"My daughter, Celeste," the noblewoman introduced with a smile that tried too hard to appear casual. Her hand rested on her daughter's shoulder with just slightly too much pressure. "She's fourteen years old, is a tamer of a Silver-rank beast, and has been educated in all the appropriate arts for a noble wife."
Celeste, a girl with chestnut hair and a timid expression, performed a perfect curtsy. The movement was flawless, practiced countless times until muscle memory made it automatic.
Ren immediately noticed how her eyes evaluated the mansion before looking at him.
"A pleasure to meet you," Ren responded with automatic courtesy, while internally trying to process what was happening exactly.
The butler, positioned discreetly nearby, had an expression that suggested this was exactly what he had expected. There was almost resignation in the slight downturn of his mouth.
