Florent strolled leisurely along the road, gazing at the stars slowly shifting across the night sky.
He couldn't help but think of his childhood self who had loved the stars so much. Even in the 21st century, the night sky in his rural hometown had been dazzling with stars.
Back then, he had often wondered how anyone could possibly memorize the positions of so many stars. He would lie on the grass, his head resting on the fields facing the sky day after day, yet never managing to map the constellations in his mind.
Sometimes, when he visited the town library and flipped through star charts, he marveled at the patience of scientists and ancient astronomers who spent their lives observing those silent celestial bodies.
Remembering those joyful childhood memories, a smile crept onto Florent's face. But he didn't let himself get completely lost in the stars.
Drawing on his old habit of multitasking (like playing on his phone while pretending to pay attention in class), he kept one eye on the road and the other on the stars, with the crimson moon leading the celestial display.
"Is that the Tillage Constellation? No, that's probably the Thunderous Constellation, or maybe the Frost Constellation... Hmm, whatever. I'll figure it out later by cross-referencing star charts and notes..."
With a light heart, Florent returned to Corson Street...
Seeing the lights on in his villa didn't surprise him. Although he didn't have a key, opening locked doors was precisely what 'Apprentices' excelled at.
There was no visible lock on the door, which meant Ashley had likely put it back inside the villa after unlocking it.
Florent decided to use his only current ability, 'Door Opening', to briefly experience the thrill of being a Beyonder.
'Door Opening' offered various forms of application...
As Florent reached out his hand, a flash of something dreamlike and mysterious accompanied his motion, effortlessly unlocking the door which had no connection to mysticism whatsoever.
Not wanting to startle the cleaning maid, he slowed his steps and began inspecting the cleaned rooms. Unfortunately, the 'Apprentice' Sequence didn't grant abilities like 'Night Vision' or 'Enhanced Vision', so Florent had to admit he couldn't see much in the dim light...
Refusing to give up, he crouched down unceremoniously and ran his hand over the floor. Although the weather in Trier was cool, he could still distinguish between the cold, dry floor and one that was damp and cold. His touch confirmed that the floor was almost dry.
'Passable, at least in terms of floor cleaning,ʼ Florent thought to himself.
Standing up, he continued his inspection...
To his surprise, Ashley worked much faster than he had expected. The hallway, rooms, and even the lampstands along the way had all been cleaned meticulously and systematically.
During his inspection, Florent also located the diligent maid. As he approached the bathroom, he heard her cheerful singing...
Though he couldn't identify the dialect, her voice was unexpectedly pleasant. He couldn't help but marvel at the artistic spirit of Trier... even a maid could sing with such charm.
Choosing not to disturb her, Florent continued his inspection...
Satisfied with her work, he made his way to his private study. There, he located a hidden compartment containing four keys identical to the one he carried, though with subtle differences.
On the side of the brass keys; besides the inconspicuous pearl inlay, there were faint engravings that only became visible under direct light.
Florent traced the characters with a sense of nostalgia but said nothing. He picked up the key engraved with the word "Martin" and returned the rest to the compartment.
Walking silently down the stairs, he was struck by the warm glow of the candles. He realized how different it felt compared to his earlier habit of conserving candle wax, leaving most rooms dark at night.
Back then, walking through the villa had felt like wandering through a haunted house. What he once thought was cool now seemed both foolish and slightly terrifying.
Distracting himself with these thoughts, Florent reached the bathroom. Just as he was about to push the door open, it swung open from the inside.
Ashley, clearly not expecting the villa's owner to have returned and be standing right outside, let out a startled scream. Her cheerful singing turned into a high-pitched shriek before abruptly stopping.
After a long moment of stunned silence, Ashley finally regained her composure and said, "Mr. Florent, you're quite the ghost! I was worried I'd have to let you in, but here you are, back already."
Florent understood how startling his sudden appearance must have been, especially while she was in the middle of cleaning.
He waited patiently for her to recover and then apologized, "I'm truly sorry for startling you. I'll be more careful next time. Maybe I'll knock on the bathroom door before entering, huh?"
Realizing that might be even more terrifying, he quickly added, "Actually, I usually return between 9 and 10 p.m... I hope that gives you a heads-up so you won't be as startled next time."
Ashley nodded in understanding, then glanced at the clothes she was holding, ready to hang them out to dry:
"Sir, perhaps we could talk after I finish my work? If I finish early, could I leave early?"
Florent nodded sympathetically, "Of course. If you finish early, it'll be a win for both of us. I completely understand how tiring your work can be." He stepped aside, gesturing for her to continue.
Though Ashley didn't fully grasp the meaning of his gesture, her years of experience told her it was a signal to carry on. She nodded and resumed her tasks.
Meanwhile, Florent found himself at a loss for what to do next.
Scratching his head, he realized he should provide Ashley with some funds to purchase cleaning supplies and everyday items like candles.
Nodding to himself, he headed to the living room on the first floor, ready to discuss these details with her once she was done...
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Read ahead on my P@treon...
[email protected]/MayaMatengele01