Fortunately, for the rest of the night, Madam Castros didn't call him for a massage.
Vahn felt half relieved and half disappointed, though he wouldn't admit it out loud.
Maybe a part of him had been hoping to get a glimpse of her up close. But his unspoken wish went unfulfilled.
The rest of the night, he spent trying to activate his traits again. Though he didn't succeed, he felt a subtle shift—like he was getting closer.
Maybe it wouldn't be too long before he could tap into that power again.
At the break of dawn, his brief rest was shattered.
"Wake up, you lazy mutt!"
The voice of the head maid, Hilga, boomed through the servant quarters as she yanked his blanket off.
Vahn groaned as he sat up, his body sore from the previous day's labor.
Without much ceremony, Hilga tossed a bucket of water and a cloth at his feet.
"Clean the hallway floors. Make sure I can see my reflection by the time you're done. If not—well, you'll see."
With that, she left him to his task.
Vahn sighed and got to work.
The mansion was quiet, most of its residents still asleep.
From what Vahn remembered, Vienna lived here with only a few loyal subordinates—mostly female Beastkin.
Her main family, the prestigious Castros lineage, did not reside with her. She had been cast out due to her willful temper and her cruel treatment of slaves. The Castros family, concerned with maintaining their noble image, distanced themselves from her.
Still, Vienna had carved her own place in the world.
Gifted with a sharp mind for business, she founded a line of cosmetic shops in the city. These shops catered to both Beastkin and humans, offering customized products based on race-specific needs and beauty standards.
Through this, she gained influence and wealth, becoming a ruthless businesswoman known for her ambition and cold efficiency.
The only time she dropped her icy façade was around Archon, using her seductive charm to toy with him for her amusement.
But that wouldn't last.
Later, when Archon obtained the Soul Core, everything changed. He turned the tables and enslaved Vienna, binding her completely to his will.
From then on, she became his pawn who offered money, mental support, and physical intimacy.
In time, their bond deepened. Despite how their relationship began, Archon eventually titled her the first wife of his growing combat harem.
Although she had no battle prowess of her own, the other female leads came to respect, and even fear Vienna for her cunning mind and elevated status.
After a while, as the morning sunlight streamed through the windows, Vahn paused in front of a door made of expensive wood.
This had to be Vienna Castros' room.
He noticed a small gap in the doorway.
Curious and reckless, he leaned closer to peek inside, just to confirm his guess.
What he saw nearly gave him a nosebleed.
Inside the elegantly decorated chamber, Vienna Castros stood in the middle of the room, completely nude, changing into her clothes. She must've assumed no one would dare peek into the master's quarters.
But there he was—Vahn—gazing at her with wide eyes, a mixture of lust and fascination.
Fresh droplets of water clung to her smooth skin, steam rising subtly as if she had just stepped out of a hot bath.
Her body was flawless with two perky, round mounds rising proudly, a slender waist that curved into her hips with perfect symmetry. Even the subtle dip of her bellybutton and the soft swell of her plump thighs stirred something forbidden within him.
Vahn's exhaled a breath, his heart beating in his chest.
But he forced himself to look away.
He couldn't risk it. If she caught him now, in such a vulnerable moment, there would be no mercy.
She might kill him without hesitation. Or worse torture him endlessly.
Carefully, he backed away from the door, each step slow and silent.
Then, without another glance, he fled.
Still, the image was carved into his memory. They would remain vivid and unforgettable.
He knew it would haunt him tonight in his dreams. And perhaps, leave him waking in shame and heat.
After another hour of relentless cleaning, Vahn finally finished the task. His back ached, and his arms felt like jelly.
Breakfast followed: a modest serving of boiled vegetables again.
He had nothing against vegetables themselves, but if this kept up, he swore his skin might start turning green.
As he ate in silence, his thoughts wandered.
Where had Archon gone? He hadn't seen the protagonist since yesterday, and that absence gnawed at him.
Just then, from the gate entrance, Hilga was seeen returning from somewhere. Alongside her Archon carried alot heavy bags of groceries.
Vahn's eyes narrowed.
So they had gone shopping together.
The image struck a strange chord in him. He recalled vividly how, later in the story, Hilga would be killed by Archon Ashborne.
Her constant mistreatment toward Archon, would soon be the reason for her downfall. Especially after the gap between Vienna and Archon began to shrink, and the balance of power started to shift.
Feeling her status threatened, Hilga would turn hostile and her cruelty would escalate.
But in the end, Archon would repay her harshness with merciless vengeance.
Right now, though, there was no trace of that future conflict. They looked almost civil, even comfortable, as if this was just a regular day.
Vahn lowered his gaze, chewing slowly, a bitter taste in his mouth.
He should've followed Archon to the market.
Even if the time hadn't come yet, who's to say things would unfold exactly as in the original story? Just one deviation in the plot could ruin everything.
Because once Archon awakened the Soul Core, there would be no chance to take his place. Not without dying.
That's why Vahn needed to get closer to Vienna before it was too late. If he could earn her favor, even just a sliver of it, he could move more freely when the moment came.
But looking at how things stood now… the situation was grim.
No skills, no connections, and no status.
His only real assets were his two Special Traits. He didn't fully understand their potential yet, but they were the only hope he had.
He had to use them, master them, before the story left him behind.