"I am Lemeric Montclair, second grandson of Duke Montclair,"
Lemeric sat stiffly at the edge of his chair, a porcelain teacup balanced in his hand. He mustered every ounce of restraint as the modest spread before him made him feel hungry —tea, biscuits, preserved fruits, and what looks like sticky rice called ibos. He had them once when eastian envoys visited their home.
The food tempted him far too cruelly for someone who had only just quenched his thirst after days of hunger. Yet he had to maintain a composure of dignity because before him the Baroness sat like a figure carved from stillness, her calm eyes weighing him if he was friend or foe.
The Baroness set down her teacup with elegant precision. "So. To recap what you've just said; you are the grandson of Duke Montclair, you were kidnapped last night, got lost in the forest, found the wall, you accidentally broke our barrier, and you scaled our wall... because your dog ran away from you?"
They were in the drawing and it was a room that clearly seen finer days. Once-bright damask wallpaper had dulled to a tired rose, its edges curling where damp crept in. Heavy curtains framed tall windows, their brocade worn thin from sun and time. A modest tea service rested on a low table, silver dulled and teacups mismatched, as though borrowed from different sets. The furniture was sturdy but patched, cushions sagging just enough to betray long use. Yet for all its fraying edges, the room still held a quiet pride, as if stubbornly insisting it was worthy to receive a Montclair.
Lemeric inclined his head, his golden eyes steady, his voice cool yet respectful. "Yes, my lady. I urgently request refuge within your territory. If you would be so kind as to send word to my grandfather, he will vouch for me. I shall see to it that your household is duly compensated for any... inconvenience my stay causes."
The Baron who throughout their conversation prowled around Lemeric like a suspicious bear, his frown deepening with every step. At last, he stopped, crossed his arms, and jabbed a finger toward the silver-haired boy.
"Stay here?" He said his tone mocking "Not throwing you back the other side of the wall is already mercy boy. Best send you on your way, then, eh? No strange lads loitering near my precious daughter." He huffed, puffing out his chest.
"My lord," Baroness Elowen's voice was smooth but firm, a warning tucked neatly inside it. She cleared her throat, and the Baron, sulked like a boy denied dessert, reluctantly plopped into the chair beside her with a heavy thud that lifted the baroness off the chair for a slight second.
Lemeric was unused to such theatrics. At Montclair, his grandfather's word was law—no protests, no pleading, no dramatics. Yet here, a hulking mountain of a man sat fuming like a kettle left too long on the fire after his own wife subtly reprimanded him.
"I believe what the Baron is saying," Elowen said delicately, "is that until we confirm your identity, we will put you at the inn in within caewryn town. You'll be comfortable there, you will also have escort to show you around town and will be in charge of your living expenses until your grandfather comes to pick you up."
An inn was hardly punishment. Lemeric had survived worse—just last summer, he'd been turned out by a Viscount after a different kidnapping attempt. His grandfather's fury over that slight had nearly leveled the territory. Bastard or not, he was still the Duke's grandson, and looking down on him was the same as spitting at Montclair pride.
The Baroness was also clever enough to say she is placing an escort on him when in fact , that very guard would be his jailer. He found that the baroness was truly the wiser of the two.
So he rose, stoic as ever. "Thank you, my lady. If I may, I'll need pen and ink to write to my grandfather."
Elowen nodded. "Sir Hansal, our vice-captain, will escort you to the inn. He will see to your needs. "
At that, a guard stepped in. But behind him, peeking around the doorway, was the little girl with tearful.
"Evie!" Elowen gasped, composure cracking. "I told you to stay in your room it is dangerous with the wall broken."
"But Mama—" Evie burst in, clutching her skirts like a heroine on stage—"you're taking my friend away!"
Friend? Lemeric blinked. They'd barely met.
"Evie, none of this nonsense—" Elowen began, voice stern.
But Evie's eyes filled with tears, fat and glittering. "I want my friend to stay here!"
The Baron's entire demeanor collapsed. "Oh, my precious girl, don't cry—Papa's here!" He lunged to hug her.
But Evie darted away, throwing herself dramatically at Lemeric's side which provoked the Baron's anger at him even more. "If you send him away, the kidnappers will snatch him again!"
Lemeric blinked. He could see she was using her crocodile tears to lead them somewhere.
The Baroness froze mid-sip. The Baron paled.
"And if he was kidnapped again, wouldn't his Grandfather blame Mama and Papa? And if the kidnappers could kidnap him with all his guards at Duke Montclair's castle, what if they learn about me? Wouldn't they think kidnapping a Baron's daughter would be easier? " Evie gasped like a tragic heroine. "Unless, of course, you let him stay and help us catch the villains!"
It was like she'd fired a starting pistol.
"My lord, gather the men, our first priority is to tighten security!" baroness Elowen stood barking orders.
"Yes—quickly, men, to the gate!" the Baron roared, bolting out with the guards and adventurers behind him. "No kidnapper shall come near my sweet Evie!"
"Alexis! Summon the Guild's sketchographer and get them to work with Lemeric. I want Wanted posters by this evening!" Elowen commanded the steward.
"Alfred take Smead and Aaron to secure the perimeter!" The butler was told and he ran to the direction of the coach and training hall where sir Aaron was at.
"Mrs. Potts! Fetch Hetty and have her bring the children to their rooms."
" Tell Carston to prepare an extra plate for dinner! Also, manalara sheets—I must repair the barrier now!"
The manor exploded into chaos: guards and manor staff sprinting to the her orders . The Baroness flew down the hall on her staff like her shoes were aflame, while the Baron's booming voice could still be heard: "To the walls, men! We must protect the manor!"
Finally, the door slammed shut, leaving the both of the to peaceful quiet. Evie slumped into a chair, wiping her fake tears away. "That'll keep them busy for a while."
Lemeric stood frozen, staring at her with both horror and respect. "...What is your purpose for keeping me here?"
Instead of answering, Evie grinned and shoved a slice of ibos into his mouth. "Here, keep eating!"
Lemeric stiffened at first, every instinct screaming that he should refuse—yet the moment the sweet, coconut-rich flavor of the ibos touched his tongue, his guard slipped. His golden eyes softened, surprise flickering across his usually stoic face. It was soft, chewy, and just sweet enough to melt away the iron bands of discipline he kept around himself. Before he realized it, he had finished the piece and was reaching for another.
As he chewed—bewildered— Evie looked at him and a faint ding chimed in her mind.
[ System Notification ]
🌟 Quest [Completed]: Shelter Hero
Details: Let the hero stay in the Manor
Reward: [Unlocked] System Map
You can now teleport between portal keypoints.
[ System Notification ]
🌟 Rebate: 150x Copper Coins
Details: For Aiding the Hero
"Wow it's like you're a walking ATM." she said looking at Lemeric who was enjoying his food this time he was tasting the savory ibos with crispy meat. Evie noticed he looked puzzled at first but then managed to finish another set ibos before realizing that she was watching him.
"Thank you for convincing the baron and baroness to let me stay." He said clearing his throat realizing he was stuffing himself but then he remembered how he ended here in the first place, "what happened to my lupi- I mean my dog by the way,"
"Right! Smead took him to the stables and was giving him a bath. He was covered with dirt and mama doesn't like animals in the house. But don't worry he's fed and sleeping now."
Lemeric felt a bit of annoyance at that, didn't they say Lupinara's were loyal beast. Here he was covered in dirt and was hungry over a tray of snack yet his Lupinara companion seemed to have made himself at home.
Just then Evie received a notification on her end:
[ System Notification ]
🌟 Quest: Refresh Hero
Reward: 10 Gold coins
Details: Let the hero bathe and sleep
"Hey don't you want to take a bath?" Evie asked.
Lemeric looked at him surprised at her suggestion "I suppose, I had been sleeping in the forest floor for a few days."
"Alright then! Let's go take a bath!" Evie announced, eyes glittering with the thought of the ten gold coin reward.
"Le-let's?" Lemeric nearly spat his tea.
"Come on now, don't be shy!" Evie chirped, already tugging him up by the arm. Before he knew it, he was herded down the hall like a lamb to slaughter and shoved into a room.
The bath house was simple but serene. Cedarwood walls breathed a faint, clean scent, and a deep square stone tub sat sunken into the floor, steaming from faint mana circles etched along its rim. Buckets, stools, and neatly folded towels lined one side, while soaps wrapped in rice paper and jars of oil waited on a low shelf.
"This is the bathhouse! Good, it's empty today—look here!" Evie beamed as she tugged a lever. With a soft whoosh, hot water gushed from the wall, steam curling into the air. "We drain it like this, then refill with fresh water from the waterfall. Mama enchanted it herself—water magic plus fire magic and a few contraptions."
Lemeric blinked, surprised despite himself. "This is... impressive." At Montclair, a bath meant summoning half a dozen servants to haul buckets and draw a fire. Here, with one pull of a lever, steaming water filled the tub as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"System!" Evie shouted cheerfully, pulling open her invisible shop. "Let's make sure we invest in this quest properly."
She gleefully purchased the finest bath essentials: sachets of green tea and sakura petals, rice-bran scrubs in little lacquer jars, bamboo-handled brushes, and silken robes patterned with cranes and peonies. Steam stones infused with jasmine shimmered faintly —every item elegant, refined, and a little over the top.
Lemeric's jaw slackened. "...Is this... storage magic?"
Evie froze, then realized: no one knows about the System. Her grin widened like a fox who just spotted prey. "Listen. You can't tell anyone about this, okay?"
He frowned. "Why?"
"Because everyone thinks it's Miasma poison or some weird curse. If they see me pull stuff out of nowhere, I'll never hear the end of it." She leaned closer, conspiratorial. "So you're sworn to secrecy!"
"You could just tell them it's storage magic."
"But I don't know magic so you can't tell anyone."
"Okay I guess..."
"Pinky promise?"
"Pinky... what?"
She seized his hand, looping her smallest finger around his. "Like this! Now we're partners in crime."
Lemeric's heartbeat stumbled. It was just eastian custom, surely. Just a silly gesture. Yet for some reason, his chest felt tight.
"Great!" Evie clapped her hands. "Now, I'll treat you to a proper bath. Let's get you ready!" She lunged, hands aiming for his cravat.
Lemeric reeled back, scandalized. "Wait—don't!"
"Relax! I'll scrub your back and make sure you use all these expensive bath essentials!" Her eyes twinkled, thinking only of rebates profits.
In her enthusiasm, Evie tripped over Lemeric, he lost his balance and they toppled into the tub together, water sloshing everywhere.
This time, Evie ended up sprawled on top of him, dripping wet. Lemeric, pinned beneath her, could only stare—cheeks burning, heart hammering against his ribs. Her damp hair brushed his jaw, her bright eyes close enough to drown in. This was the second time he had been this close to her.
"Ah—my lady!" Hetty's horrified cry shattered the moment. She had burst in, pale and panicked from searching for them. "What—what in sweet serendale are you doing!?"
"I'm helping him take a bath, Hetty!" Evie chirped innocently.
"Young lord, please excuse us," Hetty sputtered, already dragging Evie up by the collar.
"Wait—no, Hetty, I still have to scrub his back! Make sure you use everything I got you okay!" Evie protested, kicking mid-air as she was hauled out.
Lemeric was left in the steaming bath, utterly dazed. Slowly, he sank deeper into the water, covering his crimson face with his hand.
"...What was that about" he muttered, though the warmth on his cheeks lingered long after the steam.