"Thank you both for everything you've done for me." He said while flashing that signature smile. They were initially confused, but they quickly figured out the reason behind his thanks. After all, they had been the ones to feed him when he was about to die, and they had also just given him a makeover.
To a kid born in slavery, their actions might have seemed like a great favor to him. But they knew they were only doing it under the orders of the countess. Still, something about seeing him smile gave them a sense of joy.
"There is no need to thank us. We were simply following orders." Miria said, though a small smile adorned her lips.
"You should get some rest, in case the Countess calls for you soon," Hazel said in a smaller tone. With that, the two maids left his room, finally giving him privacy. As soon as the door clicked shut, his smile turned sinister, making him resemble your typical fantasy villain.
His words to the maids weren't out of genuine gratitude. In this unfamiliar place where he had no power, the only way to survive was through connections. Hopefully, he had left a favorable impression on the two maids. Even if all didn't go well, they should at least be able to guarantee him a meal.
He stood up and looked himself over once again. Satisfied, he went to lie down on the bed to get some rest. The whole day had been hectic, and despite the adrenaline rush, he still needed to rest to remain in optimal condition.
About an hour later, a sharp knock on the door woke him up from his dozing off state. A few minutes later, and he would have already found himself in deep sleep. He scrambled off the bed, quickly smoothed his clothes, and rushed to open the door.
He opened the door to find the head maid standing in front of him, flanked by two unfamiliar maids. She inspected him from top to bottom, and her eyes, though still cold, had a hint of surprise and approval in them. Something Gareth didn't fail to notice.
"The Countess requests your presence." She said in the same cold and detached tone as before. Even though it was phrased as a request, Gareth knew he didn't have the option of refusal.
Not like he wanted to anyway. It was finally time to meet the elusive Countess. His blood pumped with both excitement and apprehension at the thought of facing this woman.
Without waiting for his answer, the head maid turned on her heels and began walking away, seemingly to where the Countess was.
'Would it kill her to wait for a response?' Gareth thought inwardly, though he walked briskly in order to catch up to her. Despite being a middle-aged woman, her steps were fast, and Gareth had to focus just to not get left behind.
They made their way to the third floor, where the Countess herself resided. As they passed through the layout of the manor, Gareth was doing his best to commit all the details he saw to memory. It might turn out to be useful later.
After another minute of walking, they finally arrived in front of a sealed door. The head maid knocked twice before waiting for a response.
"Come in~" A voice responded from inside, giving them permission to enter. The head maid opened the door gently, and soon, all four individuals shuffled themselves inside what resembled an office.
The first thing Gareth noticed was the scent. Sweet, heavy, intoxicating. The air itself seemed perfumed—like crushed petals mixed with wine. Then came the sound of a soft hum, delicate but clear, like a note of glass being struck.
The Countess was reclining lazily on a chair near the window, sunlight spilling across her like a halo. Her hair was the color of ink, cascading in soft waves over her shoulders. Her skin was pale, unblemished, almost too perfect, as if sculpted by divine hands. And her eyes—a deep, dark brown, sharp and alive—studied him like a cat watching its prey.
She wasn't what he expected.
Rumor had painted her as a debauched woman, a predator of men. But what he saw was something far more dangerous. There was power in her presence, yes—but there was also grace, poise, and a quiet, disarming charm that made it impossible to look away.
And her proportions! Gaawwd, her proportions! he couldn't even begin to explain.
In one word, she was beautiful. Simply too beautiful. She was by far the most beautiful woman he had seen in both lives. Internally, he was doing a mini celebration.
'YES! YES! YES!' If it was his fate to end up as the sex slave of such a baddie, then he would embrace it wholeheartedly. However, he didn't have the luxury to think further. They came in front of the Countess, and the head maid spoke while bowing her head.
"My Lady. I've brought him here." She said while bowing her head slightly, her cold and aloof demeanor seemingly tucked away, replaced with one of respect. He didn't want to risk being disrespectful, so he quickly tore his gaze away from her and directed it towards his feet.
"Hmm, you can go." She said lightly, waving off the maids, leaving only Gareth in the room. Throughout the whole ordeal, her gaze hadn't left Gareth.
Under the intense gaze of the Countess, Gareth, who was a usually confident man, couldn't help but feel a little nervous. It wasn't the nervousness that came from being in front of a woman. No, he had far too much experience to be feeling that.
There was something about the Countess. Aside from her stunning beauty, she radiated a presence that naturally drew one's gaze towards her. Funnily enough, he remembered feeling something similar from those thugs and the head maid.
As soon as those thoughts entered his mind, he immediately tried to shake them away. He couldn't believe he had likened those disgusting thugs to the beautiful woman sitting in front of him.