on her face, occasionally sipping her cup of alcohol.
I slowly gazed at her, trying to see what she was daydreaming about.
As if feeling my gaze, she lets out a small chuckle before looking at me from the corner of her eyes.
"Quite rowdy, isn't it?"
I chuckled back before gently shaking my head. "I don't mind it. I've never experienced such a thing before, so I cannot help but continue to admire this sensation of being part of a group."
Veda smiled once again before gently patting my head. "True. I genuinely enjoy moments like these too. Being with these people—having fun, and letting our true self run wild... I am so thankful to His Grace for such an opportunity."
I looked back at her with slight curiosity. "What do you mean?"
She took another sip of her cup, and gently placed it down on the table. "It's a long story... but His Grace rescued us."
She looked at the unconscious Mia. "You may not know this, but Mia is my daughter..."
I couldn't help but look baffled.
Veda let out a chuckle, seeing my surprised expression, before speaking again.
"Not biological of course. I rescued her when she was still a baby. I was walking through the forest like any other day... and saw her abandoned. I couldn't leave her behind, so I vowed to take care of her."
She closed her mouth, and hesitated to speak, but soon resolved to say the following words to me.
"... I was born a half-wampire, and I never knew who my parents were. All I could remember was being alone in an empty forest, with no one by my side. I spent countless decades trapped in the forest, and just walked around—desperately trying to find a way out. But after I almost gave up, I found Mia. When I found her... I couldn't help but finally smile. It made me feel like a mother."
She looked at the wooden cup in front of her, and stared at her reflection before letting out a bitter smile.
"It was around six years after I met Mia. We lived in a small wooden house, and enjoyed our lives to the fullest. But during that time, rumors circulated that a vampire was living in the forest near a human village. As you know, vampires are feared as dangerous creatures to be eliminated. Surely enough, they began to hunt us down. I was weak at the time, so all I could do was run while I carried Mia in my arms, comforting her that everything was going to be alright..."
She painfully closed her eyes, and anxiously clenched her shaking hands. "We were surrounded. They grabbed Mia away from me, and were about to kill her. I reached out my hand and begged them to let her go. That is when His Grace came and saved us..."
Veda looked at me once again, her blood-red eyes filled with so much sorrow. "Despite being at the age of sixteen, his eyes were dead and cold. Nevertheless, he helped me get out of the forest, and offered us a place to stay. He said that he would help us get stronger so we could protect each other."
She let out a gentle chuckle. "Of course, I didn't reject him and took the offer. I knew that I could trust him—despite those emotionless eyes that he had before he met Her Grace..."
Her gaze slowly shifted to Nila and Nilo. "Two years later after we began to serve His Grace, he saved those kids. They were around thirteen when their village was raided. He took them in, and promised them the same thing he promised me: a place to stay, and the power to protect each other from harm."
Veda's eyes then lingered to Qadir. "... He was the son of a farmer. A war broke out, and unfortunately... the location that the war started was in the very place he grew up. His father was murdered by the hands of a soldier, who thought that he was another enemy. The only weapon he had in his disposal was a farmer's hoe."
She then let out a saddened sigh. "... At the age of sixteen, he tried to survive in the war that he never intended to be part of, and cut down any soldiers that tried to kill him. He soon reached his limit, and was almost himself killed until… he was saved by His Grace in the same battlefield that earned him his title: The Duke of Blood."
She looked at Priya. "... She was a young girl who was raised in a cult. Her church used the followers as sacrifices, all in the name of God. The children raised were sold off to slavery for extra cash, but it was soon discovered by His Grace. He freed all the captives, but Priya wanted to remain by His Grace's side—saying that she would devote her life to protecting the person who saved her from hell, and to find her sister."
Finally, she turned towards Leo, and sighed. "... At the age of fifteen, he was found wandering in the streets with tattered clothes, relying on pickpocketing to survive. Though unfortunately, he pickpocketed Her Grace one fine evening. But maybe it was because at that time, His Grace finally met Her Grace, but they decided to take him in, and give him a place to call home. Three years later, shortly after you were born, he became one of the most powerful mages in the Empire."
After saying all of that, Veda bitterly looked up at the ceiling and painfully breathed in. "Young Master... What do you think about the pitiful stories of us all?"
I sat there in silence.
Everyone in this room has a history; a history filled with suffering and torment. But they were all saved by father...
I couldn't help but have a greater respect towards him as he saved everyone from their suffering—and even granted them a new path for them to follow, and the power to protect each other.
"... It's not pitiful."
I then glanced at everyone from my seat, and saw just much fun they are having, while they all wore smiles across their faces.
"... One's past builds a foundation to what one can become. Everyone here has suffered, yet you all continued to move forward in life. Everyone continues to build themselves up—becoming even better and stronger, all for the sake of living life."
With those words, I looked back at Veda as she continued to bitterly stare at the ceiling.
"Rather than pity, I can't help but admire everyone. I may not personally know all the hardships that you have endured, but I know just how happy you are now. I wish that this happiness continues for you all—because that is a gift you all deserve after all that you've gone through."
Veda froze for a moment, but soon let out a small smile. She slowly stood up, and not long after everyone but Mia began to stand up one by one, and began walking towards me before they all knelt down.
Veda, who was in the middle, gazed up at me from where I continued to sit with a warm smile.
"You truly are the child of his grace..."
Her smile continued as before she slowly closed her eyes in a moment of silence. "I, Veda, swear upon my life to protect you, the Young Master, from any harm. As the future Grand Duke, I wish for you to accept us as your future retainers."
Everyone looked up with the same hopeful smile before they all spoke simultaneously.
"In honor of His Grace, we wish to continue serving his lineage, and preserve this household filled with kind people just like you."
I couldn't help but admire them even more as they saw someone like me worthy to serve under.
These people see me for who I am, and even trust me enough to risk their lives to protect me.
Though I wish for them to not risk their life, I am happy that they declared their intentions to trust me in the future, and for them to remain by my side.
With that genuine thought, I smiled and nodded back at everyone's determined gaze. "Thank you, everyone, for trusting me. I hope to continue growing into a person worthy enough of such declarations, and hope to have you all by my side."
Everyone smiled once again before they quickly returned to their original seating—enjoying their feast with a new celebration in mind.
Mia, who continued to sleep on the table, mumbled something quietly with a smile across her face.
"... Young Master... I, too, wish to serve under you..."