Now, don't get it twisted, Cassian had no desire for a maid whose loyalty was forced. To him, the idea of earning their trust seemed far superior… but something in her tone irritated him. And so he chose to strike back.
"Oh? Ah yes…" he took a step forward, a mocking smile crossing his lips. "A count, the count who was renowned as the greatest assassin," as he spoke, Maribel's eyes widened in shock.
'H-how does this layer 1 weakling know that?' she thought, possibilities forming in her mind.
Yet Cassian offered no mercy and pressed on, moving closer.
"A count, who by her own family…" he paused, savoring the sight of Maribel flinching at the mention of her family, "was abandoned by them all… ah! And the final piece… the very person who delivered the finishing blow—"
By now Cassian had reached Maribel; he stood taller than her, if only marginally. Now she was trembling, whether from sadness or fury, Cassian couldn't tell. Still, that didn't deter him; he leaned forward, his lips brushing against her ear, sending tremors down her spine.
'W-what is this!?' she thought in panic. 'How does he know? Isn't he just a summoner? Only beings above could know! I-is he one of those? Oh, beings above, who is he!?' Maribel began spiraling; she wasn't trembling from sorrow nor fury. She was trembling from fear, her mind racing to comprehend something that in Cassian's eyes had seemed simple.
Yet once more Cassian didn't relent; he needed to be perceived as an equal. And while he didn't understand the thoughts racing through Maribel's head—hell, he was merely relying on what his skill revealed, something he believed simple—he finally delivered the decisive blow.
"—Was your very own daughter."
His tone came out cold and final, meant to prove that he wasn't something beneath her.
And while his plan succeeded… it just didn't in the way he expected.
Maribel, who had been all high and mighty, trembled violently, so much so that Cassian took a step back, slightly surprised. Then something he didn't expect happened.
Maribel fell to her knees, her head touching the floor.
"I-I am sorry, Oh great one!" she said, her voice meek and timid. Cassian could hear the fear in her voice, and to say he was confused would be an understatement.
'Great one? What the hell is she talking about?' While Cassian was wondering what she meant, Maribel herself was going through an existential crisis.
'I-it all makes sense! He brought me back to life! Although I'm weak, I can tell this is the future! He forced someone like me into loyalty! He knows about situations above! H-he must be one of them! In disguise! I heard they are whimsical, always doing random things for their own entertainment! Yes! Yes! I mustn't offend him! Oh, those above!' Her existence trembled just thinking about it. Those known only to few, she herself only knew because of her ancestors. And she remembered clearly what they said.
"Child, if you ever meet one of them, you are to never offend them. Not even the Progenitor could offend them. If they ask you to die, die. If they wish for you to be a slave, become a slave. Beings of our status are nothing but their playthings."
Recalling her ancestors' words, her resolve hardened. This being wanted her as his maid? A maid she will become—the best maid! She nodded her head eagerly.
"Erm… you can stand. Why are you kneeling?" Cassian said, slightly uncomfortable with the situation. What was with the sudden change? He didn't know, and honestly, he didn't know if he wanted to. Was it because he knew something about her past? Before she died?
'Hmm. It's late, I'll ask tomorrow.' With that thought done, Cassian looked at Maribel, who was now standing with her head bowed.
Still, Cassian had a few things to check before going to bed.
[Talent Skill:-:Affection Rate]
[Maribel Valentine: (5%)]
[Feelings: She fears you. She believes you're a being who has come down from above for fun.]
'Eh…' a being who came down from above? What does that mean? Sigh~ so many mysteries. Cassian glanced at the (5%), finding this accurate. Though she for some reason became obedient out of fear, she didn't hold any feelings for him.
'Good… sigh~ I guess I'll have to explain things tomorrow.' With that sorted, Cassian invoked another of his skills.
[Talent Skill:-:Unnamed Garden]
[Description: A pocket dimension within your soul in the shape of a garden. Only your maids can enter this space, and within it they will feel as if they had become one with you. They will feel comfort and peace within it.]
'Ooh! This is nic—'
[Ding!!! Finish setting up your garden!!!]
[Choose a name: –]
[Choose an insignia: –]
Cassian read the description and finally, once he understood, he began thinking about the name and insignia. After a moment, Cassian decided.
'The name will be [Petal Garden], and the insignia will be a rose. Each maid will hold a rose with different colored petals. My rose will have multiple petals, all holding the color of my maids'.'
"Hiss." Cassian hissed and grabbed his neck as a burning sensation ran across it. His eyes flicked toward Maribel; she too was grabbing her neck, though she didn't seem to care. Only curiosity shone in her eyes.
[Ding!!! Name and insignia accepted!!!]
[Ding!!! Maribel: The Crimson Rose🌹]
While this appeared before Cassian, Maribel received a different one.
Maribel's eyes locked onto her soul-panel, her eyes shining with recognition.
[Ding!!! You have been named: The Crimson Rose]
[Ding!!! To enter the petal garden, just will it!!!]
'The petal garden? Should I enter? No, let's wait,' she thought, looking over at her master. He too was looking at her—specifically at her neck. She moved her gaze to his neck.
On Maribel's neck, a crimson rose tattoo could be seen, a green stem with blood-like droplets falling from the petals. It was vivid, and Cassian thought it rather beautiful.
On Cassian's neck, a rose could be seen. It was different, however. It had a green stem, but only one petal was colored in—a crimson one. The others, however, were empty; only the outline existed. Maribel herself found it rather beautiful. She didn't know the meaning behind his, but she instinctively knew the meaning behind hers.
"Anyways, can you enter the garden?" Cassian asked, looking at her. His tone held none of the cruel edge it had before.
Maribel nodded before asking meekly, "Yes, do you want me to enter it?"
Cassian nodded. "Yeah, you should be able to change it to your preference. You can sleep in there; it's basically your home. We'll talk tomorrow," he said casually, walking toward the bed. He was still in his pajamas, so he didn't need to change.
Maribel bowed deeply. "Okay. Sleep well, master," and with that she disappeared.
"Sigh~ what a strange, strange day," Cassian said before his eyes drifted shut and he fell asleep.
+++++++++++++
END~