January 10th, the Second Year of the Fifth Epoch in the New Yuan Calendar of the Aude Continent

  "Master, it is time for a repast..." Just at that moment, a pair of dainty jade feet encased in white silk stockings stealthily pushed open the door to Kenley's workshop and tiptoed in with utmost caution.

  However, Kenley, who was deeply engrossed in some task within the workshop with his head bowed, did not offer a response.

  "The master has once again become absorbed in his work." The charming figure behind him puckered her lips in a pout. Subsequently, she carried the tray and approached Kenley's side.

  Just then...

  "Why on earth can't I get it connected properly?" Kenley abruptly raised his head, his mind in a state of utter turmoil.

  Nevertheless, the charming figure behind him was instantaneously startled. With a shriek, she jerked the tray in her hand, and all the dishes and utensils on it were on the verge of hurtling out!

  At that very instant, with a faint hum, all the items suspended in mid-air out of thin air and then settled back onto the tray with remarkable stability.

  "Forgive me, Master! I apologize for disturbing you!" As it turned out, the person was none other than Gula.

  "What in the world is happening?" Just then, another figure squeezed its way in.

  Kenley swiveled around. "It's quite all right. This is not your fault. It is my own doing." Then he caught sight of the other individual who had just managed to squeeze through the door.

  "Good afternoon, Greya." Kenley greeted her with a warm smile.

  Just then, Gula abruptly set down the tray and, spinning around, seized Guinevere's hand, stating, "Sister Greya, as the newly arrived maid, you must learn the art of attending to the master!"

  "Ah?" Kenley was taken aback, a look of surprise crossing his features.

  Guinevere, too, felt a rush of warmth to her cheeks, her face flushing crimson.

  "Master, you have been toiling away all morning, and Miss Tia and Miss Normani have vanished, and I have no notion of what they are up to. I was deeply concerned that no one would remind you to partake of your meal. Therefore, under no circumstances should you forget to eat. Do you understand?" Gula spoke in a tone reminiscent of a mother's gentle admonition.

  "I comprehend." Kenley nodded repeatedly, his head bobbing up and down.

  Subsequently, Kenley hastily winked at Guinevere, conveying the message that she should cooperate with Gula for the time being, for they could ill afford to reveal their true identities.

  In response, Guinevere blinked vigorously, indicating her understanding.

  "So, Master, open your mouth, and let Gula feed you." With these words, Gula lifted the bowl and scooped up a spoonful of sumptuous food, extending it towards Kenley's mouth.

  Kenley did not hesitate for a moment and took a bite with alacrity.

  "Master, this is a new dish that Gula has painstakingly researched. How do you find it? Is it to your liking?" Gula inquired with an expression of eager anticipation.

  "Delightful!" Kenley gave a thumbs-up gesture. Indeed, it was truly scrumptious. Gula possessed a remarkable talent for cooking. It was undeniable that after half a year of training and guidance, the servants had become increasingly proactive and well-behaved.

  Yet, just at that moment, Gula set the bowl down without hesitation and, turning around, pulled Greya to stand before Kenley. "Sister Greya, do you see? This is how you should serve the master. Although you are a combat maid, you must also master this fundamental aspect of service."

  Note: In the Aude Continent, apart from the profession of an ordinary maid, the profession of a combat maid also exists. Typically, it is a profession specifically established for the protection of noble lords. However, combat maids also undertake some of the tasks that ordinary maids perform in their daily routines.

  Guinevere's face flushed a deep red, resembling a ripe apple.

  Nevertheless, in the presence of Gula, she could not reveal her true feelings, for she could not afford to disclose her identity.

  However, Guinevere was a young woman with a strong and passionate spirit within. She harbored a tenacious and competitive nature, refusing to yield. Since an ordinary maid could perform such tasks, she was determined not to be outdone.

  Guinevere summoned up her courage and lifted the bowl. Yet, for some inexplicable reason, when she faced Kenley, a wave of disquiet and confusion washed over her.

  Beads of cold sweat formed on Kenley's forehead. "Greya, considering that you are new here, if you find it too challenging, we can attempt it another day..."

  "Absolutely not!" Gula interjected immediately at this juncture.

  "Master, have you forgotten? You often instruct us that, as servants, while we may enjoy a certain degree of freedom and relaxation with the masters in ordinary times, when it comes to work, we must adopt a professional demeanor! This is Sister Greya's very first day as a member of our extended family. How can we tolerate any laxity during our work, Master?"

  I have truly created a difficult situation for myself. Kenley opened his mouth, but the words caught in his throat, and he hesitated.

  "It is of no consequence, Master. Greya is capable of it." Guinevere uttered the word "Master" with a crimson face, struggling to articulate the words.

  Goodness! The impact was astonishing! As Guinevere spoke those words with a blushing face, gazing at her delicate and alluring visage, Kenley's heart began to pound violently.

  Guinevere was keenly aware of Kenley's rapid heartbeat. For some mysterious reason, her own heart also began to race.

  The two of them locked eyes, and for the very first time, Kenley felt a burning sensation in his cheeks. Strangely enough, he had never experienced such a sense of embarrassment when facing Tia and the others in the past. But why...

  Ah... This is truly exasperating... Why on earth did I come up with the Oath of the Moon Goddess as my vow? Now, it has backfired on me. Since I can hear Guinevere's heartbeat, it implies that she can also hear mine. This is truly... shooting myself in the foot.

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  "Master, please open your mouth. Greya will feed you." Guinevere scooped up a spoonful of delectable food and slowly advanced it towards Kenley's lips.

  Gazing at the spoonful of food that Guinevere presented, Kenley steeled his resolve, took a bite, and then promptly turned his face to the side, unable to meet her gaze.

  However, Gula astutely sensed that something amiss.

  She scrutinized them from every angle, covering her mouth with her hand and chuckling. "Master, Sister Greya, there is clearly something between you two!"

  "Certainly not!"

  "Not at all!"

  They both exclaimed in unison!

  "Haha, protesting too vehemently only serves to arouse suspicion. Master often says this to us, and now I can turn the tables on him!" Gula suddenly embraced Guinevere from behind and resumed tickling her all over.

  "Does Sister Greya have feelings for the Master?" She whispered in Guinevere's ear while continuing to tickle her.

  Guinevere blushed deeply and stammered in an attempt to defend herself. "Certainly not."

  Goodness...

  Right before Kenley's eyes, the sight of the two maids embracing tightly and engaging in playful banter was undeniably alluring.

  It caused Kenley to experience some inappropriate reactions instantaneously... Especially after Guinevere donned the maid's attire, she exuded an irresistible allure.

  But just at that moment...

  There was a sudden flash of fire...

  "I entrusted you with the task of delivering the meal to the master, yet you are once again bullying the newcomer... It appears that it is high time to administer some punishment to you."

  "No, please!"

  Subsequently, a white silhouette swiftly embraced Gula from behind. She extended her blood-red, alluring tongue and gently licked Gula's neck, causing every hair on Gula's body to stand on end.

  In an instant, those pointed teeth pierced into the nape of Gula's neck.

  "Miss Tia... Please don't..." She bit her finger and murmured her protest in a soft voice.

  Gula's delicate visage flushed a deep crimson. For some inexplicable reason, there seemed to be a faint trace of enjoyment in her expression.

  Kenley slapped his forehead in disbelief. This scene was incredibly intense. Clearly, it was an act of bloodsucking, yet why... why did it possess such an alluring quality...

  As the seconds ticked by, the white figure relaxed its grip ever so slightly, and Gula, instantly resembling a limp rag doll, slid to the floor with a soft thud.

  "Tia... You really are..." Kenley rubbed his forehead wearily, then promptly helped Gula to her feet. After that, he gently administered a vial of life potion into Gula's mouth.

  As the potion coursed through her system, Gula's complexion gradually regained its healthy, rosy hue.

  It appeared that the numbing effect had also dissipated.

  The moment Gula opened her eyes and found herself nestled in Kenley's embrace, her face grew even redder. "Master... If you desire my body, you may have it at any time."

  After uttering those words, she cast a coquettish glance in Kenley's direction.

  Kenley then released his hold, and with a dull thump, Gula tumbled back to the floor once more.

  Gula winced at the pain in her posterior, but in the next instant, a figure that filled her with trepidation loomed over her.

  "Gula, would you care to experience that again?" Tia approached with a seemingly amiable smile.

  "Sister Greya, save me! Waaah, I promise I'll never do it again! Waaah!" Gula was indeed a perceptive young girl. She seemed to have discerned that both the master and Tia were showing special favor towards Greya.

  She took refuge behind Guinevere, and the other two indeed refrained from taking any further action.

  "Master... Miss Tia, let's overlook this incident just this once... Gula was merely being playful and harbored no malicious intent," Guinevere said with a hint of resignation.

  Kenley and Tia exchanged a meaningful glance, and then Kenley sighed and said, "Since Greya has pleaded on your behalf, we'll let you off the hook this time, for the sake of our new maid. Gula, you may go now and take the rest of the day off."

  "Really?! Master!" A day off? This was truly a stroke of luck!

  "Before I change my mind."

  "Yay!" With a whoop of joy, Gula dashed out of the room.

  After Gula had departed...

  "Mr. Kenley, it's evident that you treat your servants with great kindness," Guinevere couldn't help but comment.

  "Actually, in my domain, I advocate for equality of personhood and a hierarchical system for work. Outside of working hours, everyone is considered equal," Kenley explained with a smile.

  "However, if this approach is adopted, the subjects and servants may struggle to distinguish the boundaries. Without a clear sense of boundaries, it will be challenging to convey orders from above, and it will be difficult to assert your authority as the master. In the event of any unforeseen circumstances, there is a high likelihood that the servants will either shirk their duties or fail to work in unison," Guinevere furrowed her brow and voiced her concerns.

  "I concur with you on this matter. Greya, your words ring true. I've discussed this issue with the master on more than one occasion, but he persistently adheres to his own way of doing things and refuses to listen," Tia nodded in agreement, indicating that she had harbored dissatisfaction regarding this matter for quite some time.

  Kenley gave a bitter smile. How was he supposed to explain this situation? It wasn't as if he could reveal that he hailed from the modern world! In truth, Kenley was well aware that in a medieval-themed game with a rigid hierarchical system like this, achieving the same level of freedom and equality as in the modern world was an unattainable goal.

  Moreover, if he were to attempt to transform the entire world, it would undoubtedly be an enormous undertaking. Thus, his thinking was straightforward. He had no intention of engaging in endeavors that would prove fruitless and thankless. If he were to instigate a revolution or the like, he would surely become the target of criticism and opposition. Instead, he preferred to focus on managing his territory effectively. At the very least, by doing so, he hoped to avoid unnecessary criticism from others.

  Of course, it was inevitable that there would still be individuals consumed by jealousy who would harbor ill feelings towards him. Nevertheless, he remained confident in his ability to safeguard his territory.

  "Actually..." Just as Kenley was on the verge of saying something more, the door suddenly swung open once again.

  "Master, Gula's back! Come and see what Gula has brought for you!" At that moment, a simple yet charming young girl, who had shed her maid's uniform and donned a lovely linen dress, reappeared before the three of them. In her hand, she carried a bag that appeared rather heavy, and it was unclear what was contained within.

  The other two stared at Gula in stunned silence.

  "These ice cream cones are from Kurara's household. They're truly a masterpiece of yours, Master! And what's more, these swimsuits were developed by the swimming pool department of the amusement park, as per your instructions! There's more..."

  Upon hearing the word "swimsuits," Kenley immediately sensed that something was amiss.

  "Wait a moment. Come here!" Kenley quickly pulled Gula aside.

  Tia and Guinevere exchanged a knowing glance and then promptly pressed their ears against the door, eager to eavesdrop on what peculiar invention Kenley had come up with this time.

  "Who gave you permission to bring these items into the castle? The ice cream cones are one thing, but how could you bring swimsuits here?" To be honest, Kenley had originally intended to have Tia try on the swimsuit for him in private, but he had never anticipated that Gula would bring it here so openly.

  Gula blushed deeply. "But this swimsuit is truly stunning. I tried it on, and it's incredibly sexy. I never would have guessed that you had such refined tastes, Master. If you'd like to see me in it, I'd be more than happy to oblige at any time..."

  "Silence!" Kenley clamped his hand over Gula's mouth. Then, he cast a quick glance at Tia and Guinevere, and they immediately withdrew their heads.

  Kenley exhaled deeply and then said, "In any case, this is something that should be done in private, not in the present moment. You may go and rest for now."

  Gula's face turned an even deeper shade of red! In private? Did that mean that the master wanted to see her wearing such an embarrassing swimsuit when they were alone?

  A shiver of anticipation ran through her...

  Could it be that this was her chance to transform from a mere servant into the lady of the manor? How wonderful! She had to start preparing right away! Oh, that's right, perfume! Lipstick! Hairpins! She needed to adorn herself with these items to look her best!

  Gula quickly wiped the saliva from the corner of her mouth. "I understand, Master!"

  With that, Gula dashed down the stairs, her face ablaze with a mixture of embarrassment and excitement, leaving behind Tia and Guinevere, who regarded her with skeptical glances.

  "Master, what did you just say to Gula?" Tia silently crept up behind Kenley.

  Why did he suddenly feel a chill down his spine? Kenley quickly scratched his head, beads of cold sweat forming on his forehead, and said, "It's nothing. I just told her to go and rest."