Chapter 8

Jeffrey Asher was drinking, savoring the afterglow of a pleasant time. The spacious living room was neatly furnished, with all the pieces being old and crafted by skilled artisans.

This was the capital mansion of the Asher family, where his elder brother served as the head. Normally, Jeffrey lived in the knight's quarters, but he made it a point to visit the mansion once a week out of concern for his ailing mother and to keep her company.

"Back already?"

"Yes. Brother, are you still in the middle of work?"

Both Jeffrey and his brother Edward had silver hair, a trait inherited from their late father. Edward was forty, and his excessive concern and fussing over Jeffrey, who was eight years younger, was a constant source of frustration. Despite being thirty-two, Jeffrey had repeatedly told his brother that he was no longer at an age to be worried over, but to no avail.

"I heard you went out in unusually stylish clothing. Did you go out with a woman?"

"Did you come just to say that?"

"Don’t be so cold. I’m happy for you. When was the last time you went out with a woman?"

Jeffrey sighed, knowing he would have to repeat a line he had said countless times.

"Brother, can you stop treating me like a pitiful victim?"

"Alright, alright. I won’t bring it up again."

Edward raised his hands in a surrendering gesture.

"So? Did you have fun?"

"Yes, it was fun. I had a pleasant meal with a foreign woman who had just arrived in this country and the six-year-old girl she had taken in."

"..."

"Brother, you have an heir to worry about. There’s no need to worry about me. I’m going to bed now since I have an early morning tomorrow."

With that, he quickly headed to his room.

Victoria Searle was a commoner, but her speech was intellectual and her demeanor refined. She was also a woman of considerable courage.

In the capital, whether they knew him as the leader of the knight's order or not, women would send him clingy glances whenever they saw him. Having been in such situations since his youth, he had become adept at politely rejecting them with a smile.

Therefore, Victoria’s refusal to rely on him, her lack of clingy glances, and her determination to take care of an abandoned child she had taken in upon arriving in the country all seemed fresh and appealing. Even though she had come to him for a character reference, which was a last resort, she must have felt quite reluctant.

Still, tripping a mugger and making him fall was quite reckless.

What did she plan to do if the young man had gotten up and attacked her? Her slender body was too frail for a physical struggle, especially with a sleeping child on her back.

It was too rash.

However, when she faced the man running towards her with Nonna on her back, she seemed to have no openings. (Ah, that woman is a fighter), he thought, but he must have misjudged her. When they had a meal together, she showed a delightful appetite despite her slender frame, which was far more appealing than the delicate and frail young ladies who tried to impress with their refined eating habits.

She had intended to go and inspect a rental room late at night. When Nonna accidentally mentioned this, Victoria seemed to think, "Oh no." Though she didn’t show any emotion on her face, Jeffrey, who had worked among the people of the city for years, could tell from her slight eye movements that she was flustered.

It was intriguing.

A woman who didn’t rely on others was refreshing to watch, but it also made him worry. He wanted to offer as much help as she needed until she settled into the country and built a stable life, but he knew it would be an unwanted favor.

With a wry smile, he decided to refrain from unnecessary assistance. He could feel that she didn’t want it. From the hotel where she was staying, it seemed she wasn’t short of money. Being a character reference and helping if she asked for it seemed like the right balance. Jeffrey decided that he would not initiate any further contact with Victoria after that night.

The next morning.

As he stepped into the knight's building within the castle grounds, everyone looked at him with sparkling eyes. (What’s going on?), he thought as he entered his room, where a middle-aged lady-in-waiting, who served as his secretary, greeted him with a smile similar to his brother’s.

"What’s up?"

"Nothing, sir."

Despite her words, she gave him a warm look. He understood the meaning of it when he entered the knight's dining hall for lunch.

"Captain! I saw it! You had a good time last night, didn’t you!"

It was Bob Norwood, a young knight from the Second Order. (So he’s the source), Jeffrey thought and beckoned Bob over.

"Bob, spreading rumors based on speculation is quite a leisurely activity. Come to the training ground at one o'clock. I’ll give you a thorough training session for the first time in a while."

"Ah..."

He almost laughed at Bob’s pitiful voice but kept his stern face intact.

Three weeks later.

Jeffrey, following the rules, went to the hotel where Victoria, who had taken in an abandoned child, was staying.

"Is Miss Victoria still staying here?" he asked, and the receptionist handed him a letter.

The high-quality envelope had his name written in beautiful handwriting. He quickly opened it.

'Dear Captain Jeffrey Asher of the Second Order,

It has been a while.

Thank you for agreeing to be my character reference when I took in Nonna. The dinner you invited me to was also wonderful and delicious.

I was very encouraged and comforted during the difficult time right after my arrival. I am grateful.

Nonna and I are doing well. I have found a job and a comfortable place to live. Please forgive me for moving without informing you.

I have heard that those who take in orphans are required to submit monthly reports to their character references in this country. I will send you a letter with my next report in a month. The next time, I will send the report to the knight's order.

Until the next report.

Victoria Searle'

The formal content made him chuckle. But as long as she was doing well, that was fine. She had never shown a pitiful face, but that was probably just adult social courtesy. If they met again, it would be by chance, but he would receive her report in a month without seeing her.

The new address written in the letter was in the eastern district, where the nobles lived. It wasn’t too far from his own home. She must have found a job living in a noble’s house.

"I should check on them," he thought, but he couldn’t find the time.

According to the rules, 'those who take in orphans must submit monthly reports to their character references, and those who provide the references must verify the living conditions and the child’s situation based on the reports.'

The deadline was approaching.