Gillian Merchant Group

Wind stared at Melissa intently and then said,

'Ask away. I need the job.'

When Melissa saw him ready to answer, she grew bored.

'It was more fun when you were against it.'

Wind replied,

'Do you want me to answer or not?'

Melissa said,

'Oh! I know I'll pretend I'm my brother and sit across from you to ask the questions.'

Melissa happily picked up a chair and placed it opposite Wind's chair. She sat on it and asked,

'So, you want to be my guard. Tell me, what is your reason for applying for this position?'

Wind looked at the ceiling and said,

'My master asked me to do it.'

Melissa nodded and asked,

'And why would your master be interested in you being my guard?'

Wind, still looking at the ceiling, answered,

'He asked me to do any work for the Gillian Merchant Group, and being your guard was the only work I could do.'

Melissa looked at the ceiling and saw... nothing interesting.

'Why are you looking there? There isn't anything.'

'I'm just being cautious. Don't worry about it,'

he answered while still looking at the ceiling.

She tilted her head in bewilderment.

'Cautious about what? Crows attacking you or a lantern falling on your head?'

'That... you'll have to hire me to find out.'

Melissa stood up.

'We'll see about that. I should go see how Gerald is doing.'

And with that, she started to walk away.

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A shy knock echoed through the dimly lit room, where a flickering candle was the only source of light.

The man, who had been immersed in acting out and reading the characters, was pulled out of his reverie to see that the little girl had already fallen asleep.

He got up, put the book back on the shelf, and walked outside to meet the visitor.

Opening the door, he was met with two figures: a hunched old lady wearing a maid uniform adorned with a tattered box insignia on the left side, holding a pair of handcuffs in her hands, and next to her stood a young woman wearing a similar attire, her face very animated.

The old lady spoke,

"Young master, why are you doing this? We can take care of the princess in your stead."

He smiled slightly and said,

"Get it over with, Shayla. I don't think it will be good for me to stay here for now."

As he spoke, he raised his arms, which were missing a few digits at different points.

Shayla raised the cuffs and, with the help of the young girl, cuffed the man's hands.

"Young master, please forgive me, but we have to do it."

Shayla said apologetically.

"You know, you're the only one who still considers me young. Thank you for the compliment."

Shayla smiled bitterly and said,

"Nina, walk with the young master to his room in the north tower."

The young maid nodded and started to guide the presumed young master.

"By the way, Shayla, I think Jaron's kid is interested in our new recruit."

he added casually.

Nina started to push him instead of pulling, her face turning red.

And so, they started walking away from the room, where the leaves that had been covering the window had fallen, letting the moonlight stream into the room.