Chương 43: Epilogue

"You sure this is the only thing you wish to claim for saving my idiot brother's life?" Rydel asked, his gaze filled with a smoldering intensity that was almost too much for me to handle. Yet, despite this, I was adamant that this was the best reward possible.

"Yes, unless you would like to throw yourself as an additional reward?" I ask. Rydel for his part just stared at me, and then my entourage that stood behind me. For a moment, I could see the fact that he actually wanted to join us, on the B Team. But just as quickly as he seemed to contemplate the idea of joining us, he quickly dismissed it.

"Unfortunately, I have many things that I need to take care of back at home during the mid-term break," Rydel stated, his tone oddly sad. He had given this line before if you ran into him while progressing with Darren's relationship route, but seeing him now, the lines were off. As his eyes seemed to be truly contemplating the idea of coming with us, the three of us.

"Your loss," I respond, trying to be slightly flirtatious, with my hands dancing with a pointing gesture towards him. I mean it too, having Rydel as the fourth powerhouse of my recently assembled Team B as I am mentally calling us, would be too perfect.

"That it is for now, but when I come back, I will definitely take you up on that offer," Rydel said, then before I could understand what was happening, he reached out grabbed my hand and then quickly dropped to one knee as he proceeded to look at me in an intimate gesture from his kneeling position. The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

"What?" Was all I could muster, before Rydel spoke.

"Know that I am not yet worthy of being by your side. But I will make amends for that, and when I come back, should you still want me, I will be more than happy to stand by your side until the end," Flustered. The entire event was just too much. I never knew I could recruit Rydel, but this was perfect, it seemed like in the next chapter or expansion pack I was going to be able to finally unlock Rydel as a permanent team member.

Which was good, for I had already taken the other member of house Drakerton that I wanted. Then as if sensing my thoughts about my subsequent reward from saving Darren, Rydel spoke to the person in question.

"Maiden Octavia, know that while your sword is no longer bound to House Drakerton, we still expect you to fulfill the honor and role of serving our House in this one last act. By serving as Lady Laurain's first Maiden, you will provide honor not only to our house, but to yourself as well," Rydel said, rising from his kneeling position to stare down slightly at the overly tall Maiden, who even now towered above me. Still, I had done it, I had gotten Marie thanks to the old guru Rikt.

I had gotten Octavia thanks to my saving Darren Drakerton from the way too soon boss monster. And now, I saw the fact that Rydel was within my clutches.

"It will be my greatest pleasure to see the rise of Lady Laurain and her empire," Maiden Octavia stated. Then just as quickly as it had started Rydel and Darren both bowed to say goodbye. As they left, I saw the looks of many of the other paramours making quick glances towards the three of us, but ultimately dismissing us. Prince Priam and Galvis both leave with Claudia in tow, but it is clear that Claudia will have to either choose one over the other, or head home at a loss.

Logic dictates that she should go home and come back at the next semester with highest regards from both princes. This is why I am shocked, when I see Claudia give first a goodbye kiss to Galvis, before joining Prince Priam in his carriage back to his empire. Shaking my head, I try to understand what Claudia is doing, and if she doesn't know that this will ultimately drive a wedge between her and Galvis, which is not something you want while at the university.

Still, that is not my problem, for now I have my own tasks that need to get accomplished quickly.

"Now that the semester is over, and the master is in isolation, what do you think we should do?" Marie asks. Hearing her question, I can only smile brightly as I respond, "It depends,""Depends on what?" Marie and Octavia both ask in unison.

"On whether you two are ready for the next adventure?"