"My condolences. So, what do you want from me now?" Icarus asked, handing her a few tissues perfunctorily and getting straight to the point.
He already had a rough idea why Luna had come tonight—she probably still thought he was the same loser as before and was treating him as a backup option.
When the time comes, I'll just refuse directly. No need to be sarcastic, or I'll look too much like a villain.
Icarus had already made up his mind. If she wanted him to take over, he would flatly refuse.
After all, Ning Hui now had nothing. The patriarch had changed, so she was no longer an important member of the family.
Moreover, he didn't think a struggling small family had anything worth scheming for. They might not even have as many secret manuals as he did. So why should he get himself tangled in trouble for a woman?
"They're trying to persuade me to become Captain Sam's maid, boo hoo But I don't want to serve someone older than my father, boo hoo"
"Boo hoo I'm actually still pure, boo hoo I originally wanted to give myself to my fiancé after we got married, but I didn't expect him to die at the hands of that fugitive today, boo hoo hoo~"
Seeing Icarus's indifferent expression, Luna panicked and immediately blurted out that she was still pure.
"Oh? And what does that have to do with me?" Icarus asked calmly.
"Icarus, actually… I came tonight to voluntarily become your maid!"
"I know that to outsiders, I'm already considered impure—having had a fiancé and being 'that' by the fugitive this afternoon. But I'm actually still pure. You all saw it earlier—it was only through my clothes."
Realizing her pitiful act wasn't working, Luna stopped crying. With tear-streaked cheeks, she looked straight at Icarus and stated her purpose.
"Oh. Still a shame. I don't want to get involved in your family's affairs," Icarus said bluntly. "To be honest, I don't think much of your family's situation. You saw it yourself this afternoon—I'm not lacking in Pokémon breeding manuals or resources."
Hearing her offer, Icarus was genuinely surprised. His heart stirred slightly despite himself.
From his previous life, he was fairly open-minded about such matters, so he accepted her claim.
But after thinking it through, he still shook his head.
It wasn't worth dragging himself into her family's mess.
He was certain her offer came with conditions—and those conditions would definitely involve her family.
There was no way a beauty would just throw herself at him without a price.
"Icarus, you've misunderstood. I do have conditions, but they're not about my family."
"My situation there is already dangerous. People are kicking me while I'm down. My status is worse than a branch member now. And the new patriarch has always wanted me to serve Captain Sam… so I have no attachment to that family anymore."
She spoke quickly, afraid he would refuse again.
"My condition is this: at the Trainer competition in town this year, you must place in the top three. If you do, I will completely give myself to you."
"There are still three months left. During that time, I will serve you as your maid—but we cannot cross the final line."
"In exchange, I hope you can mention to Captain Sam to give my family some guidance… and also explain my decision to them."
After saying that, Luna slowly removed her robe.
Under the light, she revealed a black-and-white maid outfit. The short skirt and low neckline accentuated her figure—clearly not a proper uniform.
"Gulp…"
Icarus swallowed hard. His thoughts wavered.
Asking Uncle Sam for help is easy. At worst, I can give him that Beedrill manual as a favor.
He steadied himself and asked the key question:
"What if I don't make top three?"
"I believe you can," Luna said quickly. "Most small families only have ordinary high-level Trainers. They rarely participate themselves—at most sending a few representatives."
Icarus immediately shut that down.
"Don't forget—this competition includes Gym apprentices and direct descendants of the major families. You're that confident in me?"
Luna hesitated, then spoke honestly:
"If you don't make top three… then I hope you'll give my family a copy of that Golbat breeding manual."
"I will still be your maid. That would count as exchanging for a high-level manual… and allow me to completely break free from my family."
Her real goal had always been independence.
Without support, her fate in the family was already sealed—she would eventually be used as a bargaining chip.
So she chose Icarus.
Young. Talented. Promising.
If he reached top three, his strength would be enough to protect her from her family.
If not, the manual would serve as compensation.
Either way, she wins freedom.
"So… you won't refuse, right?" she asked, looking at him expectantly.
Icarus was already leaning toward agreeing—but then he thought of something else.
"One last question. Will your job at the Pokémon Center be taken away?"
"No," Luna shook her head. "That's Alliance-controlled. My family can't touch it."
"They could pressure me to resign… but with Captain Sam backing me, that won't happen."
"Even if you don't make top three, after the trade, I should still keep my position."
Icarus nodded slowly.
"So you can keep working there even if you're with me?"
"Yes… but I'll never rise above entry-level."
"Good enough."
Icarus leaned back.
"Then here's my condition. You keep your job. I don't need you around all the time."
"But when I call—you come. Understood?"
"Yes, Icarus!" Luna agreed immediately, relief flooding her face.
"Then sign."
She quickly took out two contracts.
Despite the advanced technology of the Pokémon world, servitude contracts still existed.
This one wasn't spiritual—just legal registration in the Alliance system.
Once signed, she would become his servant in official records.
No loyalty enforcement. Just authority.
"Swish, swish, swish—"
Icarus signed without hesitation, took a photo, and uploaded it.
"Ding~ Identity updated…"
Luna's phone confirmed it instantly.
She froze for a moment… then lowered her head.
"Master… your maid Luna greets you."
Her voice trembled slightly—but she forced a smile, lifting her skirt in a proper curtsy.
Icarus glanced briefly… then looked away.
"Alright. I'll settle your situation first."
He immediately called Captain Sam.
"Hello, Uncle Sam… sorry to bother you this late. I need a small favor…"
He quickly explained everything.
"Hahaha! Looks like you're growing up, kid!" Sam laughed. "Don't worry—I'll handle it tomorrow."
"Thanks, Uncle Sam!"
Call ended.
Ning Hui had heard everything.
Her eyes lit up with relief—and something more.
"Thank you, Master!"
If there were a loyalty meter, it would've just jumped.
Because now she knew—
She hadn't bet wrong.
Icarus wasn't just promising.
He had backing.