At the subsequent banquets and various occasions in Germany, Lys kept an even lower profile. But while Lys wanted to stay inconspicuous, the delayed goods from Britain brought her endless trouble, making it impossible to remain unnoticed.
The delayed shipments even escalated to involve the Karkaroff family.
At this moment, Lys was sitting in the Karkaroff family's reception room, listening to their butler's words.
Lys could tell they weren't actually urgent about this batch of goods. What they were dissatisfied with was the principle: no one could delay promises made to the Karkaroff family without showing any proper attitude.
Having grasped the key point, Lys proposed sincere compensation measures. As for whether the British side would agree?
With two contracts offering substantial benefits, Lucius would handle it for her.
Unless that noble family delaying the goods no longer wanted to do business in Britain, they'd have to deliver the goods and compensation even if it meant selling their ancestral property.
When the butler escorted Lys out, Menelquede, who was releasing an owl on the terrace, spotted the departing pair.
When the butler returned from seeing off the guest, Menelquede called him over.
His uncle's repeated praise for Stalys had left him puzzled. "That witch who just left—tell me your assessment of her."
The butler stood behind him and spoke: "Her work ability isn't outstanding, nor is she particularly clever, but she's calm, serious, and has sufficient self-awareness—even somewhat timid, I'd say. She's well-suited for her current position."
"Then why do you think my uncle gave such high praise to someone so ordinary?"
The butler remained silent.
"Next time she comes, set an appointment and notify me."
He wanted to see just how far this witch he'd once invited had grown.
Playing with his wand, he couldn't help recalling their first meeting—a girl who'd threatened to snap her own wand, who'd dared challenge him magically to protect her family, yet had the sense to quickly back down when she realized she was outmatched...
Just one conversation had made his uncle call her interesting. At that ball, his uncle hadn't recognized her, yet still gave her high marks.
Instead, he'd warned Menelquede against being too aggressive, saying his attention to detail didn't befit his status.
But he didn't understand—he was the Karkaroff family heir, he had formidable strength, he had the capital to be appropriately bold.
Being compared to that British madman by his father was one thing, but why did his uncle compare him to a little witch who'd only survived because he'd spared her three or four years ago?
He remembered his uncle's earlier assessment of her in the study:
"So young, quite capable, and broad-minded—someone who should have a future. With that kind of strength, she should have confidence doing anything in any country, yet she's bound by overvalued family ties. And she's taken Soul Stabilizer?! What a pity..." Old Mr. Karkaroff had shaken his head after reading Stalys's biographical materials, tossed the two parchments into the waste basket, and moved on to discuss other matters with his nephew.
After being lectured, Menelquede had retrieved those materials from the basket.
Sitting behind the desk then, he'd begun to understand what his uncle meant. Stalys Lam had considerable strength, yet kept it caged for the sake of what she valued.
Her caution when uncertain made her extremely tolerant even of those inferior to her, sometimes appearing weak and easily bullied.
Unless someone hit her weak spot, she always seemed easy to push around.
But now he was still puzzled...
How did she endure it?
However...
This was indeed something he lacked. He was far too eager to display his power, hoping others would stop comparing him to others.
Always being compared to someone else—even though he'd shown promise since his teens, there was always someone who surpassed him in strength, cunning, or temperament...
Nearly forty now, yet he could still hear his uncle's sighs after he left the room.
Menelquede closed his eyes and took a deep breath: "Uncle..."
When Lys was driven to distraction by Britain's chaotic supply situation, she had no choice but to approach the Karkaroff family with Lucius's proposal for negotiations.
But halfway through their discussion, Menelquede's gaze as he entered the reception room made Lys deeply uncomfortable. That sense of judgment and comparison... reminded her of the wine glass once pressed to her lips.
"What is it? Does Mr. Karkaroff have any requests?"
"Stay for a drink afterward. Your diligence and responsibility deserve the Karkaroff family's hospitality."
Disgust surged in Lys's heart, but before she could refuse, Menelquede had already left the reception room, giving her no chance to decline.
After finalizing the documents with the butler, Lys tried to leave directly, but the butler—who'd been watching her with an inscrutable expression—looked even more displeased.
Lys raised an eyebrow in confusion: "This is just my job. Being responsible is my duty. I won't continue to impose. Please help me convey my thanks to Mr. Karkaroff."
"Our young master wishes to host you personally."
Answering beside the point, the Karkaroff family's forcefulness was displayed once again. The butler was very displeased—yes, very displeased.
She wasn't worthy of the young master's invitation, yet she dared refuse...
He retracted his earlier assessment of her self-awareness.
But Lys still intended to leave. Her departing figure made the butler narrow his eyes—would this count as his dereliction of duty?
Just as he prepared to step forward and further dissuade her, Menelquede's voice carried from the terrace: "Just one drink. What's the matter? Inconvenient?"
Lys turned back, squeezed her face into a polite smile, and was about to refuse when the man raised his glass toward Lys: "I wanted to offer some advice on your forest house's defensive effectiveness."
Lys's smile didn't change, but she drew a sharp breath.
"It's really not convenient. As for my home's defensive effectiveness, I'll strengthen it myself. No need to trouble yourself with worry, Mr. Karkaroff."
"What are you hiding from? The Karkaroff family's friendship is something countless people seek but can't obtain." Menelquede felt displeased—he thought Stalys was being obtuse.
Lys deflected casually, making things up: "Hiding from those who want to marry you, from families wanting to arrange marriages with you. If there are no other issues, I'll take my leave."
But in her heart, Lys thought: Hiding from you and the shady dealings between your family, the Dark Lord's Horcruxes, and the Stabilizer. Hiding from what indeed...
"Wait! Wait..." In that instant, Menelquede was somewhat bewildered. What was she saying? Shouldn't there be deeper reasons—related to class, to the Karkaroff family's schemes?
Menelquede on the terrace...
Lys at the door...
The butler at the entrance...
"..."
"..."
"Ahem, my oversight. An unmarried lady, even on official business, should indeed avoid certain improprieties. Miss Lam, this way please. Next time we'll send a formal invitation."
The butler, erupting with professional integrity amid the silence, escorted Lys out of the Karkaroff house.
"She... is she this direct when negotiating contracts too?" Faced with his young master's question, the butler nodded silently.
Always dealing with old foxes and young schemers, accustomed to others' flattery and careful deliberation, Menelquede was momentarily at a loss for how to respond to Lys's blunt statement.
Shaking his head, he couldn't understand. He knew she was unique, but today he seemed to know this uniqueness more comprehensively.
A genuine yet strange person...
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