Richard whistled a playful tune as he followed Dante towards the stairs, and he spoke up after a few seconds.
"Hey, did Dad ever say anything about me when you were with him?"
Dante glanced back with a raised brow, and Richard waved one hand randomly as he continued.
"You know, I wasn't around for a while, but I spoke to him once or twice over the phone, and he couldn't shut up about you. It was always Dante this and Dante that—just wondering if he said anything about me."
Dante nodded calmly as he continued walking.
"Your father spoke about you and your siblings very much in his final years. His greatest wish was that each of you would succeed and continue the legacy that he had created for you. I can say with complete surety that he missed you very much."
Richard hummed while scratching the back of his neck with a complicated expression on his face. Richard didn't exactly have the best relationship with George, and it was obvious that Richard was the black sheep of the family because of how he was always partying and wasting time in clubs. So hearing that his father missed him like this made him feel strange! He didn't even know how to respond to that!
Richard just released a sigh and decided to drop the topic as they reached the staircase and began heading down. Richard looked forward, and his eyes widened when he saw Risa standing at the base of the stairs with her hands held in front of her respectfully.
Risa looked as beautiful as the first day Richard had seen her, and there was a fire that burned in Richard's stomach the moment he set eyes on her! Richard wanted Risa badly! He wanted her five years ago before he left for college in Canada, and his desire for her had only grown to unbelievable degrees after being away for so long!
The only thing that stopped Richard from getting Risa was the fact that his father had named Risa as Dante's personal maid, which prevented anyone else from ordering her about. But now that George was dead…
Richard felt a lecherous grin spreading across his lips as he gazed at Risa's large breasts. Risa looked up at Richard for a split second, and Richard felt anger fill his heart when he saw how quickly she turned away from him to look at Dante.
Risa bowed and spoke once Dante and Richard reached the end of the stairway.
"Master Richard. I'm glad to see you are well. Your family is waiting for you in the reading room."
Risa gestured towards the room on the other side of the mansion, but Richard didn't move as he kept his gaze fixed on her. Risa looked up at him, and Richard spoke up gently.
"It's been a while, Risa. You're even more beautiful than I remember."
Risa bowed professionally and spoke in a monotone voice.
"Thank you, Master Richard. I owe it all to my Master."
Richard's right eye twitched once Risa mentioned Dante, and he glared at Dante for a moment before he spoke again.
"Don't you think it's about time you stopped serving Dante and became a proper maid for the Lucas family? We're really lacking in numbers, so it'd be nice if you could come in to help out. And you know my father just died, so I really need the emotional support."
Richard took a step towards Risa, and Risa struggled to keep her professional expression in place! Her hands were twitching towards the gun she kept on her thigh, and she knew she was only a moment away from drawing it. But Dante's voice called from the side and drew Richard's attention.
"Richard. The reading room is this way. Come."
Dante's words were not a request, and Richard turned to Dante with a glare when he heard how Dante was speaking to him! How dare he command him in his own house! What right did a cleaner have to speak to a member of the Lucas family like that!?
But the moment Richard saw the hard look in Dante's eyes, it was like every single bit of fight in Richard's body melted away into nothing! Dante's face still looked as calm and collected as ever, but there was something terrifying about Dante's eyes that gave Richard pause. Richard suddenly felt like a very small rat standing in front of a lion, and an instinctual fear rose inside him that forced him to turn away from Dante's glare!
Richard coughed into his hand and stuffed his hands in his pockets before he began walking. Richard would allow Dante to take this victory for now. But once the reading of the will was done and Fredrick was announced as the new boss, Richard's first mission would be to make sure Risa was brought to the Lucas mansion as a live-in maid!
'We'll see who's laughing at the end, you fucking bastard.'
Richard side-eyed Dante as he walked past him and huffed before finally leaving.
Ding~!
——
[Due to repeated action, the user has created the General Skill [Aura]]
[Aura]: This General Skill allows the user to enhance his presence and character in a way that affects the emotions of those around him and instills feelings of adoration, fear, dread, or respect in them. The proper use of this skill can lead to significant growth in the user's [Charisma] stat.
[The user has gained the specific skill [Menace – C] under the General Skill [Aura]]
[Menace]: This skill allows the user to instil feelings of intimidation and fear in his enemies with only a glance.
——
SKILLS
[Weapon Proficiency]
-> Firearms [Rank C (59.5%)]
[Analysis]
-> Physical Analysis [Rank D (0.5%)]
[Espionage]
-> Eavesdrop [Rank D (5%)]
[Aura]
-> Menace [Rank C – (0.0%)]
——
Dante ignored the message from the system and turned to watch as Risa released a tense breath while trying to recompose herself. Dante walked closer and spoke calmly.
"Are you okay?"
"Y-Yes. Sorry. Yes, I'm fine, Master. I was just a little uncomfortable."
Dante nodded at Risa's words. He had known Risa for a long time, and this was the first time Dante had ever seen her act so put-off. It was obvious that Richard's actions had really affected her, and Dante decided he would have to keep an eye on Richard for the foreseeable future to make sure he didn't try anything stupid.
Dante could tell that Richard wanted Risa, but Risa was his maid, and he wasn't going to give her up for anyone.
Dante spoke up after he was sure Risa had composed herself.
"Come on, let's go to the reading hall. We're going to have a meeting in the courtyard after the reading to announce Fredrick as the boss, so make sure you tell the maids to gather all the available workers. There'll also be a grand ball later this weekend to introduce Fredrick to the stakeholders in the Lucas Empire and Lucas Corp. Tell the chefs to bring the highest quality food and bring out two crates of Chateau Blanc '49 wine for the toast at the end of the night. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Master."
Risa nodded in understanding as she stored away all of Dante's orders in her head. She had a perfect memory when it came to her job, so she didn't need to worry about forgetting anything he said!
As they reached the reading room, Dante paused just before opening the door and spoke in a more somber voice.
"Risa…"
"Y-Yes, Master?"
Risa was a bit surprised to hear the seriousness in Dante's tone, and she looked up at him as he turned back to glance at her and said,
"No matter what happens in here, I won't let them take you from me. I swear it on my life."
Risa's eyes widened in shock when she heard Dante's words, and she couldn't stop a massive blush from rising on her face at that moment. Risa's chest swelled with gratitude, and she spoke while giving Dante a loving smile.
"I know, Master. I'm yours for the rest of my life, and nothing will ever change that."
——
+0.5% Charisma