Sophia Manor stood on the coastal highlands north of Coldwater Port City. Though called a manor, it was in fact an estate used by the royal family for summer holidays.
To the west of the manor lay the sea, while the urban area of Coldwater Port City was to the south. To the east and north were coastal forests used by local nobles for recreation. They could hunt and fish there, and in winter, the forests also served as an important local source of timber for Coldwater Port City.
Shade had once visited Miss Galina's estate in Tobesk, but had never had the chance to look around it properly. He had also toured Lake View Manor while attending a banquet, but that place could not compare to a royal estate at all.
After the group returned to Sophia Manor, the two Scholars were temporarily placed under guard. Leisha would deal with their matters separately.
The Princess was soaked through, so she went to bathe as soon as she returned. The estate had a dedicated bathhouse with a considerable land occupation, reserved for members of the royal family.
Naturally, Shade was not permitted to use such a bathhouse, but Leisha had specifically arranged a room for him, and the washroom inside was more than adequate for cleaning himself up.
But when the drenched Shade received clean clothes and prepared to wash up, the two young maids who had delivered them did not leave.
"Is there something else?"
the Outlander asked in surprise, a towel he had just used to dry his hair still draped over his shoulders.
"Her Highness asked us to assist you—"
"No need. Leave."
Only then did Shade realize that the Outlander was not accustomed to such things.
"You needn't misunderstand. We are Her Highness's personal maids, not