_What secret do you hold?

"One cultivation chip each for the three winners" Butler Baelfire announced.

The other girls had begun to walk away with their maids as they received nothing. Nothing could sway the girls off their bratty attitudes.

Not even Butler Bealfire's words.

It was how they have been raised and brought up and became a part of them. Dropping old habits was the hardest thing to do, Afina thought.

Just as it was hard for her to adjust to such a life as the high-house lifestyle.

Eventually, she would adjust. Humans were designed that way. To adjust and adapt no matter the surroundings in which they found themselves.

Afina tightened her hold on the cultivation chip. This little treasure that costs a fortune and could help a divine person with a weakened qi even level up.

It was a miracle evolution had discovered.

"Thank you, Butler Baelfire" Afina grateful smiled at the butler.

Butler Baelfire only dismissively waved. "You all can take your leave now. I think you will need a good time in the bath." he was motioning to their body which was previously soaked in sweat and had dried up now.

Hera and Susanne seemed less impressed to be gifted a cultivation chip.

Without saying a word, Hera went away with her maid trailing behind, and after a smug 'thank you' Sussane did the same.

Afina was about to do the same with Gia who was still lying on the carpet grass, exhausted from the race when Butler Baelfire stopped her.

The cameras and Helicopters had been retrieved since the end of the race.

"Afina, you wait" Butler Baelfire had called on to her.

Simultaneously, Gia and Afina turned back to him.

"Maid, you can leave and wait for your little miss in the highs scholar duplex" he informed Gia.

Gia had given an inquiring look to Afina who nodded at the girl that it was okay to leave.

Not that they could disobey the Butler's order anyway.

Reluctantly, Gia walked away barefooted.

She was previously putting on heels as that was the last touch of being the high-house maid. However, she had pulled off her heels when she wanted to join in the racing and would go retrieve it back at the starting line.

"You all should leave too" Butler Bealfire instructed the other maids who had escorted him to cheer the racers on.

As the maids walked away, Afina glanced at Butler Bealfire in wonder at what the man could want from her.

The butler caressed his beardless chin once again. His feminine voice rang in Afina's ears.

"You are the daughter of Xylia," he said.

It was more of a declaration than question.

Still. "Yes, I am sir" Afina answered.

"You are more gracious than she described" His numb eyes searched into her blue one.

What was this man driving at?

"She did?" Afina's brow arched.

Butler Baelfire nodded faintly. "Every single time, she wouldn't stop speaking about you." he grinned.

"To you?" Afina asked in wonder.

Sighing and gazing at the blue sky which was having vertical clouds gradually increasing. The darker underneath of the clouds indicated that it would pour soon.

As though reading her mind, "Soon, there will be a downpour" Butler Baelfire spelled.

Afina agreed with him but she said nothing.

"You are a beautiful child. I was hoping I would see something of Xylia in your appearance but I must say, you look nothing like her" he said. "Perhaps, you take after your father's appearance. Although it would have been pleasing if you look like Xylia."

She wished the man knew she looked nothing like father Atticus too. The only thing she and her father Atticus had in common was patience. Something mama Xylia lacked.

Regardless...

Was she misinterpreting the butler's words or was it sounding as though he knew mama Xylia personally?

Wonders sailed inside of Afina as she asked.

"Do you by chance know mama Xylia butler Bealfire?" Afina blurted, surprised at how curious the words came out.

Butler Baelfire gazed deeply at her. "I don't know what your definition of personally is but quite well, I do know Xylia." he explained.

How come mama Xylia never mentioned her relationship with the butler?

How did a lowly maid like mama Xylia got acquainted with a high figure as butler Baelfire?

"Tell me, how did you come about a green qi?" he raised a question, breaking Afina off her numerous curious thoughts.

"By cultivating on holy grounds with sound faith." she supplied.

Butler Bealfire began a peal of laughter. "Come on child. To cultivate is to believe. Do you think those of us who cultivate with chips do not have the belief in it? If we don't, why cultivate at all?"

Afina was silent. She knew not what to say.

"Alright, with time, you will share with me your secret when you realize just how dangerous being who you are with a ninth-stage green is."

Still, no reply from Afina. So baffled she was.

"You need allies. I will suggest you start to gather some. Starting with me of course. I am willing to support you if you let me in on your secret. It is almost a treason to be the rival of the princes. Speaking of the princes, I heard you are to serve under prince Cargan now. Correct?" the butler asked.

Now, Afina answered. "Yes sir."

Everything the man was saying left her puzzled as she knew there was no secret she was hiding.

Butler Bealfire chuckled again. It was one of those chuckles with meaning. Meaning which held mockery.

"A new high house scholar who has spent barely two days in the high house to serve under the prince directly? People wait years to get that kind of recognition. Does that not sound fishy to you, Afina?"

Oh, he was speaking to her informally now. She wished he could just leave her alone.

The sound of approaching footsteps ceased the conversation.

As Butler Baelfire quickly discharged her and bade her goodbye.

"We will finish this later. Bye for now Afina." he smiled and walked away in the direction of where the figure was coming from.

It was a casually dressed young man with a visor cap pulled to the front of his face, covering it firmly.

Afina stood, looking in that direction. Not at the figure but at the Butler. She was wondering what the man was really driving at and if she was truly in danger as he had said.

She had turned to leave but the young man had almost gotten to her.

"Hold on." she heard the voice say to her.

Out of curiosity, she obeyed, turned, and gazed at the figure who had halted her in her tracks.