As Marta's gaze swept over Karl and Jack's mud-stained boots and simple clothes, her disdain was almost impossible to hide.
But upon seeing Karl's handsome features, she, like the other maids, was momentarily stunned.
She had never before met such a strikingly handsome young man, and for a moment, even the contempt in her eyes almost vanished.
As for the old man beside him, her attention was not on him at all.
Jack glanced at Karl's profile and slowly shook his head; he was already used to it.
It wasn't as obvious when Karl was younger, but as he gradually grew, and his physical attractiveness became fully apparent, it changed.
He was treated favorably almost everywhere he went, especially by women.
This included, but was not limited to, a more friendly tone of voice, intentional or unintentional physical contact.
He frequently received gifts of bread and other supplies, along with free laundry and mending of clothes, even though Raymond himself was only of average appearance when he was young.
But after Raymond and Elisa combined, Karl, as their descendant, inherited the best of both their looks without their flaws, resulting in his current appearance.
The two maids snapped back to reality, patted their flushed cheeks, and hurried forward, clumsily trying to take Karl and Jack's luggage.
"Thank you, it might be a bit heavy," Karl said, still remembering to warn them as he thanked them.
"It's no trouble, guest, it's our duty."
The maid replied shyly, and seeing Karl's gaze, she quickly lowered her head again.
At this moment, Marta, the head maid, stepped forward, raised her arm, and gestured to the side.
She spoke in a flat, uninflected tone, as if reciting a routine: "Welcome to Raymond Manor, guests."
"You must be tired from your journey; please allow me to show you to your rooms to rest."
It was noteworthy that when she looked at Karl, a faint smile played on her cheeks.
However, when she turned to look at Jack, the slight upward curve of her lips suddenly dropped.
This scene was naturally observed by Jack, but he merely raised an eyebrow, somewhat helpless, and said nothing.
Just then, a heavy and somewhat hurried set of footsteps echoed from the stone staircase on the side of the hall, drawing everyone's attention.
Raymond himself appeared; he looked more haggard than when Karl had seen him yesterday, and was slightly stooped.
He was wearing an old, dark green velvet coat with shiny elbows, and underneath, a stiffly starched but slightly frayed linen shirt.
His dry, sparse black hair was a little disheveled, and his face was etched with deep lines of worry, marks of long-term toil and a heavy inner burden.
Raymond's eyes were very tired, but when he saw Karl standing in the center of the hall, his eyes instantly lit up with a hint of barely perceptible excitement.
Raymond's footsteps paused in the center of the hall; he ignored the head maid and all the servants, his gaze firmly fixed on Karl.
The hall was dead silent, save for the crackling of wood burning in the fireplace.
Hans, the butler, already knew the inside story, so he remained relatively calm.
Marta and the maids' eyes widened in astonishment—the Baron had actually come downstairs himself!?
And the way he looked at this "ordinary guest"… it was too unusual!
As far as they knew, the Baron had been ill for quite some time and would rarely come downstairs unless absolutely necessary.
Yet yesterday, he not only deliberately dressed up and went out, but today he even personally came downstairs to greet a guest.
This was not only a coincidence, but it also hinted at something extraordinary.
"Karl… it's been a tiring journey. Thank you… for accepting my invitation to this manor."
"Hans, take Karl and Jack to… the prepared rooms, the two best guest rooms."
Raymond took a deep breath, trying to make his voice sound steady and weighty, with the authority of a family head.
But the slight tremor and overly formal phrasing instead betrayed his inner turmoil.
He emphasized the words "the best guest rooms," a clear signal in a financially strapped manor.
Hans immediately stepped forward and bowed slightly, his movements impeccable: "Yes, my lord. Mr. Karl, Mr. Jack, please follow me."
Karl met Raymond's gaze, merely nodding slightly and responding politely: "Thank you for your invitation, Baron."
Raymond did not want his illegitimate son's identity to be exposed too early, so he deliberately kept it hidden from the other servants.
Currently, only Raymond himself and Hans knew Karl's true identity.
Just as Hans was about to lead the way, Raymond made a gesture that made all the servants present gasp.
He quickly took two steps forward, just as Karl was about to turn.
He extended his thin, somewhat rough hand and firmly patted Karl's shoulder.
The action carried an undeniable, almost stiff, quality.
However, it seemed more like he was confirming the other person's presence rather than a mere greeting.
"Good, welcome here…"
"It's good that you've come. Go settle in first, and later… we'll talk."
Raymond's voice deepened, with an almost private emphasis that only Karl could perceive.
He stared into Karl's eyes, his palm resting on Karl's shoulder for two seconds before slowly withdrawing.
This gesture was too out of line! A noble Baron making such intimate physical contact with a young man he was meeting for the first time, who was plainly dressed and of unknown status?
Marta's mouth slightly agape, and the four young maids exchanged incredulous glances.
Karl's body stiffened imperceptibly for a moment when Raymond's hand patted him.
But he neither flinched nor showed any discomfort.
After Raymond withdrew his hand, he simply nodded calmly again: "Understood, Baron."
Hans appropriately stepped aside and guided them: "Mr. Karl, Mr. Jack, this way please."
Before turning, Karl cast one last glance at Raymond—the latter was looking back at him with eyes full of complex emotions, his body slowly relaxing as he exhaled a breath of relief.
In the eyes of others, he was merely a guest visiting the manor.
Perhaps to Raymond, it was like his child, who had been lost for many years, had finally come home, and it was no wonder he was so emotional.
As Karl and Jack followed Hans towards the upper guest rooms, their heavy footsteps echoed in the empty hall.
Behind them, they left a solidified atmosphere and several gazes filled with scrutiny and confusion.
Raymond remained standing, watching their backs until they completely disappeared around the staircase corner.
He slowly withdrew his gaze, sweeping across the hall at the silent servants, his face regaining its usual tired authority.
He turned and walked towards his study without a word, leaving the hall full of whispers.
These whispers were only barely suppressed under Marta's stern gaze.
Late at night, everyone had gone to sleep, and only faint torchlight flickered in the manor.
Inside the guest room, Karl's figure was not lying on the soft bed; instead, he appeared on the balcony, facing the moonlight.
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