The Valiant Steward

The Elven race had a very low reproductive rate. Compared to humans, their fertility was inversely proportional to their long lifespans.

As the eldest daughter of the Lais family, Sera had been pampered since childhood... Even when, thanks to Simon's relentless efforts, she gained two younger brothers over the course of several centuries, she still held a pivotal position in the family and was cherished like a precious treasure.

This was mainly because her two younger brothers were absolutely terrified of her, having grown up under their older sister's meticulous care.

Within the family, only Simon, acting as both father and patriarch, could keep her in check.

It was only later, when Sera met Yorid, that her temperament mellowed out a bit.

This seemingly honest and stoic man... if she bullied him too far, he would actually push back, fiercely grabbing both of her wrists with just one hand and pinning her against the wall...

When she was with Yorid, she felt a sense of equality and respect. He did not treat her like the noble daughter of a prominent family, but rather as an ordinary woman.

As if by fate, Sera and Yorid got together.

Even after they were married, Sera still loved to tease her husband. After provoking him, she would find herself fiercely pinned against the bed...

And then came Joli.

...

"Ah, it's you!"

Upon recognizing Aina's face, Sera subconsciously pointed at her and exclaimed.

Simon's face instantly turned ashen. In the presence of a being like Aina, Sera's behavior was incredibly disrespectful.

"Sera! What are you doing? Apologize to Lady Aina at once!" Simon cried out. He then hurriedly bowed deeply to Aina. "I am so incredibly sorry, Lady Aina... Sera is my eldest daughter. I have been lax in my discipline, so the child lacks proper manners..."

"Child?" Aina scoffed coldly. "She is no child. A grown woman like her, behaving in such a manner?"

Cold sweat beaded on Simon's forehead. He knew full well that the person standing before him was a truly omnipotent being.

Even their massive Lais family could be wiped out with a mere flip of her hand, should she wish it.

Of course, she wouldn't actually do such a thing... but Simon did not want to leave even the slightest bad impression on her, as it could very well impact the future development of the Lais family.

"Heh, a child who is several centuries old. How utterly absurd." Aina shook her head, feigning solemnity.

"I... I am so sorry." Sera finally snapped back to reality, hastily stammering out an apology.

"Since your Lais family cannot discipline her properly... then let her stay by my side for the next few days. I shall discipline her for you," Aina stated. Her voice was crisp and not overly loud, yet it left absolutely no room for argument.

"Yes, Lady Aina," Simon replied.

Simon breathed a sigh of relief. Following by her side might not necessarily be a bad thing; in fact, it could even be a fortuitous opportunity for Sera.

Xia Lun stood by Aina's side, his face tense and devoid of expression... though in reality, he was desperately holding back his laughter.

Aina had, of course, only said those things to help Sera get out of her arranged blind date.

Sera seemed to have guessed Aina's intentions as well. She walked over obediently and stood just behind Aina's right side, half a step behind Xia Lun, looking exactly like a dutiful maid.

Simon then began to guide Aina on a tour of the Lais family estate.

From the forest floor up into the canopy of the giant tree... encompassing everything upon the colossal tree beneath their feet, the Lais family's territory was remarkably vast. It would likely take several days to explore it all at a leisurely pace.

Naturally, Simon did not intend to show Aina every single corner of the Lais estate. Ancestral ruins, the collection room... Simon primarily took Aina to places rich with history.

After all, he simply could not fathom why Aina had suddenly graced their family with a visit... He could only assume that Aina had some sort of connection with one of their ancestors.

However, Aina appeared rather uninterested the entire time. Only the butler beside her would occasionally converse with him.

Simon found it a bit strange. Given Aina's status, hiring such a young and handsome man as her butler... especially one who wasn't even a Vampire, but a human... made it hard not to let one's imagination run wild.

But it was merely a passing thought; Simon naturally wouldn't dare voice such questions aloud.

"Mr. Simon... As the patriarch of the Lais family, I imagine you must be quite busy on a regular basis, yes?" Aina suddenly asked.

"Ah... yes." Simon immediately grew nervous again, unsure as to why Aina would suddenly ask such a question.

"Then you may go attend to your duties. Having Sera accompany me on my stroll will be sufficient." Aina casually wiped her hands with a handkerchief, exuding an air of supreme elegance and nobility with her every movement.

"As you command." Simon took his leave, shooting his daughter a meaningful glance before he departed, silently urging her to perform well.

"Um... Lady Aina?" Sera spoke up tentatively.

"There's no need to be so formal. You are someone I approve of; I am quite fond of you," Aina said with a smile. "Just relax and be yourself. I've enjoyed our chats."

Sera had mistakenly assumed that she and Xia Lun were a young, newlywed couple... and that assumption had directly struck Aina's sweet spot, both the young part and the newlywed part.

"Phew—" Sera breathed a sigh of relief. As if dropping her disguise, her entire demeanor instantly became a bit more relaxed and lazy.

"I never would have guessed that you possessed such a status," Sera marveled. Then, she looked at Xia Lun standing beside Aina and suddenly realized something. "Ah... mm."

Sera tightly covered her mouth, stopping herself from voicing her question aloud, but her eyes were brimming with absolute disbelief.

After all, everyone knew... the husband of this Vampire Mage was none other than the legendary Hero.

And yet, she had previously bumped into Aina and Xia Lun strolling intimately arm in arm through the streets.

Sera felt incredibly anxious.

Oh no, was she going to be silenced for knowing too much?

"This is Xia Lun, my husband. In other words... well, you know." Aina gave Sera a mysterious smile.

"Oh! I see." Sera actually breathed a sigh of relief. She looked at Xia Lun in awe and said, "My Lord, to think you are actually still alive. I grew up listening to the stories of your exploits."

The Elven race was always rather obtuse when it came to matters of lifespan, so she didn't realize there was anything strange about that statement.

"I hope you will keep this matter a secret," Xia Lun said with a light cough. "Besides, my current identity is merely a butler to... Lady Aina."

For Aina to voluntarily reveal the truth like that was indeed quite willful of her.

However, since she possessed memory-altering magic, she wasn't particularly worried about the situation spiraling out of control.

"That's right, Xia Lun. You must fulfill your duties properly." Aina extended a hand and pulled off her translucent black lace glove. Xia Lun took her hand, bowed slightly, and pressed a gentle kiss to her palm.

Sera blinked.

Roleplay?

She and Yorid used to play like that, too.