This was the first time Raven had seen Old Gordon so conflicted, and he was rather curious. He said gently, "Don't be nervous. Take your time and tell me—what is it?"
"It's like this, my lord." Old Gordon adjusted his monocle. "I have a granddaughter named Fiona. I recently called her back to Eagle Fortress, and I hope you'll agree to let her stay and help me handle some miscellaneous affairs."
"Of course." Raven said, "Let's appoint her as your assistant for now, with an annual salary of five Gold Coins. How does that sound?"
"Lord Baron, I will always remember your generosity." Old Gordon looked slightly moved.
As a butler, he had the authority to recruit his own assistant, but he also had to pay that assistant's salary himself.
Now that Raven had offered an annual salary of five Gold Coins, however, he had effectively appointed Fiona as an official employee of Eagle Fortress.
Raven had not even met Fiona, so his decision was naturally not based on her education, abilities, or appearance. It came from his trust in and consideration for this old retainer.
"Fiona, come in quickly and greet Lord Baron." Old Gordon turned around and called out.
A few seconds later, the door opened slightly, leaving a narrow gap. A slender, bony arm braced against the doorframe and slowly pushed the door open.
Fiona walked in like that.
The pale-silver hair she had inherited from Old Gordon fell loose behind her head. Her bangs were quite thick, but they had a dry, straw-like quality.
Her delicate oval face had taut skin, and a pair of large, round-framed glasses rested on her petite nose. The lenses were so thick they looked like the bottoms of two wine bottles.
Her foxlike, narrow, light-gray eyes held a hint of