A Maid's Life Saved.

Commander Aethera, on the other hand, stood still, a smirk dancing on her lips as she watched the drama unfold before her.

Is she not going to stop this? Kae thought to himself, glaring at Commander Aethera, who wasn't paying him any attention. Is this how maids are killed? Do their lives mean nothing to these monsters? Of course they don't. We consorts are just slaves to them too. Even though our ranks are higher than a regular maid's, we're still slaves.

"I'm never leaving my sister again. If you want to kill anyone, then kill me," Tharros barked, his face red with anger as he glared at Teacher Vynessa. "Living in the palace isn't worth it anyway. We're all going to die sooner or later, so just kill me now and end it once and for all."

"Oh really? Then your wish is my command!" Teacher Vynessa replied, as she aimed her arrow at Tharros and his sister.

"Wait!"

Because teacher Vynessa she had already drawn and aimed, Kae's distraction caused the arrow to miss its target, only grazing Anna's neck and hitting the wall behind her.

"Anna!" Tharros cried as Anna dropped to her knees, tears streaming down her cheeks. She had narrowly escaped death and didn't know if she still would.

"What is it, favorite consort?" Teacher Vynessa asked, her gaze fixed on Kae. "You made me miss my target, so I hope your distraction was worth it."

To hell with the word "favorite," Kae cursed inwardly. He heaved a heavy sigh before standing up and moving closer to Teacher Vynessa.

"Can this maid be freed, please? Can you not kill her?" Kae asked, raising his eyebrows in curiosity.

Ding!

{What? Why are you saving her? Do you want to die in her stead?}

"So you made me miss my target because of this maid?" Teacher Vynessa barked as she set another arrow, this one glowing more intensively with red lightning. "That's all the more reason she has to die."

"Didn't you refer to me as the queen's favorite? I'm not asking that the maid leaves the palace. What if she works for me? Becomes my personal maid?" Kae suggested. "The queen wouldn't mind her favorite consort getting a personal maid, or would she? If she would, then we can just go and meet her together."

"Huh?" Tharros muttered, directing his gaze at Kae, but he understood that Kae was trying to save his sister, so he kept quiet and hoped Teacher Vynessa would agree. Being a maid under Kae before he plans her escape is better than being a slave to the Elyria who kills without having second thought.

Teacher Vynessa furrowed her brows at Kae's words. She then put down her bow and arrow and directed her attention fully to him. "Do you really think I have time to go through a whole court process because of a common maid?" she snapped.

{I still see no reason why you're saving a human slave. She's not an Elyria you're going to enslave. You should focus on the Elyria and stop wasting your breath on a maid.}

{Teacher Vynessa is also one Elyria you could enslave, but you're already getting on her bad side on your first day.}

She got on my bad side first. So watch it, system, Kae scolded inwardly.

"Vynessa, Vynessa," Commander Aethera called with a smirk, clapping her hands as she moved closer to the scene. "Since the queen's favorite wants a common maid, then give her to him. Besides, these two consorts; Kae and Tharros have showcased their bravery. Even though you threatened Tharros with your bow and arrow, he still stood up to you. And Kae, not minding the consequences of his actions, tried to save a maid. I can say it's foolish, but still, he showcased bravery." She added as she extended her hand to help Anna stand.

Instead of taking Commander Aethera's hand, Anna took Tharros's hand instead.

"You should get going. Pack all your belongings and head to Consort Kae's chamber. You serve him from now on," Commander Aethera declared.

Teacher Vynessa couldn't help but to let out a frustrated sigh.

Anna moved closer to Kae and knelt before him, kowtowing. "Thank you for saving my life, Master. I'll forever be grateful and serve you."

Kae then stretched his hand forward to help Anna stand which she took immediately . "Do not mention it. You're Tharros's sister, and it's only right I save you, considering my relationship with your brother, even though we've just met."

"Thank you so much, Kae. Thank you for saving her life and keeping her under your watch. I feel more at ease now that she's within my reach. Thank you so much," Tharros said sincerely, and Kae nodded in response.

"And thank you so much, Commander. I really appreciate it," Tharros added with a slight bow to Commander Aethera, who nodded in response.

"Alright! Time to get to work. Maids, help the royal consorts put on their silver armor," Commander Aethera declared, and the maids quickly sprang into action, assisting the royal consorts in donning their silver armor.

The Elyria guards present soon opened the boxes placed before the royal consorts, revealing various dangerous weapons.

"Consorts, please choose the weapons you prefer," Commander Aethera commanded, and the consorts obeyed, inspecting the weapons that suited them.

"They're real weapons? Aren't we supposed to practice with fake ones first?" Tharros whispered, loud enough for Kae to hear.

"But you know a little about swordsmanship already, don't you?" Kae raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, but like you said, it's just a little. We all didn't learn from mages, just from random people, mainly for self-defense," Tharros replied, his expression frustrated.

"Well, we've already held a sword before, so it's only normal for them to assume we all are familiar with it, even though we're not really good at martial arts. They mean business here, which is why we're given real swords. I'll just say, let's be careful," Kae replied as he grabbed a sharp-edged sword, inspecting it with a broad smile.

The other consorts soon selected the weapons of their choice, ranging from swords to daggers, spears, and more.

"I'll see you again, brother," Anna said with a smile, and Tharros nodded in agreement.

The maids who assisted in putting on their silver armor, as well as the Elyria guards who brought out the weapons, soon took their leave, leaving the royal consorts, Commander Aethera, and Teacher Vynessa to themselves.