Secret

 "Miss Hylla, are you going to agree with the deal?" the captain of Noble Guard asked. 

 "Of course. It something I agree with. And there is no reason just back off," Hylla replied, clutching the communication token in her hand. 

 Ryker had suggested it if she want to talk, she can do so and with anyone in his group. She took it, though there is one person she wanted to talk to the most.

 Seeing her looking lovestruck once more, the captai shook his head. Being a century old expert and serving the Duke for a long period of time, since he was 20 years old actually, made him trusted by the man, allowing him to learn some very secret and hidden knowledge.

 One of them being the true status of Hylla. Her being a servant are merely a disguise to protect her. If her true identity is known, she would not have a peaceful day anymore.

 'Should I reported this to the Duke?' the captain thought.

 While he is talented, especially when he likely their best beat in getting the true treasures of the Noble Garden, Hylla is someone important to the Duke. Not to mention the fact he had so many lovers and wives. The Duke would likely kill the one who suggested the union between them both.

 In the end, he decided to do so. The Duke entrusted the well-being of the gray-haired woman in his hand and he will make sure she will stay safe and happy while she was under his protection.

-x-

 "Ryker," Miriam called out to him the moment they enter their current home.

 "Yeah, it's about Hylla and the fact she is not what she supposed to be, right?" Ryker guessed correctly of the reasoning.

 "Yes, her identity likely more important than just a servant. After all, what kind of servant get a Genesis Lake expert as an escort?" Miriam questioned. Hearing this the other began to understand why they are starting to fixate on the servant.

 "So, who do you think she is?" Era asked, clearly taken by shock of the revelation.

 "We don't have any knowledge about her, so making a guess will be pointless. But if you want to do something like that, just make sure to not gamble with cuddle time.

 I don't want to have another day like 'that day,' they all shuddered at the reminder, and the sole reason why betting using cuddle time are prohibited in the house.

 "Alright, we just going to use money," Ryker rubbed his forehead before looking at them, "Just don't suddenly go into debt for no good reason," the women nodded, hopefully heeding his warning.

-x-

 "I see, so Hylla find herself attracted to him," the Duke exclaimed with a frown. 

 While he has a good opinion on the young man, even with the amount of women he has around him, he did not want Hylla to join in if he could help it.

 "Telling her to cut down her interaction with him might lead to her being displeased. Plus, she has good reasons to meet him," he said out loud, with the Captain of Noble Guard giving his ears to the Duke.

 "The only way to make sure it did not go on that direction would be to warn him myself, but he did not even try to flirt with her. I don't know whether to be relieved or angered," the captain kept his silence. He did not want to be on the receiving end of the Duke's wrath, it would not end well for him.

 "I should talk to him after the finals are over. If it's goes well, Mashia would win. But..." the captain knew the reason why the Duke become uncertain of the result.

 "The brat. Darell right? He would be a challenge for her," the Duke nodded. The two already knew that the winner of the tournament would be decided to the two people. 

 The rest are just there to make up the number from their performance so far. Of course, unless one or two hide a powerful trump card. But again, so did the two most likely victor.

 "We have to see. In any case, I can always asked to meet him after the tournament to discuss the arrangement, as well as letting the one who will go inside the Noble Garden know who he is and what he will do," the Duke exclaimed, earning nods from the captain.

 "Still, Hylla almost revealed her connection with you. I worried they will used it. I don't believe they will but it's better be safe than sorry," the Duke's eyes narrowed as he asked,

 "What do you mean by almost revealing our connection?" the captain proceed to tell him of what occur during the dinner inside the cafe.

 After he finished, the man was in deep thought as he himself unsure of the best course of action.

 "For now, just keep a close eye on them. Theys still don't know the connection between me and her, so there's no need to be worried. But keep an eye. Just in case,"

-x-

 As for the group of people under the scrutiny of the Duke, they are busy making bets about Hylla's identity.

 "I think she is a niece of some sort," Era exclaimed.

 "I think she is a daughter," Mashia said her bet,

 "I think she is a daughter, but an adopted one," Miriam said her piece.

 Soon, the betting were done, "So, three people for niece," Era, Myna and Eris had confident smile on their face, " "2 for birth daughter," Mashia and Lisha grinned, "and 4 for adopted daughter," the others as in Miriam, Ina, Shuri, and Rina had calm smiles.

 After announcing the bet, he pocketed the money they bet in a locked room, just so none of them steal it. Though he do wish to see them try. He had some punishment he learned from Lisha's books to try out,

 "Alright, that's enough for the day," he turned toward Mashia, "especially for you. You will need some rest for what is to come," Mashia, the dragon girl made a face to him before nodding.

 This time, she join him in the bed though they did not do anything aside fro, cuddling, so she will not be tired of what is to come.