Marta's gaze swept over Karl's dusty boots and civilian clothes, her disdain barely concealed.
But when she saw Karl's handsome face, she was stunned, just like the other maids.
It was the first time she had encountered such a handsome young man, and even the disdain in her eyes almost vanished.
As for the old man next to him, her attention was completely diverted from him.
Jack glanced at Karl's face and slowly shook his head—he was already used to it.
Karl's looks weren't as apparent when he was younger, but as he grew up, his physical advantages fully manifested.
Almost everywhere, they granted him an advantage, especially with women.
This included, but was not limited to, a friendlier tone of voice, intentional or unintentional physical contact.
Bread and other provisions were given from time to time, clothes were cleaned and mended for free. Raymond had been considered handsome in his youth,
but after combining with Alyssa, Karl, as their offspring, merged the advantages of both their appearances without inheriting the flaws, becoming what he was now.
Two of the maids came to their senses, patted their flushed cheeks, and hurriedly stepped forward, awkwardly trying to take Karl and Jack's luggage.
"Thank you, but it might be a bit heavy." When Karl thanked them, he still remembered to warn them.
"It's alright, guests. This is what we should do."
The maid replied shyly, and seeing Karl looking at her, quickly lowered her head.
At that moment, the head maid, Marta, stepped forward, raised her hand, and gently pulled her aside.
She said in a level, practiced tone: "Welcome to Raymond's manor, guests."
"The journey must have been tiring. Allow me to lead you to the guest rooms to rest a while."
Notably, when she looked at Karl, a slight smile graced her cheek.
However, when she turned her head towards Jack, the corners of her mouth, which had been slightly lifted, suddenly drooped.
Jack naturally saw this scene, but he only raised an eyebrow, feeling a bit helpless, and said nothing.
At that moment, a heavy and slightly rapid sound of footsteps came from the stone steps at the side of the hall, drawing everyone's attention.
Raymond himself appeared, looking even more gaunt and a bit unsteady than when Karl had seen him yesterday.
He wore a dark green, slightly shiny old velvet coat over a stiffly starched but slightly frayed linen shirt at the collar.
His dry, sparse black hair was slightly disheveled, and deep worry lines were etched on his face, traces of long-term strain and inner burden.
Raymond's eyes were tired, but when he saw Karl standing in the center of the hall,
his eyes instantly lit up, with a faint, barely perceptible hint of excitement.
Raymond's steps halted in the middle of the hall. He ignored the head maid and all the servants, his gaze fixed on Karl.
Dead silence fell over the hall, only the crackling of the firewood in the fireplace could be heard.
The butler, Hans, already knew the inside story and remained relatively calm.
Marta's and the maids' eyes widened in surprise—the Baron had actually come down himself!?
Moreover, he was looking intently at this "ordinary guest"... This was so unusual!
As far as they knew, the Baron had been ill for a long time and never came downstairs unless necessary.
But yesterday, he had not only specially dressed up and gone out, but today he had even come downstairs to personally greet guests.
This was no mere coincidence; it revealed an unusual situation everywhere.
"Karl... Thank you for the arduous journey... Accept my invitation to this manor."
"Hans, take Karl and Mr. Jack to... prepare a room, the best of the two rooms."
Raymond took a deep breath, trying to make his voice smooth and weighty, with the authority of the head of the family.
But the trembling and overly formal phrasing betrayed his inner agitation.
The words "best room" were used to emphasize his tone, which was a clear signal in this financially strained manor.
Hans immediately stepped forward and bowed slightly, his movements precise: "Yes, my lord. Mr. Karl, Mr. Jack, please come with me."
Karl met Raymond's gaze, merely nodding slightly and replying politely, "Thank you for the invitation, Baron."
Raymond didn't want his illegitimate status to be revealed too early, so he consciously hid it from the other servants.
Karl's identity was currently known only to Raymond himself and Hans.
Just as Hans was about to lead the way, Raymond made a gesture that made all the servants present gasp.
He took two quick steps forward, just as Karl was about to turn.
He extended his thin, slightly rough hand and placed it on Karl's shoulder.
The action had an undeniable quality, even a bit rigid.
However, it felt more like a confirmation of the other person's presence than a pure greeting.
"Very good, welcome here..."
"Glad you came. Settle in first, then... we'll talk again."
Raymond's voice was lowered, with an almost personal emphasis that only Karl could feel.
He looked into Karl's eyes, his palm resting on his shoulder for two seconds before slowly withdrawing.
This was too inappropriate! A noble baron establishing such close physical contact with a young man he had just met, dressed in ordinary clothes and of unknown identity?
Marta's mouth fell slightly open, and the four young maids exchanged incredulous glances.
Karl's body tensed for a moment when Raymond's palm patted his shoulder.
But he didn't dodge or show any discomfort.
After Raymond withdrew his hand, he nodded calmly again: "Alright, Lord Baron."
Hans turned sideways at the right moment to guide them: "Mr. Karl, Mr. Jack, please this way."
Karl cast one last glance before turning, seeing Raymond looking at him with eyes full of complex emotions, his body slowly relaxing as he let out a relieved sigh.
In the eyes of others, he was simply a guest who had come to the manor.
Perhaps, in Raymond's view, he was equivalent to a child who had lived abroad for many years and finally returned home, and it was no surprise that the other party was so excited.
Karl and the others followed Hans up to the rooms, the heavy footsteps echoing through the empty corridor.
Leaving behind the frozen air and several curious, puzzled looks.
Raymond stood still, watching until their backs completely disappeared around the corner of the stairs.
He slowly looked away and swept his gaze across the hall. The servants, silent as cicadas in winter, resumed their usual tired solemnity on their faces.
He turned and headed towards his study without another word, leaving the room full of whispers.
Under Marta's stern gaze, she barely managed to hold back.
Late at night, everyone was asleep. In the manor, only the faint light of torches flickered.
In the guest room, Karl's figure wasn't lying on the soft large bed, but appeared on the balcony facing the moonlight.