Bao Benin smirks looking at the demanding note. "Carlos, summon Sir Jenz over." Bao Benin says.
Little thing sure knows what she wants. Shopping for her little sisters. She must have told Selena to send a note over as soon as she found out.
Less than 20 minutes later, Bao Benin stands when a youth appears in his study. "Jenz, how have you been?" Bao Benin asks, clasping arms with the youth.
A sly smile crosses Rimes Jenz's lips. "Mother has trying to set up my marriage. However, my bondless status keeps killing her talks" Jenz answers.
Bao Benin coughs. He knew well that the Rimes clan was insular. A shadow knight without a soul bond was one thing, a shadow knight who worked outside the clan was a step too far.
"Well, hopefully, this meeting will help your case," Bao Benin says. Jenz's eyes light up. "Which Miss am I shadowing? Is it the First Miss? She just had her Awakening, right?" Jenz asks.
Benin is dazed, looking at his friend. Perhaps he was wrong all those years ago. "Don't be stupid, Benin. It was my choice to go to the battlefield with you all those years ago. I wanted the experience." Jenz says, knowing from the look on Bao Benin's face he was thinking something stupid.
"Not having a master has done more than disturb your marriage talks" Bao Benin points out. As a shadow knight, his status should be just below his master. The lack of one left him at the bottom despite being one of the strongest. "It's not all bad. I have connections across all the fractions. Anyone of your daughters will have a good standing with my protection" Jenz boasts.
Bao Benin laughs. "Let's focus. I want you to guard Third Miss until her Awakening. After as well, if she is to your liking," Benin says. Jenz pauses. "Third Miss Jing. The one with Void Hunger, and a poison resistant physique" Jenz asks.
Benin nods, and hands Jenz the note, and smiles. "She's a clever little thing. A little too smart for her age, so don't be fooled by her sweet face. She knows exactly what she wants," Bao Benin says. Jenz snorts. "Why do you sound so happy if she's such a handful," Jenz asks, looking over the note. Third Miss should be two years old, it must be her bond-maid who thought of shopping. "Her Concubine Mother is pregnant?" Jenz asks.
Bao Benin nods. "Yes, Elder Lan told me. Let's head to Revival Butterfly courtyard. That's the little thing's home" Benin says.
***
"Make a kitten!" Lucy claps her hands. Rose nods and lifts her hands, water from the pond floating to her palms. It twists and turns under her palms, forming a fluffy kitten. "I can't make the whiskers or eyes," Rose says and flicks her index finger.
The water kitten jumps to the ground, and races around in a circle. "You should make water threads," Lucy says, her eyes on the water kitten. Surely if Rosemary practiced just threads, it would give her fine control to do whiskers and eyes. The kitten sprawls out, ears flicking.
"That's a good training idea, little thing" Lucy blinks and frowns as the water kitten shudders and dissolves into a puddle. "This daughter greets Royal Father," Two tender voices intertwine, as both Lucy and Rosemary curtsy. Papa waves. "Stand." He glances at Rosemary. "Come here, Little Rose," Papa says gesturing to her.
Her nickname is so much better than mine. What little thing am I? Lucy's gaze drifts over. Papa's guest looked to be around 16 years old and was dressed in leather, a worn sword on his hip. Platinum blonde, with dazzling green eyes. Lucy's fingers itched. His hair looks so soft!
"Really, Royal Father," Rosemary asks eyes widening. Wait. What? Lucy looks at Papa questioningly. "It's true. You can make a rainbow." Papa says gently, a soft smile on his face, patting Rose's hair.
"This is Sir Rimes Jenz. A comrade of mine" Papa introduces. Lucy's eyes widen. A knight? "Is he going to be Third Sister's shadow knight?" Rosemary asks shyly. Papa nods. "If he wishes to upon her Awakening. Until then he'll act as a guard for Third Miss" Papa answers.
Lucy frowns. "Papa, Rosemary has to have a shadow knight!" Lucy says, eyeing him. Are you skipping Rose over? Papa nods. "Don't fuss, Little thing. Little Rose's shadow knight is currently going through his combat trial. If he passes, he shall swear his blood oath" Papa says, lightly tugging her braid. Lucy touches Papa's mind. Oh, Rimes Dai's twin brother was trained as a knight. If he passed the combat trial, the twins would serve the same master
Satisfied, Lucy withdraws from his mind, and looks at Rimes Jenz. Papa calls him a comrade, but he's so young.
"So Sir Jenz will be my guard?" Lucy asks, gently trying to touch his mind. However, her power slips right over his mind.
Sir Jenz's mind wasn't cloudy like Uncles. Lucy stares at him. Instead it felt soft, and silky. Lucy bites her tongue, gaze boring into him. How on Earth do I enter his mind?
"Yes, treat him well, " Papa warns. Lucy nods and gives Sir Jenz a slight bow. "I am honored for your care" Lucy says, repeating the ceremonial words Selena had taught her.
I wonder if it was correct to use care instead of service. From Papa's thoughts Sir Jenz is in charge of my security instead of being my bodyguard servant. I don't actually have the authority to order him about.
Stupid etiquette!
"It's my honor to care for you, Third Imperial Miss Jing, " Sir Jenz replies smoothly. Lucy relaxes as he hadn't felt any annoyance or disdain. Least I can feel his emotions.