Sebas and Anastasia’s eyes snapped toward the source of the unfamiliar voice—!
Even the ever-composed butler... was surprised.
And what they found was… a woman.
A woman clad in light, almost revealing, leather armor.
Without a single doubt, both of their minds reached the sa conclusion—an adventurer!
Her orange, almost fiery-red, short wavy hair seed to flutter with each step she took. And at her hips... a pair of sleek daggers rested comfortably in their sheaths, swaying lightly with her movents.
This beautiful stranger of an adventurer held a small smile—almost a smirk—as she casually ca closer to the master and servant without a shred of hesitation.
"Hello there~," the female adventurer greeted, her voice light and playful... amused by the two surprised individuals before her.
But this cheerful adventurer then shifted her gaze elsewhere, scanning the vast flatland that stretched across Anastasia’s region.
And her lips curved slightly as she seed to find further amusent.
"Gotta say… I was surprised to find a giant wall made out of equally massive logs just propped up out of nowhere." She let out a soft chuckle, a hint of disbelief dancing in her tone.
Her eyes drifted back toward the pair.
"...And what’s even stranger... is seeing what looks like a cozy little settlent sitting in the middle of this dangerous, godforsaken land~."
A faint trace of sarcasm laced her words—whether intentional or not, it was hard to tell.
Anastasia… subconsciously took a step closer to her butler. Her body seed to move on its own, instinctively seeking protection from this uninvited stranger who had so casually entered her ’safe haven.’
Of course, Sebas noticed imdiately.
His sharp gaze softened as he turned his head slightly, catching the sight of his mistress—her hand lightly trembling at her side, her posture tense. There was... a faint semblance of fear.
And for a brief mont, it reminded him of the first ti they t.
Back then, she had put on a brave front—an act of defiance, a shield of pride against the unknown.
But this ti… it was different.
There was hesitation. Uncertainty within her. Sothing that the red-haired noblewoman had thought she’d managed to control...
"Lady Ana..." Her butler whispered quietly, his voice laced with concern.
"...!"
But... upon hearing the worry so plainly evident in her butler’s voice...
Anastasia shook her head, pushing aside the uncertainty lingering in her chest. She took a slow breath—steadied herself—before stepping forward.
If this stranger had co to her land uninvited...
Then as its lord, she would et them head-on.
Anastasia stopped a few steps away from the stranger—her posture straightening as she lifted her chin ever so slightly.
Despite the lingering hesitation from before, she now carried herself with the dignity befitting her noble blood...!
"I am Anastasia," she declared, her voice calm and composed, "…the lord of this region."
This female adventurer’s brows lifted in mild surprise...!
"Anastasia…? Lord...?" The female adventurer echoed—her tone curious, as if the na stirred a faint mory.
Her gaze lingered on the red-haired noblewoman, brows furrowed slightly in thought.
And of course, this did not go unnoticed by the upstart noble.
But before this female adventurer’s mind could wander any further—
"Forgive for inquiring, but... would you kindly share your na?" Anastasia’s voice cut through the air, smooth and unwavering as she shifted the conversation back toward the stranger.
The woman blinked… before a playful smile tugged at her lips.
"? Na’s Vivi~!" she answered cheerfully, resting her hands on her hips. "Just your friendly neighborhood adventurer passing by~."
Anastasia studied the woman with a steady gaze—taking in the casual confidence, the ease with which she carried herself. anwhile... Sebas remained silent, his ever-present smile unfaltering as he quietly observed this... peculiar visitor.
There was a beat of silence.
And in that brief pause, both master and servant found themselves... processing the rather wild energy that was emitting from this... ’Vivi.’
Then...
"Miss... Vivi… welco to my humble abode," Anastasia finally said, slightly bowing her head.
However, the tone that she’d used against stranger? There was a faint, almost monotone edge to her words.
Vivi’s smile widened as she tilted her head. "My, my~. What a proper little lady."
Anastasia… chose to ignore the comnt.
Vivi’s amber eyes shifted—landing squarely on the butler who had yet to utter a single word. His expression remained unreadable, a perfect poker face that betrayed neither approval nor disapproval toward this eccentric visitor.
A smirk tugged at her lips...!
"And who’s the handso butler you’ve got there, my lord~?" she purred, a teasing tone dancing in her voice.
"…!"
Anastasia stiffened—caught entirely off guard. It wasn’t just the fact that she had forgotten to introduce her servant… but the way this adventurer so casually called him handso—!
Quickly, she cleared her throat, struggling to regain her composure. "Ahem… This is—"
"Forgive for not introducing myself. I’m Lady Anastasia’s personal butler and the head of her household’s servants," Sebas smoothly cut in, his tone polite but firm.
And... with a graceful bow, he added, "It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Adventurer."
His delivery was flawless—calm, precise… effortlessly professional.
Vivi blinked in surprise, her smirk widening. "Oho~! What a sharp one you’ve got working for you," she remarked, clearly entertained by his unwavering deanor.
Even Anastasia, for all her composure, found herself montarily speechless...!
She hadn’t expected him to take the initiative away from her… let alone address her with such formality—
Lady Anastasia.
And yet—
Neither woman missed the subtle detail in his words.
He had introduced himself… without ever ntioning his na.
A deliberate choice.
Anastasia’s eyes lingered on him, a flicker of curiosity rising within her.
’...why...?’
But... she snapped back from her curiosity... and concern over her butler’s strange choice of introduction.
Whatever questions she had about Sebas… could wait. For now, her focus shifted back to the unexpected visitor standing before them.
Vivi’s casual deanor, her playful words—none of it masked the fact that she had entered this land uninvited. And as the lord of this territory, Anastasia would not allow such an intrusion to go unchecked.
Her expression hardened ever so slightly as she t the adventurer’s gaze head-on.
"Miss Vivi… what business do you have in my domain?"
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