Ruth stood in the doorway for a moment, her eyes resting on Alex as he slept, his chest rising and falling steadily. She had found herself thinking more about him lately—ever since she saw him sparring with Bartlow. Despite his inexperience, there was something about his determination and raw potential that struck a chord in her. He's going to make it, she thought, feeling a strange certainty that Alex was destined for something great.
As Ruth reflected on her own life, she couldn't help but relate to Alex. Both of them were orphans, bound by their shared struggle and dreams. She wondered what her life might look like in a few years and toyed with the idea of becoming Alex's personal maid once he earned his noble title. The thought warmed her, even sparking a hopeful idea that, in time, their relationship might evolve into something more.
Catching herself in the middle of these daydreams, Ruth shook her head and gently tapped Alex on the shoulder. "Alex," she whispered. "It's time to get up."
Alex stirred, feeling the soreness in his muscles from yesterday's intense sparring session. He groaned softly as he stretched, then sat up and gave Ruth a sleepy smile. "Thanks for waking me up, Ruth," he said, his voice still thick with sleep.
Ruth smiled back warmly. "You're welcome. I've laid out your clothes for the day on the desk. I'll wait for you in the hallway," she said as she left the room, gently closing the door behind her.
As Alex stood and got ready, he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. His reflection took him by surprise. His physique had changed noticeably—his muscles were more defined, and his skin looked smoother and healthier. His face, too, had taken on a more mature edge, and he noticed the beginnings of stubble on his chin. He chuckled at the sight, feeling a quiet excitement about the changes his cultivation and hard work were having on his body.
After adjusting his tie, Alex walked out into the hallway, where Ruth was waiting. They began their walk toward the kitchen, the soft sound of their footsteps filling the silence. Ruth hesitated for a moment before finally gathering the courage to ask what had been on her mind all morning.
"Alex," she began slowly, her voice unsure, "once you become a noble, have you ever thought about… hiring a personal maid?"
Alex raised an eyebrow, surprised by her question. "A personal maid? Like… you?"
Ruth blushed slightly and nodded. "I've been thinking about it, and I'd like to offer my services… once you have your own home, of course. But not just as a housemaid. I know you'll probably want to travel, maybe even explore the world, so I could be your personal maid. I'd accompany you, help with everything you need, and support you through it all."
Alex, taken aback by her offer, hesitated. "But… I thought you wanted to become a healer, join a party, and explore the world on your own terms. I wouldn't want to hold you back from that," he said, genuinely concerned about her dreams.
Ruth gave a soft, shy smile. "I still want to help others… but I could do that while working for you. You're not the kind of person who'll just sit in a noble's house doing paperwork all day. I'm sure you'll be doing great things. And I'd like to be there to help you along the way."
Alex could sense the sincerity in her words, but he still felt hesitant. "Are you sure this is what you want? I mean, I don't want you to feel like you have to do this. I could even support you financially if you wanted to start your own business or lead a party."
Ruth's face softened, and for a brief moment, she stopped walking. She turned to Alex, her eyes filled with warmth. "I appreciate that, Alex. I really do. But I've thought about it, and I'd be honored to work for you. When you turn eighteen and start the trials, I'll be by your side… as your personal maid."
Alex was momentarily stunned by her offer, but when he saw the sincerity in her eyes, he smiled. "I'd be honored to have you as my personal maid, Ruth. But… I probably won't be able to pay you right away, at least not until I find a steady income."
Ruth's face lit up with a bright smile, and before Alex could react, she hugged him tightly. "You don't need to worry about that. I'll be there with you, no matter what. I'll help you become the nobleman you're meant to be," she said, her voice filled with quiet conviction.
Then, with a soft kiss on his cheek, she pulled back and added, "For now, I'll still be working as a housemaid for the Mane family, but I'll consider myself your personal maid from this day forward."
Alex, still processing everything that had just happened, smiled awkwardly. He felt a strange mix of gratitude and confusion, unsure if he'd missed something important. But before he could dwell on it any longer, Ruth grabbed his hand and began leading him quickly toward the kitchen, realizing they were running late for their morning duties.
As they rushed through the corridors, Alex's mind raced. He couldn't help but wonder what the future held, now that Ruth had made her intentions clear.
Once Alex and Ruth entered the kitchen, Chef Hugh greeted them with a warm "Good morning," his eyes lingering on their joined hands. His cheerful expression shifted into one of suspicion as he gave Alex a pointed stare. Sensing Hugh's mood, Ruth quickly let go of Alex's hand, smiling nervously. She greeted Hugh with a cheerful "Good morning" and asked what she could do to help with the morning preparations.
Hugh's gaze softened as he turned to Ruth and said, "Could you set the table and tidy up the dining room for Lady Mane and Sir Bartlow? After that, please take the prepared meals to Bartlow's two guards and one to Rebecca in the infirmary."
Ruth nodded and headed off to the dining room to start her tasks, but as soon as she was out of sight, Hugh's demeanor changed again. He picked up a knife from the counter and pointed it at Alex—not in a threatening way, but with a seriousness that made Alex tense up.
"What's going on between you and Miss Ruth?" Hugh demanded, his tone sharp.
Alex blinked in surprise, completely taken aback by the sudden shift in Hugh's attitude. "What do you mean?" Alex asked, his voice laced with confusion.
Hugh wasn't backing down. He eyed Alex from head to toe before continuing. "Why were you two holding hands? And don't try to play dumb."
Finally understanding what Hugh was getting at, Alex explained, "Ruth offered to be my personal maid once I become a noble after the trials at Godsent Academy. That's all."
Hugh's face went from suspicion to utter shock, his eyes wide as he dropped the knife back onto the counter. He placed a hand over his chest, visibly surprised. "And what did you tell her?" Hugh asked, his voice lower but still intense.
Feeling the weight of the situation but unsure what Hugh expected, Alex answered honestly. "I told her I'd be honored to have her as my personal maid."
Hugh stared at Alex as if the young man had just admitted to something outrageous. "Do you even know what you've agreed to?" Hugh asked, his frustration evident.
Alex, still not fully grasping the gravity of the situation, replied, "Well, she'd help me with my responsibilities, accompany me during my travels, and manage my household duties. Isn't that what a personal maid does?"
Hugh let out a deep sigh, rubbing his temples as if he had a headache. "A personal maid and a house maid are two very different things, lad," Hugh began. "A house maid tends to the home, does the chores, keeps things running. A personal maid… well, let's just say, she's responsible for her master's personal needs—his wants and desires. It's a much more intimate relationship than what you're describing."
The confusion on Alex's face was still apparent, so Hugh, clearly frustrated, spelled it out. "She's asking to be your second wife, lad. Just without the formal title."
Alex's eyes widened in shock as the realization hit him. His mind raced, thinking back to everything Ruth had said and done—the hand-holding, the kiss, the way she'd offered to travel with him. It all suddenly made sense.
"What do I do?" Alex asked, feeling the pressure of the situation bearing down on him. "How do I fix this misunderstanding?"
Hugh tightened his grip on Alex's shoulder, locking eyes with him. "Do you love her, Alex?"
Alex, taken aback by the question, stammered. "I—I don't know."
Hugh's eyes narrowed, and his voice grew more demanding. "Do you like the girl or not? Can you see yourself marrying her in the future?"
Alex, feeling like he was being cornered, took a deep breath before answering as honestly as he could. "I'd like to get to know her better before saying anything for sure, but she's smart, beautiful, and thoughtful. I could see myself with someone like her one day…"
Hugh's hard expression softened slightly at Alex's response. "Good," he said, his tone still stern but less confrontational. "But listen closely, lad. You better do right by her. If you break her heart or hurt her in any way, nobleman or not, cultivator or not, I'll hunt you down myself. The whole Mane household loves that girl like she's family, and if you cause her harm, you'll have to deal with all of us. Understood?"
Alex felt the seriousness in Hugh's words and nodded earnestly. "I promise, I'll do my best to make her happy."
Hugh gave Alex a final look, sizing him up once more before finally relaxing. "Alright then. Just make sure you're clear about what you want from her. Don't lead her on if you're not ready for that kind of commitment."
Alex, now fully understanding the weight of what Ruth had asked of him, nodded again. The realization of how much Ruth was already invested in him gave him a new sense of responsibility. He felt even more determined to work hard and live up to the trust and hopes she—and the others—had placed in him.
Finally, Hugh clapped Alex on the back, the tension in the room easing. "Now, let's get to work. Go tidy up the bedrooms and hallways, then meet me back here for breakfast. There's not much left to clean, just some dusting from yesterday."
Alex, still processing everything that had just happened, nodded in agreement and left the kitchen, determined to put his all into both his duties and his future with Ruth in mind.
After Alex finished dusting Lady Mane's office, his eyes were drawn to a stack of files on her desk. Curiosity getting the better of him, he noticed the names of all the staff, including Sir Bartlow. Without thinking, Alex picked up Bartlow's file and began to read, his curiosity deepening as he learned more about his master.
Bartlow's history was impressive. He had been an orphan, much like Alex, and had risen through the ranks by passing the Nobility Trials alongside a partner. While his partner married into a viscount family, Bartlow chose a different path, becoming a royal guard. He eventually reached the esteemed rank of king's guardsman and retired as one of the strongest cultivators in the region, with a complete king stage cultivation and a spirit cultivation at the rare saint level.
Alex was stunned. He'd known Bartlow was strong, but to realize his master had reached such heights? It was humbling. Alex wanted to ask him so many questions, especially about what a "complete cultivator" meant. But just as he closed the file and put it back in its place, his eyes drifted to Ruth's file.
He hesitated for a moment, but his curiosity won out again. He opened her file, wanting to understand more about the girl who had shown him such kindness. Ruth had been born into the service of the Mane family, following her mother's footsteps. After her mother's death, she had become withdrawn, her world shrinking to quiet visits to the library or cemetery. Her cultivation levels showed promise—beginner in mana, though her body and spirit cultivations were still at the mortal stage.
Reading about Ruth's struggles made Alex feel a pang of guilt. He had looked into her life without her knowledge, and yet, he felt like he understood her better now—why she had offered to be his personal maid and the depth of her connection to the Mane family.
Just as Alex was about to put the file back, he looked up to see Lady Mane standing in the doorway, watching him with an amused expression.
"Good morning, Lady Mane," Alex said quickly, panic rising in his chest.
Lady Mane's expression remained curious as she stepped closer. "What exactly are you doing at my desk, Alex?" she asked, her tone calm but firm.
Caught red-handed, Alex thought it best to be honest. Bowing deeply, he said, "I was curious about Master Bartlow and Ruth, and I saw their files here. I wanted to learn more about them."
Lady Mane's eyebrow raised in surprise at Alex's honesty. She lifted his head gently and, with a pointed tone, asked, "Why exactly are you curious about Ruth? Bartlow I can understand—he's your master—but Ruth? She is my maid, practically a second daughter to me. So tell me again, and be honest, what's your real interest in her?"
Her words were laced with an unspoken threat, and Alex knew she wasn't bluffing. If she wanted, she could have him thrown out of the estate or worse. Swallowing hard, Alex explained what had transpired earlier between him and Ruth. He told Lady Mane how Ruth had offered to be his personal maid once he became a noble, and how he had accepted her offer, not fully understanding what it meant at the time. He also expressed his desire to get to know Ruth better and become stronger for her, for the Mane family, and for himself.
Lady Mane listened intently, her sharp eyes never leaving his face. Once he finished, she looked him up and down, a sly smile forming on her lips. "What makes you think you're worthy of Ruth, let alone becoming her master or husband?" she asked, her words biting. "You've known her for less than a week, and yet you think you can just accept her offer like it's nothing? I know Bartlow sees potential in you, but all I see is someone who's taking advantage of their position. So tell me, Alex, am I right, or am I wrong?"
Alex, feeling the weight of her words pressing down on him, took a deep breath and met her gaze. "Lady Mane," he said with as much conviction as he could muster, "I know I have a long way to go. But I promise you this: I will serve the Mane family honorably. I will work hard to prove my worth, not just to Ruth, but to you, Bartlow, and everyone who has given me this opportunity. I will tithe whatever earnings I make to the Mane family and find ways to support the estate financially as well."
Lady Mane's expression shifted slightly, a flicker of amusement in her eyes. "And how exactly do you plan to come up with this money, Alex? Or were those just flattering words to impress me?"
Alex stood firm, though his nerves were frayed. "I will forfeit my pay from Sir Bartlow and ask him to give it to the Mane family directly. I'll also find other ways to make money on my days off, whether through work or by earning it in other ways. I understand the challenges facing the estate, and I want to help in any way I can."
Lady Mane studied him for a moment longer before nodding. "Very well. I'll keep this little conversation between us," she said, her tone softening slightly. "But let me be clear—if I ever find you sneaking into my private files or overstepping your boundaries again, you will be executed for treason. Do you understand?"
The weight of her words hit Alex like a brick, and he nodded fervently. "Yes, Lady Mane. I understand, and I'm sorry."
With that, Lady Mane gave him a curt nod and left the room, leaving Alex standing there, feeling a mixture of relief and guilt. He had barely escaped a major blunder, but he knew now just how high the stakes were. He would need to tread carefully moving forward.
With a heavy heart, he left the office and headed to the kitchen for breakfast, his appetite diminished but still needing to eat to keep up his strength for the day's training with Bartlow.