A few days later, a rumor spread throughout the Velton family.
It claimed that the personal maid of Young Master Cyan Von Velton, Sitri Re Valencrest, had been expelled from her family and stripped of her inheritance rights.
Sitri leaned against a wall, clutching the letter tightly in her hand as tears streamed down her face.
Inside, it stated that she was a criminal—someone who had abandoned her family—and listed numerous charges, declaring that she had now been cast out.
Yet, she quickly regained her composure, as if accepting her fate.
"That bastard must have learned of my intention to return and inherit the family… and pulled this stunt to crush that tiny hope"
Recalling the past brought Sitri immense pain.
It was a stormy night—the night she witnessed her parents die right before her eyes.
She had been paralyzed with fear, her limbs stiff as tears flowed uncontrollably.
Helplessly, she watched the one responsible—her uncle, Draven Valencrest.
He wore a mocking smile, holding a sword still stained with her parents' blood as he spoke.
-Haha, watch closely. From now on, I will become the head of this family.
Clenching her fists, gritting her teeth, Sitri muttered inwardly.
"Now… I'll probably lose this job too"
"I've been running all this time, working here as a maid for a lazy young master since I was only five"
"But after six years of taking care of someone… I've truly made many memories with Young Master Cyan"
Though her daily interactions with Cyan were nothing more than routine duties, those six years—starting from childhood—left Sitri feeling deeply saddened.
"Now I can't even keep this job… I'll be driven out and forced to work somewhere else"
Suppressing her thoughts, Sitri tried to continue her duties.
She headed to the kitchen, where many servants had gathered, intending to prepare food for her master.
But the moment she stepped inside, the previously noisy room fell silent, followed by whispers.
-Hey, wasn't she expelled from her family? Why is she still working?
-Maybe the family head doesn't know yet. She'll probably be gone by tomorrow at most.
-How does a commoner still dare to come here?
Holding back her sadness, Sitri thought to herself.
"They don't even care if I can hear them anymore"
"So the rumors have reached here too… I knew it would be bad, but seeing it firsthand is really painful"
"I'm already used to these looks of contempt… it'll be fine"
At that moment, the kitchen door opened again.
A smaller figure stepped in and quickly pulled Sitri out.
It was Cyan, his face filled with concern as he dragged her away.
-Hey, you're late today, Sitri!
-Young master, I…
-Don't say anything! I need to go somewhere today. You'll ride and guide me there.
Sitri was confused, her face filled with worry.
"Why is Young Master Cyan here? Has he not heard the rumors?"
"Or… does he still accept a commoner like me serving him?"
"No matter what, what he's doing right now is incredibly reckless"
They moved to a forest area about 30 minutes away from the auxiliary estate by horseback. Cyan was now focused on hunting monsters, thinking to himself.
-Slash!!…. Slash!!!...Slash!!!!
"I wonder how she's feeling… has she calmed down after leaving that place?"
"I know full well those rumors are fabricated… pure slander"
"After six years together, the Sitri I know isn't that kind of person… at least, I want to believe that"
Sitri, meanwhile, couldn't help but feel uneasy.
"Young master feels different today… his strikes are more violent"
"Is he angry about what happened earlier?"
Watching Cyan's behavior, combined with what had happened, Sitri felt deeply sorrowful.
"And yet… I did something unforgivable to him… deceiving him behind his back"
Leaning against a tree, Sitri held up her familiar necklace. Inside the pendant was a picture of her family.
Her heart overflowed with choked emotions.
"I lost everything that night… since then, I've had to obey others, wearing a mask of false emotions, always bowing and smiling"
"And yet, to the one person who truly valued me… I deceived Young Master Cyan right before being cast out"
Staring at Cyan, Sitri clutched her chest tightly, filled with regret.
"I want to prove to Young Master Cyan… that I have only one true master"
"I want to atone for my mistakes"
At that moment, an ogre approached from behind Cyan, wielding a sword.
Lost in anger and worry, Cyan failed to notice it.
Seeing the terrifying monster, Sitri trembled—but quickly stood and rushed toward Cyan.
The moment the ogre swung its blade—and just as Cyan sensed its presence—Sitri leapt forward and took the full blow.
-Slash….
Blood poured out as a massive wound cut diagonally across her body.
Cyan was stunned.
"How many people in this world would rush forward to take a blow for someone else?"
"She didn't answer my question before… she answered it with her actions"
As if all doubts of betrayal were swept away, Cyan resolved to keep her by his side.
Furious, he swung his sword and decapitated the ogre in an instant.
-Slash!!!!
Cyan shouted urgently.
-Hey Sitri! Wake up! Who gave you permission to faint in front of me?!
His face was filled with worry. Sitri was barely conscious, her eyes only slightly open.
Seeing his expression, she smiled faintly in her heart.
"Is this the face of someone who said he would use me? You really are bad at lying…"
"Young master truly cares about me… the only one in this world who sees me as a person"
"I succeeded… in protecting my young master"
With that thought, Sitri lost consciousness.
Later, in a room within the Velton estate, Sitri slowly regained awareness, her vision becoming clear.
She saw an old doctor sitting nearby, and beside him was Cyan, who had fallen asleep.
The doctor spoke.
-You're awake?
-I… why am I in my room? Why am I still alive?
-You should thank Young Master Cyan. He carried you here with that small body of his. He even used a holy medicine on you.
-Is that true?
-You should rest more. Don't make things worse.
With that, the doctor left.
"Why would he go this far… when he said he would only use me?"
Sitri quickly got up and began packing her belongings.
"I still haven't made up for my mistake… I've only added to my debt to him"
"I'm not worthy to stay anywhere… I shouldn't remain by Young Master Cyan's side"
Her heart filled with despair, she looked at her necklace.
She took out the photo and wrote a letter.
-Young Master Cyan, I heard you used holy medicine to save me. I hope this necklace will be enough to repay the cost. Thank you for saving my life.
Wearing a cloak, morning sunlight fell upon her sorrowful face.
Her hand trembled as she gripped her suitcase.
"I should leave"
Just as she was about to go, a voice stopped her.
-Where do you think you're going?
She turned. It was Cyan.
Their eyes met as he continued.
-I'll ask again. Where do you think you're going when you're supposed to be serving me?
Tears welled up in Sitri's eyes.
-But… you already know the answer.
She choked as she continued.
-Lord Konan ordered me to monitor you. I betrayed you. Why would you keep me?
Looking at him, she cried out.
-I deceived you!
Tears streamed uncontrollably.
-Even if you throw me out now, I have no excuse left! So why?!
Cyan gave a bitter smile. For the first time, he saw her true emotions.
"So this is what Sitri is like beneath that diligent exterior…"
"Seeing this side of her… she's just like any other girl her age"
He spoke.
-You may have deceived me these past weeks, but you've sincerely cared for me since I was a child. That's an undeniable truth.
-But I committed a grave sin against you!
Cyan continued firmly.
-That's exactly why! After betraying me, who said you could just leave without repaying me?
Sitri looked confused as he explained.
-Listen, Sitri. You're living in this family. I don't care what others think. I don't care about your Valencrest family.
He stepped closer, placing a hand on his chest.
-I only need you. Nothing else matters.
Sitri was moved.
-Young master…
-So I want you to atone for everything you've done—and continue serving me as my personal maid.
Sitri smiled, as if making a vow.
-Young Master Cyan, I will stay by your side forever and serve you.
Only then did Cyan smile.
-Good.
-Before, you asked me who I was serving now, didn't you?
Sunlight illuminated Sitri's face as she smiled.
-Do you know the answer now?
-Yes… I do.
At that moment, a notification appeared.
——-Congratulations, you have obtained Throne Binding Resonance———
——-Congratulations, you have obtained Throne Binding Resonance———
Description: Achieved through an oath and absolute loyalty from a bearer of binding talent.
Effects: +Your servant will now serve and trust you completely+Your servant will grow stronger at a greater rate+As your servant grows stronger, you will receive a portion of that growth
Reading the notification, Cyan was astonished.
"Binding Resonance is an extremely rare effect"
"Back when I read forums, I saw posts about this achievement"
"A completely loyal servant with massive growth potential… this is incredibly valuable"
"Only 2 out of millions of players achieved this—and it appears much later in the story"
Recalling that, Cyan suddenly recognized Sitri's hair.
"That's why she felt familiar…"
"But there's still one thing I must deal with"
In another room, Cyan faced Konan.
Konan spoke sternly.
-I heard you used holy medicine on that commoner girl?
Cyan replied coldly.
-Yes, uncle.
-Do you realize what you've done? You wasted such a resource on a commoner?
-I couldn't let someone close to me die before my eyes. That would damage my reputation as well.
-She's not worthy. She was only brought here to take over the Valencrest family.
-Even so, I've decided Sitri will be my only personal maid.
Seeing his determination, Konan relented.
-You're too emotional for a third son, but fine—I'll respect your decision.
-May I ask one more thing?
-Go ahead.
Cyan's expression turned sharp with killing intent.
-Even if you're my uncle…
His next words rang with authority.
-Don't interfere with what's mine anymore!