"Don't worry, Amelia, as long as you're willing to stay with me, you will always be my maid," Laine gently patted Amelia's petite shoulder and said softly.
Only then did the little maid's complexion improve somewhat. In that moment just before, a hundred thoughts raced through Amelia's mind; she knew that this journey to the Empire meant that Laine and Surya had surely discovered something.
After settling Amelia, Laine turned to Surya and said, "Surya, I'll trouble you to take care of Teresa and Veronica. I'll go bathe first, and then I need to meet Her Highness Mogiana immediately."
"Alright." The female knight knew that Laine had something to discuss with Mogiana.
"Master, follow me." The Dark Elf Maid led Laine towards the bathroom, a strange and eager look in Ollica's amber eyes. "Please allow me to assist you in bathing."
"Alright." Upon entering the steamy bathroom, a large tub of hot water was already prepared. Under Ollica's care, Laine removed his clothing and immersed himself in the water. "Thank you, Ollica. How's everything in the domain lately?"
"Everything is well, master. Since the Winter Festival, everyone has been resting, and nothing major has happened," the Dark Elf said as she undressed and gently scrubbed Laine's back. With Laine's mischievous movements, her long black hair quickly became wet, and the Dark Elf Maid's face slowly turned red. She embraced Laine from behind. "Master... I am out of magic power... I need magic power."
"Of course! I want it all!" Laine chuckled mischievously, lifting Ollica into his arms and dipping into the water together.
... Bathing divider ...
An hour later, Count Glamorgan's domain, Count's castle, Lake Fairy Tower.
The bath left him refreshed in every sense; with his hair still a bit damp, the Count arrived at the entrance of the Lake Fairy Tower. The tower, belonging to the Goddess, was emanating a holy glow, enveloped by the Lake Fairy's burning divine power. The exterior cold had no effect on the dense mist within the valley, still swirling around the tower attributable to the Goddess, ensuring unwelcome visitors would be deterred.
Laine was clearly not an unwelcome visitor. The Count made his way smoothly to the tower, and even before getting close, the Lake God Witch Mogiana was already standing at the front of the tower, waiting for him.
Today, the Lake God Witch was wearing a moonlight white snow-colored silk long dress with a cinched-in waist, presenting an elegant silhouette to the onlookers. On her head was a golden floral crown, and beneath the dress, her petite feet were clad in white velvet stockings, stepping on a pair of creamy white pointed high heels. Seeing Laine arrive, Mogiana's stunning face showed both a bit of joy and a trace of deep resentment. "You came quite early; I thought you wouldn't be here for a few more days."
"I have some urgent matters to discuss with you, my lady," Laine quickly approached.
"Just as well, I have something I want to discuss with you, Lady's Champion." Mogiana gently welcomed him, proactively taking Laine's hand and leading him inside. "It's quite an urgent matter. Richard couldn't make a decision and sent word to me immediately."
Laine's heart skipped a beat, and he tentatively asked, "Is it about the Knight King's abdication and succession?"
"No, Richard does intend to abdicate, but that's not happening anytime soon. It's about another matter," Mogiana, feeling hot at the touch of Laine's large hand, her legs slightly weakened, simply linked arms with him, leaning against him. "It's about Duke Theodoric of Borelion."
"His Grace the Duke Theodoric?" Laine was puzzled and asked repeatedly, "What happened? Was he consumed by the undead?"
"No," Mogiana said as she led Laine to a table on the first floor, taking out a special lawsuit sealed by over a dozen Borelion lords, knights, and merchants. Mogiana's expression was quite conflicted as she introduced the situation to Laine.
"Duke Theodoric was discovered having an affair with a Count's wife under his vassalage, thus involving a major Kingdom scandal! Through a series of discoveries and accusations, Duke Theodoric de Borelion was found to have affairs with wives of nineteen noblesโtwo counts, three barons, and five Kingdom Knights under his command in total!"
"These nineteen nobles jointly issued a special lawsuit against King Richard, demanding action against His Grace Theodoric, and His Majesty Richard couldn't make a decision, so this special lawsuit was sent to me."
"???" Laine's jaw dropped, thinking, that Duke Theodoric really has his ways!
"I don't know how to make a decision for a moment, Laine, you're the Lady's Champion. What do you think?"
Mogiana raised her head, looking at Laine.
"Um, I think..."
