After leaving Elaine's office, I headed toward the Plum Knights' training grounds, which were adjacent to the living quarters.
Thanks to the ancient artifact a smartphone I could move freely around the mansion without a personal attendant for the time being.
Elaine regularly attends gatherings of noble ladies. At these events, the other ladies will undoubtedly express interest in her new perfume.
Of course, Elaine wouldn't reveal its source. She might even choose not to use it at all, given her cautious nature.
That's fine. I can simply send the perfume as gifts to the other noble ladies.
During this process, I'll lie and claim I created everything myself. Of course, I won't just send perfume; I'll also gift other modern items to the noble ladies.
That way, I can gradually build my reputation... and then start selling things in earnest. Hahaha!
Once I've gained some popularity, I'll slowly raise the prices. The Magic Tower will undoubtedly start manufacturing and selling counterfeits, but that doesn't matter. There are limits to how far magic can replicate modern science.
I shouldn't get too cocky. I need to take things slow. I don't have my own power base yet.
Still, with Count Purcus's household backing me, no one will dare to cross me rashly.
I stopped in front of the Plum Knights' training grounds.
Hent Embis, Commander of the Plum Knights.
I had come to apologize to him, Lexi's father.
I was aiming to become the head of Count Baek's household. Under normal circumstances, the eldest son would naturally inherit the position.
You can't even participate in a succession struggle without a strong support base. Especially the backing of the Knight Order that's a formidable force.
I couldn't afford to antagonize Hent Embis here. If our relationship were to completely sour, I'd have to assassinate him for the sake of my future.
As I stood motionless before the training grounds, a young boy emerged from within and approached me.
A squire a knight-in-training. Essentially a knight's apprentice and attendant.
"Young Master Sung Yujin! What brings you to our training grounds?"
These words came from a mere page. Though he concealed his body and expression, he couldn't hide the subtle hostility in his eyes and tone.
So the rumors have spread after all.
My frail health must also be one reason for this disrespect.
"I've come to see Lord Embis. Show me the way."
"The Commander is currently..."
"Currently?"
I stared at him. Under my indifferent gaze, he snapped to attention and bowed his head.
"...My apologies. I'll escort you immediately."
He seemed to have grasped the situation. I followed the page inside.
At least he's quick on the uptake. I was ready to throw down if he kept overstepping.
If you're a noble, you should act like one. And I was a man who wore nobility exceptionally well.
Liberal democracy? What's that? Can you eat it?
A burly man in his forties sat in his office, clad in full armor. He rose from his seat to greet me, though the gesture felt purely formal.
"It's been a while, Young Master Sung Yujin."
His eyes held a clear, undisguised hostility. As a mercenary who had clawed his way to become Commander of the Knight Order, he was certainly capable of masking his emotions.
Well, I understand. From his perspective, I'm the bastard who make trouble for his daughter.
Even tough I'm the one that initiate and she agreed, the world will judge her for trying to make connection with me a nobility.
A whore selling herself for benefit, her reputation certainly take a huge hit.
"Good to see you. It's been a long time since we last met like this."
"...Yes. You've changed quite a bit since then. Even your manner of speaking."
Sung Yujin Pruker had always been an introverted boy. His frail health kept him confined indoors, naturally darkening his personality.
"You seem to be in much better health these days. Now that you've come of age, you should mind your manners."
"I'm glad you're looking well."
Despite his words, his demeanor remained icy.
From his perspective, I must be incredibly infuriating. As the child of the lord to whom he had sworn loyalty, he couldn't strike me, nor could he curse me.
Dragging out this pointless preamble would only worsen the atmosphere.
"About what happened today... I apologize. I'm truly sorry. I lost my mind for a moment."
"..."
I bowed deeply to him I, one of only three children of Count Pruker!
"My daughter were shocked. I've never seen her cried like that before.
Everyone is talking about her now, Do you even understand what she faced?"
"I'm sorry."
"...Hah."
Hent sighed. Even if he wanted to make me his enemy, he couldn't pin the fault on me.
All of it will just make her daughter situation worse.
Hent had only one option left.
"I forgive you. Raise your head."
"Thank you."
"..."
An awkward silence hung in the air.
I sensed it instinctively.
If I retreated now, my relationship with Hent would deteriorate to its worst possible state.
An entire Knight Order would become my enemy. Even though it was one of the lower-ranked among the six Knight Orders within the family, it was still a Knight Order. I couldn't afford to antagonize them.
I recalled the information about Hent Embis mentioned in the original work. A former mercenary, he was known for his fondness for alcohol.
"Lord Embis, have you ever heard of ancient Dutch beer?"
To mend our strained relationship, a gift no, a bribe was the only way.
***
7 PM.
Hent returned to his home, a modest dwelling compared to the grand mansion of Count Prucus's household.
"Welcome back, Father."
"Yeah."
Hent responded absently to Lexi's greeting, hurrying toward the kitchen.
Lexi tilted her head, puzzled by his behavior. Her father was usually more attentive to greetings, a bit of a goofball.
Moreover, after work, he typically went straight to the tavern, returning home around 9 or 10 PM.
Moreover, he spent more than half the week at Count Prucus's household. It was rare for him to return home every day of the week like this.
Sensing something was amiss, Lexi followed Hent to the kitchen.
"Welcome, Lord," the cook greeted Hent familiarly.
"Hmm, yes," Hent replied, casually brushing past him to the Magic Refrigerator a Magic Tool that kept food fresh.
Priced at 5 million Ner, it was considered an essential household item among commoners.
Hent reached deep into the refrigerator and pulled out something cold: a can of beer.
"Father, what's that?" Lexi asked.
"Huh? Oh, Lexi. Are you hungry too? Didn't you have dinner?"
"I had dinner an hour ago. Did you eat at the mansion, Father?"
Hent grabbed a can of beer and immediately sat down at the small dining table near the kitchen. The chef set down a plate of meat.
"I already ate. This is beer. Beer."
"Beer? That's...?"
"Dutch beer from ancient times."
Hent grinned and popped open the can.
Tss! Pop!
The crisp, refreshing sound never failed to please.
He quickly brought the can to his lips and began chugging. The beer, with a taste far superior to the cheap brews served in bars, went down cool and smooth.
"Ahhhh!"
He then picked up a fork and stabbed a piece of perfectly grilled meat. Cool beer and juicy beef the perfect combination.
Lexi watched silently. She knew Hent loved beer, especially Dutch beer, so she didn't want to interrupt his moment of bliss.
When the meat was gone and the beer was finished, Lexi asked, "Father, is... is Dutch beer really that good?"
"Yes! Compared to Dutch beer, the stuff they sell in bars is just piss! Piss!" Hent declared boldly, then glanced longingly toward the kitchen.
He wanted another can, but the supply was limited. He had to savor every drop.
With a forced effort, Hent turned away and pulled a cigarette from his pocket, placing it between his lips. He expertly flicked open his Zippo lighter and lit the cigarette.
"And... what's that?" Lexi asked.
"It's tobacco. Cigarettes, they call them. You know about pipe tobacco, right?"
"But these look even worse for you than pipe tobacco! Are they some kind of drug?!"
"I already had the herbalist check them. Smoking one occasionally is fine."
Inhale. Exhale.
Hent stared blankly at the curling smoke. Just a week ago, the very idea of smoking had felt foreign and distasteful. Now, he craved a cigarette whenever he had a spare moment.
"...Don't tell me... you got these from Young Master Sung Yujin?"
"That's right. He gave them to me as an apology. You got chocolate and coffee too, didn't you?"
"I-I did receive them."
Lexi's expression turned awkward.
Hent studied her. Just a week ago, his daughter had been sobbing uncontrollably after the rumour spread. Now, she seemed completely back to her old self.
Lexi no longer fears the rumour. In fact, even back then, she regretted her lack of experience, that make her react like that.
What if... back then...
Hent suddenly wondered what would have happened if Lexi had really sleep with Yujin, will he take responsiblity?
If he does… perhaps Lexi might have even become Sung Yujin's wife.
Becoming Young Master Sung Yujin's father-in-law... wouldn't that mean I could drink beer and smoke every day?
What I even thinking?
...I'm drunk.
Hent shook his head.
"Lexi, when are you getting married?"
"Huh? What's with the sudden question?"
"Aren't you twenty-two? Why not quit being a maid and start looking for a husband?
I could even recommend someone. There's a decent fellow in our Knight Order."
Lexi's face stiffened at the mention of marriage.
"...Father, you promised to respect my choice about marriage."
"I said I'd respect your choice, not that you shouldn't marry at all. Do you have no intention of marrying?"
"..."
Lexi fell silent.
Hent sighed inwardly. As the son of a farming family, he had sought freedom by becoming a mercenary.
He had once explored labyrinths as an adventurer and fought in wars as a soldier. He had also pursued love freely and married the woman he loved.
Because of his own experiences, he respected his daughter's choices about marriage and love.
"I've been worried about you lately..."
He was a knight.
He killed monsters invading the territory, cleared dungeons, and fought in wars. It was a profession where death could come at any moment.
That's why he wanted to see Lexi married as soon as possible.
"Will you quit being a maid?"
"...I'm still thinking about it. To be honest, I'm starting to regret my actions with Young Master Sung Yujin. But duke Sung Yujin is still so young... Could he even face the rumour?"
In her eyes Yujin is like a little brother she always take care of.
She was not sure if he could face a rumor of him marrying a maid.
This is a huge disadvantage for a Noble.
Hent almost said, "Young Master Sung Yujin is a proper man who recently celebrated his coming-of-age ceremony."
But he stopped himself. Sung Yujin suffered from a heart condition, and his frail body was small for his age. He looked more like a child than a man.
"Young Master Sung Yujin doesn't have a personal servant anymore. He seems to be regretting by what happened."
"...Oh, really? Madam would never allow it, given Young Master Sung Yujin's illness..."
"It seems his condition has improved significantly recently, so she granted permission. Still, servants are said to be constantly checking on him."
"Hmm..."
Lexi began to reconsider returning to her maid duties.
Hent gave Lexi's a fresh appraisal. It was a habit he instinctively assessed the capabilities of anyone before him.
She's been diligently practicing the self-defense techniques I taught her. Better than most men, I'd say.
To the casual observer, she might appear an ordinary maiden. But Hent, a mercenary who had witnessed countless horrors, couldn't be fooled.
"Lexi, why not take this opportunity to become a knight?"
"Huh? But I'm a woman."
"There are many renowned female knights in this world. Besides, you know the Mana Breathing Technique, don't you? How much mana can you control right now?"
"I can temporarily enhance my physical abilities. ...Wait a minute! As I've said before, I have no intention of becoming a knight!"
She had reached the intermediate level as an Aura User.
At 22 years old, her talent was practically proven from the moment she could sense and manipulate mana.
"You're not suited to be a maid. I heard it from the butler. You're terrible at cleaning, laundry, and even cooking."
"Ugh."
"If you worked as a regular maid instead of Young Master Sung Yujin's personal attendant, you'd only be doing manual labor."
It was an undeniable truth.
Lexi had pushed aside Sung Yujin's nanny to become his exclusive maid because of this very reason.
"Just as a maid has tasks only she can perform, a female knight has duties only she can fulfill. Think about it."
As always, he had no intention of forcing her. He was a man who respected his daughter's opinions and choices.
Hent pulled another cigarette from his pack and lit it.
Inhale... Exhale.
"Father! Can't you smoke outside?!"
"This is my house. If you don't like it, get married and move out."
"Aaaah!"
Lexi screamed at the mention of marriage. It was the word she hated hearing most these days.