Soulbound: Dual Cultivation

Chapter 320: Squire

Lucas gave her a warm smile, his voice low but sincere. "You never cease to impress me. To gather evidence so quietly and so perfectly... that is brilliance. Truly. I always knew you were sharp, but this confirms it."

Henrietta let out a soft, almost amused breath. "Flattery from you sounds different. It feels... genuine."

"It is," Lucas replied. "You handled this better than most generals would. I’m proud of you."

A faint blush touched her cheeks, subtle but unmistakable. "Coming from you, that means more than you realize."

When her bath was finally done, she rose from the water, dried off, dressed, and motioned for him to follow her deeper into the chamber. Lucas assumed she would return to her desk or her cultivation mat, but instead she pointed to the edge of the large bed.

"Sit," she said quietly.

Lucas raised a brow but obeyed, settling onto the mattress. Henrietta approached, her hair still damp and loose, and without a word she eased herself down and rested her head across his lap. The motion was gentle, unhurried, full of trust.

He blinked in mild surprise. "Comfortable?"

Henrietta closed her eyes, her voice a soft murmur. "More than comfortable. This... is better than that bath." She shifted just slightly, finding the perfect place to rest. "Warm. Steady. Safe."

Lucas placed a hand atop her head, brushing his fingers through her silken hair. "I didn’t know my lap held such magical properties."

Henrietta gave a tiny laugh, barely above a whisper. "It is not the lap. It is the man. Being close to someone I love feels far more soothing than any scented water."

Lucas froze for a brief second, taken aback by the quiet honesty in her words. Then he softened, leaning down to press a gentle kiss to her forehead. "I’m glad you feel that way."

She opened her eyes just enough to look up at him. "You make me feel calm. And that is rare for someone like me."

He stroked her cheek lightly. "Then I’ll treasure that."

For the next hour, they stayed like that...Henrietta curled against him, Lucas tenderly running his fingers through her hair, tracing the side of her face, brushing his lips along her forehead, her temple, the bridge of her nose. She spoke in soft tones about how the pressure of leadership often left her lonely, and Lucas listened patiently, murmuring reassurances, letting his presence speak louder than any grand declaration. She occasionally reached up to hold his hand, and he intertwined his fingers with hers, their breaths falling into the same rhythm.

Time slipped by quietly, gently, peacefully.

Eventually, Lucas glanced toward the door, sensing instinctively that the servant he had sent earlier was likely on his way back. He hesitated, not wanting to break the moment, but responsibility tugged at him.

He spoke softly, almost apologetically. "Henrietta... I think I should go. The ingredients should be arriving soon, and I need to start the potion."

Henrietta didn’t tense or pout. She simply opened her eyes and looked up at him with understanding. "You have work to do. I know."

He brushed a thumb along her cheek. "I didn’t mean to stay this long, but I’m glad I did."

She sat up slowly, smoothing her hair behind her ear. "You gave me more than an hour, Xavier. With everything you are juggling, that is... generous." Her voice softened further. "I appreciate it more than you think."

Lucas stood, offering her a gentle smile. "We’ll have more time soon. I promise."

Henrietta nodded, though a tiny flicker of longing passed through her gaze. "I believe you. Even if I wished this hour had been longer."

He gave her one last affectionate touch to her hair, then turned toward the door, leaving her sitting on the bed with a calm warmth lingering in her chest.

Lucas made his way back through the palace corridors, still thinking about Henrietta’s words and the tasks ahead. By the time he reached his own chamber, he was already preparing mentally for hours of work. As he turned the final corner, there was someone standing at his door.

The young boy servant was waiting there, clutching a wrapped bundle of items to his chest. The moment he spotted Lucas, he straightened his posture and bowed deeply.

"My lord," he said quickly, a bit breathless. "I gathered everything on the list. I came as fast as I could."

Lucas stepped closer and took the items from his arms, examining the bundle briefly before nodding in satisfaction. "You did well," he said, his voice calm but warm. "Thank you."

The boy looked relieved, his shoulders easing a little. "I am happy to be of help, my lord."

Lucas waved a hand gently. "You may go and rest now."

The boy turned to leave, but something tugged at Lucas’s thoughts, stopping him. For a moment, he stood quietly, staring down at the package in his hands. Then he looked back up at the boy.

"Wait," Lucas called.

The boy paused and turned around. "Yes, my lord?"

Lucas stepped closer, his tone thoughtful. "What is your name?"

The servant blinked, surprised that he was being asked. "It is Tom, my lord."

"Tom." Lucas repeated it once, testing it. He nodded slightly. "Tell me, Tom... how long have you served in the palace?"

"Almost two years, my lord," the boy replied. "I mostly handle errands and small tasks. I am still considered a junior servant."

Lucas studied him for a moment, his expression unreadable. "And are you satisfied with that position?"

Tom hesitated, unsure how honest he was allowed to be. "I... I wish to serve with purpose, my lord. To be useful. To learn. But I take whatever duty I am given."

Lucas folded his arms loosely. "I see." Another moment passed before he spoke again, slower this time. "Lira, the one who has been serving me... she is no longer just a maid to me. Her role has changed, and I will not have her running errands or doing servant duties anymore."

Tom nodded quickly. "Of course, my lord."

"So," Lucas continued, "I find myself needing a personal squire. Someone loyal. Someone attentive. Someone willing to grow with me."

Tom’s eyes widened slightly, a flicker of astonishment breaking through his composed face. "A... a squire, my lord?"

"Yes," Lucas said plainly. "My own attendant. Someone who answers only to me."

Tom swallowed, his voice suddenly a little nervous. "And you are... offering that position to me?"

Lucas met his gaze steadily. "I am."

For a heartbeat Tom simply stared, stunned. Then he bowed so deeply his forehead almost touched the floor. "My lord, it would be the greatest honor of my life."

Lucas allowed a small, approving smile. "Stand up, Tom."

The boy rose slowly, still overwhelmed. "I promise I will serve you faithfully. I will not disappoint you."

"I believe that," Lucas replied. Then Tom’s expression shifted slightly, as if he remembered something uncomfortable.

"My lord... I would accept immediately, but..." He stalled, searching for the right words. "I cannot change my station without formal permission from the chief of servants. It is palace regulation."

Lucas nodded, unsurprised. "Of course. That is reasonable."

He moved into his chamber, set the bundle aside, retrieved a small parchment and ink brush, and wrote a short message in clean, swift strokes. When he was done, he folded the letter and stepped back out to Tom, placing it carefully in his hands.

"This letter," Lucas said, "is addressed to the chief of servants. Give it to him directly. It states that you are now assigned to me as my personal squire. Once he approves it, your station will officially change."

Tom accepted the letter with both hands, holding it as though it were priceless. His voice trembled faintly. "Thank you, my lord. Truly... thank you. I will go immediately."

Lucas nodded once. "Do so."

Tom bowed again, deeper than before. "I will not forget this opportunity. I will be worthy of it."

Lucas rested a hand briefly on the boy’s shoulder, steady but kind. "Serve well, Tom. That is all I expect."

"Yes, my lord," Tom said, straightening with newfound resolve.

He turned and ran down the hall, clutching the letter to his chest, and Lucas watched him go, feeling...not regret, but certainty. Lira would no longer carry burdens meant for servants.