"I'm fine with Miss Lily being here, but I think it is far better for her to get permission first from her parents." Lucius said with a smile.
Lily smiled and nodded. "Yes, I do hope that everyone thinks it's a good idea. I will try my best to fulfill whatever position, Lord Asher needs of me, after all."
'It's a prompt trying to get agreement from everyone else. Will they actually say anything though?' Lucius thought. 'Viscountess Blackshield has relaxed more during her stay here in the Inanis Mansion, but she usually does not interfere with other matters. And as for Kiana, she always finds it in herself to intrude when it comes to me, just like the Countess.'
That was the conclusion that Lucius arrived in, but his influence on the other people was actually far larger.
"Hmm, Miss Lily, if Lord Asher here thinks that you are fit to work at his side and need only the permission of your parents, then I think it is better for you to have more confidence in yourself than to be shy with it," Viscountess Blackshield said.
"… I agree with that notion." Kiana said as she drew closer to the group. She approached to actually state her mind against Lily working here, but when Lord Asher said that he was only waiting for the confirmation of her parents, then it meant that it was a decision already to form up together and make a team.
And Kiana, while she gave advice to Lord Asher, also knew when to step out to allow him to make the decisions that he felt were the best.
'Lord Asher knows what he is doing… I cannot let this lingering feeling of dislike that I have for this girl to be something that prevents me from supporting Lord Asher. If this is what Lord Asher wants then so be it.'
Lily's expression brightened at their words. She hadn't even done anything much but it all worked out in her favor.
'This… this means that it's a yes, right? The Count and the Countess will both agree if everyone is happy with this arrangement.' Lily thought and glanced at Lord Asher's expression, wistful at what the handsome young man was thinking.
"If that is the case, then that is all good. I was actually thinking of recommending her to Miss Alessa in Dionysia's Brewery." Lucius finally admitted with a well-measured smile.
"Is that so?" Baroness Hugh's face lit up a little. She was someone who became close friends with Alessa already and actually liked the idea of it.
However, the expression of the energetic Lily suddenly became stone cold at those words.
'…Wait, he does not intend to let me stay by his side? He wanted me to work with the brewery and not with him? That… that is not what I intended for when I chose to stay here.'
Benjamin, Kiana and the Viscountess all saw the expression on her face and couldn't help but try hard to remain neutral.
Benjamin was the least happy because it still meant something.
'If she still accepts, I'm still going to have to take care of her. The benefit only lies with Lord Asher not having to deal with Lily… but that isn't necessarily a bad thing.' Benjamin thought.
'Ah, the misconception of things. You end up believing one thing but then it turns out to be an entirely diferrent matter altogether. What a life.' Viscountess Blackshield thought.
Kiana however, couldn't help but inwardly sigh in relief.
'This is what a young child like her deserves to get. She's nice, but someone like her will certainly distract and turn away Lord Asher's attention. Well, it won't turn away Asher's goals, but she would have been a nuisance that would be difficult to get rid of from my position.'
Kiana wasn't actually sure of what Lord Asher wanted, but so far, she thought that the man didn't like Lily that much.
'She has some use, but not enough for her to be kept at his side.'
The rest of the tour happened with less enthusiasm and more silence from Lily, but it was something that Lucius appreciated.
'If she were truly that interested in proving herself to me, then it's far better to see if she's willing to go that far, or if she simply wishes to pursue things when it's all in her favor.' Lucius thought. 'I require complete loyalty from all those who wish to serve me.'
The man was aware that there were things that were easier for some people, so it was necessary to measure their grit and determination.
But at the same time, Lucius really didn't care if the young woman stepped out or not.
She was good, but not that incredible. When Lucius used the Nexus to check on Lily's Gift, it wasn't actually outstanding enough to even be mentioned or thought upon.
Additionally, Lucius already had gotten the individual that he had aimed for when he attended the celebration banquet at Etara's Cross.
Benjamin Hugh was now on his side and would prove to be a useful asset. The reeducation center plan in Etara's Cross would play out and it was only the recruitment of the Masked Legion mercenaries that he was trying to confirm.
'There are other things on my mind, but securing additional funds and improving the publicity of the Masked Legion is what I'm choosing to focus on right now. Everything else is secondary.' Lucius thought.
When the tour came to an end, everyone was already exhausted by that point and decided it was time to return to the Inanis mansion.
"Hah, I haven't actually gotten much time to exercise, but I feel like I'm a changed man now that I've stayed here for less than three days." Baron Hugh chuckled as they sat down at the carriage. "I saw that everything has changed in Inanis since the last time that I have gotten here. I am interested in introducing it to Etara's Cross. What do I need to know to hire your mercenaries, Lord Asher?"
Follow current novels on (f)reew𝒆bnovel