“I’ve been informed of the events in Blackmoon Region and received a request from Marquis Delarosa to protect her daughters and assist them if they are found in my territory,” Helia Ashenborn casually said while pouring herself a glass of red wine.
“Mother did?” Linetta and Lillias revealed their surprises as their eyes widened.
Their mother was very sick and bedridden. Unless someone informed her, their mother shouldn’t have even known they had left home.
‘It must be one of Mother’s people,’ they thought.
“Well, not from Marquis Delarosa herself, but one of her close retainers. Although I don’t know why you both left your home without any protectors, I will ensure your safety as long as you are within my territory,” Helia Ashenborn promised.
“I appreciate your goodwill, Lord Helia,” Linetta shook her head and said, “However, we won’t be staying for long. In fact, we plan to leave right after resupplying necessities for the journey.”
“Oh?” Helia Ashenborn briefly glanced at Lillias before nodding with understanding. “You must be heading to the capital.”
“However, it is too dangerous,” Helia Ashenborn suddenly added with a stern look. “You should be aware that assassins from the Assembly of Silent Night are targeting you. The measly escort group will not be enough to protect you.”
“I will arrange for my best guards and combat witches to accompany you to the next city. They will provide much better protection than your current escort,” Helia Ashenborn generously offered.
“You must have met Yasmin before coming here. She’s an experienced Senior Witch whose power isn’t much inferior to mine. The Assembly of Silent Night’s people shouldn’t pose a threat to you with her around.”
‘You are too kind, Lord Helia,” Linetta said with surprise.
Shortly after, Linetta turned her head to seek Vaan’s opinion—to which he responded with a nod, advising her not to reject Helia Ashenborn’s offer.
Vaan had observed Helia Ashenborn’s body language and speech and confirmed her genuine concern for Linetta and Lillias’s safety.
It wasn’t hard to guess why.
After all, Helia Ashenborn would be greatly troubled if Marquis Delarosa’s daughters were assassinated within her territory.
“Well then, I will take you up on your offer and remember the favor, Lord Helia,” Linetta agreed and said, “We plan to leave right after. It would be great if they are ready by then.”
“You don’t have to worry about that. I will inform my people right away,” Helia Ashenborn promised before clapping her hands to summon a servant into the Great Hall.
After Helia Ashenborn spoke some words to the male servant, the male servant bowed respectfully and took his leave to carry out his task.
“If you have any more requests, feel free to state them. I will do my best to satisfy them if they are reasonable,” Helia Ashenborn offered shortly after.
Linetta was pleasantly surprised by the offer before she said, “In that case, I hope Lord Helia would take care of my teacher during his stay in your city and ensure people don’t make things difficult for him.”
“It would be even better if you could satisfy his requests,” Linetta added.
“Oh?” Helia Ashenborn raised an eyebrow in surprise and briefly glanced at Vaan before returning her attention to Linetta. “Are you not traveling together?”
“No, my teacher has some businesses in Redpine City,” Linetta shook her head and said, “We’ve only agreed to meet again in the future when he arrives in the capital.”
“I see.” Helia Ashenborn contemplated before nodding, “I can arrange that.”
“However, I must say,” Helia Ashenborn suddenly turned to Vaan shortly after and asked, “Do you have any personal requests of your own, Vahn Cadieux?”
“If you permit it, I would like to freely peruse the knowledge in your city’s libraries, Lord Ashenborn,” Vaan spoke politely after a brief pause while maintaining his proper etiquette.
He wasn’t in a position to refer to the Lord of Redpine City by her first name like Linetta did.
“Interesting,” Helia Ashenborn looked at Vaan with scrutiny before saying, “You do understand what you are asking me, right?”
“I do, Lord Ashenborn,” Vaan calmly nodded.
“Although men generally have no access to libraries, there are also no rules that actually forbid them from reading the books. It is completely at your discretion whether I am permitted to enter your city’s libraries, Lord Ashenborn.”
“How very interesting. What you say is true,” Helia Ashenborn was intrigued by Vaan’s boldness.
Even if what Vaan said was the truth, there weren’t many men who dared to request access to the public libraries.
In fact, it was Helia Ashenborn’s first time coming across a man that did.
“I can indeed grant you access to the public libraries, but there is a limit to my generosity. Considering I have already promised to ensure your comfortable stay in my city, don’t you think you should also do something for me if you want more than that, Vahn Cadieux?”
“What do you propose, Lord Ashenborn?” Vaan calmly asked.
“How about this; my seventh daughter is currently attending Redpine Academy of Magic. However, she lacks talent and is struggling with her studies. If her grades can improve after a week of private teaching from you, I won’t just grant you access to the public libraries. You may also use the academy’s library.”
“What do you think, Vahn Cadieux?” Helias Ashenborn sought his opinion shortly after. She was curious enough to want to confirm his teaching qualifications.
“Aren’t you making things difficult for my teacher, Lord Helia? You’re expecting my magic teacher to help your daughter improve her grades in all her subjects? Within a week, no less. And what if her grades don’t improve after a week?”
“You don’t have to worry about that, Lady Linette. Nothing will happen if Vahn Cadieux fails to improve her grades. I simply won’t permit him access to the libraries. That’s all,” Helia Ashenborn explained before turning back to Vaan. “So what do you say, Vahn Cadieux? Will you accept?”
“Gladly, Lord Ashenborn,” Vaan accepted with a pleasant smile. He couldn’t have asked for a better situation.