Yes, My Dear Little Brother!

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Cian and the rest had expected a smooth sailing trip back to the Lambhart region, hoping to avoid any encounters with enemies. However, their journey turned out to be far from smooth—it was an absolute nightmare.

The road leading back to the Lambhart region was nothing more than a rugged, unpaved path, making it impossible to travel comfortably. They had no choice but to endure the bone-rattling ride in the car, but even that didn't provide much relief. The constant jostling and bumps on the rough road caused Cian to succumb to a terrible case of motion sickness.

When they finally reached the Lambhart manor, Cian collapsed to his knees in utter exhaustion and discomfort. He mustered the strength to speak, his voice strained, "We need to have this wretched road cemented as soon as possible. Traveling on such a treacherous path will do me no good. Blergghhh!" As he finished his sentence, he couldn't hold back and emptied the contents of his stomach.

The three women, startled yet somewhat entertained by Cian's vulnerability, observed him with a mix of shock and amusement. It was an unfamiliar sight to witness him in such a weakened state, and, oddly enough, they found it endearing.

After a moment, they made their way inside the manor. Cian, concerned for their well-being, insisted that the women stay and rest for the day. They accepted his offer without hesitation, realizing that Cian himself needed some much-deserved rest as well.

"You're free to choose any room you like. With just the four of us residing here, there's an abundance of rooms to select from," Cian informed them.

The three women exchanged glances, their curiosity piqued. While they had already surmised that Cian's parents were no longer alive, given his position as the earl of the Lambhart earldom, they had assumed there would be others residing in the grand manor. Siblings, aunts, uncles, or even a staff of maids and butlers. Yet, as they stood there, it became apparent that the manor held only the three of them... no, wait, did Cian just say four?

Just as confusion began to settle in their minds, a voice resonated from the kitchen. "I see you are finally back from your trip, My Lord," it said.

Curiosity piqued, all three women turned their attention towards the source of the voice. The woman possessed an undeniable beauty, rivaling even Maya's enchanting allure. Her cold, yellowish-brown eyes peered through the glasses she wore, casting a penetrating gaze upon Cian.

Her beauty was striking, on par with Maya's allure. However, there was an undeniable sense of dignity emanating from her presence, enough to make the three women consider the possibility of her being a noble. Yet, her attire indicated that she was merely a maid.

Though the trio possessed their own fair share of attractiveness, they couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the sheer beauty that surrounded them. Maya, Vera, and now this woman—they were simply stunning. Despite their own attractive appearances, they couldn't deny that these individuals surpassed them in beauty.

The woman's gaze shifted towards the three women. "And who might these ladies be?" she inquired.

Cian responded, "They are my esteemed guests. The one over there is the daughter of a marquis. They have come to visit our manor. However, due to the arduous journey, they are fatigued. Would you kindly escort them to the guest rooms they will be occupying?"

The maid gracefully bowed before the group. "As you command, My Lord," she replied, acknowledging his request. With a poised demeanor, she motioned for the women to follow her. As they obediently trailed behind her, their eyes met Vera's, Maya's, and Cian's, the three individuals left in the living room.

"Well, considering how hard we worked through the night without any sleep, it's a wonderful idea to get some rest," Cian suggested.

Maya, visibly tired and yawning, stretched her limbs before responding, "That sounds perfect, Master. I think it's time for me to head to my room and catch up on some sleep." With that, she made her way upstairs, her weariness evident in her every step.

With Maya off to her room, only Vera and Cian remained. Vera, feeling a bit awkward, stuttered, "Well then, I suppose I should head to my room as well."

However, just as she was about to leave, Cian called out to her, stopping her in her tracks. "Vera, wait."

She turned to face him. Cian took a deep breath before continuing. "I want you to know, without a doubt, that my love for you is unwavering. You are the woman I care for, and I would never abandon you. Even if you choose not to engage in an intimate relationship with me, I will still love you just the same. So, please, never again doubt that I would ever leave your side. Promise me that."

Cian needed to reinforce this message in Vera's mind. He wanted to assure her that his love was unwavering and that she would always hold a special place in his heart.

A beautiful smile spread across Vera's face, radiating warmth and happiness. It was a smile that Cian found utterly captivating. "Yes, my dear little brother!" she replied, her voice filled with affection.

Drawing closer to Cian, Vera puckered her lips and gently brought her face nearer to his. Their lips met in a tender, innocent kiss reminiscent of their very first one. It was a chaste and pure exchange, free from any trace of impropriety.

Vera had finally broken free from the chains that held her back, thanks to Cian's support. However, it wasn't Cian who had liberated her; he had merely provided the catalyst for her emancipation. Without those shackles weighing her down, Vera would now be able to grow and thrive, becoming someone Cian could truly rely on.

'I'm looking forward to seeing her blossom and grow...'

Although Vera had transitioned into womanhood, she was still a child at heart. Now that the mental restraints that hindered her development had been lifted, she had the opportunity to mature and flourish.

They separated their lips, and a warm smile graced Cian's face. With that, they decided that it was time to call it a day and retire to their respective rooms.

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As Cian entered his room, he was surprised to find Maya seated on his bed. Confusion flickered across his face as he wondered why she would be there. Considering how exhausted they both were, he doubted that Maya was seeking another intimate encounter. He couldn't help but wonder what she had come for.

"What brings you here, Maya?"

"What else? I've been waiting for you," Maya replied, crossing her legs. Cian noticed a hint of irritation in her expression, evident in her slightly puffed-up cheeks that resembled a squirrel's.

"Why were you waiting for me?"

"Don't tell me you have no idea why I'm here? Fine, I'll enlighten you," Maya sighed. "Why didn't you inform me about your plan to help Vera overcome her trauma?"

Cian was taken aback. How did she find out? Then again, he reminded himself that this was Maya he was dealing with—someone who had an uncanny ability to understand his thoughts. Her sharpness didn't surprise him anymore.

"Well, I suppose I wanted to handle it on my own this time, without relying on your assistance, Maya," he said.

"That stings a little. It's almost as if you're saying you don't need me," Maya replied.

"I didn't mean it that way..."

"Don't worry, I'm not upset. I just hope that you can confide in me and let me help you with your planning. After all, I am yours, right?" She paused, a mischievous glimmer in her eyes. "Why don't we have one more round before we sleep, Master? It could ensure that we both have a truly satisfying night's rest, don't you think?" She slowly uncrossed her legs, teasingly spreading them apart.

Cian chuckled at Maya's playful and provocative remark. "You're quite the temptress, Maya. While that does sound appealing, I'm afraid I just don't have the energy for it tonight."

Maya's face contorted into a playful pout. "Aww~ And here I thought I would be treated to the relentless thrusts of your manhood once again... But I guess I'll have to wait until next time...," she said, a mischievous glint in her eyes. Crossing her legs once again, she settled back into a more relaxed position. "However, I must say, your plan was nothing short of brilliant, Master."

"What do you mean?"

Maya grinned, clearly impressed by Cian's strategic thinking. "Not only did you reveal the existence of our organization, but you also managed to free Vera from the curse that bound her. And let's not forget the fact that you stumbled upon three incredibly capable women along the way. It's quite an accomplishment, Master. You've managed to kill three birds with one stone."

Cian shrugged modestly. "Freya, Mila, and Charlotte were unexpected occurrences, to say the least. They weren't part of my original plan."

Maya leaned forward, her gaze fixed on Cian. "But even so, when they entered the picture and altered your plans, you swiftly adapted and devised an alternative strategy. That's what makes you truly remarkable. So now that's the prologue is done, what's your next move, Master?"

A knowing smile tugged at the corners of Cian's lips. "You're already aware of my next move, aren't you?"

Maya returned his smile with a nod. "Indeed, I have my ways of staying one step ahead. But it's always intriguing to hear it directly from you. Your plans are like a thrilling puzzle waiting to be solved."

Cian turned away from Maya and walked towards the window, gazing out at the Lambhart region. He contemplated the days ahead.

"With 39 days remaining until the academy admission, I'll need to find my pawns for the time being. Simultaneously, I must set my plan in motion to bring down other corrupt nobles," he mused aloud. He reached for the envelope resting on the bedside table and opened it, revealing an invitation to the Duke of Micesse's party. "The party is already tomorrow, huh?"

Glancing back at Maya, he asked, "Maya, would you mind escorting the three women back to their home? I anticipate being quite busy and won't be able to accompany them myself."

Maya nodded in agreement. "Sure, no problem. But who will be accompanying you to the Micesse event, Master?"

"I already have someone in mind," Cian replied with a confident smile. He placed the letter back into the envelope and returned it to its spot on the bedside table. "Now, Maya, if you don't mind, please return to your own room. I need to get some sleep."

"Alright then, Master~!" Maya said with a cheerful tone.

With their conversation concluded, Maya left the room, leaving Cian to his solitude. Exhausted from the day's events, Cian flopped onto the bed and let sleep claim him without hesitation.

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Cian woke up to the sound of his digital alarm clock, feeling a bit groggy as he blinked at the ceiling. Slowly, he shook off the remnants of sleep and reluctantly climbed out of bed. Stretching his limbs and letting out a tired yawn, he acknowledged that his sleep, although not the best, had still been fairly comfortable.

"Well, time to freshen up, I guess," he mumbled to himself. But just as he was about to head towards the bathroom, a knock on his door interrupted his plans.

"Who...?" Cian wondered aloud.

"It's me, little brother," came a familiar voice. It was Vera.

"It's quite unusual for you to show up at this hour. I was just about to take a shower. What's up?" Cian asked, puzzled by her unexpected visit.

"That's precisely why I'm here," Vera replied with a mysterious tone.

Cian couldn't quite grasp her intentions, but he soon found out as Vera clarified her request.

"I want to clean you. No, let me clean you."

"Huh? Clean? Like, give me a bath or something?" Cian questioned.

Vera's response left him momentarily puzzled. "Yes, exactly... I want to cleanse you. To lather you with soap, rinse you off, and even scrub your back. That kind of thing."