Asher raised a hand, gesturing gracefully toward Lyra, who remained standing without uttering a word, her posture composed, her expression serene, radiating calm and quiet composure.

"This is Lyra. She has been my personal maid since the very day I was born, which means she has accompanied me for all eighteen years of my life, before I even set foot in the Star Academy. Within the entirety of Crymora, I doubt there exists anyone who understands me more thoroughly than she does," Asher introduced her, his calm purple eyes fixed intently upon William and Finch.

Then, turning his gaze toward Lyra, he reintroduced the visitors in a measured tone, "Lyra, this is William, heir to the Canestane Barony, and this is Finch, heir to the Whahle Barony." He carefully enunciated their names, ensuring that Lyra understood who these nobles were.

Without hesitation or any hint of awkwardness, Lyra slightly inclined her posture in a subtle bow as she responded with formal courtesy, "It is an honor to make your acquaintance, Young Lord Canestane, Young Lord Whahle."

William and Finch, momentarily uncertain of how to respond, merely nodded their heads in acknowledgment. They had grown accustomed to ignoring all maids within the Ducal estate, simply because Asher had done the same.

But this was different, this was Asher's personal maid. Ignoring her entirely would be improper, yet speaking to her was unfamiliar territory for them; they were unpracticed in addressing a maid in a tone absent of commands or authority.

Lyra, for her part, remained composed and silent. Though her position was that of a maid, she answered only to the Wargrave Ducal family, and her duties extended no further. Beyond this territory, beyond the bounds of her official obligations, she was a peak Firmstar Life Ranker.

Did she concern herself with mere barons? Absolutely not. She would not grovel before William and Finch merely because they were nobles. Nobility without true power was, in everyone's eyes was a hollow shell of social pretension, an empty relic of politics devoid of substance.

Sensing the awkward silence lingering in the room, Asher intervened smoothly, his voice carrying an air of authority yet tinged with casual ease: "Lyra, you may take your leave. Should we require anything, we will call for you later." His gaze met hers briefly, acknowledging her presence and her understanding of the instruction.

Lyra inclined her head with a small, graceful bow in response. As she moved toward the door, she paused momentarily and inquired, "Young Master, shall I bring refreshments?"

"I had entirely forgotten. Yes, please do that," Asher replied, his voice calm and assured, accompanied by a subtle nod. Receiving confirmation, Lyra opened the door and departed, the door closing behind her with a soft, muted creak that echoed briefly in the quiet room.

For a moment, William and Finch remained silent, waiting for the echo of Lyra's footsteps in the hallway to fade completely before speaking.

"Bruh, isn't your personal maid… a little too strong?" William finally asked, his tone a mixture of awe and disbelief.

"Baron Rivelle, whom we just met, is at the Firmstar Life Rank, and your personal maid is also at that Life Rank, a Radiant sub-Life Rank, no less," Finch added, his voice carrying both incredulity and analytical observation.

"Are all maids here at least at that level?" William inquired, astonishment coloring his words as Finch finished speaking.

"We've been ignoring all the maids and butlers during our time here," Finch added immediately, almost as if to explain their collective ignorance.

Asher merely observed the two young men as they spoke in rapid, unrestrained chatter. He did not interrupt, nor did he feel the need to offer commentary. He understood perfectly well the mindset driving their reactions. Nobles of comparatively low status within the Zarethorne Empire wielded limited influence and authority. For such individuals, someone of Firmstar Life Rank represented a huge degree of power.

During the recent Monster Tide mission, Baron Rivelle had been the only Firmstar Life Ranker within the entire Barony. Only his Knight Commander had surpassed that, standung at the formidable Wavestar Life rank. It was therefore not surprising that Asher had initially been taken aback upon discovering a Wavestar Life Ranker investing their time in the affairs of a Barony.

Upon further reflection, Asher understood the situation more clearly. The Knight Commander must have served the Baron for many years, likely matching him in strength. Together, they had maintained absolute control over the Rivelle Barony, until the Knight Commander achieved a breakthrough to the Wavestar Life Rank, surpassing even the Baron.

Knights were, by their very nature, steadfastly loyal. They rarely betrayed the lords they had sworn to serve. Exceptions existed only in cases of irreconcilable disagreement or when the Emperor granted a Knight an independent noble title. Knights who switched allegiances purely for personal advantage were seldom trusted by their new employers; after all, if a knight could easily abandon one lord for another, what reason was there to believe such loyalty would endure?

Though Asher had never personally witnessed the full extent of power within the Whale or Canestane Baronies, he estimated that the Barons themselves wielded roughly equal strength, which explained Finch and William's astonished reactions.

Within their own territories, a Firmstar Life Ranker holding the position of a mere maid would have been unheard of. Yet here, Lyra occupied such a role as others of higher strength and Life Rank existed.

With a quiet sigh, Asher finally spoke, his tone carrying both calm and gentle reproach. "The two of you are overreacting. This is merely how matters function among nobles of our level." Though he had yet to visit other Ducal Estates personally, he suspected that practices were likely similar across territories.

"Sigh… sometimes I wonder why I wasn't born the son of an Emperor or at least a Duke," William murmured, settling onto a nearby couch, his words tinged with wistfulness.

"Life would undoubtedly be far simpler," Finch added, taking a seat beside him, his tone equally reflective.

Before long, Lyra returned, carrying a tray with refreshments. Her movements were fluid, practiced, and imbued with effortless grace as she placed the drinks and snacks before them.

With refreshments served, the three of them resumed their conversation, discussing in detail how to make the most of their free days within the Wargrave Ducal territory. Plans were made, options weighed, and strategies devised to take full advantage of their circumstances, all while conversing with the ease and familiarity that comes from a sense of confidence and purpose.

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