A candle chandelier graced forth above that overlooks the part of the manor at where the group is currently at, making up the incredible lighting of the place that indeed did its intended purpose of brightening up the inside.

'Neat.' Gray thought as he could not help but be slightly amazed at the grand sight that was marveled upon him. Of course, it's his first time visiting a n.o.ble's proper home, so his line of thinking is understandable. His concrete reaction, however, stated the opposite, merely sporting a not so affected look that resonates a demeanor of calmness and would try not to make a big deal too much out of it, given that he too is a n.o.ble and will be having the same benefits such as this in the future if time permitted him.

Besides, he's seen even grander in the modern days back when he visited a mansion of his rich friend from college during his past life. So, yes, he's seen better, but that does not mean that he does not appreciate the architectural splendor of what a Manor during a fantasy medieval period has to offer.

Anyways, the four were led into a small brief tour around the Manor by Stephania and her maid until they reached into the guest rooms, where they'll be staying for the night.

"These are the rooms where you'll be staying," Stephania said to the gang as the door of two rooms conveniently faced parallel towards one another in a corridor. "In the meantime, I'll be giving you four an ample time of rest. The bath area is at the corner on the left. We'll meet at the dining hall where one of my servants will fetch you at around 7:00 pm if that's okay with you all that is."

"That would be wonderful." Gray smiled gratefully. "We all thank you for the hospitality, my lady."

"It's my pleasure." Stephania returned the gesture with a smile as well. "Well, if there's nothing else, I'll now leave the four of you to your devices. If there's anything you need, you may approach Helena, my maid over here, or simply one of the servants."

"Will do." Gray nodded with appreciation as he saw Stephania and the maid Helena bowing before taking their respectful leave.

Not much planning is needed in deciding the room arrangements as there's only one logical outcome in all of this. The men, Gray and Isamu will be taking one room, while the women, Selena and Lily will be taking the other one.

"The bath area." They all heard Lily said as her eyes sparkled with excitement. "It's been three days since we get to have a proper one."

"Alright." Gray saw no reason to deny it. As a matter of fact, their hygiene during the past few days has left little to be desired, so it's a much-needed necessity that they must undertake. That and they don't want to be rude to Stephania in being smelly guests that would potentially ruin his reputation, especially with him being a n.o.ble.

As such, the gang decided, well… the women decided that they should go first, with Lily being the lead, followed by Selena, Gray, and Isamu. The cat-folk was the last one obviously. With all that fur on his entire body, no doubt that bath time for Isamu will surely be something that would consider being a ch.o.r.e and will take much longer.

"Uh… can't you just lick yourself or something?" Gray questioned Isamu regarding his hygienic matter.

"What do you take me for, a mere housecat?" Isamu deliberately stared at the elf in a deadpan look. "If I would choose between a proper nice relaxing bath with soap and licking my own furry a.s.s, then you know d.a.m.n well I'll choose the former. Our race has already evolved way past such primitive practices."

"Hahaha, I was just kidding around." Gray chuckled in response to the cat-folk's reaction. "Although imagining you licking yourself is indeed f.u.c.king hilarious, hahaha!!"

Isamu shook his head with a smirk at his elven friend's jest.

Speaking of Selena's case, yes, despite being a Sentinel, she also has a desire to rid that undesirable stench going on within her own body and is meticulous about her hygiene. In short, the Sentinel, well in her particular circ.u.mstance of being a self-aware ent.i.ty born out of a soul, is also much capable of taking a nice bath of her own and none will ever deny her such privilege.

With all their plans now set to stone, the four proceeded to enter their rooms for some rest before eventually making their own turns at the bath area for some relaxation time.

***

After taking their respective personal necessities, Gray and the others were indeed fetched by a servant and were led into the dining hall where they'll be taking their dinner with Stephania.

To not insult the n.o.ble lady at this fine evening, the gang opted to wear formal attire to make themselves comfortable.

As fitted to their station, the Count of Chadena generously included sets of n.o.ble clothing as a parting gift inside the carriage that they rode to fit their stations worthy as a n.o.bility.

Gray wore fine clothing that consisted of a blue brocade long-sleeved jacket with a belt that covered his u003cPeacekeeper's Tunicu003e underneath. He also has long black pants and brown boots to compliment his new look.

Isamu wore a brown variant of the elf's jacket, with the scanty difference of being longer. His lower garment consisted of long blue pants and black boots.

Selena is seen with a nice-looking long-sleeved violet dress with a pair of white sandals that emphasized her slender feet. No doubt, her child-like charm has been accentuated that many indeed would consider cute despite her clear lack of emotions that she always possessed.

In Lily's case, she always has an extra spare of her usual outfit. As such, she is dressed in the same robes and clothing that her companions have grown accustomed to. Add to the fact that her attire is also fitted on these kinds of occasions, so there's certainly no problem here.

The servant guided the quartet to the dining area of the Manor where a long table is filled decoratively with various kinds of high-cla.s.s food that are only accessible by the n.o.bility. No doubt Gray and his companions felt their hunger skyrocketing abruptly upon seeing the delicious meal that is served, since its been days since they ate proper food that is leaps and bound in quality compared to the supplies of meager food that were provided to them for the trip.

Of course, they did not display their cravings as social etiquette dictated otherwise.

Stephania is witnessed on her sit as she was at the center end of the table where she greeted the four happily and gestured all of them to take a seat close to her. The gang complied as they abide by the Lady's kind bidding.

"It's so nice that you four can join me on this wonderful evening." Stephania initiated the conversation as she saw the quartet taking their respective seats.

"All the same to us, my lady." Gray smiled in response. "We sincerely thank you for this kind invitation."

"It's my pleasure, Baron Gray." Stephania looked at him with intrigue. "Tell me, my good lord, your name certainly does not sound familiar and is indeed something new. May I know the glorious tale of how you acquired your rank of n.o.bility? Being the Baron of Oakwood, it must be the good Count Randalf who awarded you for something that is indeed worthy in his region."

"It's a long story, my lady," Gray said respectfully and agreed with her, thinking that there's no harm in telling his narrative that lead him to where he is right now. Of course, he'll still be excluding the parts about anything involving him being Paragon since he's not quite ready to reveal such sensitive and dangerous information. "If you want really want to hear, then I'll gladly oblige."

The night is very young and Stephania did love a story coming from visitors outside of the village, no matter their background and outlook in life are. It indeed brings some enlightening things for her to think about. As a result, she wholeheartedly agreed as she listened attentively to every word and detail that Gray and also his companions have been telling.

Time seemed to fly fast on their chat as Stephania could not help but be overjoyed by the gang's delightful tale of their adventures to her, Gray's moments in Oakwood, excluding his time with Wynather clearly, his first meeting with Isamu, the pair's endeavors at the Bandit Encampment, their arrival on Chadena, Gray's unforgettable dance night with the Bards and patrons at the Fighter's Retreat, The sibling's apprentices.h.i.+p, Isamu's time at the farmlands, the gang's first official mission with the Warrior's guild where they were rescued by Lily, and of course, their ascension to n.o.bility and Knighthood, the latter in Isamu's case.

'Wow.' Yes, even Gray was also feeling delightful while reminiscing the things that he achieved here in Silverhart despite only the pa.s.sing of a few months. 'Never thought I get to do this stuff in solely three months here. This is kind of nice. Something to talk about to the grandchildren in the future, hehe.'

"Oh, I envy you four." Stephania sighed deeply despite the adoring smile on her pretty face. "Your adventures certainly are unique, and I always wanted to see the sights all around this land, unchained by my family name. Of course, that's something that every n.o.blewoman such as myself would dream about, so it's really nothing new to fret about. You know Baron Gray, you do remind me a little of this das.h.i.+ng Bard who I've met some time ago at Flocaster."

A Bard?" Gray wanted some additional things to talk about aside from him and his companions, so he decided to go for a change of topic. "He seems kind of a fun gentleman to be around."

"A gentleman he may be, but he's a womanizer from the things that I've been hearing from him." Stephania giggled at the thought of the Bard. "Of course, not that I a.s.sumed that you're a womanizer mind you. It's just that, both of you possess a rather fun and charming personality if I boldly say so myself by the way you speak and your exploits. If the two of you ever meet, I have a feeling that you'll get along perfectly as well."

Gray only nodded in acknowledgment at her statement.

"Anyways, about him," Stephania added. "I'm not so blind as to pursue a serious romantic relations.h.i.+p with him, merely something that brings the benefit of love without actually being lovers. Such complicated affairs of romance would only bring trouble to me and my family. I'm not ready to be committed yet in a romantic sense.'

'In short, friends with benefits.' Gray thought in realization at her statement. 'Yup, nothing new that I heard about, at least back in my past life.'

"Well, you sure do boast some colorful moments yourself, my lady." Gray simply grinned sheepishly.

"Why yes," Stephania said dreamily. "Julian would always sing the most lovely songs and recite the most captivating poems to me while sweeping gracefully of my feet. Sadly, our relations.h.i.+p has to end when my two kill-joys of brothers threatened to cut off what makes him a man and chased him until the far ends of the town. Speaking of which, you did mention that you'll be heading to Flocaster at the Bardic University, correct?"

"Yep. Like I said earlier, the Headmaster wanted to meet me. Why do you ask?" Gray replied.

Stephania in response took out a letter from her pocket and shown it to Gray. "If it would not be so much of a trouble, I want you to give this letter to Julian at Flocaster. I know that such menial tasks are reserved for the servants, but my father and brothers recognize their own subjects. Additionally, they always visit the University and I fear that my servant might end up meeting them both and I just don't want to risk it. You on the other hand my lord is someone yet unknown and they won't go in their way to question a fellow n.o.ble with his own business."

"I see." Gray nodded in understanding as he received the letter. "My arrival here is indeed a convenience for you, haha. Very well, I'll deliver your letter to this not-lover of yours."

Stephania got the elf's joking term as she laughed sincerely in response.

With Gray's acceptance, naturally, he knows what is going to come next right in his very face.

u003cQUEST START!!u003eu003cA Musical Mayhemu003e

[Lady Stephania Walcot wishes for you to deliver a letter for her to some Bard name Julian at Flocaster.]

Quest Completion – Deliver the letter that was given to you by Stephania to the Bard Julian.

Quest Bonus: (???)

Quest Rewards: (???), (???)

u003cACCEPT QUEST?u003e YES / NO

Without question, Gray clicked YES on the Quest notification, officially accepting the task that was given to him.

And with that, the night continued with more conversation involving themselves and the town of Flocaster in general that Gray has been meaning to question Stephania.

***

Late-night has finally come and after the dinner and chat, it's a reasonable time for the people inside the Manor to retire to their own quarters in preparation for whatever tomorrow has in store.

To be more specific, it's now around 1 am in the morning and everyone is currently sound asleep.

Indeed, it's such a peaceful and blissful moment that everyone in the village grew accustomed to it.

But not for long…

While Lady Stephania was asleep harmoniously inside her quarters with her nightwear, an unknown shadowy figure of a man welcomed himself in her unaware presence, staring at the sleeping beauty with malicious intent and his true expression obscured by the current darkness of the unlit room.