In August, a warmth began to flow through the streets and alleys of Tingen City. However, as a city in the northern Loen Kingdom, it had a unique climate, and even in midsummer, the highest temperature was less than 30 degrees Celsius.
A rented carriage drove down the street. Lex sat inside, looking out at the streets lined with shops and the bustling crowds, genuinely sighing, "This place is much livelier than our town."
Sitting beside him, his personal male servant, with graying hair and dark skin, was looking at a Tingen map. "Too big a city isn't good either; there are simply too many streets to remember."
Opposite them sat a burly man nearly two meters tall. He had a broad chin, short-cropped brown hair, and a smile in his dark eyes as he said, "Based on my experience, Mr. Lex probably won't be traveling on foot."
"Then, we only need to rent a carriage and a coachman familiar with the streets to solve the problem you raised, Matthew."
Lex nodded slightly. "Gru is right."
This man named Gru was a bodyguard Bison found for Lex. Although Lex thought he didn't need a commoner as a bodyguard, Bison emphasized that a baron's son traveling all the way to Tingen without a bodyguard would arouse suspicion.
Because of Gru alone, their carriage was particularly crowded, and the coachman had to constantly urge the horses. The two poor horses had to exert more effort than usual to pull the carriage Lex and his companions were in.
The carriage stopped in front of the Violet Hotel.
This was almost the best inn in Tingen. It was located near the Tassok River, and if the room had a good view, one could even enjoy the scenery of the river.
After the male servant completed the check-in procedures, Lex moved into the best room in the inn.
This room had multiple bedrooms, enough for two to three servants or bodyguards.
There was a living room for entertaining guests, as well as a smoking room, a card room, and other rooms.
As Matthew and Gru carried the luggage into the room, Lex opened the window, and a cool breeze from the Tassok River filled the living room, dispelling a trace of the midsummer heat.
After Matthew and the others finished their tasks, Lex instructed them in the living room, "There are a few things I need you to do."
He looked at his personal male servant and said with a smile, "Matthew, your work might be a bit more. We are here in Tingen to visit a few gentlemen."
"So, for the next few days, I need you to first go to these gentlemen's homes, meet their housekeepers, and make appointments for me."
"Therefore, you need to prepare some gifts first. Not many, but they must be sincere."
"The people we are visiting include Councilor Maynard, Sir Deville, Mr. McGovern, and others. You already have their addresses. You can prepare the gifts in the next day or two, and then spend a few days visiting each household."
The male servant wiped his sweat and nodded, "I will handle it, Sir."
Lex nodded and encouraged him, "I know, for a male servant, your work is a bit heavy. However, you might as well consider it practice before becoming a housekeeper."
Matthew's eyes brightened. "Sir, are you saying I have a chance to become a housekeeper?"
"Why not?" Lex deliberately looked around. "Do you think I look like someone who has a housekeeper assisting him?"
Lex's hint was already quite obvious.
Matthew also understood that as the son of a baron, Lex would eventually start his own family. At that time, he would need a housekeeper, and he had the opportunity to fill that role.
For a male servant, becoming a housekeeper could be considered the pinnacle of his career. With the opportunity now before him, how could he not be excited?
Lex took out his wallet, counted out 50 pounds, and handed them to Matthew. "Remember, the gifts must befit our status."
Then he counted out another 20 pounds and handed them to Gru.
Lex looked at the big man and said, "As you just said, we need a carriage and a coachman familiar with Tingen. So, I'll leave this matter to you."
"What needs attention is that the carriage compartment should be as spacious as possible. I imagine you wouldn't like that crowded feeling we just experienced, would you?"
The bodyguard laughed and nodded, "Sir, you are truly thoughtful."
He then expressed a concern, "If the compartment is larger, the carriage will probably need four horses, and in that case, the cost will be higher."
"You don't need to worry about that."
Lex thought that with the allowance Bison gave him, plus his annuity and previous savings, he now had about 12,000 pounds at his disposal.
This amount of money, not to mention in Tingen, but even in Backlund, would certainly qualify him as a wealthy man.
He smiled and said, "I am not short on money, nor do I want to lower my quality of life by saving on expenses."
Moreover, the people I'm going to visit next are not minor figures, so I need to pay attention to my image and not appear too shabby.
Lex stood up. "Go, handle things well. If you need more money, just tell me."
After Matthew and Gru left, Lex had no intention of resting. He took off his formal attire, changed into a thin, knee-length trench coat, brought Blood Praise and Shadow Gloves, took the letter his mother gave him, and left the inn.
Discreetly taking a public carriage, Lex arrived at Narcissus Street.
The houses here were terraced buildings with polygonal hip roofs and gray-blue exteriors, each house featuring a chimney.
Without lawns or gardens, and no porches, the entrances directly faced the street.
Lex guessed that this should be where people with decent incomes, but far from middle-class, rented their homes.
From this, it was also evident that Mr. Kyle Gaden's income was not particularly good.
As he walked down the street, a girl with long black hair flowing freely approached him. Her face was thin, and the afternoon sun reflected in her brown eyes, giving her a delicate appearance.
Even though she was only wearing a simple dress, the girl, still exuding youthful vitality, made Lex look twice.
He noticed that the girl was adjusting a pocket watch and holding it to her ear, listening to something.
As expected of a city girl, she was different from those in the small town.
Lex genuinely sighed and found house number 5, knocking on the door.
However, he received no response.
Was that gentleman not home? Or had he moved out?
Lex thought for a moment, then bought a box of lemon cakes from a nearby bakery and knocked on Kyle's neighbor's door.
This time, someone opened the door quickly.
Behind the door was a woman in her early thirties, whose figure had already changed, and she said with a hint of impatience, "Is there something I can help you with?"
"Good afternoon, madam."
Lex gave a brilliant smile and presented the gift he had prepared in advance. "These are freshly baked lemon cakes, a gift for my unannounced visit. Please accept them."