Chapter 203

Chapter 203

Laura nodded slightly and said no more. The carriage continued forward, passing through a dense sugarcane field, and gradually the outline of a large manor appeared ahead. The manor’s walls were built of stone, three meters high, covered with green vines. Above the gate hung a wooden plaque engraved with four golden characters: "Gray Manor."

The carriage slowly came to a stop before the stone gate of Gray Manor, where someone was already waiting inside. Evan looked up and saw a middle-aged man in a dark brown suit with a subtle pattern standing on the courtyard’s stone path, his cuffs adorned with exquisite silver cufflinks, his hair neatly combed. Though fine wrinkles lined the corners of his eyes, they couldn’t conceal the calm, capable demeanor of a businessman. This was Lillian’s father, the master of Gray Manor—Marcus Gray.

Marcus’s gaze was fixed on the carriage, his eyes betraying a hint of anxious anticipation.

The moment Lillian lifted the carriage curtain and stepped down in her pink puff dress, his furrowed brow instantly relaxed, a genuine warmth spreading in his eyes. His usually steady steps quickened as he hurried forward, though he still maintained a dignified posture, not losing his composure.

"My little Lillian, you made it safe and sound!" Marcus strode up to Lillian, gently grasping her shoulders, his fingers giving a gentle squeeze. He quickly looked her over from head to toe, confirming she was neatly dressed and bore no signs of injury. Only then did his hanging heart fully settle, a gentle smile curling at the corners of his mouth, the worry in his voice vanishing. "Did you have any trouble on the way? Any danger? You’re at least half an hour later than expected—you didn’t run into a horde of undead, did you? I was so worried."

Lillian took her father’s arm, rubbing her cheek against it, her tone tinged with a hint of playfulness: "Dad, I’m fine. Mr. Evan and Ms. Laura protected me on the way. Even if we did encounter skeletons from the undead sea, we dealt with them quickly. I was just a little startled, but I’m okay now."

"Good, good, as long as you’re safe." Marcus patted his daughter’s hand, his tone indulgent. "Come inside and rest. I’ve had the kitchen prepare your favorite sweet potato pie and hot cocoa. After the long journey, you need to replenish your energy." With that, he turned to look at Evan and Laura standing nearby, his demeanor instantly reverting to a businessman’s steadiness, his tone sincere and solemn.

"You must be Mr. Evan and Ms. Laura?" Marcus stepped forward, nodding slightly in greeting. "I’m Marcus Gray. Thank you both so much for seeing my daughter here safely. I’ve long heard of the dangers of the undead sea. That you managed to overcome them is all thanks to your protection. I’m grateful for your efforts."

"Mr. Gray, you’re too kind. It’s our duty," Evan replied with a slight nod. Laura also nodded: "We’re glad to have safely escorted the young lady here."

Marcus smiled, a look of approval in his eyes. "Bern should have mentioned that we asked you here to guard Lillian at the manor for a week. She’ll be staying here during this time, occasionally visiting the nearby vineyard, but nothing too far." He paused, adding, "I’ve always arranged for the manor’s security, but since this is an island with plantations, there might be stray soldiers or wild animals nearby. Having Supernaturals like you here really puts my mind at ease."

"We understand. We’ll stick close to the young lady at all times to ensure her safety," Evan responded.

"Good, good." Marcus nodded approvingly, then instructed Bern beside him, "Bern, take Mr. Evan and Ms. Laura to the guest rooms to settle their luggage. Arrange the rooms next to Lillian’s for easy access. After that, bring them to the dining room for lunch. I’ll accompany my daughter there to wait for them."

"Yes, sir." Bern replied respectfully, then gestured to Evan and Laura. "Please follow me."

Evan and Laura exchanged a glance, nodded in agreement, and followed Bern into the manor.

The interior of the manor was far more spacious than it appeared from outside. The courtyard was paved with smooth bluestone slabs, lined with neatly trimmed rose bushes, their petals dewy and fragrant. Not far away was a small fountain pool with clear water, where several red koi swam leisurely. Beyond the courtyard stood the main house, a typical European-style building with white walls, brown wooden window frames, and red roof tiles, exuding an air of elegance.

Bern led them to the guest rooms upstairs, opening two adjacent doors. "These are your rooms. Everything you need is ready. If you need anything else, feel free to instruct the servants."

Evan’s room was spacious and bright, with a soft wool carpet, a large bed, a dressing table, and a wardrobe. The window faced the courtyard, offering a clear view of the outside. He quickly inspected the room, making sure there were no unusual spiritual fluctuations, then placed his luggage by the wardrobe. Laura checked her room too, then came to Evan’s door. "Room okay?"

"All good," Evan replied. "For the next week, we’ll take shifts to ensure the young lady’s safety. If she goes out during the day, one of us will be in front, one behind, staying close. At night, we’ll take turns patrolling the hallway."

"I agree," Laura nodded. "So far, the manor looks safe, but we can’t get complacent. We don’t know the area yet, so we need to stay alert to any movements."

After quickly hashing out their duty arrangements, they headed downstairs to the dining room.

The dining room was on the first floor, beautifully decorated. A long table was covered in a white cloth and set with silverware. A fire crackled in the corner fireplace, filling the room with warmth. Marcus was already seated with Lillian at the table, where several delicate dishes were laid out, including a golden sweet potato pie that emitted a rich aroma.

"Ah, there you are. Please, have a seat." Marcus greeted them warmly. "You must be tired after the journey. Try our manor’s specialties, all made with fresh island ingredients."

Evan and Laura thanked him and sat down. The table was laden with an abundant feast: seared sea fish with a crispy skin, fragrant roast chicken, and several refreshing vegetable salads. Lillian was picking at her sweet potato pie, a satisfied smile on her face. Lunch was relaxed, with Marcus asking a few questions about the trip. Evan and Laura gave short answers, skipping the gory details of the fight to spare Lillian any further distress.

After lunch, Marcus went to inspect the plantation area on manor business, while Lillian returned to her room to rest with her maid. Evan and Laura followed their agreed-upon plan: one stood guard outside Lillian’s door, the other patrolled the manor, beginning their week-long protection duty. Sunlight streamed through the main house windows, casting patches of light on the bluestone floor. The manor was peaceful, but Evan knew that behind this tranquility, constant vigilance was necessary.

The afternoon sun filtered through the sycamore trees on the manor, casting dappled shadows on the bluestone path.

Evan stood watch outside Lillian’s door, his fingers idly tracing the short blade up his sleeve, his eyes alert to any movement in the hallway. Laura paced the second-floor hallway, her silver riding boots making steady, soft sounds on the floorboards. Both stuck to their agreed plan, never letting their guard down.

About an hour later, Lillian’s door gently opened.

Unlike her earlier pink puff dress, she now wore a light yellow knee-length skirt, free of intricate lace and petticoats, light and flowing as she moved—clearly chosen for ease of activity. On her head was a large woven sunhat, its wide brim shading most of her face, revealing only a small chin and a faint smile at the corners of her mouth. Her previously elaborate bun was loosened, her hair casually draped over her shoulders, adding a lively, carefree air.

"Mr. Evan, Ms. Laura." Lillian’s voice carried a hint of post-nap laziness but was full of vitality. "I’ve rested. I’d like to stroll around the manor and get familiar with the place."

Behind her stood her personal maid, one of those who had accompanied her earlier, carrying a small woven basket presumably filled with water and snacks.

Evan and Laura exchanged a glance and immediately adjusted their positions.

"Very well, miss." Laura stepped forward, her tone steady. "We’ll accompany you the entire way." Evan hung back half a step, quickly scanning both ends of the hallway to confirm nothing was amiss before signaling Lillian to proceed.

The group of four descended the stairs slowly, passed through the cozy dining room, and exited the main house.

The afternoon sun was somewhat glaring. Lillian adjusted her sunhat’s brim and walked briskly toward a path beside the courtyard. This path led to the manor’s plantation area, lined with neatly arranged rose bushes. A breeze blew, sending petals drifting down, their fragrance lingering in the air.

"These roses are blooming beautifully," Lillian remarked, stopping to gently touch a petal, her eyes full of admiration.

She turned to her maid and asked, "Anna, are these the champagne roses I mentioned in my last letter?"

Anna quickly nodded. "Yes, miss. You said you liked the color of champagne roses, so the master specially had seedlings shipped from the mainland and planted along this path, hoping you’d see them when you arrived."

Lillian smiled, a warmth flickering in her eyes, then continued forward.

Beyond the rose path lay a vast vineyard, clusters of plump grapes hanging from the vines, their green fruits still unripe, ready for harvest in a few weeks.

In the fields, many natives were bent over tending the vines. When they saw Lillian and her group, they stopped their work, lowering their heads in a show of reverence.

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