Bridget leaned back slightly, her elbow resting lazily on her raised knee as she twirled the whiskey bottle in her hand, the amber liquid sloshing gently.


    She grinned broadly.


    "Hey, what''s up with that long face?" she asked, her tone carrying the playful edge of someone who enjoyed poking at others.


    Edward barely spared her a glance, his expression sharp and bordering on disgust.


    "Because I stumbled upon a disgusting sight," he retorted, his voice clipped, almost daring.


    His eyes, however, never lingered on Bridget.


    Instead, they locked on the door behind her, the one he had been searching for all along.


    The petite maid, sitting on the dirt path with one leg stretched out and the other bent casually, stopped mid-sip from her flask.


    Her short hair shifted slightly as she tilted her head upward, her expression filled with curiosity.


    "Hey, Bridget, who''s this rude person?" she asked, pointing her flask lazily in Edward''s direction.


    Bridget chuckled, her laugh deep and hearty, almost mocking.


    She tapped the side of her whiskey bottle as though emphasizing her point.


    "Oh, remember that Amelia girl I mentioned?


    He worked in the same mansion as her," she said with a smirk, taking a long swig from her bottle and letting out a satisfied exhale.


    The mention of Amelia seemed almost an afterthought to her, a casual connection she threw out without much care.


    "Though," Bridget added with a sly grin, tilting her head to get a better look at feminine butler,


    "I don''t know who that cutie is with him."


    Her tone was playful, but her sharp eyes betrayed her intrigue.


    Edward''s focus didn''t waver.


    His gaze remained fixed on the door, his sharp features locked in concentration as though mentally mapping his next move.


    His response was dismissive, almost automatic.


    "Oh, this sweetie? He''s my best friend, and he''s a boy," he said, pointing toward the feminine butler beside him without turning his head.


    Bridget raised an eyebrow at Edward''s remark, her smirk deepening as she turned her attention to Ren.


    "This cutie''s your best friend?" she repeated, her tone dripping with amusement.


    "Well, well, I didn''t think you''d have a friend this pretty, Ed-boy... or that matter making friend."


    Ren blinked, his elegant composure faltering slightly as Edward''s words registered.


    His sharp gaze flicked to Edward, a mixture of confusion and disbelief crossing his refined features responding to what just Edward said.


    His posture stiffened, and his lips parted for a brief moment, as if he were about to protest, but he quickly caught himself.


    His eyes narrowed slightly, silently questioning Edward''s sanity while his shoulders tensed.


    Though he said nothing.


    Cecilia, perched elegantly halfway up the staircase, raised her whiskey glass with deliberate grace.


    The motion was fluid, her every movement exuding control.


    She took a slow sip, her lips curling into a playful smirk as she eyed the pair.


    "Oh my," she purred, her voice dripping with amused sensuality.


    "A hard, muscular man and a pretty boy.


    This is not bad at all."


    She licked the rim of her glass slowly, a deliberate, teasing motion that added weight to her words.


    Ren stepped forward, his composure snapping back into place like a blade returning to its sheath.


    He offered a polite smile, the picture of refined dignity.


    "Ehmm, my apologies, ladies," he began, his voice steady and measured.


    He clenched his right fist and placed his left palm over it at chest height, his posture impeccable.


    With a subtle bow, he continued,


    "My family name is Jianyu, symbolizing purity; my given name, Ren, signifies the lotus, a flower of resilience and grace.


    I am a loyal servant of Lady You Mei Xuan of Huaxia.


    Please, you may call me Ren."


    Edward snorted audibly, his lips curling in disdain.


    His piercing gaze shifted briefly to Ren, filled with open disappointment.


    "Ladies..." he muttered under his breath, the word dripping with sarcasm, as though the very notion offended him.


    Cecilia''s smirk widened, her amusement barely contained.


    She tilted her head slightly, the golden light catching the edges of her glasses as she regarded Ren with a mix of intrigue and approval.


    "My, what a charming introduction," she said smoothly.


    Raising her glass in a mock toast, she added, "The name''s Cecilia Vaughn."


    Her voice carried a sultry undertone, and her gaze lingered just long enough to make Ren uncomfortable.


    "And that fun-sized maid down there is Felicity Wade."


    "Say short if you don''t want to use petite!" Felicity snapped, her cheeks puffing out indignantly as she glared up at Cecilia.


    Despite her tone, she didn''t bother to adjust her lounging position, one hand still idly swirling whiskey into her flask.


    Cecilia giggled softly, the sound light but pointed, as though she enjoyed Felicity''s irritation.


    The edges of her smirk remained firmly in place.


    "And Bridget Helvig," Bridget announced, her voice booming with pride.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    She rose slightly, raising her whiskey bottle like a trophy.


    "Servant to Her Royal Highness Dorothea Alexandra Evangeline Caerwysg, Student Council President of Saint Aelric''s Academy."


    Her tone was laced with smugness, the kind of confidence that dared anyone to challenge her.


    Edward''s expression froze, his sharp features betraying a flicker of recognition at the mention of Dorothea''s name.


    His jaw tightened briefly, but he said nothing, his focus still torn between the maids and the door he so desperately wanted to investigate.


    Cecilia leaned further into her palm, her whiskey glass now held lazily in her other hand.


    Her smirk deepened as she turned her attention to Edward, her eyes glinting with mischievous curiosity.


    "And you, handsome, what''s your name?" she asked, her tone playful but with a deliberate edge designed to unsettle.


    Edward''s response was immediate and deadpan.


    "Excalibur Explosion the Thirteenth," he said, his tone so serious.


    Cecilia''s smirk faltered for a fraction of a second, her elegant facade cracking under the weight of her own confusion.


    Her brow furrowed slightly, and the corners of her lips twitched as she tried to process whether Edward was joking or serious.


    "Excalibur Explosion...?" she repeated under her breath, the words rolling awkwardly off her tongue.


    Bridget threw her head back, laughing uproariously.


    Her hearty guffaws echoed through the quiet space, her entire frame shaking with amusement.


    She slammed her whiskey bottle lightly against the ground, barely managing to keep her balance as she laughed harder.


    Ren''s composed expression returned, though his eyes betrayed the faintest flicker of exhaustion.


    His sharp features remained perfectly arranged, but the slight droop of his shoulders and the resigned sigh he suppressed were clear indicators of his inner turmoil.


    His thoughts screamed louder than words ever could, his gaze fixed on Edward as if silently asking, Why are you like this?


    Felicity, on the other hand, sat up straighter, her expression lighting up with genuine awe.


    "That''s your name?!" she exclaimed, her tone filled with childlike wonder.


    Her short hair bounced slightly as she leaned forward, her eyes wide and sparkling.


    "So COOL!" she added, clapping her hands together in delight.


    Bridget leaned back, her whiskey bottle tilted lazily in her hand as she let out a hearty laugh.


    "Don''t believe him, Felicity.


    His name''s Edward.


    A plain name, even for his appearance, right?" she teased, her grin wide and mocking.


    Edward''s jaw tightened, his annoyance barely concealed.


    His teeth ground together audibly, and his narrowed eyes darted toward Bridget, silently promising retribution for insulting his name.


    "Ugh, bummer." Felicity sighed, her shoulders slumping as she returned to snacking.


    "Then why lie?" she muttered, clearly disappointed.


    Bridget chuckled, shaking her head.


    "That''s just him," she said, waving a dismissive hand.


    "He never gives his name when asked.


    Rude, right?


    What kind of butler acts like that?"


    Edward straightened, placing a hand on his chest with exaggerated pride.


    "My name is for me, not for others to use as they please," he declared.


    "It was given to me by my lady, and I''ll share it with no one."


    Ren blinked in confusion written plainly on his face.


    "That''s... not how names work," he said hesitantly.


    "Strange way of thinking," Felicity added, quirking an eyebrow as she popped another bizarre snack into her mouth.


    Cecilia adjusted her glasses with two fingers, her sharp gaze glinting as a smirk tugged at her lips.


    "So," she began slyly, "what was your name before?"


    Before Edward could respond to Cecilia''s probing question about his name, Bridget''s voice boomed, cutting through the conversation with deliberate force.


    "So, you''re the butler of that ambassador family from Cathay," she exclaimed, her tone loud and sudden, as though eager to steer the topic elsewhere.


    Her grin was sharp, but her eyes flickered briefly toward Edward, betraying a glimmer of something deeper—perhaps a desire to divert the conversation away from dangerous territory.


    Cecilia''s knowing expression didn''t falter.


    She closed her eyes and leaned back slightly, letting Bridget''s interruption slide without comment.


    Ren, ever poised, caught the shift immediately.


    His smile widened as he took Bridget''s cue, smoothly brushing past his own curiosity about what happen.


    "Yes, Ms. Helvig," he said, bowing slightly.


    "Our house has been entrusted by the Emperor with the task of leading a trade mission to your kingdom.


    It''s not just about bringing goods from Huaxia but also representing the entire Silk Road region and the greater lands of Cathay."


    Cathay—a term commonly used by western continent for the distant eastern lands—was a relic of old maps and fragmented tales brought back by merchants.


    Though Huaxia and its neighboring kingdoms had their own names for their realms, the word had endured in Avilon, carried a sense of wonder and exoticism, conjuring images of silks, spices, and mythical creatures.


    For Ren, it was a convenient term, one that bridged the gap between two vastly different worlds.


    Edward took a step closer to Ren, sidestepping cautiously like a crab.


    Lowering his voice slightly—but not enough to avoid being overheard—he muttered,


    "Listen, buddy, keep them talking."


    Ren''s brow furrowed slightly, his composure faltering just enough to reveal his confusion.


    "Buddy?" he echoed under his breath, clearly baffled.


    Just moments ago, Edward had mockingly called him ''sweetie'', a pointed jab at his delicate features.


    Now, this sudden shift to "buddy" left him wondering when their relationship had supposedly evolved.


    Edward pressed on, undeterred.


    "Focus on the boorish one—she''s the alpha... of this pack of animals."


    "Oi! I heard that!" Bridget barked, her whiskey bottle slamming lightly against the step.


    Her smirk widened, though her eyes flashed with mock irritation.


    "Ha! Apparently, we''re pack animals now," Felicity giggled, clearly amused.


    Cecilia tilted her head, her smirk turning wicked.


    "Well, if I''m an animal, I wouldn''t mind devouring you boys... slowly," she said, her voice dripping with sensual mischief as she traced the rim of her glass with one finger.


    Ren, unfazed, raised an eyebrow.


    "What for?" he asked, genuinely curious.


    Edward ignored Cecilia''s comment and leaned in closer to Ren, his tone more conspiratorial.


    "Can''t you see? Their behavior is more outrageous than mine for walking on the grass.


    They''re drinking in broad daylight, on school grounds, during working hours."


    Ren blinked, his refined composure faltering for a moment as realization dawned.


    He straightened, his gaze flicking between the maids.


    "That... does seem improper."


    "Oi! What are you whispering about?" Bridget called, narrowing her eyes.


    Edward quickly shifted the subject, glancing at Felicity with a sly grin.


    "Hey, buddy," he said to Ren, "I hear your people can ride dragons on their heads."


    Felicity''s flask slipped from her hands, spilling its contents onto the dirt as her eyes widened in shock.


    She gasped, her mouth falling open.


    "Y-you actually ride dragons? How? Why on the top of the head? Do you need a saddle or something?" she blurted, her voice a mixture of awe and frantic curiosity.


    Edward smirked, a flicker of satisfaction in his expression.


    His plan was clearly working.


    Even Cecilia and Bridget, who had initially been indifferent, now seemed intrigued.


    Cecilia adjusted her glasses, the faintest glint of interest sparking in her sharp eyes, while Bridget tilted her head, her smirk fading into genuine curiosity.


    Ren, ever composed, offered a calm and measured explanation.


    "No, we don''t ride them in the conventional sense.


    We simply stand motionless on their heads and let them fly.


    It''s said that if your mind is clear and free of impurities, you can communicate with the dragon and guide it where you want to go."


    Felicity''s head snapped toward Cecilia, her face lighting up like excited child.


    "Talk to dragons?! Is that even possible?" she asked, her voice rising in excitement as she leaned forward.


    Cecilia, maintaining her composed demeanor, gave a thoughtful answer.


    "Well, fishermen communicate with dolphins using signs to ask for directions to a herd of whales.


    It''s not entirely impossible."


    Her lips curved into a faint smirk as she added,


    "But dragons? They''re not exactly known for their intelligence.


    They''d probably try to devour you before holding a conversation."


    Bridget snorted.


    "Yeah, dragons are dumb.


    Just stay out of their line of sight, and they think you''ve vanished."


    "Shut up, Bridget," Felicity snapped.


    "You know nothing about dragons—or anything, for that matter!"


    Bridget''s grin turned feral.


    "Huh? I punched a dragon in the face once."


    "That wasn''t a dragon! That was a wyvern!" Felicity shot back, exasperated.


    Bridget folded her arms, looking smug.


    "Wyvern, dragon juvenile—same thing."


    "Just shut up, you muscle head!" Felicity groaned.


    "You wouldn''t understand the romance of riding a dragon!"


    Felicity turned back to Ren, her excitement reignited.


    "If you can talk to dragons, can you ask them to put a saddle on their backs near their wings?"


    Ren chuckled softly, shaking his head.


    "You seem to have the wrong image of dragons from my homeland, Ms. Wade.


    Our dragons are serpentine, like great flying snakes.


    They swim through the air as if it were water.


    Imagine several Plownonida trams in a row, and you''re standing on the very front."


    "That''s... bigger than any dragon I''ve ever heard of," Felicity breathed in awe, her eyes wide as her imagination raced.


    "Fascinating." Cecilia adjusted her glasses, her gaze sharpening with curiosity.


    "How does something that enormous, and without wings, manage to take to the skies?" she asked, her tone deliberate, as though dissecting a puzzle she couldn''t quite piece together.


    "Definitely not by sneaking, right, Ed-boy?" Bridget''s voice cut through the air, sharp, carrying the weight of her presence.


    It wasn''t just her words that froze everyone—it was the sound that followed.


    A faint clink of chains broke the stillness, subtle yet chilling, as if the links themselves had moved before she did.


    The loose chains dangling from the shackles she wore as accessories swayed briefly, their metallic whisper carrying an unspoken warning.


    Before anyone could react, her hand shot out with unerring precision, gripping Edward''s ankle like a steel trap.


    Her words and actions struck simultaneously, cutting through the moment like a whip.


    Everyone turned, their gazes following hers, only to see Edward halfway through opening the door behind them.


    His hand hovered over the handle, his body angled as though he was seconds away from slipping inside unnoticed.


    "Eh?!" Felicity yelped, dropping her flask again.


    Even Cecilia raised an eyebrow, visibly startled.


    "When did he—?"


    Ren''s refined composure faltered.


    His dark eyes darted between Bridget''s unyielding grip and Edward''s halted escape.


    The clink of the chain lingered faintly in his ears, a sound both deliberate and eerie.


    As if she had moved with the inevitability of a spring-loaded mechanism, Ren couldn''t help but feel a flicker of respect mixed with disbelief.


    Edward clicked his tongue in irritation, his sharp features tightening in a mix of annoyance and resignation.


    He didn''t try to pull away; he knew better.


    "Tch. Figured you''d notice," he muttered under his breath, clearly disgruntled but not surprised.