“Huh? Then just go look for one.”

Hearing Alte’s words, Favna scratched her head in confusion. Why was he staring at *her* over something as simple as finding a maid?

Alte wasn’t in a hurry to reveal his true intent.

Could the dragon he and his younger sister saw at home last night… be this very girl standing before him?

Rumors said dragons loved disguising themselves as humans. Favna might very well be one.

But one doubt lingered: Miss Favna didn’t radiate the power expected of a dragon.

Sure, her magic reserves seemed vast—but she was clearly a brute with strength and zero control.

Dragon knowledge was hereditary. A dragon who couldn’t wield magic? Unthinkable.

Alte wasn’t even sure how long he’d been staring.

Just as Favna grew so uneasy she wanted to crawl under the table, he finally spoke.

“Miss Favna… heading out to work off your debt?”

“Yes.”

*Even scavenging trash could pay off 120,000 gold coins… by the time Alte’s long gone.*

“How about I offer you a job?”

Alte softened his smile, trying to ease the timid girl’s nerves.

“What kind?” Favna lifted her head, eyes bright with hope.

*Dragons need coin too.*

She couldn’t follow her second elder sister’s path—robbing folks, getting chased by the Fallen Empire’s army, then stealing from her own sister.

Seeing her interest, Alte gestured to the cluttered room—bedroom? Office?—and said:

“I need a maid to tidy up. Want to try?”

Favna’s face froze. Without a word, she scrambled back a dozen steps, pressing flat against the door.

“No!”

If Alte took one step closer, she’d tear the wall down to escape—even with the lock on.

That gentle smile? To her, it screamed *perverted captain* plotting something shady.

“No need to tense up. I genuinely just need help cleaning. Nothing inappropriate.”

Alte had expected her wariness.

Any girl would suspect a near-stranger offering a private maid role.

But honestly? He had zero ulterior motives.

Favna was beautiful—enough to make most men falter—but to him, she was just an unattainable artwork.

What mattered was whether she was a hidden dragon.

His words only made Favna shake her head warily.

“I know you don’t trust me…”

“Who trusts a guy who stripped a girl’s clothes before?”

The dim light gave her courage to snap back.

“That was an accident,” Alte said lightly. “But… you *do* need money, right?”

“…Yes.” She didn’t deny it.

“See this mess? I’m swamped with work. You need coin. Simple help. No tricks. If you’re uncomfortable, I won’t push.”

Favna fell silent. *Did I misjudge this Dragon Knight?*

Cautiously, she whispered: “How much?”

“1,000 gold coins a month. Meals and lodging included if needed.”

Alte kept his tone gentle. Press too hard, and this timid girl might bolt—ruining his chance to uncover her truth.

“1,000 gold coins?!”

Favna’s brain short-circuited. *That’s like ten grand a month back in my previous life!*

Who wouldn’t be tempted?

Girls with loose morals might’ve thrown themselves at him already.

But she wasn’t one of them. *There’s no free lunch… What’s the catch?*

As she pondered, Alte added:

“Just tidy this small office daily. Two hours max. The rest of your time is yours.”

“I’ll do it!”

Gold blinded her. She blurted it out—then froze.

“…This doesn’t include… warming the bed, right?”

“What do you take me for?” Alte chuckled wryly.

To reassure her, he yanked the curtains open. Sunlight streamed in as he pointed toward a distant peak near the Dragon Knights Barracks.

“See that mountain?”

Favna shrank into a shadowy corner. “I see it… but it’s too bright.”

“I swear by the gods. I pledge my honor as Dragon Knight Captain—if I ever harm you, I’ll jump from that peak.”

His solemn vow eased her nerves.

He closed the curtains. Stepping out, Favna realized the “shadowy corner” was a narrow single bed—1.2 meters wide, 2 meters long.

“This is…?”

“Where I sleep sometimes,” Alte shrugged, unbothered.

Dragon Knights often crashed here after long shifts. Days without going home? Normal.

Hence the mess.

“So… Miss Favna? Acceptable?”

Remembering his earnest tone, she gritted her teeth.

“Okay!”

“Need to change into the uniform?”

Following his gesture, she spotted a dusty maid outfit hanging alone on a rack.

Favna froze.

*Perverted captain… and you still claim no ill intentions?!*