The next morning, as the first rays of daylight dispelled the capital's lingering mist, Hegemon and Lily packed their bags at the inn and set out. Following the citizens' directions and their map, they headed straight toward the western district of the Western Kingdom.
When they finally beheld the "Noble" estate with their own eyes, the duo truly understood the concept of "occupying one-third of the kingdom." It was not merely a house, but a grand architectural complex with fortified white marble walls, enclosing sprawling royal gardens, crystal-clear artificial lakes, and a main mansion as magnificent as a miniature palace.
The moment they stepped through the ornately forged iron gates, they were personally received by the head of the household—Count Rosali Noble. Contrary to the rigid austerity typical of high nobility, Count Rosali was a middle-aged man with silver-streaked hair, a gentle countenance, and eyes that exuded deep wisdom. After hearing Diana recount the previous day's incident, he smiled and without a shred of hesitation agreed to take them both in.
The arrival of Hegemon and Lily did not bring any tension to the estate's atmosphere. On the contrary, everyone—from the gardeners and sentries to the domestic staff—expressed sheer joy and hospitality. It seemed Count Rosali's benevolence had thoroughly permeated every corner of the estate.
In particular, three close personal maids stepped forward to welcome them and organize their duties.
"I am Resta, it is a pleasure to meet you both!" The youngest maid, possessing playful hazel hair, bowed with a bright smile.
"And I am Fatesa. Please make yourselves at home; the work here isn't overly strict," the second maid, sporting a calm demeanor, added.
The last person to step forward was a mature woman with neatly tied-up hair. She carried a serious yet profoundly gentle aura. She was the head maid of the estate: "I am Testari, the manager of the maids here. From this day forward, you two are part of the Noble estate."
Under Head Maid Testari's arrangements, Lily—with her swift agility and rich repository of knowledge—was assigned as an official maid, assisting the three girls in maintaining the living quarters. Meanwhile, Hegemon was entrusted with a more specialized and critical responsibility: working as a private butler, tasked with accompanying and watching over the young mistress, Diana. His calm, prudent nature and razor-sharp reflexes, forged through fifteen loops of life and death, made him the perfect guardian for a young lady who loved slipping out undetected.
Another surprise awaited them later that evening. When the grandfather clock chimed for dinnertime and Hegemon and Lily were preparing to have their meal in the servants' quarters, Head Maid Testari personally arrived to deliver an order: Count Rosali wished to invite them both to dine at the family's grand dining table.
Beneath the sparkling light of a crystal chandelier in the grand banquet hall, Hegemon and Lily sat opposite Count Rosali and Diana. The table was laden with exquisite culinary delicacies, yet the atmosphere was as warm as a normal family gathering, completely devoid of heavy class discrimination.
"Please, make yourselves comfortable, you two. No need to be formal," Count Rosali raised his wine glass, laughing heartily. "Diana very rarely invites strangers to our home. When she told me about you both, I knew you were special people."
Diana sat beside him, her cheeks slightly flushing as she bowed her head politely: "I told you they were very nice, Father."
Once Diana finished her meal and excused herself to return to her room under Resta's escort, only Count Rosali, Hegemon, and Lily remained in the dining room. The atmosphere grew slightly subdued. The Count let out a soft sigh, his eyes gazing out the window toward the dark slums situated on the capital's periphery. He turned to look at Hegemon, his voice heavily laden with raw sentiment:
"Hegemon, I entrusted you with watching over Diana not just to protect her safety, but because I want someone mature enough to understand her. There is a matter... that you should probably know."
Hegemon set his cutlery down, listening intently: "Please go ahead, Count."
Count Rosali swirled the glass in his hand, speaking softly: "Diana... does not actually carry the bloodline of the Noble family. She is not my biological daughter."
His words caused Lily to freeze mid-bite, her eyes widening in astonishment.
"Many years ago, during an inspection tour of the Southern slums—a place besieged by poverty and crime—I accidentally found her," Count Rosali reminisced. "At that time, Diana was just a poor, frail little girl, wearing tattered clothes and huddling against the bitter winter chill. Yet her blue eyes back then, even in the most desperate circumstances, remained remarkably bright and pure. I simply could not abandon such a life."
He looked directly into Hegemon's eyes, entrusting him: "I adopted her, gave her the Noble name, and the love of a father. But despite living in luxury, Diana has always carried an invisible sense of insecurity regarding her origins. She frequently dons her gray cloak to sneak outside, partly because she is playful, but mostly because she wants to gaze at the world of ordinary people—the place where she feels she truly belongs. Hegemon, I hope your straightforwardness and life experience can help her open up more."
Hegemon remained silent for a long moment. He looked down at the palm of his hand—the place concealing the mark of the Leviathan and the painful memories of his past. He understood the feeling of being an outsider, a soul that did not belong to the ground it stood upon.
"I understand, Count," Hegemon looked up, his gaze resolute. "I will fulfill my duties well. Not just as a protector, but as a trustworthy companion to Lady Diana."
Beside him, Lily nodded vigorously, her eyes filled with profound empathy. Their first night at the Noble estate drew to a close with a secret unveiled, marking the beginning of a new bond between a butler with a fragmented soul and a princess who walked out of the slums.