[Would you like to review the rewards from your previous quest?]

While seated at his work table, Adrian turned his gaze to the left to look at the system screen.

"Yes," he replied.

Just like always, he had the same book in his hand and a serious look that made him almost unapproachable.

After all, today was the day.

[Request has been confirmed.]

[Upon completing your quest to find a new companion, you have gained a new skill and 200 SP.]

’...’

[Gluttony: You now have the ability to absorb anything and store it. This skill also scales with your Skill Core and Analysis Core, providing more accurate data.]

Adrian did not say a word.

He knew the system still had more to say, and besides, he was quite focused on what he was reading.

[Furthermore, the Territory Core has been unlocked following the system’s upgrade. All features now align with your current territory.]

That caught his attention quickly.

"It has? About damn time," he voiced, unable to hide the excitement that slipped through.

For the past several days, even before he had formed a contract with Liora, he had been actively involving himself in the affairs of the county.

Understanding where his father had gone wrong was the first step toward improving the territory as a whole.

But now, with the Territory Core finally unlocked, he could pursue that goal with considerably greater ease.

"Quick, show me what you have."

Adrian rose to his feet, his eyes fixed entirely on the screen.

However, just before the system could respond, a sudden knock at the door pulled him back.

"Uhm... L-Lord Adrian? Are you awake?"

Still standing near the table, Adrian paused and turned his gaze toward the door.

He had gotten a bit too excited just then.

Not that anyone could blame him entirely.

To the rest of the world, he was still a child, and as such, he needed every advantage available to him if he ever hoped to leave people genuinely stunned by what he accomplished.

The system was simply the most efficient path to that outcome.

With a single quiet breath, he brought his composure back into order.

"Liora. You can come in," Adrian said, settling back into his seat.

Slowly, the door eased open, and Liora peered around the frame with only her head visible.

"Good morning, Lord Adrian. Am I disturbing you?"

Her voice carried a tone that was soft and almost subdued, quieter than the girl he had first encountered in that carriage.

For the most part, she had taken to calling him lord, something that had not come naturally to her at first. For Adrian, it was a welcome development.

"No, you did not. Come in," he replied, rising from the table and moving toward the bed.

Once he was seated there, he watched as Liora stepped fully into the room.

She was dressed in a maid’s uniform, complete with black tights and a small bow pinned neatly at her head.

Looking at her, no one would have suspected for even a moment that she was an assassin, which was precisely the impression Adrian had been going for when he persuaded his mother to give her the outfit.

Though it had not been a simple thing to arrange, convincing her to install a stranger as his personal maid when the household was already stretched thin on funds.

After a moment, Liora came to a stop only a few inches from where he sat.

"Do I... have to wear this?"

Adrian looked at her.

"Yes. It is a fitting way for you to serve under the Vane name, and under me specifically. You should carry out that role without drawing attention to yourself."

Liora pouted slightly at that.

"Sometimes, you really do not speak like your age."

Adrian paused at the comment, a trace of surprise crossing his face before he schooled it back into something neutral.

It was not as though she was the first person to say that to him. He had been making a conscious effort to temper it, to smooth the edges enough that it did not raise too many questions.

And yet, no matter what he did, it seemed he could not quite manage to come across the way they expected.

’I suppose that can work in my favour if I play my cards correctly. I doubt I could accomplish much if I moved through the world the way an ordinary child would. In any case...’

He raised his gaze to look at her.

[Bond: 46%]

’Her loyalty is still quite low.’

He let out a quiet, internal sigh.

"I told you I would be studying today. So what brings you here?"

"Well... uhm, the Countess summoned you. She said I should come and fetch you."

There was a trace of surprise in his expression, despite the fact that he had already anticipated something like this would happen eventually.

"Very well then. Let us go."

Without further delay, he rose to his feet, straightened his clothing, and made his way out of the room.

Liora followed just behind him, careful to keep a measured pace so as not to overstep.

...

It did not take long for the two of them to reach the room where the Countess was waiting.

As the door eased open, Adrian walked in with the kind of composure that seemed at odds with his small frame.

Liora trailed behind him, her eyes drifting to the details of the room the way they always did, drawn to every fine piece she passed.

The urge to pocket something quietly crossed her mind, as it often did in spaces like this, but she pressed it down immediately.

Triggering Adrian’s displeasure was not a mistake she intended to make twice.

Meanwhile, Adrian had already crossed most of the room.

His mother sat in the chair ahead of him, her back turned toward the door.

"Mother, you called," he said, settling onto the couch opposite her.

Emilya smiled warmly the moment she saw him, setting her coffee cup down on the table before speaking.

"There you are, darling. What took you so long?"

"Apologies. I was occupied with something and did not mean to keep you waiting."

"It is fine. Though I have always said, you take on far too much for someone your age. The people in the house have started calling you a genius, you know."

Adrian paused at that, a mild flicker of something crossing his expression before settling back into stillness.

He had noticed the growing regard among the household staff.

Most of it had come from small things, a dish introduced here, a problem resolved there, quiet solutions offered in passing that others had not thought to try.

He had not expected it to be remarked upon so openly.

"I see. I was not aware of that," he replied.

Emilya smiled again, softer this time.

"I never did tell you what happened after the priest called me in for a discussion, did I?"

"No, you never did."

Emilya glanced briefly toward Liora, weighing something in her expression. Then she looked back at her son.

"Then let me tell you about it now. Only then will you understand the position I am about to offer you."

...

[A\N:] If you like the story so far, please add to your library and vote for me.