The fantastical encounter reached its climax when Lusav shattered the silence once more, hurrying towards me with urgency. His brow glistened with sweat, illuminated by the sun's gentle rays reflecting off his golden locks.
"My lady," he stammered, his voice quivering with remorse as he hastily began to apologize for his actions. "I... I failed to recognize you. I am prepared to accept any punishment you deem fit." His words tumbled out in a panicked rush as he grappled with the realization of pointing his sword at his beloved master.
I was taken aback by Lusav's reaction, but I sought to soothe his distress. "Good morning, Lusav," I said gently, attempting to calm the situation. "Perhaps we should first gather ourselves before we discuss further."
Without hesitation, he exclaimed, "No, my lady! How... how dare I wield a weapon against you? Please, punish me for this transgression so that I may never repeat such an offense."
I regarded him with understanding, meeting his earnest gaze as we stood face to face. "But you acted in defense, unaware of my presence," I replied calmly, seeking to assuage his guilt. "I cannot find reason to punish you, knowing the purity of your intentions."
"But, my lady, I can never forgive myself for this sin. I implore you to kindly—" Lusav persisted in his plea for punishment, but I interjected gently, "Oh, my legs are aching. Shall we sit and converse?"
Without further ado, Lusav followed me as I led the way towards the chairs that the maids had prepared. Positioned in the center of the garden, each side was adorned with roses in full bloom. The aroma was intoxicating.
Once seated in the plush chairs, Lusav stood beside me. The maids promptly served tea, its fragrance and flavor infused with delicate rose petals. As the steam wafted upwards, I glanced at Lusav, who remained silent, his turmoil palpable.
"Lusav, how was your sleep?" I inquired softly.
With a gentle and resonant tone, he replied, "I had a restful sleep, thanks to your consideration, master."
"Hmm, that's reassuring to hear. Now, let's discuss the matter of punishment. I don't believe you harbored any ill intentions when you pointed your sword at me. It was an unforeseen incident, a mistake made in ignorance. I am not one to blame my servant for what I do not perceive as wrongdoing. However, I must address your stubbornness in my presence."
This was the boundary I needed to establish, reminding myself that Lusav was not only a trusted aide but also my subordinate.
"My lady, I am willing to accept any punishment you give me, and I apologize for stepping out of line and acting stubborn," he whimpered, his tone reminiscent of a golden retriever seeking forgiveness.
I pondered his request, knowing I needed to impose a suitable consequence. "Lusav, your punishment is to refrain from entering the main manor on the day the prince visits," I commanded, recognizing it as an opportunity to prevent any potential outbursts in the prince's presence.
Lusav's expression darkened as he protested, "But, my lady, who will protect you? I understand your capabilities, but I can't help worrying. I would accept any other punishment, even if it means starving for a week, but please allow me to remain by your side, my master."
His eyes betrayed a mix of sadness, worry, and frustration. Despite his pleading, I held firm. "No, Lusav, this is the consequence for your stubbornness and defiance of my orders," I asserted, unwilling to yield in the face of his pleading eyes, which had always held the power to soften my resolve.
Lusav attempted to persuade me several more times to revoke my orders, but each attempt proved futile. Eventually, he fell into a sullen silence, his expression akin to a pouting child. It was oddly endearing, despite my inner conflict at finding amusement in his dismay.
"Oh my, am I becoming sadistic?" I mused inwardly, questioning my own reaction to his pouting and teary-eyed demeanor. Nevertheless, Lusav appeared as a paradoxically delicate yet strong figure in that moment, his vulnerability adding a new layer to his character.
Sipping on the now warm and aromatic tea, I broke the silence with a question directed at the pouting Lusav. "Why were you practicing in the garden? Shouldn't you be at the knights' training ground?"
He met my gaze, pausing briefly before regaining his usual calm demeanor. "My lady, I prefer to practice away from prying eyes to conceal my true strength. Moreover, I find solace and tranquility in the peace that this garden offers," he explained earnestly.. I had never explicitly forbidden anyone from entering the garden, so technically it wasn't against the rules for Lusav to be there. However, it was uncommon for servants to venture into the garden, as it was widely known as a place where I cherished my solitude.
"Did you know I visit this garden often?" I inquired, noticing Lusav's guilty nod.
"Yes, my lady, and despite that knowledge, I still pointed my sword at you. It reflects my carelessness and absentmindedness. I apologize for it," he admitted, his tone tinged with remorse.
I hadn't asked the question seeking an apology; it merely struck me how much Lusav had evolved from the scars of his past enslavement. He used to view himself as unworthy, but now he exuded confidence and self-assurance. Though the wounds of his past might never fully heal, I harbored a genuine hope that one day Lusav would feel comfortable enough to share with me the hardships he had endured.
As Lilly returned with the books I had requested on etiquette, specifically for navigating noble events and royal banquets, I realized my need to acquaint myself with the customs of this novel world. Attending a royal ball meant facing scrutiny, and as a newcomer, I aimed to leave no room for error that could later prove detrimental to my business endeavors.
Before delving into my reading, I dismissed Lusav, allowing him to resume his practice, and took the opportunity to offer him some advice on refining his swordsmanship. With a respectful bow, he departed for his practice, leaving me alone with the maid.
Immersing myself in the books, I discovered a plethora of rules governing etiquette, from basic guidelines for noble events to intricate protocols for royal banquets. One rule caught my attention: no lady was permitted to wear a color matching the Queen's dress. The Queen would unveil her dress color three weeks prior to the ball or at the time of issuing invitations. As I delved further, I encountered numerous other seemingly trivial regulations.
Lost in my study, I failed to notice the passage of time until Lilly interrupted me. "My lady, I apologize for the disturbance, but your maid, Jannat, has been waiting for you for the past hour."
Glancing up, I beheld Jannat, her once plump figure now gaunt, her attire streaked with dirt. Her eyes held a mix of anger and an inscrutable emotion I couldn't quite decipher. Was it sorrow? Perhaps resentment for being assigned to arduous labor? Or was it something else entirely?
As I observed Jannat, her initial anger morphed into anxiety, and I discerned a deeper disdain in her gaze. It unsettled me to realize that her resentment stemmed not just from my pursuit of etiquette knowledge but also from a sense of superiority she harbored.
"Oh, I see. Have you recognized your mistake and repented?" I inquired, masking my irritation with a smirk and a cold smile.
"Yes, my lady, I will adhere to all the rules without fail," she responded, her voice laced with fear and trepidation.
With little desire to engage in further confrontation with a maid of such low standing, I simply dismissed her, instructing her to resume her duties the following day.
Once Jannat had departed, I turned to Lilly to discuss the matter further. It was evident that before reinstating Jannat to her duties, I needed to address her attitude problem. Yet, I hesitated to take harsher action against her. Despite her transgressions, I couldn't bring myself to punish her severely, particularly as I still hadn't identified the mastermind behind the attempts on my life, orchestrated through poison.
I had hoped that during her punishment, someone would reach out to Jannat, providing me with a lead to the true culprit. Unfortunately, no such breakthrough had occurred, leaving me frustrated and at a loss for how to proceed.