"But that book is quite precious,
You aren't thinking of getting it for free, are you?"
Vaan spoke as he suddenly held Seraphina's hands. Seraphina was taken aback by Vaan's sudden move, however, before she could react, one of the maids standing behind Seraphina reacted and grabbed Vaan's hand as she shouted.
"How dare you!? Get your hands away from Lady Seraphine."
Vaan glanced at the maid then he tilted his head in confusion.
"I didn't know the servants of the Stormweaver house were bold enough to directly touch a member of the Vesta Family.
Sera my love, should I take this as an offence against the Vesta Family?"
Vaan questioned as he turned towards Seraphina with a light smile on his face. All this while, he didn't leave Seraphina's hands.
Seraphina's expression changed. She calmly moved her hands away from Vaan's grip, then, she glanced at Vaan and,
"I apologize for my maid's action. She is a rash person, I will discipline her well."
Seraphina then glanced at her maid, she didn't say anything, however, the maid understood what she wanted. She recognized her mistake and quickly moved her hands away.
"I apologize, Young Master Vaan." She bowed her head.
Vaan, however, just smiled.
"I don't think a simple apology will work in this situation, girl."
The maid didn't know what do to.
"What do you want, Young Master Vaan?" Seraphina questioned.
"You love your father, correct?" Suddenly, Vaan questioned.
"Huh?" Seraphina was taken aback.
Vaan continued to look at her.
"Yes, I do love and respect my father, Young Master Vaan."
"Then let's say your father visits the Vesta Mansion because he was invited, then, the guards there throw your father away and embarrass him in front of everyone, what would you want me to do to those guards?"
'You wouldn't be able to do anything because you do not own any power in the Vesta Family.'
Seraphina wanted to say this, but obviously, she couldn't do it.
She then looked at Vaan with a strange look on her face. She didn't know how to put it, but Vaan was acting differently than normal.
She couldn't see that 'honey dipping look' in his eyes that he used to show before whenever he met her. His eyes seemed more… clearer…
Seraphina was having a hard time adjusting to this sudden change.
"I… I would want those guards to apologize…" Seraphina answered.
"Oh? So a simple apology would cut it huh." Vaan noted.
Then, he stood up.
"Alright, I get it.
The Vesta House would be arranging a welcoming ceremony soon for the children of Vesta who will be returning from the academy in the upcoming break.
The Stormweaver House will be invited as well.
I am looking forward to you people attending the party, Seraphina." Vaan smiled mysteriously. It was as if he was planning something.
"Anyways, I will be taking my leave now.
Since there are people who obviously don't want me here."
As he said those words, Vaan momentarily glanced at the maid who had grabbed his hand.
"Wait."
Just as Vaan was about to leave the room, Seraphina called out.
She was clenching her fists to hold back her anger, the meaning behind Vaan's words couldn't be clearer, inviting them just to kick them out later and end it all with an apology. Even an idiot could tell what he was planning, but to think the situation made it so that other than silently listening to his words, there was nothing she could do.
Seraphina hated the fact that she had so little control over the overall situation.
Vaan, who stood with his back facing Seraphina smiled widely as he heard her call him, then, his smile faded away as he turned around with a tired sigh, "What is it now, Sera?" he questioned.
"Lily, apologize," Seraphina ordered.
"I apolo-" Lily, the maid was about to bow her head, however, "Not like this." Seraphina interrupted.
"Kneel down and rub your nose on the ground while you apologize."
Seraphina ordered with a cold look on her face.
Lily's expression changed. Even Vaan was taken aback, he was impressed by how decisive this woman was.
"Lady Seraphina…" Lily called out in surprise. She obviously didn't want to do it and couldn't believe that her Lady who she had been loyal to for all her life ordered her to do something like this.
Seraphina, however, didn't care.
"Kneel." She ordered.
Lily's body trembled, she glanced at the other maid, asking for her help, however, the other maid simply glanced away. Lily's body trembled in embarrassment, then, she glanced at Vaan who was looking at her with an expressionless look on his face.
Then, gritting her teeth, she knelt, she bowed her head and as her nose touched the ground, she started rubbing it and, "I apologize, I was disrespectful, I will reflect on my actions, please forgive me, Young Master Vaan."
Vaan didn't say anything, he just let the maid continue to rub her nose on the ground in embarrassment and glanced at Seraphina.
"I also apologize for not disciplining my servants, Young Master Vaan. I hope you won't take it to your heart." Seraphina bowed her head as well.
"Fire her."
Suddenly, Vaan ordered.
Seraphina, Lily, and the other maid inside the room widened their eyes in surprise as they heard Vaan's words.
"W-What…?" Seraphina stuttered.
"Fire this maid."
"But I-"
"It is either me or this maid, Seraphina.
Choose well."
Vaan wasn't willing to listen.
Lily, who had her head on the ground was surprised as well.
"Young Master Vaan, you asked what I would want if your guards were disrespectful to someone from my family, I believe this sort of apology would suffice for me, I wouldn't want you to fire them since those guards must have a family to feed as well, so plea-"
"That is your choice, this is mine.
Now choose.
With how much I have done for you in all these years if you still choose a mere maid over me, then I'd believe I was a fool before and would stop pursuing you entirely.
So please give your answer, Seraphina.
It is something very important for me."
