Chapter 223 Apply to Stay

That day.

Maggie did not follow Parris; she still stayed at Mrs. Harriet's house. Parris also had her lunch at Mrs. Harriet's home.

Liszt did not immediately pry into the details or interrogate Parris about her background.

Just like fishing with a long line, the line cannot be taut all the time, or it will be broken by the big fish. What needs to be done is to loosen and tighten the line intermittently, wearing down the big fish through constant trembling until it is finally caught.

The life of a lord was rather dull.

So Liszt had ample time to enjoy this art of manipulating people. A lord who could not manipulate hearts was not a qualified lord. Whether using temptation of benefits, the allure of honor, or even threats and constraints, all were means of manipulation.

After lunch, he met with old Grandet again and told him, "Go and remind Mrs. Harriet that the method for Maggie to stay is actually quite simple—just let her sister Parris stay in Flower Town as well."

Old Grandet, now an enthusiastic official of the town, suggested, "My Lord, perhaps it would be better if I spoke to Dennis, and have Dennis remind Mrs. Harriet."

Dennis was Mrs. Harriet's husband.

"Very well."

Old Grandet took his leave.

In the afternoon, Liszt thought Maggie would take a leave to accompany her sister. However, unexpectedly, Maggie came to the castle with the other young maids and servants to continue her internship.

"Mr. Carter, please call Maggie over."

"Yes, my Lord."

When Maggie arrived, Liszt asked directly, "Maggie, why didn't you go to accompany your sister? You could have taken a leave."

"My Lord, I want to work, to stay in Flower Town... I don't want to leave." Maggie was both happy and troubled. Her long-awaited sister had appeared as promised, but she did not want to leave the Harriets, this beautiful town, or the kind lord.

She might be very young, but she had seen the lord in her hometown ride on a high horse, whipping peasants at will. Once, her father was severely whipped ten times by the lord.

But in Flower Town, she had never seen Liszt whip anyone, even if there were whippings, they were punishments given by officials to civilians who had committed crimes. In her simple mind, a kind lord deserved everyone's loyalty.

"It's fine, Maggie. As long as you don't want to leave, both Mrs. Harriet and I will let you stay. Go back and spend some time with your sister now; I'll let Mr. Carter give you a half-day off."

"My Lord, can I really stay?"

"Yes."

"Okay!"

...

Maggie happily took her leave and found her sister.

The two sisters spent the afternoon wandering around Flower Town. Maggie shared the peanuts she had stir-fried in the castle kitchen, and then Parris gave her a pendant.

The pendant was not very pretty, as it hung not with gems or crystals, but with two wrinkled leaves, one large and one small.

"Wear it, Maggie, and never lose it."

"What kind of leaves are they, sister?"

"The large leaf with wavy edges is from an oak tree, and the small oval leaf is from mistletoe," Parris explained. "Mistletoe is a parasitic plant that grows on oak trees, symbolizing hope and abundance, while the oak represents strength and resilience."

Maggie understood and tucked the pendant inside her clothes.

"Sister, are you leaving?"

"Maggie, come with me, let's go home."

Maggie lowered her head, "But our parents were killed, and our village was destroyed. What can we do by going back?"

"Well... I will protect you, Maggie. We can find a place and start a new life." Parris flexed her bicep, "Believe in my strength. Although I haven't become a mage, I am stronger than any mage."

"But I think Flower Town is just fine. The lord will protect us, and besides, I have a new mother. Mrs. Harriet is my mother now."

Dinner was still at Mrs. Harriet's house.

Parris once again proposed taking Maggie away. At this point, Mrs. Harriet, who had been tipped off, quietly asked, "Parris, why are you so insistent on taking Maggie with you? She is only a nine-year-old girl. How can she adapt to a life of wandering?"

"I will take good care of her, Mrs. Harriet."

"Of course, I know you are her sister, but have you considered..."

"Considered what?"

"Staying in Flower Town." Mrs. Harriet smiled, "If you're not in a hurry to leave, you can certainly stay in Flower Town, can't you? I've lived here for twenty years. It's peaceful and undisturbed. My son grew up and got married here, and he will soon have a child. Maggie can grow up here too."

Parris had never thought of this.

But after a moment's pause, she found it indeed an interesting proposal. She had traveled far to Coral Island to rescue her sister from being sold, but now that her sister was living well, what was the point of the rescue, and why insist on taking her away?

"I will consider it, Mrs. Harriet. Thank you for your hospitality."

That night, Parris did not mention taking Maggie away again. She still stayed in the noble district. Of course, Liszt generously waived her accommodation fees. He had already learned through old Grandet and others about the progress between Parris and Maggie.

He knew things were stable.

"Probably tomorrow, or the day after, Parris will voluntarily request to stay... unless she has a compelling reason to return."

But beyond Liszt's plan, Parris visited the castle that very night.

This time, she did not sneak in using invisibility; instead, she appeared openly and was left waiting in the hall by Carter. When Carter knocked on the door and entered the study to report,

Liszt, who was reading a book, nodded calmly: "Please bring her to the study and brew two cups of milk tea."

A moment later, Parris was led in by Carter.

After taking her seat, she wasted no words and said directly: "Baron, I used to be a thief mercenary in a mercenary group within the territory of the Duchy of Maple Leaves. Although I have left, I still retain my registered mercenary status. I wonder if you need to hire a mercenary to work for you."

The Duchy of Maple Leaves, like the Duchy of Sapphire, is one of the vassal states of the Kingdom of Steel Ridge.

"From what you're saying, you plan to stay in Flower Town to take care of Maggie?" Liszt nodded. "Then, first, give me a thorough introduction. You mentioned that you have killed nobles; I am also a noble, so I need to ensure that your presence in Flower Town will not cause any trouble."

"Don't worry, I have indeed killed quite a few nobles and am even wanted in the Duchy of Maple Leaves, but no one will come to this remote island kingdom to seek me out."

Parris picked up the milk tea from the table without hesitation and took a sip: "It tastes excellent, definitely made with top-quality milk... If you want to hear my story, there's nothing I need to hide. To avoid an arranged marriage, I left home at fifteen, hoping to find a mage and learn magic."