The touching scene lasted several minutes. Ray all this time rather calmly watched the reunion of mother and daughter, but Tessa was clearly upset that she would have to be separated from the baby, to whom she managed to become unexpectedly strongly attached. The guy did not really understand how to console her, but did not want to see his companion in such a dejected state.
- Don't worry like that. He said placing his hand on the girl's head. She even flinched in surprise when she felt her hair being stroked.
At that moment, she really got distracted, thinking about how surreal this scene looks. Ray just killed a man a moment ago, and now like this, albeit clumsily, but quite carefully, he is trying to cheer her up.
- Yes. Okay. - she answered, but did not push away the guy’s hand, however, he himself removed it after a moment, but the girl’s mood improved for reasons that were a little unclear even to herself.
When they looked back towards the gates of the manor, they noticed that the small reunion had come to an end and Miya had been taken away by several maids. The girl obviously did not want to be separated from her mother, but she whispered something to her and the baby quickly calmed down. After that, the woman immediately turned to the boy and girl who were patiently watching everything:
“I am grateful to you for returning my daughter, but…” she paused for a moment, looking at the body of the “knight”, which still lay in the middle of the road, around which onlookers had already begun to gather.
“Your warrior was the first to draw his weapon and himself invited me to attack. These two gentlemen can confirm my words. Rei pointed with a glance at the guards still holding their weapons.
The woman looked at them and, after waiting for a slightly forced but affirmative nod, turned back to the guy. But he spoke first:
“I am not familiar with the hospitality rules of this kingdom, but perhaps you would consider it proper to invite guests to the house?” - the guy's gaze swept over the already quite impressive crowd, which still continued to grow.
The mistress of the house understood him perfectly, because she immediately ordered the guards to hide the weapons, which they immediately did, giving way to the gate.
- Absolutely right. Mia is at home and I am ready to close my eyes to this unpleasant incident, and now, - the woman pointed with her hand in the direction of the huge mansion, - be my guests.
- With pleasure. Ray nodded slightly. Turning his head towards Cess, he ordered him not to attack anyone without his permission, after which he set off with a confident step towards the gate.
The guards visibly tensed when the cat was closer, but did not dare to violate the order of their mistress, so they did not take out their swords, but the mistress of the house herself remained just as calm, but the guy noticed a strange spark of interest in her eyes when their eyes met. Fortunately, Tessa at that moment was looking at a huge three-story building, which really could be called a work of art, so she did not notice this gesture from the mistress of the house.
“Your…pet will be taken care of, don’t worry.” - proving her attentiveness, the woman immediately said, giving several orders to the servants standing here. Those with undisguised fear listened to her words, now and then casting wary glances in the direction of Cess. Ray understood that the cat would not allow strangers to approach him just like that, so he decided to lend a helping hand to the poor fellows.
“Please don’t worry, milady. All he needs is food, and he can sleep in the open.
The woman only nodded to him with understanding and a bit of gratitude, after which she led the couple after her. Zess, according to Ray's order, settled right next to one of the far walls of the mansion. So it will not be visible from the street, and it will be easier for the servants to move around without fear of getting too close to the beast.
Entering the huge doors of the estate, Rey and Tessa found themselves in a large hall that served as an entrance hall. Now, in addition to the hostess herself, who, having shown extreme politeness, despite the rather early time, decided to keep them company, there were five more people next to them: the minister’s bodyguard and four servants, two of whom immediately went to prepare food for the guests, according to the order of the mistress.
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As they walked along the richly decorated corridors of the estate, which stood out not only with soft carpets covering the floors and picturesque paintings that adorn every wall without exception, but also with a huge number of windows made of the highest quality glass, which was a kind of indicator of the wealth of the owners of the house, because this the material was quite rare for this world. At least, this was the first time Rei had seen it in such huge numbers.
The mistress of the estate did not say anything until they left the house on the other side of it, hitting a huge garden full of amazing natural beauty. In the middle of a small field of flowers stood a wooden arbor, in which they stopped.
After ordering one of the maids to bring drinks to the guests, the woman finally turned to Tessa and Ray. If the girl's eyes now and then wandered among the well-groomed vegetation of the garden, then the guy remained calm and paid most of his attention to the minister's bodyguard, who also reciprocated, because he already knew about what happened earlier. It wasn't a young guy like the one Rei had recently killed. The man, or rather even the old man, had absolutely gray hair, but this did not remove sharpness from his gaze, but strength from his body. His experience and skill could only be felt by looking at exactly how he followed his mistress. The look, the position, even the speed of movement, everything was aimed at repelling any attack directed towards the woman. It was a rather strange gesture on the part of the hostess of the house - to leave Ray weapons, but if she did not care, then the guy even more so. Tessa was also left with short daggers, which she used instead of claws, which took some time to equip.
“Let me introduce myself,” the woman interrupted the guy’s thoughts, forcing not only him, but Tessa, who is hovering in the clouds, to turn all attention to herself, “My name is Leafina Ains. As you may know, I am the First Minister of Rondal.
The woman spoke in a completely calm tone, without any arrogance, but this only more clearly displayed the halo of grandeur literally hovering around her.
The guy answered her in the same manner:
- I'm Rey, and my companion's name is Tessa. We are very honored by this acquaintance. He bowed slightly, though it was more like a nod. This gesture caused displeasure in the look of the bodyguard, but he limited himself to only a reproachful look, not daring to say anything inappropriate in the presence of his mistress.
“I am also very pleased to meet you. And now,” the woman looked from the girl to the guy, “I would like to sincerely thank you for bringing Mia back. You can't imagine how much you have done for me and possibly for the whole of Rondal.
Her voice became a little thoughtful when she said this, but the reasons for such a change were completely incomprehensible, and the woman did not seem to be going to say anything. A few seconds passed in silence, but almost immediately Lifina's eyes cleared and she spoke again:
“If you are not too tired on the way, I would like to quickly find out the details of what happened.
- Certainly. We can talk right now. - Rey was well acquainted with the rules of decency, which, as far as he could judge, were the same as in his previous world, so after waiting for the invitation of the hostess, he sat down on a wooden bench, after which he began the story, which did not take much time. The woman's face remained surprisingly calm as she listened to the story, and it wasn't until Rei had finished that she sighed a little sadly.
Farnes is one of the people in charge of the security of the estate. He always treated Mia very warmly. I can't believe...
At this moment, the bodyguard standing a little behind the woman spoke, taking advantage of the pause:
“My lady, these words can be easily verified by checking them with your daughter, but Farnes…” the old man literally spat out the name. He didn't seem to have much sympathy for the person in question - he left the manor two days ago, explaining it as urgent business, so I think they can be trusted.
Leafina just nodded, raising her head again and looking at Ray.
- Thanks again. I owe you a great debt, so if you need anything, you can contact me directly.
Hearing these words, the guy did not think for a long time and voiced his wishes immediately:
“We are ordinary mercenaries who planned to stay in the capital for some more time, but we have some problems finding accommodation and repairing equipment, so if you could advise us on the services of a blacksmith and a good hotel, we would be very grateful to you.
Most of all, Ray's words surprised not the mistress of the house, but Tessa, who was sitting next to him. With a great effort of will, she suppressed the surprise that flooded over her, because just a few minutes ago this guy said that he was going to give the girl away only in exchange for a reward, and now for some reason he has radically changed his mind.
“Maybe he was just trying to provoke that guard?” the girl thought, though as she looked at the woman sitting in front of her, she vaguely imagined another possible reason for Ray's behavior.
“That is very noble of you. I will have the city's best blacksmith brought tonight, and as for lodging for the night," at that moment the woman's violet eyes crossed again with the boy's completely green eyes, "you can stay at my estate as long as you wish.