The man's face twisted with anger as he towered over the trembling maid.
"How can you not have even one bottle left?!" he barked. "Do you people not know how to plan?"
The maid kept her head down, voice small and innocent.
"Everything was finished last night, sir... We didn't expect you to come today in the morning."
The man's voice grew louder, full of irritation.
"You should have put out more! If all the alcohol gets finished in one night, then how are guests like me supposed to drink? This is unacceptable!"
"I'm sorry, sir... I'm really sorry," the maid kept apologizing, bowing deeper each time.
Sumi's expression turned serious. She stepped forward, fists clenched at her sides.
"Who is this guy scolding the maid of our house?"
She stared hard at the man, then made a tight fist. White lightning suddenly flickered and crackled around her body.
"Lightning Dash."
In a flash, she vanished from her spot. The next instant, she appeared right in front of the man and landed a clean, powerful punch straight to his cheek. The force sent him flying sideways with a loud crash. He smashed through a nearby glass window and disappeared outside.
The maid looked up in shock, eyes wide. Everything had happened so fast she didn't even see anything.
"Eh?! What just happened?!"
She glanced around in confusion. The hallway was empty except for the broken window and shards of glass scattered on the floor.
Suddenly, she heard footsteps. She turned and saw Azrean walking toward her with a calm smile. He was wearing a neat white shirt with silver embroidery along the collar and sleeves, paired with dark trousers and simple yet elegant boots that fit his growing frame perfectly.
The maid quickly bowed.
"Good morning, Lord Azrean."
Azrean stopped in front of her.
"What are you doing here?"
The maid realized with a start.
"Oh! The other maids are gathering for morning duties. I'm sorry, I have to go now."
Azrean nodded gently.
"Have a good day."
"Thank you, my lord. I wish you a wonderful day as well!"
She bowed once more and dashed away down the hallway. Azrean looked at the broken window and made an awkward smile. He slowly tilted his head upward.
On the metal plate attached to the ceiling, Sumi was standing upside down, arms crossed. Small electrical sparks flickered and crackled around her body as she looked down at him.
"Is this why you put those plates all over the mansion?" Azrean asked. "So you could stick anywhere using the electromagnetic field?"
Sumi dropped down lightly, landing on her feet with a soft thud.
"Well, these things come in handy sometimes."
Azrean pointed at the shattered window.
"Explanation?"
Sumi started walking down the hallway without looking back.
"Let's talk in the bathroom."
Azrean let out a long sigh and began following her.
The man tumbled into the garden, landing hard on the grass. He pushed himself up, spitting out dirt and grass, and screamed in rage.
"What the hell happened?! Who dared do that?!"
Suddenly, a calm voice came from behind him.
"Messenger Oik?"
He spun around, eyes wide.
"Who is—"
His words died in his throat. Standing there were Dean and Kumi, each holding a sealed box.
His soul nearly left his body. He dropped to his knees instantly, smashing his forehead against the ground in a deep bow.
"M-My lords! Good morning!"
Kumi tilted his head.
"What are you doing here?"
Oik kept his head down, voice trembling.
"I-I was just admiring the beautiful nature you have built here, haha! The flowers look so lovely this morning!"
Dean didn't say a word. He simply tossed the box toward him. Oik caught it clumsily, looking confused.
Kumi spoke next, tone casual but firm.
"These are the invitation letters. Go and deliver them to the locations written on them."
Oik jumped to his feet, saluted sharply, and shouted,
"Yes, my lords!"
He dashed away as fast as his legs could carry him. Dean and Kumi watched him disappear for a moment, then continued walking along the garden path without another word.
Meanwhile, on the rooftop garden, a maid and her husband who was a butler sat together with their young daughter. They were carefully making flower decorations, weaving fresh blooms into garlands and arrangements. Their little girl played nearby, happily picking petals and arranging them in small patterns on the stone floor.
"Yesterday's birthday party was really wonderful, wasn't it?" the maid said with a smile.
Her husband nodded, tying a ribbon around a bouquet.
"It was. The young master and young lady looked so happy."
Their daughter giggled as she placed a flower on her own head like a crown.
Suddenly, another maid entered the rooftop area. The couple and their child quickly stood up and bowed respectfully.
"Good morning, senior."
The senior maid smiled kindly and handed a sealed letter to the younger maid. The younger maid looked confused as she accepted it.
The senior smiled wider.
"Lord Azrean acknowledged the hard work you did yesterday. You have been promoted to nursery maid."
The couple's eyes widened in delight. The younger maid's hands trembled with joy as she clutched the letter.
"R-Really? Thank you so much! I... I will work even harder!"
Her husband beamed with pride, while their daughter clapped her hands excitedly.
In the huge bathroom, warm steam gently rose from the large marble bathing pool and the smaller washing basins. Sunlight streamed through frosted glass windows, casting soft patterns on the pale stone tiles and ornate golden fixtures. Fresh towels hung neatly on racks, and the air carried the faint, pleasant scent of lavender and citrus.
Azrean and Sumi stood side by side in front of the wide mirror, brushing their teeth. Sumi spat out the foam, rinsed her mouth, and turned to Azrean.
"Can you give me some warm water?"
Azrean raised his hand. A small fireball appeared above his palm. From inside the flames, a gentle stream of warm water flowed out with soft steam rising from it.
Sumi washed her face and mouth thoroughly.
"Well, that's all," she said, wiping her face with a soft towel.
Azrean nodded as he rinsed his own mouth with the tap water.
"I see. That's fine. You just helped her."
Sumi dried her face and smiled.
"I cannot wait to showcase our skills today."
Azrean finished washing up and replied,
"Yeah. Today they are bringing a lot of guests to show us and everything we have learned."
Sumi made a small fist and started punching the air excitedly.
"This is the first time we are showing our skills to other people!"
Azrean looked at her and said calmly,
"We shouldn't overdo it. Just show enough so they think we are talented prodigies."
Sumi nodded.
"Yes, yes, I know."
A small blush appeared on her cheeks. She looked at him through the mirror.
"And... you remember what else is going to happen after a few days?"
Azrean stopped and met her eyes in the reflection. Then he smiled softly.
"Yeah."
He held her eyes for a moment before speaking.
"We're getting engaged."