After ten minutes of walking around with Lauren like this, Finlay realized a few things.
First of all, Lauren attracted the stares of EVERYONE.
Be it maids, service staff, gardeners, apprentice Knights... there wasn't anyone who didn't cast at least one glance.
If her ability couldn't be controlled or hidden somehow, that was a problem.
Second, he became convinced of her abilities.
Purposely taking a more stretched out route, he passed by the training area of the Family Knights, who were in the middle of their training at the time.
Although Finlay trusted Veil's abilities, he wanted to see for himself.
The results were... unambiguous.
Their reaction was identical to everyone else's. Admiration, adoration, worship.
'...Huh, even the Knights?'
She really was a monster. It was something he already knew from her status, but still, seeing it with his own eyes gave him a completely different feeling.
For the record, the threshold for becoming a Knight of Errasts was Rank 5.
By the standards of the world, where having Rank 3 you could claim some fame, and reaching Rank 4 you could get some of your own land from the Emperor, it was no small achievement.
To put it crudely, Rank 5 was something that an ordinary person would never achieve in their life, no matter how hard they tried. That's how big the gap was.
With such strength, one could safely claim to be the lord of a small town.
Seeing all that elite so easily overwhelmed by Lauren was at the very least exhilarating.
And it allowed him to come to a decision in his head.
"Lauren."
Finlay stopped his steps, looking her in the eye.
Whether it was Veil or the people around them, he had already realized it. She was no ordinary person. She was probably the strongest person he'd met so far, excluding his Father and Hope.
"Yes, Young Lord?"
Although she was smiling sweetly at him now, it was undoubtedly a monster whose full power he didn't even realize.
In short, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
"From now on, always call me Master."
He will use it to change his life and his position in this family.
"Calling you Master...?"
Even if his greed would eventually eat him up, he was willing to take the risk.
***
From the moment I decided to play her game, I had to set my own rules. My request to be called Master was one of them.
If I couldn't do even that, using her was out of the question.
Her pupils dilated slightly at my words, then she blinked her large eyes a couple times, but true to her role, she nodded quickly.
"Of course, Master!"
Hearing the word 'Master' fly off her lips, I inwardly let out a sigh of relief.
It seems her desire to play her part was beyond that.
Nodding my head to her as if to say 'not bad', I turned around.
"Let's go, Lauren."
"Whatever you say, Master~"
***
"Uhm... are you sure this is the right place, Master? This is the women's laundry room..."
"I know."
I'm sorry, but this was the only place with a training ground in the way. To avoid any suspicion, I was obliged to come here.
"I've come to take it away."
Showing no hesitation, I defiantly pointed to the pile of female maids' outfits washed and lying in the corner.
"I don't like your current form. Change it to this."
By the way, her current uniform was the standard maid uniform.
When she walked over to the pile I pointed to and pulled the uniform out of there....
"Master... do you like this...?"
It was a uniform with a deeper neckline on the chest and a particularly short skirt, going along with the black garters...
"I never thought Master would have such a special flavor..."
Even at first glance, it revealed more than it covered, looking more like a cosplay costume than a maid's uniform.
'What bastard put this in here?'
Contrary to my thoughts, I could only reply.
"...Yes."
***
"I understand, Master. Everyone has the right to like something different. There's nothing strange or shameful about it."
As soon as we left the laundry room, Lauren immediately tried to comfort me, apparently noticing my mood.
"I, for one, really like delicious food. And you... just love maids, don't you?"
'Damn, why did her words make me feel better?'
That wasn't even my true motive!
...Or was it?
"And even if your filthy, lowly desires go beyond that and you dream of..."
"Lauren."
My words interrupted her incessant muttering.
"How many drops of water do you think fit in my bathtub?"
"...I don't know, Master?"
"Then count them today."
Having said that, I continued walking, leaving a frozen Lauren behind.
"Waah?! M-master?! Are you kidding me...!!!?"
Her desperate voice came from behind me, but I paid no attention to it.
"Do I look like I'm joking?"
"No, but..."
"If you know magic, you can use it for that."
"..."
***
Finished with Lauren, I headed to the farthest part of the Esterra's territory.
Passing through many ornate gardens, I arrived at an unremarkable building with a single, slightly faded inscription 'Library'.
The place was a far cry from the lavish library in the main manor, but I couldn't complain – the entrance to the main library was guarded no worse than the door to our family's treasury.
Whistling, I pushed open the old library door.
Thank God it didn't fall apart.
There, amid the smell of old books and dust, sat the librarian. He nodded slowly at me.
He was actually quite kind, not ignoring me. If I asked him to bring his book, he would even do it, albeit somewhat reluctantly.
I didn't pay much attention to the fact that when other family members appeared, he would quickly jump up from his seat and bow, smiling broadly....
After all, true friendship wasn't about titles.
Nodding back at the librarian, I entered the endless world of racks and shelves, looking for the thing I needed.