The following day, at the break of dawn.

  Just as Kenley was lying in bed, embracing Tia and relishing a rare moment of tranquility, the door of his abode suddenly resounded with a knock.

  "Who could be knocking at the door so early?" Kenley flexed his neck, swiftly donned his garments, and made his way outside.

  Upon opening the door, Kenley was immediately struck by the sight that greeted him.

  "Your Highness Princess Guinevere? What prompts your esteemed presence here?" Kenley inquired, a hint of surprise evident in his voice.

  As it turned out, standing outside his door at that moment was a resplendent motorcade. While it lacked a modicum of the opulence characteristic of the royal motorcade, it was by no means significantly inferior. The carriage, its exterior a rich, dark brown hue glistening with a golden sheen, was drawn by magnificent, powerful horses. A dozen Bronze Knights stood ready, providing a formidable escort. Bathed in the gentle morning breeze and the soft mist, they waited in serene silence on the street.

  Before him now stood Guinevere, attired in a pristine white ensemble. Unlike her attire during the previous expedition to the Bronze Trial Labyrinth, Guinevere now exuded an even more pronounced air of aristocratic refinement. She possessed a captivating blend of sensuality and elegance, her demure demeanor belied by an air of haughty aloofness.

  "I chanced to pass by your residence, so I thought I'd take a moment to extend my greetings," Guinevere remarked casually.

  Chanced to pass by? Extend greetings on a whim? Kenley was taken aback. Who was Guinevere? She was the daughter of Prince Grand Duke Christophon, a princess of the Cain Empire's royal lineage. The abode where she resided was undoubtedly far removed from the ordinary noble villas. How could she have possibly found her way to this part of town? Kenley was highly skeptical of the notion that she had no ulterior motive.

  "Thank you, Your Highness, the esteemed princess. Good morning," Kenley replied, mustering his courage. When dealing with such a high-ranking noble, he knew he must adhere to the strictest standards of etiquette, leaving no room for even the slightest oversight.

  "What, won't you invite me in for a brief respite?" Guinevere queried, her eyes glinting with a hint of amusement.

  Invite her in? This was an unexpected turn of events for Kenley. To think that she would pay a visit to the humble abode of an ordinary commoner like himself so early in the morning!

  "It would be my utmost honor, Your Highness. Please, do come in and make yourself comfortable," Kenley responded promptly, stepping aside to clear the way.

  A cold sweat broke out on Kenley's brow. He was still somewhat unaccustomed to the intricacies of noble etiquette. He couldn't help but wonder if his performance was up to par. Fortunately, in the game, he had witnessed numerous NPCs employing noble etiquette during the main storyline. He hoped that his own conduct would not prove too disappointing.

  If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  "You all remain outside and await my return," Guinevere commanded, casting a brief glance over her shoulder at the guards behind her. With that, she strode purposefully into Kenley's dwelling.

  Not one of the Bronze Knights dared to question or doubt the princess's intentions. All of them bowed their heads respectfully and silently took up their positions outside the street, awaiting her return.

  However, one particular knight dismounted from his horse and remained by Guinevere's side, never straying more than a step away.

  Level 55? He was on the cusp of reaching the Silver rank, a formidable figure indeed. His attire was distinct from that of the other knights, featuring a small golden sword emblem on his chest, encircled by royal blue irises. It was evident that he was Guinevere's personal bodyguard, entrusted with the crucial task of ensuring her immediate safety. However, with his helmet obscuring his features, Kenley was unable to discern his gender or ascertain his identity.

  Kenley recalled that within Guinevere's own domain, her authority was second only to that of her father, and she also possessed her own fiefdom. It was reasonable to assume that, in order to safeguard his daughter's well-being, Prince Christophon would have assigned a cadre of highly skilled guards to her service.

  Prince Christophon had no other offspring, and Guinevere was his sole heir. It was only natural that she would inherit all of her father's estates, including his fiefdom.

  Facing this future female grand duke, Kenley furrowed his brow. Her early morning visit to his residence, accompanied by a retinue of guards, was a clear indication that she had no intention of concealing her presence.

  What could her true motives be?

  Guinevere regarded the layout of Kenley's home with keen interest, remarking offhandedly, "Fascinating. Even though I have had the privilege of visiting numerous noble mansions, yours is by far the most intriguing."

  Kenley offered no response, merely smiling faintly as he led Guinevere to the reception room.

  "Would you care for something to drink, Your Highness?" Kenley inquired politely.

  "No, thank you. By the way, where is Tia?" Guinevere asked.

  "She is resting," Kenley replied.

  Guinevere nodded in acknowledgment but did not pursue the matter further.

  Once Guinevere had taken her seat, Kenley decided to broach the subject directly. "Your Highness, I find it difficult to believe that your visit here so early in the morning was merely a fortuitous coincidence. There must be a specific purpose behind it, wouldn't you agree?"

  Guinevere responded with a cryptic smile. Then, with a flick of her wrist, an envelope emblazoned with a noble crest landed gracefully in her palm.

  She placed the envelope on the table and pushed it towards Kenley.

  Although she remained silent, her meaning was clear: she intended for Kenley to open the envelope and peruse its contents for himself.

  Kenley regarded Guinevere with a look of confusion, then carefully unsealed the envelope and began to examine its contents in detail.

  As time passed, Guinevere seemed in no hurry, content to wait patiently for Kenley to finish reading.

  "Your Highness, are you proposing to recruit me to swear allegiance to the Christophon family and bestow upon me the title of Baron?" Kenley finally asked, having finished reading the contents of the envelope. He had to admit, Guinevere's proposition was rather intriguing.

  Was she truly so confident in his potential? While his performance in the trial labyrinth had indeed demonstrated some degree of ability, the empire was teeming with talented individuals, many of whom harbored aspirations of nobility.

  Moreover, although the title of Baron was the lowest rank of nobility, the nature of one's allegiance mattered greatly. Swearing allegiance to the emperor would likely mean becoming one of his loyal subjects, while pledging loyalty to a marquis might result in becoming a trusted confidant or even a close associate. However, swearing allegiance to a grand duke was a more complex matter, dependent on the grand duke's treatment and the benefits offered. It was by no means a decision to be taken lightly.