Sir

Niko and Talia now found themselves following this mysterious maid. She wore an all jet-black dress that covered down to her feet, decorated with crimson medals that shone ever so lightly on the falling sun. The wrinkles on her face implied she was a mature beauty, her straightened lips wrapping ever so tightly around her unreactive face.

From her unique mannerisms Niko could immediately tell that she was a serious and unfriendly person not unlike Talia. But where Talia was aloof and uncaring this maid seemed stern and strict.

Either way it became increasing clear to Niko that neither of these two girls would start a conversation on their own.

"So, when we reach Sir Alaric what will we talk about?"

The maid responded in her serious monotone voice.

"First of all it's 'Lord Alaric' to you."

"Second of all I am not aware, Sir Alaric will tell you that information himself."

The harsh intonations in her voice were alike to that of a tired mother scolding her misbehaving children.

Talia who had switched her attention from the bundle of rocks she had been counting dropped them to the ground at once to join the conversation.

"So when we reach Mr Alaric what will he do for us?"

The maid who looked like she had gained sentience for the first time stopped her in tracks to look Talia dead in the eye.

"How dare you. 'Lord Alaric' will never be required to do anything for you. If you imply any of the sorts again be prepared to say it with your head flying!"

Usually Niko would've stopped talking here, but it had been a week and he had failed to make any important questions, so he decided to continue probing the maid.

"Do you share the same belief system as Lord Alaric?"

"That question is irrelevant."

"Are you working here of your own accord."

"Of course."

"Do you have anywhere else to go?"

"Once again another irrelevant question, just keep walking we're almost at the estate."

Niko had already figured her out by now.

'So that's two nos and one yes.' He could tell from her demeanor that when she said 'irrelevant' what she really meant to say was 'no'. Although the biggest question on Niko's mind was that if she really didn't share the same belief system as Lord/Sir/Mr Alaric why was she still working here?

Although normal workers did receive a regular salary, it seemed that a woman such as herself likely would've been able to work as a maid elsewhere, there was clearly something tying her down to this place. Although it wasn't like there was any reason for Niko to figure out what stopped her from leaving.

Now realizing, that there was nothing he could get out of this Niko decided to shut up and let her lead the way.

The maid came to a gargantuan gate, the walls seemed to be made out of a thick titanium that would be almost impossible to break down. Not only that, but the walls were slippery meaning that climbing was inconceivable. Maybe if there was someone are the top that stood with a rope? Or perhaps the best method was to dig underground?

Either way the easiest method for the maid was to simply ring the bell, as she did so the gates doors creaked open once pressed. It seemed there was some kind of fingerprint system, maybe even facial tracking if there was a hidden camera nearby?

Niko and Talia gazed on ahead ini amazement as beyond the gates revealed a flower field ordained in beautiful noir black roses and inky velvet petunias scattered across, as a singular perfectly paved path lead straight to a ridiculously massive mansion.

"This is the Halstraad estate." remarked the maid.

"We're going to walk up to the office and not a peep will come from either of you. The moment we enter prostrate yourselves and do not under any circumstances speak until you are given permission directly by sir Alaric, am I understood?"

"Yes Ma'am!" Niko and Talia were on the same page immediately. Any screwups here meant that Alaric Vonn Halstraad might've had their heads

Luckily shutting his mouth was a skill Niko had learned very early on in the slums so when the maid opened the golden-plated doors and led them through the reception on a pristine velvet red carpet Niko paid no attention the young woman who seemed to be lazed about on the couch as a dozen butlers and maids crowded around her. 

Niko kept his face inhumanely straight but even from the corner of his eye he could see the girl staring him down. Grinning. As she approached the two her heels clacking away on the wooden part of the floor.

The young woman who seemed to be someone of importance towered over Niko she seemed to be a staggering 6'4, possibly even higher as it was hard to tell while looking directly forwards.

She had white hair and a red glittery dress with one slit that exposed up to her left thigh, her waist accentuated by what seemed to be a corset.

Her voice was deep with almost a soothing poshness to it.

"So you two are the new specials then are you?"

Although her words were phrased like a question Niko and Talia knew immediately that they weren't supposed to answer. The direct order was not to speak until given permission to by Sir Alaric. This was possibly a test of some sorts.

Niko completely ignored the girl, who clearly outranked him still gazing straight in front of him as he continued to walk.

She had now begun to wrestle her hands in Niko's hair pinching his ears as Niko elected to maintain his composure. Managing to not let out a single word as he followed behind the maid who had also been maintaining her silence.

"I'll be honest, I've never seen someone of your kind before, what mix are you?"

She was now clearly trying to goad him into speaking. Niko could immediately recognize that there was probably a serious penalty for speaking without Sir Alaric's permission and that this girl who seemed to be of some sort of nobility was most likely trying to get Niko punished.

She had now moved on to Talia as she carressed and pulled at Talia's long hair the maid led them up the stairs to which the sight of made the noble woman promptly return to her couch without saying a word.

Now approaching the door to the office at which the prestigious Sir Alaric lay the maid knocked on the door twice, as she did the door slowly opened revealing a titanic guard decorated in even more medals than the maid, his body more augmented than human seemingly that of titanium level or even higher.

But from a slight slit Niko's eyes met with the man all the way across the room sat at a desk menacingly scrutinizing Niko's every move before he had even stepped inside.

The master of the estate.

Sir Alaric Von Halstraad.