The boy had now grown older and moved out of the dingy cabin with his maid. They were both now allowed in the main house as his father had gone missing a year or so ago. His uncle was taking care of affairs and allowed him to be the head of the estate, as he had much of his own matters to attend to.

They sat in the study of the old lord and Albus was laid out as he sat in the comfy chair behind the desk.

"Hey, Albus," Avis said.

Albus sighed. "How many times do I say it, Avis? Call me Master or Lord Bradley. I want to enjoy this."

"Enjoy what? Your father running away?"

Albus glared at her but rested his head back on the table.

"I couldn't care less what happened to that guy. As far as I'm concerned you're the only family I have."

Avis rolled her eyes and flicked him on his head. He recoiled back and covered the area she flicked him.

"Those words would mean something if you weren't so insistent on having us bathe together, and commenting on my body like fruit at a market."

"Don't be like that Avis, you know I love you best in that uniform."

Avis glared at him with a hint of disgust on her face.

"Listen here you little shit, don't ever claim there's any love between us. The reason I'm still here is because this paycheck is a hell of a lot easier than being a sword for hire."

Albus moved his hand to her hip and patted it. She didn't stop it but didn't seem amused by it either.

"Would you really still be here if you didn't love me, Avis? You've even treated me better since Dad left. You can't fool me."

She sighed and pulled over a chair to sit in front of his desk. After all, there was no reason she had to inconvenience herself by standing, with only him around.

"You think because I showed loyalty to my new employer instead of my old one, I love you? I can't wait for the laugh I'll have if you ever encounter a prostitute who tells you they love you."

She had the audacity to put her feet on his table next to his face but the young man didn't mind.

"Be as bashful as you want Avis, I know the truth you hide in your heart."

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

As he said this he attempted to look in between her legs as they rested on his desk but she tapped him with her boot.

"Try that again and I won't hold back next time."

He tried again and got left with a shoe imprint on his head.

After the lord brushed the dirt off his head, he pulled out a box from the desk and gave it to her. It was fancily wrapped in a gaudy pink wrapping with red hearts. The maid didn't know what it was or what was in it but the design was enough to give her a headache.

"I hope you haven't put my income in that, Albus or I'll squeeze that dick of yours so hard it'll pop like a balloon."

He shoved the box in her face.

"Stop with your pretence and just open it. I put a lot of thought into it."

She looked at him with suspicion and looked at the calendar in the room.

"(My birthday is over a month away.) This better not be something silly like a choker or lingerie. Besides, what's the occasion?" She asked hesitantly.

"Just open it." He responded with a smile on his face.

She opened the box and it contained various pieces of string or wires since they metallic gleams.

She pulled one out and pulled on as much as she could but it showed no give. She pulled out a knife she had in the chest of her uniform and tried to cut it. After it couldn't go through, uncertainty clouded her face followed by concern.

"A-Al, What is this?" She nearly stuttered as she asked her simple question.

"Well, you always say you're better with strings and steel wires in combat rather than a sword but they're too expensive to justify using and too fragile. So I got you some durable ones you didn't have to pay out of pocket for."

Avis placed the box back on the desk and had a look of distraught on her face. Her eyes were wide and her mouth agape.

"Wha-what the hell are you talking about!?" she angrily shouted. "Do you know how expensive one of these would be? And you bought," she quickly looked at the box "Five!? What would your uncle think, you idiot!"

Albus wore a carefree expression and kept smiling as she raised her voice.

"What are you mad about? Don't worry, they're not cheap, they are made out of an orichalcum alloy. You could try to cut it for a month and still be unsuccessful."

She slammed the box and moved her face closer to his.

"Listen you little shit just because you have the money of the estate doesn't mean you buy useless shit like this. What would that uncle think if shelling out so much of the money we have on me."

Albus moved his face closer and kissed her on the cheek and Avis almost slapped his cheek.

"Don't be like that Avis, it only came out of my money."

"Huh?"

"My uncle was kind enough to give me some spending money for the year as a gift for taking over."

She looked at him stunned.

"Your money?"

"Yup, the money responsible for managing the estate and wages are untouched."

"But what about you? I mean you don't think your uncle would give another gift if you asked him, do you?"

Albus laughed. "Of course not. I guess I'll be hunting rabbits for dinner. Though I can cook on my own now so I'll be fine."

"What are you talking about?"

"That money was supposed to be my own personal food, clothes and a bunch of other stuff for myself but I don't think anything would make me more satisfied than giving you this."

The maid blushed slightly but slapped her master up the side of his head.

"Tch, do look like a woman you can buy with money. Do be more careful with your spending Al."

As she sat back down and looked outside she was reminded of the time of year. There was snow outside but it was quite light and the sky was as clear as it could be. It was this time of the year she had first met the boy.