"I intend to have you take over the management of the Shadow Guard."
Lan suddenly raised her head, her eyes brimming with tears. With a trace of sorrow in her voice, she asked, "Master, are you sending me away?"
"I know those two sisters are more mature and dependable than I am, but I can also..." she pleaded in a slightly trembling voice, hoping for a chance to stay.
"Stop, stop, stop." Kyle rubbed his temples and looked at the tear-blurred Lan, explaining helplessly, "Rita has a rather strange personality. Don't take it to heart."
"As for the things you're imagining, they don't exist at all."
Lan did not wipe away her tears. Staring straight at Kyle, she gathered her courage and asked, "Master, then why are you sending me away?"
Meeting her gaze, Kyle suddenly understood why his lord had said those things aboard the Floating Ship.
If it had been retainers like Yala and Rita, who had only recently joined them, Kyle could have simply ignored it and left it alone.
But when faced with Lan, he hesitated.
After all, she had been his maid for thirteen years. They had formed a deep bond, making it difficult for him to steel himself and ignore her.
After thinking for a moment, Kyle stepped forward and embraced Lan. Calmly, he said, "Lyanna, I'm not abandoning you, nor do I mean to send you away. As long as you're willing, I'll always be by your side."
"Really, Master?" Lan lifted her head and looked at Kyle with expectant eyes.
Kyle nodded. "You are my retainer. For this life and the next, it's impossible for you to leave me."
Seeing Lan's slightly flushed face, Kyle felt somewhat puzzled, but he did not think deeply about it.
"Master, then can you let me