"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."
Vaan spoke with a cold look on his face.
"…"
Seraphina turned silent.
She wasn't given much of a choice here.
She glanced at Lily who kept her pride away for her sake and was still kneeling on the ground, she didn't wish to do it but in the end,
Seraphina clenched her fists,
"Lily, you can leave. You do not have to come starting tomorrow."
Seraphina had to throw Lily away.
"L-Lady Seraphina…?"
Lily was absolutely shocked.
"But Lady Sera-"
"Know your place, Maid." This time, Vaan was the one who spoke up.
Then, he glared at Lily and,
"Be glad that you are even alive after what you have done.
If you weren't Sera's servant, I would have killed you right here and now.
Now get the fuck out, else I won't mind changing my decision."
Lily gulped in fear…
"You know what, you think too much of yourself. You need to face the reality of the world and realize who you are standing in front of.
Once I return, I will make sure that the entire Vesta City knows you were kicked out because you offended Vaan Astra Vesta. Let's see who hires you or keep any sort of connection with you at all."
Vaan spoke.
Lily widened her eyes as her body trembled.
She was frustrated, she knelt, she rubbed her nose on the ground, and begged for forgiveness, and even then, she was kicked out. Not only that, she could tell this man would make sure that she wouldn't be hired by anyone in the Vesta City.
If she needed to survive, she would need to leave the Vesta City, however, the entire City was surrounded by water and she didn't have enough money to book a ship.
Her future… it was absolutely certain…
And there was nothing she could do about it.
"Now leave if you don't want me to make your life more miserable." Vaan threatened.
With a soulless look on her face, Lily walked away.
Once she left the room, Vaan's cold expression disappeared and was replaced by a warm smile.
He glanced at Seraphina and, "Thank you, Sera."
"What are you thanking me for, Young Master Vaan?" Seraphina smiled. She had enough time to analyze the situation and react accordingly.
What's lost was lost, there was no point in reacting to it right now. For now, she had to work on capitalizing on the decision she had made.
Vaan had changed, however, Seraphina could tell that he still had feelings for her.
He may be much more arrogant and direct than before, however, he still had a soft side for her. She needed to use that, just like she always has been.
"For choosing me over that maid," Vaan replied. The smile on his face hadn't disappeared all this time.
"Young Master Vaan, please don't act so distant. How could you even think that I would choose a mere maid over you? I was only hesitating because I was worried how she would fend off for herself in the future, however, if you put in a condition where I had to choose you over her, then I didn't even have to think.
You mean much more to me than a mere maid."
Seraphina smiled.
"I appreciate that.
It made me feel special." Vaan spoke.
"You are special, Young Master Vaan."
"W-What?" Vaan was taken aback as Seraphina smile at her.
"I said you are special in my eyes, Young Master Vaan," Seraphina repeated her words, this time, her tone sounded a bit flirty.
"S-Sera, I think I forgot something back in my room, so I will be taking my leave now!" Suddenly, Vaan rushed out of Seraphina's room.
"Young Master Vaan!" Seraphina wanted to stop him, however, Vaan didn't listen and just rushed out.
Aldric, who was patiently waiting for Vaan's return was surprised when he saw Vaan acting like that, however, he didn't question anything and quickly followed Vaan.
Soon, the two of them sat on the carriage and left.
…
On the other hand, Lily, who packed her stuff and was about to leave her room paused as she saw Seraphina's other maid standing in front of her.
"Why are you here, Anna?" She questioned.
"Take care," Anna replied.
Hearing that, Lily just chuckled, "I will take care, don't worry. I mean, what even happened? Not like I lost my job or won't be able to work anywhere anymore, right?"
"I will talk to Lady Ser-"
"23 years, Anna. I have been by Lady Seraphina's side ever since she was born, I treated her like a family and was absolutely loyal to her, it was to the point where even if she asked me to kill myself, I would have done it without hesitation.
And what did I gain back in exchange? She kicked me away just because that man said so.
She doesn't even love him, heck, he is nothing more than a golden egg laying hen in her eyes, but to think she would throw me away for someone like him.
Maybe we aren't much different in her eyes as well. Rather than 'family', maybe we are just some tools she needs to get her work done for her."
"That is no-"
"I am thrown away, Anna. I hope doesn't happen to my sister, be careful, and do not trust Lady Seraphina too much."
Saying those words, Lily decided to leave without hearing what Anna had to say.
Once she left the Stormweaver Mansion, she headed towards her small house, it was an hour-long walk, Lily had the money, but she wasn't foolish enough to waste money on the carriage in this situation.
An hour later, Lily walked into her house, then, she froze.
"Keeping me waiting for this long, you really are daring, aren't you?"
