Just as Clorinde and King were at a stalemate and the atmosphere grew subtle, steady footsteps echoed from the end of the corridor.
Neuvillette's silhouette appeared beside the gap in the "Mountain of Gifts." He glanced at the corridor, which could be described as a disaster scene, and his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, though his excellent upbringing prevented him from commenting immediately.
His gaze swept over the blushing Clorinde, the subtly expressive Furina, and finally landed on the expressionless King.
"It seems I haven't arrived at the best time?"
Neuvillette's voice was calm and steady, breaking the awkward silence.
Furina, acting as if she had found a savior, immediately changed the subject. "No, Neuvillette, you've come at exactly the right time. I have a compensation claim regarding 'Lilianes Bakery' that needs you to..."
"Yes, I am aware."
Neuvillette interrupted her and looked at King, nodding slightly. "Mr. King, I have already handled that matter. It has nothing to do with you. The Opera Epiclese will fully compensate for all losses at Lilianes Bakery and provide additional consolation funds. Specialized personnel will also be responsible for the shop's reconstruction; it can resume business within three days at the earliest."
"Thank you." King thanked him concisely.
"It is my duty." Neuvillette paused, turned his gaze to his side, and stepped back half a pace. "Additionally, regarding your work arrangements... according to our previous communication, some 'troublesome matters' will gradually be handed over to you. To assist you, and to better ensure your daily life at the Opera Epiclese, I have arranged a personal maid for you."
Following his words, a petite figure walked out from behind him with a slight sense of restraint.
Her grayish-white short hair was neatly combed, and the cat ears on her head were slightly flattened due to nervousness. Her pale purple pupils were lowered, not daring to look directly at King.
She wore a black-and-white maid's dress that was simple in style but made of exquisite materials. Her hands were nervously clasped in front of her; it was Lynette.
"This is Miss Lynette. From today onward, she will be responsible for all your daily affairs at the Opera Epiclese."
Neuvillette introduced her in a business-like tone, as if this were a perfectly normal personnel arrangement. "Miss Lynette is exceptionally capable and has a steady temperament. I believe she will serve you well."
Lynette took a deep breath, stepped forward, and gave King a standard maid's bow. Her voice was thin but clear: "Lord King, good day. I am Lynette. I shall serve you wholeheartedly from now on. If you have any needs, please feel free to command me."
Her posture was impeccable, but her slightly trembling cat ears and lowered eyelids still betrayed her inner trepidation.
After all, the man before her was a terrifying existence that even her "Father," Arlecchino, was secretive about, and whom even "Childe" Tartaglia could not move in the slightest.
Being his maid... it was practically like dancing on the mouth of a volcano!
Furina looked at the newly arrived Lynette and then at Clorinde, who still hadn't given up. She suddenly felt that the top floor of her Opera Epiclese was about to become exceptionally "lively."
Neuvillette seemed completely unaware of the bizarre atmosphere, or rather, he deliberately ignored it.
He looked at King and spoke in a steady tone: "There is one more thing. There is a banquet at the Opera Epiclese tonight, primarily to welcome your official residency. Lady Furina should have already invited you."
Furina immediately chimed in: "Of course! Mr. King has already agreed to attend!"
King: "..."
Did I agree?
King looked at the scene before him—
Clorinde, who refused to stop bowing and had a burning gaze.
Neuvillette, whose motives were unclear and who had sent a maid.
Lynette, standing with her head bowed in trepidation.
And Furina beside them, her expression complex and clearly showing signs of jealousy... He suddenly felt that his peaceful life as a "shut-in" was likely gone forever... It was now noon.
The "sparring" incident between King and Tartaglia was like a giant boulder thrown into the calm lake of Fontaine; the ripples it stirred were far from dissipating.
And at the center of those ripples, the top floor of the Opera Epiclese, the atmosphere was subtle beyond description.
King currently had a massive headache.
He had temporarily pushed back Clorinde's "apprenticeship" offensive, but she clearly wouldn't give up easily.
Neuvillette had arranged for Lynette to be his maid; it certainly wasn't just for work considerations. What was he thinking?
And that cat-girl from the House of the Hearth—what deep meaning did Arlecchino have behind her?
The afternoon sun shone through the tall arched windows, casting bright patches of light on the polished floor of King's room.
Lynette was clearing the "Mountain of Gifts" in the corridor with startling efficiency, categorizing them and storing them in King's room. Those hands, usually used for magic tricks or holding weapons, were not at all hesitant when tidying gifts.
She organized the priceless "apprenticeship gifts" into categories—jewelry, tea, weapons, artworks—arranging them neatly and storing away items that weren't immediately needed to avoid taking up too much space.
Throughout the process, she maintained the silence and focus befitting a maid, only occasionally stealing a glance at King, who was sitting in a lounge chair, out of the corner of her eye.
Every time she caught a glimpse, she would immediately retract her gaze, her cat ears twitching unconsciously before she continued her work.
King leaned back in the lounge chair by the window, seemingly resting with his eyes closed, but in reality, he was silently observing this new maid.
Having a capable maid to handle chores was indeed a relief.
However, King knew Lynette came from the House of the Hearth, and behind her was the [Knave], Arlecchino.
Keeping her by his side was no different from having a pair of Fatui eyes nearby. However, for the moment, he truly had no reason to refuse Neuvillette's "kind" arrangement.
The KING template seems to come with a constitution that attracts trouble.
King rubbed his temples and sighed in his heart:'Soldiers to block the path, water to cover the earth. I'll deal with it as it comes.'
While his thoughts were drifting, Lynette had already finished cleaning the corridor and tidied the room meticulously.
She walked to a spot a few paces in front of King and stopped, bowing her head slightly. Her voice was calm and steady: "Lord King, the room has been tidied. Additionally, regarding tonight's banquet..."
She raised her pale purple eyes, stole a quick glance at the modern casual clothes King was wearing—which were completely out of place in the Opera Epiclese—and then quickly lowered her gaze again. "According to custom, attending a formal banquet at the Opera Epiclese requires wearing proper formal attire. I see that you do not seem to have prepared such clothing. Would you like me to contact a tailor for you, or... accompany you to a well-known shop in Fontaine to select a set?"
Her suggestion was perfectly reasonable, exactly what a competent maid should consider.
King was silent for a moment.
Formal attire? He didn't have any.
Previously, he had lived in seclusion at the Opera Epiclese, so it didn't matter what he wore. But tonight's banquet, judging by the tone of Furina and Neuvillette, seemed to be of a high standard. As the guest of honor, it would indeed be inappropriate for him to go dressed like this.
"Okay."
King nodded, accepting the suggestion, and stood up. "Let's go now."
"Very well, My Lord."
Lynette immediately stepped aside to clear the way. "I know of a few good shops. Please follow me."
The two of them walked out of the Opera Epiclese, one after the other.
The sun was just right. The gazes that pedestrians on the street cast toward King were even more complex, with curiosity mixed into their awe.
Clearly, the aftermath of the "Bakery Incident" was still fermenting.
Lynette walked quietly half a step behind King's side, neither too close to be annoying nor too far to miss a command.
She seemed very familiar with the streets of Fontaine, leading King through several bustling commercial streets and turning into a relatively quiet but exquisitely decorated high-end district.
"The 'Aqueous Flow Workshop' ahead is one of the oldest custom formal wear shops in Fontaine. Their craftsmanship and fabrics are top-tier."
Lynette introduced softly: "However, custom orders take time. If we are in a hurry, the neighboring 'Chioris Shop' likely has ready-to-wear sets for sale. The styles are novel and the tailoring is good; it can serve as an emergency option."