A few minutes earlier…
Light footsteps echoed down the eastern wing corridor. A young maid swept the marble floor with stiff, jerky motions. Her face was pale, her eyes hesitant every time she passed the door of Lucien Voss—the young master whose body was now occupied by Lucas.
Her hands trembled when a rough voice spilled out from behind the door.
"Fuck… damn… goddamn it…"
The broom almost slipped. Her chest tightened. Was he…?
Dirty thoughts crashed through her mind, fueled by rumors whispered by the other servants—rumors of Young Master Voss being a twisted pervert, backed by what happened just two days ago, when he had asked her not to wash her panties for two whole days and hand them to him.
So it was true… he was… enjoying it. Enjoying my filthy underwear right now?
Her eyes burned, not with anger, but with the sting of shame stabbing into her heart. She bit her lip, recalling her mother's face.
Her mother had once been a slave. A woman who dared to escape, running through the dark forest with wounds all over her body, clinging to one last hope: that her daughter would not end up disgraced like her. And at the brink of death, she entrusted her little girl to Baroness Voss.
"Never belittle yourself… even as a maid. Be a woman of honor."
Those were the last words she held onto until now. She had been trained as a maid far from the Voss estate—Baroness refused to let young Lucian toy with her—but once grown, a promise was a promise, and she returned to serve House Voss.
And now, standing in front of that door, hearing those strange groans and curses inside, shame hammered at her chest uncontrollably.
Forgive me, Mother.
Her eyes welled as she stared at the spotless floor she'd already swept.
I even gave my dirty underwear to the Young Master. Sorry, I became a failure, a coward.
Her hand clenched tight on the broom handle. Tears threatened to fall, but she bent lower, forcing herself to sweep what was already clean. Because that was her job. Because she had no other choice.
Liona bit her lip, sweeping harder. Tears brimmed but she held them back with all her strength.
"Liona."
A deep, commanding voice rang out from behind.
The maid jolted, bowing quickly. A woman with long silver hair stood there—light armor hugging her frame, eyes sharp yet regal.
"Lady Silvara…" Liona whispered, trembling.
Silvara's eyes narrowed, sliding toward the chamber door where Lucien's voice had just raged moments ago. "What did that bastard do to you?" Her tone cut like a blade.
"Nothing…" Liona shook her head frantically, face pale. "N-nothing at all…"
But Silvara stepped forward, standing firm before her. With a tone that brooked no refusal, she declared:
"I am Silvara, sworn knight to the Young Master. And I swear—I will not let you suffer from his foolishness."
Liona froze. Her chest trembled violently. For the first time, someone stood to defend her. Tears spilled, though she quickly wiped them with her sleeve.
Silvara seized her hand, grip unyielding. "Come. Let's teach that bastard a lesson."
Liona stood paralyzed, heart caught
between gratitude and fear. But Silvara's grip was too strong, too decisive to resist.
Meanwhile, Lucas was muttering to himself, swearing he'd go back to "compounding little shits like in modern life" if that was what it took to become better.
CRASH!!!
The wooden door slammed open, nearly making Lucas jump out of his skin. His eyes widened in shock.
In the doorway stood Silvara, face cold, still holding trembling Liona's hand.
"Lucian Voss." Her voice shook with suppressed rage. "You will answer for this."
Lucas froze. Silvara's glare cut through the air, her fury suffocating the room.
"WHAT IN THE WORLD DID YOU DO, LUCIAN VOSS?!" she roared.
Lucas instinctively stepped back half a pace. Shit, she wasn't joking.
Beside her, Liona bowed low, body trembling. Lucas glanced—she didn't even dare lift her head.
Then Silvara's eyes darted to the small table by the bed. There, a piece of white cloth lay in plain view.
Disgust twisted her expression. "That thing…" she hissed, then looked at Liona. "Take it. If it's truly… ehem…" She cleared her throat. "Yours. Something that should never be shown in front of others."
Lucas turned his head. For some damn reason, his eyes locked on the backside of the panties. A faint stain caught his sight. Damn… a bit brown… HEH—!
He shook his head violently. Shit, this body's brain was still messed up.
Silvara glared at him, voice dripping with fury. "Apologize to her. Now."
Lucas raised both hands, trying to look calm. "Alright, alright… sorry."
[DING!]
[+1 EXP, +1 Progression Point]
[Reason: Host chose to apologize sincerely, showing willingness to correct past mistakes without shame.]
A sharp notification buzzed in his head. Lucas's eyes widened. "Hah?!"
Liona and Silvara both stiffened, their faces instantly tensing as if they'd heard something strange.
Lucas blinked. Wait… they could see the panel too?!
But before he could panic further, Silvara frowned at him, brows knitted.
"So you… truly meant to apologize?"
Lucas scratched the back of his head, letting out a long sigh. So that's why they freaked out. Hhh… Not even surprising anymore.
Silvara didn't relax her gaze. Her eyes pierced into Lucas like twin blades.
"Don't think you can just spit out a 'sorry' because I'm here." Her voice was cold, heavy. "Say it properly. Not as empty words."
Huh? What now…? He glanced at Liona, but the maid only lowered her head even further, as if she wanted to vanish into the floor.
"…I really am sorry," Lucas finally said, his tone flat but serious.
But Silvara wasn't satisfied. She stepped forward, her knightly aura bursting forth as the rasp of steel rang out from her scabbard.
"Then… kneel."
Lucas stiffened. Seriously? This far?
In his head, the System's earlier words still echoed: 'Failure as a human.'
He took a long breath.
Fine… if Lucian's life had already been branded a failure by my absurd system, what chance did he have in front of real people like this?
Without another word, he bent his knees and dropped, kneeling before Silvara and Liona.
A hush fell. Liona's eyes widened, lips parting, tears threatening to spill again.
Silvara didn't move. Her fingers brushed her sword hilt, and with a sharp motion, she drew half the blade free. Cold steel glinted, slicing through the stifling air of the chamber.
"You…" Silvara's voice was low, strained with emotion. "You're plotting something foolish again, aren't you? Don't forget—the Baroness and the Baron themselves have given me permission to use force on you if you ever act out of line again!"
Lucas swallowed hard, fists clenching over his knees. Shit… this is getting way too messed up. Wait—force?