I walked toward the door and opened it.
The reaction was immediate.
Anna, who was waiting patiently with a tray, looked up and her face instantly flushed. Her eyes widened slightly, scanning Cassian's face as if she were seeing him for the first time, every time.
"G-good morning, young Cassian," she stammered, her voice barely a whisper. "I hope I didn't wake you."
The moment Cassian looked directly at her, another floating window appeared beside Anna's head— invisible to her, only for him.
[TARGET ANALYSIS]
Name: Anna Corwell
Age: 19
Occupation: Maid
Magical Affinity: None
Latent Skill: Night Vision (Rank E)
Description: Can see perfectly in total darkness as if it were daytime.
Average Stats:
Charisma: 12
Attractiveness: 18
Relationship: Friendly (40/100)
Attraction: Moderate (38/100)
[NOTE: Anna finds you extremely attractive but feels inferior due to your status and beauty. She blushes easily in your presence.]
Conquest Difficulty: ★☆☆☆☆
Cassian immediately noticed the difference. While his own Charisma was 35 and Attractiveness 42, Anna had 12 and 18 respectively. It was a massive difference.
And her "Attraction" started at 38, almost double the base relationship. That meant she was already essentially attracted to him from the start.
This is going to be easier than I thought.
"No, it's fine," Cassian replied, stepping aside. His movement was graceful, almost feline. "Come in, Anna."
Using her name without the formal title made her blush even more. She entered shyly, clearly very aware of his proximity as she passed by him. Cassian could smell her simple perfume—soap and lavender.
Anna walked to the small table by the window and placed the tray down with slightly trembling hands. Cassian watched her move, noticing how she avoided looking at him directly.
"How are you feeling today, young Cassian?" Anna asked while arranging the dishes, her voice still shaky. "Yesterday was... well, your birthday. I'm sorry no one else celebrated it properly."
Cassian approached slowly, his steps silent on the marble. He stopped beside the table, closer than strictly necessary.
"I'm better now," he said softly, and the warmth in his voice made Anna finally look at him. Their eyes met, and Cassian saw her swallow nervously. "Especially because you're here."
[ACTION DETECTED: Direct Compliment + Intense Eye Contact]
[Bonus from Exceptional Charisma: +3]
[Anna – Relationship: 40 → 45]
[Anna – Attraction: 38 → 44]
Anna opened her mouth, closed it, and then quickly looked away, her face completely red.
"I... I'm just doing my job, young Cassian," she murmured, but her voice lacked conviction.
"No," Cassian said, gently reaching for her hand. The contact was electric—she visibly shivered. "You do more than that. You've always been kind to me, Anna. Even when others treat me like I'm invisible or a disgrace."
His fingers intertwined with hers. Anna stared at their joined hands with wide eyes, her breathing speeding up.
"Young Cassian, I... we shouldn't..." she began, but she didn't pull her hand away.
"Why not?" Cassian asked, stepping closer. Now they were only inches apart. He could see every detail of her face—the light freckles on her nose, the deep green of her eyes, how her lips trembled slightly. "Because I'm a noble and you're a maid? Anna... I'm a bastard. I barely count as a noble in this house."
[ACTION DETECTED: Emotional Vulnerability + Physical Proximity]
[Bonus from Exceptional Attractiveness: +4]
[Anna – Relationship: 45 → 52]
[Anna – Attraction: 44 → 53]
"But... but you are so..." Anna looked at him, and Cassian saw something change in her expression. Awe mixed with barely contained desire. "So beautiful. Like an angel. And I'm just... just a normal maid."
There it is, Cassian thought. The inferiority complex. The key.
"Anna," he said softly, raising his other hand to gently touch her cheek. She shuddered at the contact, closing her eyes for a moment. "You're more than that to me. You're the only person in this damn mansion who makes me feel... human. Not like a pretty decoration. Not like a disgrace. Just... me."
She opened her eyes, and Cassian saw tears shining in them.
"Young Cassian..."
"Just Cassian," he corrected gently, his thumb caressing her cheek. "When we're alone, just call me Cassian. Please."
Anna stepped forward slowly, hypnotized.
"Cassian," she whispered, and her voice trembled as she said his name so intimately.
[ACTION DETECTED: Intimate Contact + Personal Request]
[Critical Bonus from combination of Charisma and Attractiveness]
[Anna – Relationship: 52 → 61]
[Anna – Attraction: 53 → 68]
They stayed like that for a long moment, lost in each other's eyes. Cassian could feel her warm breath against his face. Anna's heart was beating so hard he could see it in her neck.
I could kiss her now, he thought. I could take her to bed, complete the mission in a matter of hours.
But something stopped him. It wasn't morality—this world didn't have the same restrictions as his previous one. It was... strategy.
If I rush her too much, she might get scared. She might regret it later. I need her to want me so badly that there's no doubt.
With an effort of will, he stepped back, releasing her face but still holding her hand.
"Thank you, Anna," he said with a gentle smile. "For being you. For treating me like a person."
Anna blinked, as if waking from a dream. She looked almost disappointed that he had pulled away.
"I... of course, yo— Cassian," she quickly corrected herself, blushing again at using his name without the title.
Cassian smiled more widely and saw her eyes fixate on his lips.
"Could you do me a favor?" he asked.
"Anything?" she replied immediately, then blushed even more when she realized what she had said.
"Could you come tonight? After your duties. I'd like to... keep talking with you. Alone."
Anna's eyes widened. She knew exactly what that invitation could imply. But instead of rejecting it or running away...
"I... yes," she whispered. "I'll come. After everyone goes to sleep."
[ACTION DETECTED: Intimate Invitation Accepted]
[Anna – Relationship: 61 → 68]
[Anna – Attraction: 68 → 76]
"Perfect," Cassian said, finally releasing her hand. "I'll be waiting for you."
Anna nodded, still in a near-trance state. She made a trembling bow—more out of habit than protocol—and left the room, closing the door behind her with a soft click.
The moment she was gone, Cassian let out a long sigh, leaning against the door.
Damn. That was... intense.