Chapter 13: Open?
Upon entering his room, Asher sank onto the edge of his bed, immediately lost in thought. Lyra, sensing his introspection, remained silent, standing quietly by his side.
After a few moments, Asher lifted his gaze and looked toward her. "You may leave. I need to review the changes that occurred after the awakening."
Without a word, Lyra stepped forward, and the file Zarek had entrusted to her materialized in her palm. She handed it to Asher, who began to scan its contents with an unreadable expression. At the bottom left of the document, his eyes caught Lyra’s signature.
"Hmmm, are you certain you wish to remain my permanent maid?" Asher asked quietly after finishing the file. Once he signed this document, he alone would have authority over Lyra, even the Primarch himself would be powerless to command her..... Or at least that’s why the Wargrave laws says.
"Yes, Young Master," Lyra replied with a respectful bow.
Most maids would have abandoned Asher the moment he awakened, after all, they assumed he wouldn’t progress far, having awakened only on his last attempt. Such a failure would inevitably affect their own lives: diminished cultivation resources, reduced pay, and a drop in status.
It was, by all accounts, a poor bargain. Yet Lyra chose to remain by his side, fully aware of the risks she faced in losing all those privileges.
Asher was well aware of the implications, though he didn’t understand why Lyra chose to remain. He decided not to ask.
Instead, he simply nodded, approached the table before him, and took up a pen. With a steady hand, he signed the document and handed the file back to her.
"You may leave. Don’t stand by the door this time. Return to your quarters."
Without hesitation, Lyra accepted the file and departed. She understood that Asher wished to immerse himself immediately in the details of his awakening, after all, it was the natural course for anyone in his position.