SOTBW - 182

Maximón had his servants move everything from the dressing room to his private residence. Jacob had already sorted out the documents that needed to be handled first, so there was no inconvenience in working.

He signed the first document that needed to be sent to the office. Among the papers was one stating that Najane Schnicks would be dismissed from her position as a knight. Maximón stared at Najane’s name written on the paper, and without wanting to think about it any longer, he immediately stamped it.

There were many other numbers to check. The expenses from the knight’s order over the year, the remaining operating funds, and the ongoing sponsorship donations...

As Maximón was calculating to ensure the amounts were correct, he suddenly lifted his head. He heard footsteps coming from the previously quiet bedroom. He had been working here after wiping Najane’s body with a wet cloth following their intimate time.

Maximón was startled to realize that Najane was already awake. He approached the bedroom door and quietly opened it. There, he met Najane’s gaze as she wrapped herself in a cloth, her bare body partially covered. She quickly tried to cover her chest, blinking awkwardly in embarrassment.

“...I don’t have any clothes...”

“I put them in the laundry basket.”

“Ah... I see...”

Najane nodded awkwardly, slightly embarrassed, as she struggled to pull the blanket up. She felt a bit shy, wrapping herself in the blanket. But Maximón’s gaze, looking at her, was filled with affection. To him, the sight of Najane, wrapping herself in a blanket like a child, was only endearing.

“Didina will come by for lunch, so just ask her for clothes then.”

Maximón knew where Najane’s spare clothes were, but he didn’t tell her.

“Are you going to come out?”

Maximón leaned against the doorframe and smiled mischievously. Najane didn’t answer, only fiddling with the blanket. Maximón watched her cutely for a moment before suddenly lifting her up. Startled, Najane swallowed a scream.

Carrying her in his arms, Maximón brought her out into the living room, where she blinked at the desk and pile of documents prepared there. It was a familiar scene she had only seen in the dressing room.

Maximón sat in the chair, holding Najane tightly, and adjusted the blanket around her. Cradled like a baby, Najane blushed slightly.

“How’s your body?”

Maximón asked gently. Instead of saying she was fine, Najane smiled faintly. Relieved, Maximón continued to sign the documents while holding Najane in his arms. As Najane looked at the various numbers on the papers, she noticed a reference to the end-of-year party and lifted the paper.

“The end-of-year party is coming soon.”

“That’ll probably be your last duty as a knight.”

“I see…”

Najane didn’t say that she wanted to continue being a knight. But the disappointment was inevitably visible on her face. Maximón, feeling guilty, cautiously took Najane’s hand.

“Are you upset?”

Maximón’s voice was filled with regret. Najane, knowing how Maximón must have felt when stripping her of her knighthood, smiled calmly.

“Just a little. Really, just a little.”

When Gwyneth said she had to put down her sword, Najane had anticipated this outcome. Holding on to regrets would only bring pain. Not fighting Serith didn’t bring anything bad. There were still many things Najane could do. She could help with mercenary and boy soldier training, assist Maximón with his paperwork...

No matter how much time she had left, staying in the residence and being cared for was much safer than going into the field. Najane still had things to do. She couldn’t die until she found Luna.

She was about to ask if there had been any contact from Rockbell but stopped herself, pinching her nose. For a moment, she smelled a faint, bitter scent. Maximón quickly handed her a towel as he noticed. Fortunately, the nosebleed stopped after a brief flow of blood.

“Should I call a healing priest?”

Maximón looked anxious.

After confirming that the bleeding had stopped, Najane shook her head calmly.

“This is fine. More than that, I feel like I’m disturbing your work… I’ll go back to my room. After some rest, it’ll get better.”

“Najane.”

As Najane tried to get up, Maximón grabbed her waist. Stunned, Najane looked at Maximón with confusion. Maximón hesitated for a moment as if he were about to say something. Najane, adjusting the blanket that had slipped down to her shoulders, tilted her head slightly.

“Actually, there’s something I need to tell you.”

Maximón began quietly.

Seeing his serious expression, Najane too became serious.

“Is it something bad? If so, I’d like to prepare myself.”

“I’ve found Luna.”

Maximón said it plainly. Najane blinked slowly, her face showing that she didn’t fully understand the words she had just heard. However, despite her dazed expression, her lips began to tremble, and tears began to well up in her eyes. Maximón, noticing the redness in her eyes, spoke again.

“You’ll be able to meet your sister soon. In three days, I’ll go personally to bring her...”

Najane immediately threw her arms around Maximón’s neck. Startled, Maximón was unable to continue speaking. The sound of her sobs filled his ears. Looking down, Maximón slowly wrapped his arms around Najane’s waist. The emotions she was feeling seemed to flow through the contact of their skin.

Najane was crying out of happiness. Maximón had heard that tears come when you’re truly happy, but this was the first time he had seen it. A strange sensation enveloped him. Holding Najane, who was expressing her happiness with her whole body, Maximón felt his chest tighten, his back grow warm, and his nose tingle with emotion.

“Thank you, Maximón... truly, thank you so much...”

Najane’s crying, full of joy and relief, quickly softened Maximón’s heart. He scolded himself for thinking that he would only feel relieved once Luna was gone and wrapped Najane warmly in his arms. Making someone you love happy—it was something like this. So fulfilling, so moving, and so happily shared...

It was the first time in his life that he had acted solely for someone else, putting his own interests aside. The overwhelming and emotional sensation was new to Maximón. It was as if he had just taken his first steps and was looking up at the sky, completely caught in unfamiliar and strange feelings.

If only I had known how to make you happy a little earlier...

Maximón pressed his face into Najane’s nape and bit his lip hard. He would remember this regret clearly. With the thought that time was running out, his heart burned with guilt over the things he had done.

________________________________________

Maurice stared at the scattered papers with a weary expression. He had tried to figure out who had placed the paper detailing Lucas’ crimes in his room, but he couldn’t catch the culprit. However, one thing was clear—there was a servant in the mansion secretly collaborating with someone.

Grinding his teeth, Maurice threw the papers aside. Knowing that Lucas cherished Luna, he had tried to come up with another plan. If he could just find out who had left the paper here, he could figure out who was blackmailing him and why they wanted Luna.

Maurice interrogated and yelled at the servants until midday, but all he gained was a severe headache.

Staring at the papers scattered on the floor, Maurice slumped onto the sofa. He asked the maid, and she told him that Luna had fallen asleep in Lucas’ bedroom the previous night. If she had been smuggled out...

Lucas had extreme disdain for Maximón, believing that Maximón had taken what was rightfully his—Edwin’s affection, attention, honor, and wealth. Because of this, Lucas had to possess everything he believed was his, whether it was a person or an object.

Maurice, imagining Lucas’ heartbreak at losing Luna, sank deeper into thought. He felt a growing frustration in his chest as he tried to figure out how to deal with the situation without knowing who was blackmailing him.

Why Luna, of all people? Was the person behind this collecting beautiful slaves as a hobby? Or was Luna’s family trying to reclaim their daughter after all this time?

Maurice furrowed his brow as he pondered, then slowly lifted his head. Suddenly, he remembered something the expensive informant had said.

Luna Powley and the knight Najane Schnicks used the Powley-style swordsmanship...

Everyone at the Noctis fortress knew that Najane was Maximón’s lover. If Najane were related to Luna, she might have encouraged Maximón. The rumors of Maximón’s deep affection for Najane made this a very plausible theory.

Maurice slammed his hand onto the table in anger. In the end, all the evidence pointed to Maximón. If Maximón had orchestrated this, it meant that one of his agents was hiding in the mansion.

Troubled, Maurice sighed deeply. Fighting against Maximón was a reckless idea. If Maximón ever revealed the details of Lucas’ misdeeds written on those papers...

Imagining the worst possible scenario, Maurice repeatedly washed his face with cold water. No matter how many different angles he tried, no solution emerged. Maurice lacked the connections to cover up Lucas’ rape of the priest, and he had no means of threatening Maximón.

The best option was to give Luna to those who wanted her. That was the only way to protect Lucas.

Maurice muttered irritably, replaying the rumors that had been circulating about Najane.

“So the sisters were both whores.”

But how did they know Luna was here?

Maurice’ eyes narrowed with suspicion, then drooped helplessly. He couldn’t reach any conclusions no matter how much he thought about it. In the end, Maurice had to send Luna to Maximón, the very person Lucas cherished most, to protect the young master he had served for so long.

Since coming to the Noctis fortress, Lucas had felt no sense of purpose, but after meeting Luna, he had regained some vitality. If Maximón took Luna as well, what reason would Lucas have to live?

Maurice didn’t see Luna as a person. She was a slave, a mere toy for Lucas or a tool for his own pleasure.

Sighing heavily, Maurice rose from his frail body. Before sending Luna to Maximón, he needed to find a better slave. That might provide Lucas some comfort, though it would be better than nothing.

With a grim expression, Maurice wrote down the name of the slave trader who had gifted Luna on a piece of stationery.

[Dear Kieron Vieto,

The slave you previously gifted was greatly appreciated by my master. However, due to unavoidable circumstances, that slave has been given to another. I would like to procure a new slave with similar beauty and submissive demeanor, so if you have anything suitable, please contact me. This is an important matter, so I would appreciate a prompt response.

From Maurice, butler of the Elgort family.]