Chapter 253: Ch253: The Hawkins Household

"Uh, wait, sir. Open your towel before you step inside," the maid said, her voice hesitant as she extended her right hand toward him, palm raised in a clear signal to stop.

Daniel turned toward her, his eyebrows drawing together. "Huh? My towel? Are you sure?"

The maid gave a small nod, her gaze briefly dropping before she looked away.

*Rustle~*

The towel slipped loose.

A soft flush crept across the maid’s cheeks when her eyes accidentally landed on his anaconda. Her lips parted for a moment before she quickly turned her face aside.

’What the... fuck.’

Daniel paid little attention to her reaction. He removed the towel completely and placed it on the cold stone platform beside the pond before stepping into the water.

The warmth clinging to his body slowly faded beneath the cool surface. Ripples spread outward from his legs, brushing against the edges of the stone pond as he lowered himself into the water.

The quiet night surrounded them.

*Chirp... chirp...*

Crickets sang somewhere in the darkness, their faint calls mixing with the soft movement of water.

"Status," Daniel whispered, his eyes fixed on the maid standing a short distance to the side, her hands clasped tightly in front of her.

——————

Name: Alice Bell

Age: 29

HP: 1300/1300

Mana: 600/600

Essence: 100%

Quality: Outstanding

Description: A woman working as a maid in the Hawkins family to support her family and pay the fee for her son’s education at the Royal Academy.

Her only dream is to see her son get married and hold a grandson in her arms before she dies.

——————

Just as he finished reading her description, another maid approached carrying a wooden tray with a small bowl and several neatly folded cloths on it.

She leaned toward Alice and whispered something into her ear before handing the tray to her.

Without another word, the maid turned and left, leaving Alice alone with Daniel.

Daniel barely reacted. He simply turned away and swam around the pond, the water rippling softly around his body.

"Excuse me, sir. Would you mind if I wash your back?" Alice asked, her tone slightly hesitant, a trace of nervousness slipping into her voice.

"I don’t mind," Daniel replied without hesitation.

*Scrub~ Scrub~ Scrub~*

Alice knelt down beside the stone platform and began washing his back, keeping her focus firmly on her task. Yet, despite her best efforts, her mind couldn’t help but picture the length of his cock resting between his legs, half-hard from the heat and her touch.

In the meantime, Floryn arrived in a blue gown. Then froze at the sight before her, her eyes briefly widening before quickly settling on Daniel’s face.

"Ahm... I hope everything’s fine here," Floryn said with a nervous smile.

"Yes," Daniel replied with a small nod.

"Great," Floryn said, forcing a small smile. "Make yourself at home, Daniel. Dinner will be ready soon."

"Thanks, Lady Floryn. I’ll keep that in mind," he replied.

...

*Fwump~*

"Woah... the bed is so soft," Daniel murmured as he dropped onto it.

The mattress sank deeply under his weight, cradling him in a way that made him sink further with a quiet groan of comfort.

"Is there anything you want, sir?" Alice asked from the doorway, her tone soft and a little too careful.

Daniel had a towel draped over his eyes, blocking out the light. He answered without lifting it. "Not really. Thanks for asking. I need some alone time."

With that, Alice left.

*Thud*

The moment she closed the door, Daniel activated his ability.

"Ghost."

His soul detached from his body, taking on an astral form as it floated above his naked physical body.

Without wasting a single second, he moved from one room to another. Room after room, he drifted through the house until he found Floryn sitting with her daughter, who was combing her hair.

Daniel glanced around and noticed several balls of wool scattered nearby, with knitting needles sticking out from them.

But as he moved closer behind her, Floryn suddenly turned around.

Daniel froze.

*Sniff~ Sniff~*

"Mom, what happened?" her daughter asked, lifting her eyes toward her.

Floryn turned back and shrugged it off.

"Nothing, sweety."

*Creak...*

"Madam, your husband has arrived," Alice announced.

"Dad..."

Floryn’s daughter immediately stood up in excitement and rushed toward the door. Moments later, she returned in her father’s arms, hugging him tightly.

"Dear, where have you been?" he asked.

Floryn stood up and carefully lifted her daughter from his arms before setting her down on the floor.

"Sweetie, can you go to your room for a while? Mommy and Daddy need some time alone." She glanced toward Alice.

Alice gave a small nod, immediately understanding the gesture.

*Thud*

"What happened, dear? You look worried," her husband asked with a concerned expression.

"There are traitors disguised as royal guards. I told you that, but you didn’t listen to me. If you had just listened to me, I wouldn’t have been kidnapped!" Floryn said, her tone filled with frustration.

"Kidnapped?!"

Her husband’s fist clenched as rage surged through him.

He quickly stepped closer to her.

"Thank God you’re safe now. But how did someone kidnap you in broad daylight? Did you see the guard’s face?" he asked.

"I was kidnapped three days ago. The one you saw at the house wasn’t me," Floryn explained.

The conversation continued as she told him everything that had happened — the fake guard wearing a mask, the dungeon, and the man named Klaus.

"...but thankfully, a brave young man arrived with some backup and fought against that man," she added.

"A young man? Who?"

"I invited him to the house. He should be in the guest room."

Mr. Hawkins paused for a brief moment, absorbing her words and everything she had just told him. With that, they both hurried out of the room and headed toward the guest room.

Daniel hurriedly returned to his physical body, his astral form merging back into it just as they opened the guest room door.

"Young man, take that towel off your eyes."