"I have come to take you home, Master," Sarah said, bowing a little in front of me.
"Huh?" I looked at Duke Morton, who let out a startled voice as he took a step back.
"???"
I tilted my head in confusion as I looked at him.
What's with him?
"Duke Morton," Sarah then looked at him with clod piercing eyes, "please only contact Master Eden if it's absolutely necessary."
"W-why should I listen to you?" He stuttered a little, a bead of sweat forming on his forehead. "He is my son."
"It's Lady Stephanie's order. If you have any problem with it, please contact her. I am merely conveying her message," Sarah replied as she moved closer towards me.
He immediately shut his mouth as he heard my mother's name.
He wasn't even trying to say anything to Sarah as well.
It felt like he was... Afraid of something or someone.
"Are you alright, Master?" she asked as she checked my body.
"Oye." I immediately moved back as she tried to touch my body.
I haven't forgotten about what happened that night.
And even though I didn't want it to happen like this, I can't help but be conscious of her behavior.
I can't see her as just a cold and workaholic maid.
She is a woman, and to top it off, she is a MILF.
I like them big but not when it's from my mother like figure.
Fuck I hate this.
"Come closer," she said, masking her emotions behind her cold facade as she showed me the keys for the handcuffs.
"....."
Without saying anything, I moved closer to her as she unlocked the handcuffs.
"Can you tell me how I'm getting out of here without any problems?" I asked, massaging my wrists as I looked at Sarah.
"Lady Stephanie asked for a favor," she said, glancing at Duke Morton one last time before she started to move out.
"A favor from whom?" I asked, following her and ignoring Duke Morton.
"From the queen," she replied, taking me by surprise. "The queen has wanted to talk with your mother for a while now, but Lady Stephanie was ignoring her. However, she exchanged your early freedom with a meeting with her. Apparently, Lady Stephanie couldn't wait any longer to see you."
"Is that so?" I replied as we moved outside the campsites towards the temporary teleportation portal, it's still late in the night but many people were awake.
As soon as we stepped out, I noticed a black-haired man standing in front of us, his dark red eyes glaring at me.
"What's up, Uncle Archer," I asked, smirking a little to provoke him.
"It's a shame you're running away, Eden," he said, moving closer. "I would have liked to talk more with you."
"You have a daughter, remember? Talk with her first," I retorted, not backing down as he stood in front of me.
"Grace can take care of herself. Don't worry about her," he replied, meeting my gaze.
"You know I'm worried about her just because you're a terrible father. I'm merely trying to fill your role," I shot back without flinching.
"Have you forgotten what you did, Eden? You've already humiliated her once, remember?" he accused.
I remained silent, choosing not to answer.
"We will meet again, Eden. I hope you live a happy life until then," he said before turning to leave.
"What an asshole," I grumbled, watching his departing figure.
"Just so you know, Master, you'll also be coming with us to meet with the queen," Sarah informed me as she started to move again.
"Why me?" I asked, following her.
"Ask Lady Stephanie."
"Whatever," I replied, feeling a mix of annoyance and resignation.
"You don't look happy hearing it," Sarah observed, gazing at me.
"No, meeting with the queen was bound to happen; she had many things to answer to Mother and me," I replied, but my mind was still preoccupied with Duke Morton's words.
'Why did he tell me to be wary of Mother?' I pondered, trying to understand his warning.
Should I be careful around her?
'Why am I thinking too much?' Shaking my head, I felt I was overcomplicating things by overthinking.
'Fuck that serpent; it just messed up my mind.'
Too many things had happened in a matter of a few days; I needed some time to process it all.
I suppressed the my yawn as I felt tired after all the shit that happened.
"Hmm?" I looked in front of me as Sarah halted her steps.
In front of us stood a girl with purple hair, looking at both of us.
"I want to talk, alone," she said, addressing me.
"If you will excuse me, Master," Sarah said, bowing towards me before giving us some space to talk.
"What do you want, Marine?" I asked my sister as she stood in front of me silently.
"I want to talk with M-mother," she replied with a conflicted face, forcing the word 'mother' from her mouth.
"She will be busy for a few days; you can see her later," I replied, not wanting to waste my time.
"Why, aren't you going home right now, I can come with you." She replied glaring at me.
Why are you glaring at me?
"Not now, I will ask mother first when you can talk with her." I replied as I looked at her.
At my mother's mention she become more obedient.
"There will be no class for atleast a week." She informed me as she slowly nodded her head, "inform me when she have time."
"I will." I replied as I moved towards Sarah who stood at the teleportation portal.
"Let's go," I said as I approached Sarah, ready to step inside the portal.
Entering the portal, we were swiftly transported back to the capital.
~~ ~~
~~ ~~
~~ ~~
_Click_
The door unlocked as I stepped inside the house.
"Eden!" My mother greeted me warmly, rushing over to hug me tightly.
"I'm home," I murmured, gently returning her hug.
"Welcome home," she replied, her hand moving over my back in a protective gesture.
"Are you alright?" she asked, concern evident in her voice as she scanned me for any signs of injury.
"I'm fine, Mom," I reassured her, gently guiding her to stand in front of me.
"Anyway, it's late. You should get some sleep now," she suggested, noting my tired appearance.
"Yeah, I should," I agreed, preparing to head to my room.
"And Eden," she added, her expression turning serious, "tomorrow morning, we're going to have a sparring match. I want to see how strong you are right now."
"Fine by me," I replied, nodding in agreement. I was also curious about how long I can stand against her.
"Sarah, go make Eden's bed," my mother instructed, turning to our maid as I began to make my way to my room.
"Yes, my lady," Sarah acknowledged, following me with quick steps.
Don't look so happy, idiot maid.
As we walked towards my room, I couldn't help but glance at the maid.
"Do you have something to say, Master?" she asked, noticing my gaze.
"Wait, I do have something. Why did you change from 'Young Master' to 'Master'?" I asked curiously, now realizing that she had been calling me 'Master' all this time.
"Aren't you my master?" she asked, blinking her beautiful eyes.
"Yeah... I am, aren't I?" I replied, feeling a bit awkward.
"So, don't hold back if you have anything to ask."
"....."
Why do I feel like there's a hidden meaning in her words?
I opened my room's door, and we both entered.
I headed towards the closet, while Sarah moved towards the bed to change the bedsheet.
"Sarah."
"Yes?"
"Have you seen my white shirt?" I asked, not finding it in the closet.
"Oh, the one you wore last time?" she asked, while fixing the bedsheet.
"Yeah, that one."
"I have that shirt."
"....."
Should I ask what she's doing with my shirt?
Damn it, I don't want to hear her tell me what I'm imagining.
"They're in my room after I washed them. Want me to get it for you?" she offered calmly.
".....No, I'll wear something else," I replied, sacrificing my shirt to avoid any further awkwardness.
I took out the second-best shirt that I had and placed it on the bed, which was already set with the rest of my clothes. Then, I started to unbutton my shirt, but I immediately stopped when I felt a pair of curious eyes on my body.
"Something you need, Sarah?" I asked, halting my changing.
"Nothing," she replied.
"....."
"....."
We both looked into each other's eyes.
"I'm going to take a bath," I said calmly.
"Is that an invite?" she asked, blinking innocently.
I stood there silently, not knowing how to reply. I didn't know how to process this.
"I was kidding. Have a good night, Master," she said, and then she moved out of my room.
"Haha...." I laughed awkwardly as I watched her leaving my room.
But if you were kidding, why do you sound disappointed...?