Capítulo 1282: Chapter 1282: Maid and Dress
Iluna carefully controlled the “Little Sun” in her hand to extinguish:
“In just a week, I couldn’t do any better. For now, I can only temporarily summon such a small blob of light.”
“That’s already quite impressive.”
Shard praised, Iluna showed a smile, while Miss Galina asked:
“What High Ring Sorcery do you have in mind?”
“My initial idea was [Eternal Blazing Sun], but then I realized that even if I learned to throw a ‘Sun’, my Spirit was far from enough. So, I set my sights on [Sun Power], but it’s still a long way off.”
“Not bad, you might try to expand the volume of that light.”
Although Miss Galina only nodded, Shard could see that she was quite pleased with Iluna’s performance. Although it was ostensibly Shard who introduced Iluna to the witches, and Iluna even refused to call Miss Galina a teacher, both of them valued this relationship greatly.
That afternoon, Miss Galina mainly discussed matters related to Randall Valley with Shard. Shard also explained his current progress to her. The focus was naturally on the “Guardians of Randall Valley”. The three people known currently were all deceased Undead, and even the Witch Council didn’t know such an “organization” existed locally in Randall Valley before this.
“Although from the current situation, they seem to be on our side, we cannot fully trust them. Their outstanding abilities and strange methods of inheritance surely have corresponding reasons. Until you fully understand them, Shard, don’t place too much trust in them.”
The witches are always very cautious.
The witch who returned on Friday would naturally attend Angelina’s birthday party on Sunday. Miss Galina even wanted to give Iluna an invitation, but Iluna declined.
They spent the entire afternoon together in the warm and cozy study of the estate. Although there were guests visiting during this time, all were refused by Miss Galina. When it came time for dinner, Iluna had to attend a meeting at the church, so she left a step early, leaving Shard to dine alone with Miss Galina.
During the meal, the witch complained to Shard:
“I heard from the maids staying at the estate that you rarely came here while I was away. Why, does it feel less comfortable here than at your home?”
“I’ve been really busy lately.”
Shard explained, taking out the key to the estate that Miss Galina had given him, intending to return it, but the witch refused:
“Do you have anything to do tomorrow? If not, just stay at the estate tonight and don’t leave.”
“Tomorrow morning, I plan to go to Randall Valley to deliver something, which should only take an hour or two. At one in the afternoon, I have a group study meeting to attend… Mia, would you like to stay?”
The cat, busy eating, had no intention of responding to him, so Shard agreed to spend the night. Miss Galina took the napkin handed by Tifa to wipe her mouth, then looked at Shard, who was examining the fish soup, her right arm resting on the table, supporting her slightly tilted head, her golden eyes filled with a smile and an imperceptible shyness:
“Would you like to spend the night in my room tonight?”
“Cough, what?”
He hurriedly patted his chest:
“Sorry, I was a bit out of line… Is this invitation what I think it is?”
He looked up to confirm, and the witch still wore that lazy and confident expression:
“That’s for you to decide. Although I still have some concerns, and no other witch has ever done such a thing. But as it stands, if I don’t act in time, one day I will find myself becoming the last one. So, tonight… it’s entirely up to you.”
Those beautiful golden eyes gazed at Shard with an unprecedented pressure.
But Shard shook his head:
“Since you still have concerns, I think there’s no need to rush. Wait until you’re completely on board, Miss Galina, that is also what I… I hope for. Besides, I’ve promised Lecia, if I were to… with you… at least she should know.”
“Is the former the main reason, or is the latter the main reason?”
The witch asked with a smile, Shard thought for a moment:
“Both are reasons. The former because I don’t want to go against your wishes, the latter because I have made a promise.”
“See, he’s always able to give answers that satisfy everyone.”
Miss Galina said to Tifa, who stood by quietly, as if nothing had ever existed between her and Shard.
“Little Lecia still has some tricks, but you are right.”
The witch said with a slight regret, then gestured to Shard:
“Move your chair over here, why are you sitting so far away?”
As she spoke, she picked up the empty wine glass, and Tifa wiped the red wine bottle in the ice bucket before pouring the crystal-clear blood-red wine into it.
The red-haired Duchess tapped her cup with her forefinger, her eyes filled with a reserved smile as she watched Shard.
Having a chance to be alone with Tifa happened on the evening before going to bed. At that time, Miss Galina was in her study handling some documents that had just arrived from Yordle Palace, while Shard had just returned to his room on the third floor after bathing in the estate’s bathhouse.
Little Mia certainly wouldn’t approach a damp place like the bathhouse, so she had returned to the bedroom early to wait for Shard. She was jumping around on the neatly made bed, and Shard picked her up, intending to say goodnight to Miss Galina before going to sleep. But before he could leave the room, Tifa came over with two maids.
The two Miss Maids brought Shard’s clothes for the next morning, put them in the wardrobe, and then left, making sure to smile and close the door as they went out.
Tifa stayed in the room. After the door was securely closed, she walked over and gently hugged Shard but quickly let go:
“I’ve been busy running around all day, and haven’t had a chance to speak with you.”
The black-haired Miss Maid brushed aside the hair by her ear and looked at Shard seriously:
“You were right to refuse the lady at the dining table earlier. She wasn’t ready, she just felt a bit threatened after hearing about your improving relationship with Miss Benanis. I know her well. Once she’s ready, I’ll give you a hint.”
She tidied Shard’s pajama collar, and Shard held her hand, prompting Tifa to look up at him with an upward gaze:
“So, do you need me to unbutton my blouse?”
The brownish-black eyes blinked once:
“There’s indeed some time left, if you want to…”
She placed her hand on the button just below her neck.
Shard had to admit he was tempted for a moment, but he had other matters:
“Actually, I have something to ask you.”
Saying this, he pulled a book from the starry-colored bookshelf. Upon opening it, there was a colorful picture of that peculiar maid of Haila Osenfort at the Osenfort Estate. The maid’s dress was very old-fashioned and yellowed in color:
“Look at this, what era was this style of maid dress popular?”
He handed the book to Tifa, who looked at him with a slightly reproachful expression and added:
“Once confirmed, can I ask you to… stay here and help tidy up the bed?”
Tifa nodded slightly, glanced at the book, and provided an answer:
“This style of maid attire was popular in the early beginning of this era. I’ve only seen it in history books. Saying it’s from the early Sixth Era isn’t very accurate, but it was popular roughly between Common Era Calendar 400 and 800. However, since the use and environment of the maids’ dresses rarely change, the style is similar to today’s, just with some differences in the details.”
She professionally pointed out the differences between the two for Shard, then added:
“No respectable family would let their maids wear such outdated dresses. Even if they were nostalgic for past eras, they wouldn’t allow a maid to wear such a dress when entertaining guests. According to your description, either the Osenfort family knows nothing and bought old clothes from a second-hand shop, or there are other special reasons.”
“The Sixth Era 400 to 800?”
Shard frowned slightly. The medal received during the horse race at Osenfort Estate was identified by Old John as something from the lost ‘Stonville Kingdom’ period, a kingdom that likely perished around this time.
Destroyed by unknown evil.
“It seems I really need to consult Dr. Schneider tomorrow.”
But for today, it’s rest time, and these troubles can be thought over later:
“Tifa, you’ve really been a great help!”
Miss Maid shook her head slightly, her dark brown eyes looking into Shard’s eyes from a very close distance:
“So, esteemed knight, how do you plan to reward your loyal and beautiful maid?”
She moved even closer to Shard, and with her past rich experience, Mia fled from Shard’s arms in time before the soft press came.
Their eyes met, and the harmonious atmosphere reached its peak. Tifa wrapped her arms around Shard’s neck, and Shard also extended his arms.
But this enchanting atmosphere didn’t last long. A coughing sound came from the doorway:
“Ahem, ahem.”
The door, which was clearly closed, had somehow opened silently. Miss Galina, now in her nightgown, stood at the door. The two Miss Maids who were supposed to watch the door were looking at the pair inside with some embarrassment from behind her, while the overly involved pair inside hadn’t noticed at all.
“I was just dealing with the documents for a moment, and you two were already huddled together. Ha, the sneaky maid and the Duchess’s knight… I hope I’m not disturbing you.”
The witch said as she walked in. Tifa blushed and released Shard’s neck. After hastily buttoning up her collar, she stood beside the Duchess with her head lowered and lips pursed. However, Shard clearly saw her bite the left side of her lower lip, winking at him with a smile.