Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic-Chapter 1524: The Knight’s Audience

The water in the bathhouse is different from the natural stream water; it cannot reflect the detailed figure of Miss Maid behind him. Shard could only see her blurry shadow hovering behind him through the water surface.

"Knight, sorry, we were unprepared for hosting, and we disturbed you at the door just now."

The familiar voice cautiously murmured:

"Due to our inadequate preparation, you arrived earlier than expected by mistake. Truly sorry."

"It’s no big deal, after all, I accepted the Duke’s commission, so waiting a bit longer is fine."

Shard responded, then saw the shadow on the water becoming clearer, subsequently he felt hair sweeping over his head, then brushing his shoulder exposed above the water.

The maid behind him bent slightly, whispering softly into Shard’s ear as if worried about being overheard by the Duchess. Despite the spaciousness of the large hot spring bath room, even lowered voices were exceedingly clear:

"The manners at the Duke’s Manor are extremely strict, maids who make mistakes face severe punishment."

Even without turning to look, even with the reflection in the water unclear, Shard could guess that Tifa would lightly bite her rosy lips after finishing the sentence.

Her warm moist breath lightly caressed Shard’s ear as she spoke:

"So, Knight, can you refrain from informing Duchess Galina Cavendish of our error?"

It wasn’t until this moment that Shard suspected whether the conversation just now at the manor gate inside and outside of the fence was deliberate or accidental by this beautiful maid.

"Please rest assured, I swear by the knight’s honor, I won’t tattle, your hospitality was quite thorough..."

Then his words were abruptly interrupted, the voice carrying a fearful tone but brimming more with laughter:

"That’s no good, the master’s punishment is indeed severe, if you tell her about what happened earlier, we will all be punished severely. So..."

It was certainly not Shard’s illusion, his ear was nipped gently by someone. Subsequently, a flawlessly white arm brushed against his neck and extended from behind him like a long snake. The maid’s hand rudely grasped Shard’s chin, forcibly turning his head to the side.

Thus, he saw Tifa Servet crouching and bending beside the bath, her smooth black hair dampened by the steam, contrasting with her milky white perfect skin, her pressed rosy lips, a charming nose, and those black eyes staring at him.

Tifa gazed at him, softly speaking:

"So, dear guest, Rejed’s Hamilton Knight, please offer me punishment, as long as you don’t inform Duke Galina Cavendish of our rudeness, as long as it can quell your rage, except for that matter, you can have anything..."

Though Shard’s heart was indeed filled with some emotion now, it definitely wasn’t rage:

"Please wait a moment, I’m becoming increasingly puzzled. By the way, you needn’t apologize to me."

"But that’s not up to you, Knight, I’m here to claim compensation."

So, the blundering maid, amid "panic" and "remorse," took the initiative to make a decision for him.

She closed her eyes, her damp black eyelashes trembling slightly, then she kissed Shard.

On the water surface, their shadows were reflected fuzzily, but with an audible "splash," the "impolite" Miss Maid and the knight waiting for the Duchess’s audience fell into the water together.

(Mia running...)

At four in the afternoon, on the first floor, guest room, before the floor mirror, Shard spread his arms, allowing the maid girls to arrange the newly changed formal suit on him. He actually disliked anyone helping him dress, but when Tifa looked at him with those black eyes, Shard, who had just come out of the bath with her, couldn’t utter any refusal.

The black-haired Miss Maid was naturally present too, but she stood beside Shard adjusting his tie. As she had just bathed, the perfume scent on her was exceedingly distinct. Noticing Shard observing her through the mirror, Miss Maid caringly reminded him:

"Knight, when you go to see the Duke later, you mustn’t be disrespectful by staring at her like this all the time. The Duchess of Saradiel is hundreds of times more beautiful than me, don’t appear disrespectful."

"Just now..."

He dearly wished to understand how the lady perceived the relationship between them, but the maid’s fingers pressed against Shard’s lips:

"Now, say nothing."

She gazed at Shard, her black eyes showing a gentle expression:

"I helped you adjust your mood earlier, allowing you to visit the Duke with tranquility and desirelessness, it’s what a maid should do."

The maid girls tidying Shard’s cuffs, pockets, and collar all started laughing, even Shard couldn’t help but chuckle.

Tifa kissed Shard on the cheek:

"Make sure to put on a good show, Knight."

After Shard had changed into suitable attire, he was finally granted the honor of going upstairs to meet the Duchess, led by six maids arranged in two rows in front of him and followed by six maids arranged in two rows behind him.

Miss Tifa Servet accompanied him closely, preventing this visiting guest from wandering off, teasing the maids, or causing any damage to the manor.

A red carpet was laid on the second-floor floor, and in such a solemn and respectful manner, Shard entered the study on the second floor. After a long and damp two-hour wait, he finally met Duchess Galina Cavendish.

The red-haired Duchess had been elaborately adorned, much like the depiction of "noble-born female nobility" in all knight novels. She sat behind the desk with a noble posture and proud expression, with a golden pen holder, jade paperweights, and some very old books on the desk that emphasized her status.

After the maid’s announcement, she put down the pen in her hand and sat up straight to scrutinize the young knight walking through the door.

The thirteen maids did not leave but stood arranged in two rows on both sides of the desk, with only Tifa coming behind Miss Galina.

She winked at Shard, who had just received "audience training" downstairs, and he placed his left hand on his right shoulder, then performed a ceremonial knee bend on the red wool carpet:

"It is an honor to meet you, Duke Galina Cavendish."

The maids around were holding back laughter, as everyone here knew the relationship between Shard and the manor’s owner. The black-haired Head Maid swept a "severe" glance over them, maintaining decorum among the young ladies, then said aloud:

"Hamilton Knight of Rejed, you accepted the Duke’s task according to glorious tradition. So, have you brought the treasure the Duke desires at this moment?"

"Yes, most esteemed Guardian of Saradiel, the Balanced Grand Witch, the Purple Rhododendron of Cavendish, Guardian of the Southern Border of Draleon..."

Shard recited the "lines" he was required to memorize earlier; of course, Miss Galina’s titles were far more numerous, and he only mentioned the more important ones at this moment.

"I bring you these treasures; please allow me to present them to you."

He rose and looked at the four ladies holding trays beside him, and so the four walked toward the desk in sequence, revealing the items covered with red cloth to the owner of the manor.

"The crown symbolizing the highest power of Draleon, you are worthy of possessing such noble authority."

The crown was presented, Miss Galina glanced at it, pursed her lips, and confirmed that it was indeed genuine.

"The fountain producing endless fine wine, let me offer it to you. Yet not even the finest wine can compare to one-thousandth of your worth."

The bottle of wine was presented beside a small spout. A note provided information about the bottle; in fact, Miss Galina was aware of this relic but hadn’t expected Shard to actually find it.

"Please allow me to offer the ancient Holy Grail; it comes from the solid earth beneath our feet. May the earth be with you and me."

The red cloth on the Holy Grail was removed, and Miss Galina scrutinized the small gold cup, then slightly widened her eyes and looked suspiciously at Shard. This wasn’t the Soil Holy Grail she expected; the gold cup reminded her of some other creation documented in the Council archives.

"Next, please allow me to present, representing the highest achievement in the Study of Alchemy, the Philosopher’s Stone, known as the ’pearl in the crown of alchemy’. See this crimson hue—it matches your hair color well."

Shard used the phrases Tifa had patiently taught him in the bathroom.

"Did he really find it?"

The facade of the emotionless Duchess was betrayed by her genuine shock. The maid placed the tray in front of her, removed the red silk cloth, and unveiled the pendant in the jewelry box.

The jewel, seemingly emitting light in its crimson "gemstone" form, was set in a silver casing. Even the well-informed witch couldn’t help but take a deep breath; it was truly beautiful.

The four trays were placed on the desk. Although everyone had heard that Shard found all the "treasures" within three hours, after having lunch with his pet cat, even the well-traveled Duchess marveled inwardly at this moment:

"Is this... Fate?"

"Knight!"

The Duke wouldn’t converse directly with the knight, so the loyal black-haired maid spoke on behalf of her master, her dark eyes smiling at the knight:

"Five treasures, yet only four are presently presented. Haven’t you found the last treasure, your fiery heart? This is what the Duke desires most."

"No, I have found it. Please allow me to personally offer it to Duke Galina now."

Shard spoke as he walked towards the desk.

In fact, even Tifa didn’t know what Shard was planning to show. But the "heart" treasure was the simplest, as long as Shard could express his feelings it counted as a pass.

Thus, they did not doubt whether Shard could present it; rather, they were curious about Shard’s choice. Then, the Duke and maids watched as Shard unbuttoned his coat, then unbuttoned his white shirt, finally revealing his left chest.