With graceful steps, Priscilla led Graham through the long corridor and into the main hall of the mansion.
Finally, she walked to the main seat in the living room, a luxurious red chair, and sat down, looking down at Graham.
Graham frowned. This woman even wanted to look down on him?
Seeing his frowning expression, Priscilla rested her hand on her chin and smiled happily and spoke, "Your name is Graham, right? Do you really want to become my knight?"
"It's not that I want to become a knight, rather, I'm here because of your need for one my fair lady," answered Graham as he walked over, knelt on one knee, gently lifted her fair hand, and lowered his head to place a kiss on the soft back of her hand.
This was the knight's kiss in this world, representing the highest praise a knight could give to a woman. So Priscilla did not refuse but instead smiled and looked at the man in front of her with interest.
"Hehehe~ I don't believe that a powerful Spirit Mage would become my knight for nothing. Tell me, what do you want from me?"
Hearing this, Graham shook his head. "I just don't want to wander anymore. I want to find a place to stay. And I'm not a Spirit Mage as you think, at least not yet."
"A place to stay? Here with me?" Priscilla was stunned. This was the first time she had heard such a request.
Others either wanted power, hoping to rise with the influence of the Barielle family, or they wanted endless wealth.
"Yes," Graham nodded. "Just a place to stay."
Hearing this answer, Priscilla's smile became even brighter.
"Alright~ Graham."
"Now, I officially appoint you as my guardian knight. My safety is in your hands. Do you accept?"
In her view, a person with such potential choosing to come to her could only be for two reasons.
One was that he was attracted to her beauty, and the other was that he had trouble and needed the influence of the Barielle family to avoid disaster.
But either way, it was beneficial to Priscilla.
As for the reason, it was still daytime! Whatever decision she made was correct!
Hearing this, Graham performed a knight's salute to her. "As you command, my lady!"
This etiquette was taught to him by his late butler, Lyle. In terms of noble etiquette, he knew quite a bit.
Priscilla also noticed that his behavior was different from others. Unintentionally, she asked curiously, "Graham, do you have a surname?"
Frowning, he thought of that Roswaal again...
In response, Graham shook his head and denied it. "I have no surname. I'm just a commoner."
Priscilla perceived that he didn't want to talk about it, but it didn't stop her from giving her favored knight a new surname.
"Oh, I see. In that case, from today on, your surname will be Barielle! — Graham Barielle!"
And it was the same surname as hers!
Naturally, Graham would not refuse. Only those with a surname were considered nobles, "Graham Barielle, at your command."
Commoners had no surnames, and the 'Mathers' surname was too obvious to use.
Moreover, he also realized that Priscilla giving him the same surname indicated that she intended to use him heavily.
So the day of intimacy was not far off.
Hearing him acknowledge and address himself 'Barielle', Priscilla became even happier.
No matter who he once was, now, he is Graham Barielle, her knight!
And she had enough confidence to control him.
"Very well, follow me. Get familiar with the mansion."
"Mm." Graham nodded and followed her, observing the mansion.
Passing through a corridor lined with luxurious red carpets, Priscilla led him to a special room, "This is my bedroom. You are the first man to enter."
"I am deeply honored. If I may ask, has Duke Leip never entered?"
"Him? Haha~ A seventy-year-old man, what right does he have to enter my bedroom?" Priscilla made no effort to hide her disdain for her fiancé.
She was also testing Graham. If he was somehow one of Leip's men, his emotions would surely change.
Hearing this, Graham smiled and agreed, "You're right. For a beautiful person like you, Princess, that old man is indeed unworthy. In fact, he doesn't even count as a man."
While answering, he subtly mocked Leip for his incompetence, which made Priscilla lift her pretty face happily.
"Of course! The world revolves around me, and if I don't want it, no one can approach me."
Hearing this, Graham raised an eyebrow. Was she subtly expressing that she was willing to let him approach?
"Princess, I have seen your sleeping quarters. They are luxurious and must be very comfortable. But where will I be staying tonight?"
Priscilla frowned slightly at his sudden lack of formal address but then relaxed, pointing to the door proudly, "You will stand there, guarding me."
Graham: "..."
"What, do you have any special objections, Graham?" Priscilla showed a dangerous expression.
Graham was not afraid and boldly replied, "Of course I do, Princess. Rather than guarding at the door, I would prefer to be here."
"And the reason?" Priscilla looked at him with interest. This was the first time she had seen such a bold knight.
"Actually, my magic is not yet mature. If we're too far apart, I worry that I might fail in my duty. So, I hope the Princess will allow me to guard here."
Hearing this, Priscilla stared at him with her bright eyes, trying to see through him.
If he showed any hint of lecherous intent, she would immediately turn hostile.
Despite her sexy attire, gentle tone, and passionate gaze, if anyone dared to make a move on her, they would face her fiercest attack!
For example, her previous seven fiancés, who all tried to take advantage of her beauty, were now dead... Infact, they were beyond dead!
After observing him for a while, Priscilla saw no lecherous desire in Graham's eyes, only sincerity and admiration. So, she nodded, "Alright, I will make an exception and allow you to guard here."
From Graham's eyes, she saw sincerity and admiration, without a trace of ill intent.
Therefore, she decided to give him a chance.
It was still daytime, so even if her decision was wrong, the world would automatically correct itself in her favor!
"Thank you for your understanding, Princess. You are truly enlightened."
"Hmph~ Of course." Priscilla snorted proudly, accepting the praise without hesitation.
To this, Graham felt she was surprisingly... easy to please!
...
{T/N: I hope this guy has some grand scheme in mind, because I would be immensely disappointed if he was just simping on her🥺. Don't forget to point out any mistakes I may have missed.}