"Young Master, after investigation, the young man that Lady Creya has taken a liking to is named Rein, a fourteen-year-old farmer's son, who is said to have considerable talent in swordsmanship."
"These past few days, Lady Creya has been giving him extra training, seemingly placing high value on his swordsmanship talent."
The noble youth, with a somewhat pale complexion, furrowed his brows and rhythmically tapped his fingers on the smooth wooden armrest of his chair. After a moment of thought, he spoke:
"Rulse, by the look of it, Creya has taken a fancy to the swordsmanship talent of that lowborn and intends to cultivate him as her own direct line, doesn't she?"
"Yes, Young Master Dennis," responded the attendant named Rulse, bowing slightly.
If Rein had been present, he would have recognized the youth sitting on the deer leather chair as the expressionless noble young master he had encountered once before.
"Then, let this matter be leaked to Alonso, the eldest son of the Habbs family. He has a far greater 'interest' in his sister Creya than we do."
"If he learns that his sister has begun to cultivate a direct line, he will surely be more agitated than we are."
At this point, the noble youth named Dennis revealed a sly smile on his face.
"As for this lowborn named Rein, his fate will be quite interesting to watch, hahaha!" Dennis couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"Young Master Dennis, your wisdom is truly rare in this world. This way, we can achieve your goal without having to lift a finger," Rulse said with a smile, complimenting him at just the right time.
Originally, Rulse thought his young master might order him to discreetly deal with the farmer's son, but that would risk directly offending Lady Creya.
However, he hadn't expected his young master to come up with such a scheme as 'using another's hand to kill' so quickly, one that could achieve their goal without bringing trouble upon themselves.
The master will be relieved!
Rulse served Baron Norman, having followed him in many battles during his younger years. Combining his robust personal strength with a bit of luck, he had survived and his skill had reached the level of a nearly commissioned Knight.
A nearly commissioned Knight is all set, just one step away from becoming a formal third-tier Knight Attendant.
However, due to Rulse's advanced age, the possibility of using an extremely precious Magic Potion to advance and break through to Transcendent was less than ten percent.
Therefore, the final arrangement had been for Baron Norman to appoint him as the chief guard of his eldest legitimate son, Dennis.
"By the way, Young Master Dennis, the day before yesterday Baron Norman asked if there's any chance you could establish a romantic relationship with Lady Creya before she leaves Meister County?"
Although he felt that asking this question might displease the young master before him, Rulse had no choice as Baron Norman was awaiting a reply, so he had to pluck up the courage to ask.
When Dennis heard his loyal subordinate ask this question, his face immediately darkened.
It was his sore spot!
He had earnestly pursued Creya, only to receive the response, "If you can defeat me in a spar, I'll consider it. Do you want to try?"
He would never forget that scene; he lasted only three seconds before embarrassingly admitting defeat!
Latterly, he devised various strategies hoping to win Creya over with sincerity and perseverance, following her to Habsburg Manor for Knight Attendant training.
But so much time had passed, and he had made no progress, let alone held Creya's hand, with establishing a romantic relationship seeming even further away!
Resorting to underhanded methods?
In terms of status, Creya is the daughter of Count Habs.
In terms of strength, she became an official knight at fifteen and is considered Meister County's top talent. Moreover, she is about to leave to enroll at the Dragong Imperial Royal Academy.
Having just become a third-tier Knight Attendant, if he dared to use any foul tricks, he would surely be squarely dealt with by Creya!
Recalling past beatings that left him with a swollen nose and bruised face, Dennis involuntarily shivered!
I wanted to lash out at Rulse, but after careful thought, I realized this was what my father wanted to inquire about. Feeling somewhat deflated, Dennis said, "Rulse, reply to my father that I am trying hard!"
"Go, call Tina over," Dennis demanded, suppressing the fury in his heart, and waved his hand dismissively.
"Yes, young master!" Rulse bowed respectfully and left the room.
Soon after, a slim girl with features somewhat resembling Cleya's walked timidly into the room and said fearfully, "Young master Dennis."
"Close the door and come here!" Dennis said, looking at the girl's fearful expression with disgust.
Although this girl named Tina had some resemblance to Cleya in her looks, the difference in her temperament and figure was like night and day!
But as a substitute, the bar couldn't be set too high; after all, if it were, none could be found. This girl was, in fact, the daughter of a tailor whom Rulse had scoured the Meister County for and finally stumbled upon with great difficulty!
Whenever Dennis was filled with rage with nowhere to vent, he would find her and lash out fiercely!
"Lift your head, Tina, and look at me! Imagine yourself as a noble from a prestigious family, unyielding and dignified!"
"Young master Dennis, I... I can't!"
"Useless thing! Then get down on your front!" Instantly, blood rushing to his head with rage, Dennis grabbed the poor maidservant, turned her back to him, and pressed her harshly onto the desk.
After a sound of fabric tearing, the maidservant's pleas for mercy followed!
"It hurts! Young master!"
"Shut up! Don't make a sound!"
The piteous maidservant could only stuff a roll of parchment into her mouth, while tears streamed down like pearls.
At first, when her father sold her to young master Dennis, she was secretly thrilled, thinking she would become the personal maid to a noble young master and step into a wonderful life.
But her mood quickly plunged from heaven to hell.
On the first day, Dennis treated her brutally, and she soon realized she was nothing but a stand-in for the high-born and beautiful Lady Creya in her own young master's heart.
No! Even saying she was a stand-in was overestimating her worth!
She was merely an object for her young master to vent his beastly lusts upon!
For three consecutive days, after bow training at the estate, Rein would head to the castle to learn the Giant Bear Sword Technique with Cleya.
Recently, the teachings felt a bit rushed to Rein.
Within a span of three days, Cleya had successively taught him "Furious Slash," "Leap Slash," and "Smooth Cleaving Slash."
At present, he had only just begun to grasp the first technique, "Furious Slash." He could only say he understood the method of channeling and exerting force for "Leap Slash" and "Smooth Cleaving Slash," but using them was still very clumsy.
This point would have to be improved upon with continuous practice and refinement.
That is, assuming he wouldn't use Skill Points.
By now, Rein had begun to guess that perhaps this was because the time of Cleya's departure was drawing nearer.
"Rein, today I'll teach you a defensive stance, which is the only defensive move in the Giant Bear Sword Technique. Come, attack me!" Cleya raised her fine eyebrows, signaling Rein to advance on her.