Elf Island(3)

"Dammit, I should've taken her in right from the start," Leon thought, surveying the aftermath of the situation. Observing the scene and recalling what he had heard, he firmly resolved: such mistakes could not be repeated in the future. With this thought, he turned his attention back to the elves standing before him.

"W-what have we done wrong, my lord viscount?" asked one elf, barely able to remain on his feet, his voice trembling with fear.

"Viscount?" Yumeria whispered quietly, instantly recalling Leon's name. He was a well-known figure among the elves: it was thanks to him that the reason why so many of their kin disappeared in the ruins had come to light. Some respected him for it; others feared him.

Leon cast a cold glance at the elves and abruptly raised his voice.

"For your barbaric behavior!"

The echo of his words rippled across the square, causing the elves to shuffle nervously. Giving them no time to offer excuses, he pulled several letters from his pocket and threw them at their feet.

"Deliver these to the leaders of your villages," Leon said, his voice sharp with irritation. Then, fixing them with a heavy gaze, he added firmly, "Do it quickly, and get out of here."

Finishing his command, Leon pulled out a Desert Eagle and, holding it in one hand, fired into the air. The deafening sound shattered the silence, driving two of the elves into a panic. Without looking back, they bolted.

Left alone with Yumeria, Leon turned to her, his stern expression softening into a kind smile. He approached her slowly, careful not to frighten her.

Seeing his gentle expression, Yumeria felt her anxiety ease slightly. As Leon drew near, he spoke quietly but confidently.

"Miss Yumeria, would you join me on my ship? We need to discuss something important."

"Huh?" she responded, bewildered, not fully understanding what was happening.

Before she realized it, she followed Leon toward the shipyard, where her attention was immediately drawn to his vessel. Yumeria's eyes widened in amazement—before her stood a massive airship, its size and architecture utterly breathtaking.

"This ship... is it yours?" she whispered, hardly believing that such a young man could own something so magnificent.

Leon didn't answer. Instead, he gestured for her to come aboard.

Once inside, Yumeria initially felt uneasy—the thought of being in an enclosed space with a man made her nervous. But after an hour, her fears began to dissipate. Leon was calm and composed, and their conversation soon turned into a friendly dialogue. He shared stories of his travels, discussed elven culture, and, with each word, Yumeria found herself feeling more at ease in his presence.

At one point, Leon unexpectedly pulled a sheet of paper from his pocket and handed it to Yumeria.

"What is this, my lord?" she asked, curious, studying the document carefully.

"It's a contract, Miss Yumeria," Leon replied with a slight smile. "I'd like to hire you as my maid."

"Huh? W-why?" she asked, her eyebrows shooting up in confusion.

Leon explained calmly:

"You see, I'm a viscount. And as you probably know, viscounts usually have numerous servants—maids, butlers..."

Yumeria nodded in agreement. She had worked for a noble before and knew this to be true.

"Well," Leon spread his hands, "I don't have any."

Yumeria stared at him in astonishment, unsure how to respond.

"I'd like you to become my first maid," he continued, clarifying. "Moreover, I'd like you to take the position of head maid. Everything you need to know is outlined in the contract." He pointed to the document in her hands.

Yumeria hesitated. She was already inclined to decline—the thought of her son, Kyle, who could return at any moment, weighed heavily on her heart. However, out of courtesy, she took the contract and began to read it carefully.

At first, she skimmed it without much interest, but as she read further, her curiosity grew.

First, it guaranteed her a decent salary, far surpassing what she had ever earned before.

Second, the contract included a clause ensuring her complete safety: under the viscount's protection, she wouldn't have to fear for her health or her life.

But most importantly, it stated that Leon would allow her to live on his estate with her family.

This particular detail made her heart soar. If she ever found her son Kyle, she would be able to bring him to a safe and secure place.

Yumeria smiled faintly to herself, feeling the heavy burden on her soul begin to lift. After a brief moment of deliberation, she realized this was an opportunity she couldn't pass up.

"I accept," she finally said, taking the quill in hand and signing the contract.

Hearing her words, Leon's warm smile deepened.

"It will be an honor to work with you, Miss Yumeria."

He extended his hand for a handshake.

Blushing slightly, Yumeria reached out her hand. Their hands met, and Leon gave her a gentle shake.

"Welcome to House Bartfort."

With that, they set off toward the Bartfort estate.