A Heart's Devotion

"Before lunch, I have something important to announce..." Sean stopped Alice, who was about to serve the food, and spoke to everyone. As Sean's words fell, everyone's attention focused on him.

"The Garrison has an urgent mission, and orders will be issued within the next few days..." Sean said slowly after everyone was looking at him. He paused, then continued, "Thor and I will both be participating in this mission, and we'll be leaving Linshui City for a while."

Having said that, Sean immediately turned to look at Alice, smiling as he instructed her, "Alice, while I'm away, all household matters are in your hands. Make sure you manage them well..."

"Yes, Young Master..." Alice replied promptly after hearing Sean's instructions. Then, with some concern, she added, "Young Master, please be very careful..." Her expression grew tense as she looked at Sean.

"Heh... don't worry. I'll be back soon." Sean raised an eyebrow at Alice with a smile. Then he turned his head calmly toward Phil and said, "Besides Thor and me, I need one servant to accompany me on the campaign..."

Phil jolted instantly, understanding that the servant Sean referred to was himself. He lifted his head, sat up as straight as he could, and spoke with an excited yet resolute tone, "My lord, please allow me to follow you..."

Sean was pleased to hear Phil volunteer. He crossed his arms, slowly leaned back against his chair, and fixed his sharp gaze on Phil's determined eyes. "This bandit suppression could be very dangerous... Are you sure you don't want to reconsider?"

"My lord, please take me... I... I don't want to stay a servant forever..." As Phil spoke, a glint of what could only be called ambition shone in his eyes.

Sean smiled as he listened to Phil's frank words, nodding in satisfaction. But ambition alone couldn't change anything; he would need constant effort and the ability to seize opportunities. Though Sean had long planned to groom him as his Knight Squire, this would still require numerous trials and tests. Only when his ability and loyalty both met the standard would he be worth cultivating.

"Thor, give him the Soldier's Leather Armor." Sean made up his mind without further hesitation and directly ordered Thor. At the same time, he tapped the dining table with his fingers, producing a rhythmic tap tap, and looked sternly at Phil. "Immediately pack your weapons and personal belongings, and be ready to depart at any time..."

"Thank you, my lord. I won't let you down." Phil said happily at once, bowing slightly to Sean in respect.

"Alice, we can start the meal now." A faint smile tugged at Sean's lips as he turned to Alice, who was nervously twisting the hem of her dress.

"Ah... yes, Young Master. I'll go right away..." Alice snapped back to reality, her voice flustered as she gestured vaguely.

Lunch consisted of fresh calf leg meat paired with a rich, fragrant mushroom and vegetable soup, along with a glass of aperitif. It was clear Alice had put in exceptional effort, and Sean ate with great relish. For dessert, there was honey cake baked according to Sean's instructions, served with fresh jam—equally delicious. Alice's talent and hard work in cooking left him very satisfied.

After the delicious meal, Alice was clearing the dishes in front of Sean. He dabbed his mouth with a napkin and lightly touched Alice's hand, instructing her, "Later, don't forget to help your brother pack his things..."

"Mm, I know, Young Master..." Alice said, holding the tray in both hands.

Sean nodded and said no more. He set down his napkin gracefully, then rose and returned to his room to rest.

Half an hour later, in Phil's room, Alice was quickly packing her brother Phil's belongings, glancing at him with worry. Phil stood beside her, speaking lightly to reassure her with a smile, "Sister, don't worry. I have the lord looking after me, so I won't be in danger... Besides, you know, since I was a child, my dream has always been to..." His eyes hardened with resolve, and his hands unconsciously clenched.

"Phil, are you still not willing to give up?" Alice asked, her voice tinged with concern and reluctance.

Alice's question plunged Phil into silence. The veins on his tightly clenched hands bulged, then slowly relaxed. The grim expression on his face gave way to a relieved smile, as if he had just recalled something terrible.

Seeing the terrifying look on Phil's face, Alice quickly stepped forward and gently embraced him. Phil's trembling body, strained from overexertion, gradually calmed in her arms. Alice patted his back softly, just as she had done countless times to soothe him before.

Phil's mother had died a few years after giving birth to him, so he and his sister Alice had been raised solely by their father. In young Phil's eyes, his father was not only loving to him and his sister but also a hero he had admired since childhood, becoming his pillar of strength. When news of his father's death in battle arrived, Phil, only eight years old at the time, swore to kill every bandit and become a soldier like his father.

To achieve his dream, Phil had always trained according to his father's teachings. In fact, it was precisely because of his exceptional physical condition that Sean wanted to recruit him. Though he was still just a servant, he had already received the military Knight Secret Method. This was undoubtedly the first step in changing his fate...

"Sister, rest assured. After the lord's guidance, I'm strong enough to protect myself..." Phil said lightly with a smile after regaining his composure, gently stepping out of his sister Alice's embrace. Then he added, "Sister, you know... I've always wanted to become a soldier like Father. This time, the lord is giving me a chance, and I can't miss it..."

Alice sighed helplessly, knowing she couldn't change her brother Phil's resolve or his long-held wish. She could only grip his hand worriedly and say, "Then you must be careful, and... take good care of the lord for me..."

Phil nodded with a smile, having already noticed the ambiguous relationship between his sister Alice and Sean. But he didn't mind; in fact, he was happy for her. It meant Alice would be protected by Sean and enjoy a stable, relatively good life. At the same time, Sean would value him, the servant, more and give him more opportunities.

After that, Alice repeatedly reminded Phil until his luggage was fully prepared.

Sean had napped in his room for just over an hour when he suddenly heard a faint creak of the door opening. He saw Alice carefully closing the door behind her, then tiptoeing to the bedside. A mischievous urge struck him, so he pretended to be asleep, waiting for Alice to approach.

Seeing Sean seemingly fast asleep, Alice hesitated, unsure what to do. After a moment, she leaned down gently, bringing her face close to his, gazing somewhat infatuated at his handsome features. Just then, she saw Sean, who had appeared to be sleeping, open his eyes with a sly grin. Startled, she tried to pull back, but before she could move, a strong force pulled her, and she found herself falling into Sean's arms against her will.

Alice let out a startled "Ah," but before she could react, Sean flipped over, pinning her beneath him. One of his mischievous hands firmly grasped her full, plump breast, and then began to knead and toy with her firmness without restraint.

"Young Master... no..." Alice gasped, her voice breaking into her usual pleas for mercy.

Sean blew a warm breath into Alice's ear with a sly smile, and as she flinched away in panic, he commanded softly, "Alice, be good and don't move..." The moment the words left his mouth, Alice's resisting hands and slight squirming froze instinctively.

Sean grinned triumphantly, continuing his assault on Alice's soft, full firmness with one hand, watching its changing shape and her complex expression—a mix of shyness, pain, and anticipation. At the same time, his other hand slipped under the hem of her skirt, exploring gently along her smooth, rounded thigh toward its root.

The maid outfit Alice wore was custom-made by Sean based on his memories from his past life, with only the skirt slightly lengthened.

The strange sensation from her chest left Alice's mind blank. Her body stiff, she let out heavy breaths mixed with a few enticing moans. But when she felt Sean's hand begin to trace along her thigh toward her core, she mustered a sudden burst of strength, pressing her hands down on his exploring hand through the fabric of her skirt.

"Young Master... no... spare me..." Alice begged softly, her face flushed red as she resisted.

Sean didn't stop, continuing his exploration of her body. He leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Alice, this bandit suppression will take about half a month. If anything happens, go to my uncle for help..."

Alice let out an "Mm" that sounded like both agreement and a moan, her resistance weakening.

"Remember to bring my badge when you go out." Sean intensified his assault, speaking softly with a smile. Then he added, "If you need to hire maids or a cook, find people you know and trust..."

With an "Ah," Alice's defenses were breached, and Sean's hand reached her core.

"Young Master... take care... and Phil... ah..." Alice's face burned red as she made futile attempts to resist, enduring both her mental embarrassment and the strange physical sensations, pleading with difficulty.

"Mm, take care of yourself..." Sean said with a smile. After that, no matter how Alice begged, he remained unmoved, focusing entirely on enjoying her shyness and fullness. It wasn't until half an hour later, when Alice's face was flushed and her body tensed as she let out a high, prolonged cry, that Sean withdrew his hand with a sly grin, watching her pant heavily as he examined the sticky, unclear fluid on his palm.

That evening, Sean returned to Baron Horton's Villa. Over dinner, he explained the situation in detail to his uncle's family and asked his uncle, Baron Horton, to look after Alice and the others to prevent any unnecessary incidents. That night, only after Sean repeatedly assured her did Lady Angelina reluctantly agree to his departure.