"Come here, Mary."
"As you will, Milord."
Mary in her elegant maid uniform kneels before me. The gravity slowly pulled her golden mid-cut locks from her shoulder to fall as she bobbed her head. Mary is now ready for the bestowal of the Longevity skill.
I laid the naked silvery blade back on her right shoulder. Like that of a monarch granting a knighthood. Inwardly, I started to activate my Unique Skill: Bestow.
"For your long and fruitful service in our family, you deserve an honorary reward. I, Raphael Raevender, will personally grant you your gift. Bestow, Longevity."
Upon giving her the skill, her body glowed in a pale golden light. It only lasts for a second, but the accolading has successfully awarded. And for the finishing touch…
"Bestow, Disguise. Using that skill, you would be able to hide the skill from the others."
It would be bad if someone discovered Mary had the Longevity skill despite being at a double-digit level. Better safe than sorry.
"Thank you very much, Milord. I cannot thank you enough for all the things that you have done to me."
"Then work harder for the family, now and for eternity."
"My guilt can't let the Young Lady to fulfill what she owes by herself alone. I also wanted to pay for the things you have done to me. I already had discussed it with the Lady beforehand." Still with a knee on the floor, she raised her head and clenched her fist on top of her chest.
(Something's wrong. I can feel it.)
Sensing the strangeness circulating around Mary, I turned my head toward my sister and tried to ask her about it.
"What is she talking about, Sister?"
"…just one night…" she whispered.
"Hmm?" I was baffled.
"Last night, Mary told me she couldn't tolerate me paying you alone. That's why she made a decision over which we argued for hours…"
Yeah, Sister and Mary slept on the same bed last night, so they can have a conversation all night.
"…In the end, I ultimately gave up for her unwavering persistence."
"…"
"In agreement, we decided for you to…"
"To what…?"
"To have Mary for just one night!"
"What?"
Did I hear it correctly, right? Did my ears become defective or something? Let me check the recordings... Ahh! What is my sister saying?! When she said night, it meant doing that thing, right?!
"Are you serious about that?"
"I don't want to admit it, but I'm dead serious."
Just to be sure, I faced Mary and asked her.
"Are you really sure about it?"
"I already resolved myself to do it."
"You can't just force yourself to do something you don't like, you know?"
"Pardon my rudeness, but I didn't say I disliked it. If it's you, Milord, I don't mind having a night with you."
She said it with crimson on her cheeks. Sister just averted her eyes, restraining herself to cool off. Getting cucked must have hit her to the bone.
So Mary wanted to offer herself to me to fulfill her part, huh? Although I have a beautiful fiancée now, I never get laid and am still a pathetic virgin in both worlds! Sophia is still too young for that kind of thing. She must have been ripening for at least a year for me to harvest her bountiful fruit.
"I love your temping offer, but I have to say no for now. I didn't have experience yet and wanted my first night to be with the person I love."
"…"
That's it. I wanted to give my first to one of my partners in life. So I cannot just give it nonchalantly. But…
"But I never said I didn't want it. I just said I don't want to do it now. Perhaps someday? For now, enjoy your life with my sister, okay? I will have you attend me when the time comes. Is that fine with you two?"
"…Hmph. I'm fine with it."
"Milord…" then she stood straight, putting a hand on her chest. "I understand. I promise I will serve the Young Lady with all my life." Mary announced her servitude as she bowed her upper body to me.
With the things settled in, we walked out of the workshop and continued our daily lives. By the way, Sister and Mary slept together later that night.
◆◇◆◇◆◇
Three days had passed since that day. The winter snow completely melted, and the earth slowly came back to life. These days are the time when some establishments and institutions continue to operate after the cold season. One of them is the Dixon Imperial Academy.
"Be careful when you're there, okay? Also, don't forget to continue your training before delving into the dungeon, okay?"
"That's what you told me yesterday, Mom."
"I leave Louise in your care, Mylene."
"Leave it to me."
Gaudy carriages with our family crest loaded with heavy luggage parked in front of our mansion gate, as if preparing for a long journey. Female servants lined up as Mom and Sister bid farewell to each other in the middle of the morning. The time for Sister's departure has come.
"I will miss you, Louise."
"I will miss you too, Mom."
Then the two black-haired beauties start embracing each other. After that, Sister turned her attention to me, who was standing between Mom and Sophia.
"You better not cause any problems for Mom, okay? Take care of Mom and Sophia while we're gone."
"I promise. I will take care of them in your stead."
"Good boy." She praised me, petting my head. "You grew up fast this year. You are already taller than me."
"Thanks for the praises."
Sister let go of her hand from my head. She turned right and approached Sophia. Sister put her hands on Sophia's shoulders and started a conversation with her.
"I will miss you, Sophia. Take care of my brother for me."
"I will miss you, too. You can leave Raphael to me."
"Thank you." Then she turned her back around and walked beside Mother.
"Let's go, Mother."
Mother nodded in response before she entered the carriage. Sister fixed her gaze at one of the lining servants briefly before shutting the door on their transport.
(The moment the master took its sight off its subject, the subject gained a little bit of freedom.)
[[End of Volume 2]]