I stepped out of the steaming bath, feeling refreshed. Lily, ever the efficient caretaker, had laid out my formal attire on the bed, and within minutes, I was dressed and ready to face the day.
As I left my room, I spotted Lily chatting with two identical young maids in the hall. They were the same pair who'd offered to help me bathe yesterday, though I'd declined. I approached them, nodding a quick greeting.
"Oh~ young master, look at you! As charming as ever." Lily grinned, pinching my cheek playfully.
I gave her an exasperated look, ignoring her antics. "And who are these two?"
"These?" Lily gestured to each in turn. "This one is Lyra, and this one is Lira. They're twins! Isn't it fascinating? They look so alike, even they get confused sometimes." She chuckled.
"Well, fascinating as it may be, what are they doing here? I remember them from yesterday when they offered to…assist me in the bath."
"It's an honor to be remembered, young master," the twins said in perfect unison, bowing slightly.
"But you did turn down their help," Lily added, with a mock sigh. "How heartless, refusing a maid's assistance on her first day. They were devastated, wondering if they lacked charm."
Hearing this, I felt a little guilty. "That's not what I meant. Quite the opposite, actually. I was in a hurry, and frankly, I doubted I'd manage to come out of the bath if you two assisted me."
The twins exchanged pleased smiles, a faint blush coloring their cheeks. "Thank you for your kind words, young master," they replied, their voices shy.
"Oh, aren't you a playboy, young master? Flattering two maidens at once," Lily teased.
[Agreed,] Sol's amused voice echoed in my mind.
The twins' blush deepened, and I cleared my throat, trying to shift the focus back. "Ahem! You still haven't answered my question. What are they here for?"
"Oh, yes." Lily finally grew serious. "These two are your new personal maids. They'll assist you daily, especially in my absence. And they're no ordinary maids—they're combat-trained. They'll be guarding you day and night."
"Combat-trained?" I glanced at them again, activating my Observer's Gaze to assess their skills.
[Name: Lyra ]
[Age: 19]
[Race: Human]
[Affiliation: Ludwigs]
[Loyalty: 90 (Will never Betray)]
[Class: Assassin]
[Skills:
Death's Embrace (SS): An ultimate skill allowing for an instant, lethal strike to a target.
Death Mark (A): Marks a target, increasing all damage dealt to them for a period of time.
Flash Step (B): Teleports a short distance, enabling swift repositioning.
Silent Kill (B): A stealth attack that deals high damage without alerting enemies.
Double Strike (D): A two-hit combo for quick, consecutive attacks.
Evasion (D): Increases agility to avoid incoming attacks.
Silent Step (F): Moves without making sound, ideal for approaching enemies unnoticed.
Stealth (C): Enables blending into surroundings, becoming nearly invisible.
]
[Mana Affinity: Darkness]
[Mood: Happy]
========================================================
[Name: Lira]
[Age: 19]
[Race: Human]
[Affiliation: Ludwigs]
[Loyalty: 90 (Will never Betray)]
[Class: Assassin]
[Skills:
Soul Reaver (SS): Regains health or stamina with each kill.
Mirage Steps (A): Creates illusions to distract or confuse enemies.
Death's Touch (A): Executes a critical strike dealing lethal damage.
Shadow Cloak (B): Increases evasion in darkness.
Shadow Step (C): Teleports a short distance within shadows, ideal for infiltration or evasion.
Stealth (C): Enables blending into surroundings, becoming nearly invisible.
Night Vision (F): Enhances vision in darkness.
Shadow Meld (E): Briefly becomes invisible in shadows.
]
[Mana Affinity: Darkness]
[Mood: Happy]
'Damn, with those skills, they could be a force to reckon with. Why would they be maids? And given their loyalty, it's clear they're here by choice.'
I looked at them, genuinely curious. "You both seem incredibly strong. Why work as my maids?"
"What do you mean? It's an honor to serve you, young master," Lily cut in with a smirk.
"Let them answer." I gave her a pointed look, and she raised her hands in mock surrender.
Lyra and Lira exchanged a glance before Lyra spoke up. "We're repaying the kindness shown to us by Lord Duke. We grew up in a Ludwig-sponsored orphanage. When we reached adulthood, we received organized training, proper resources, and guidance. We're here and strong because of the opportunities he provided. So, serving his family is an honor."
'Ah, so that explains their loyalty. It makes sense now.'
"Well, then, I'll be in your care." I nodded to them, and they returned the gesture with soft smiles.
"Now that introductions are done," Lily interrupted cheerfully, "shall we head to the dining room, young master?"
"Ah, yes, let's go." I set off with Lily down the hall, leaving Lyra and Lira to trail behind, their duties unnecessary inside the palace.
As we walked, I subtly scanned the statuses of passing servants, hoping to spot the assassin, but found nothing.
We finally arrived at the family dining room, where everyone had gathered for breakfast. The morning sun filtered in through the tall windows, casting a warm, serene glow over the room as we settled in to start the day.