Just as Leslie was about to speak again, I took a small step forward.
"Leslie."
She paused and turned to look at me.
My gaze shifted toward the three men still kneeling before us, their heads lowered as they silently awaited her judgment.
"They didn't really do anything wrong," I said calmly.
A trace of surprise immediately appeared on Leslie's face. She clearly hadn't expected me to speak on their behalf.
"They were simply carrying out their duty," I continued. "If someone dressed like me had suddenly appeared at the entrance of the Hartwell estate claiming he wanted to meet the daughter of the family head, I probably would've reacted the same way."
For a brief moment, silence fell over the estate entrance.
The man in charge and the two gate guards slowly lifted their heads, looking at me with expressions of complete surprise. None of them had expected the very person they had mocked and driven away only moments earlier to step forward and plead on their behalf.
After a brief silence, Leslie let out a quiet sigh.
"...Very well."
The sternness in her expression gradually softened as she looked back at the three men still kneeling before her.
"Return to your posts."
The words were barely out of her mouth before relief washed over their faces.
"Thank you, Young Miss!"
The three of them bowed repeatedly, their voices filled with gratitude. A moment later, they turned toward me and bowed once again.
"Thank you, sir."
There was no trace of the arrogance they had shown earlier. Instead, they looked at me with sincere appreciation.
I simply shook my head.
"There's no need to thank me," I said calmly. "Just remember one thing. If someone ever comes claiming they were personally invited by a member of the family, at least have someone go inside and confirm it before turning them away. It'll save everyone from unnecessary misunderstandings."
The three men immediately lowered their heads.
"We'll remember your advice, sir."
I acknowledged them with a small nod before turning to Leslie.
Without another word, the two of us walked through the estate gate together, finally stepping inside the Hartwell family's residence.
The moment I entered, I quietly observed my surroundings.
A broad stone pathway stretched ahead of us, dividing the expansive garden into two symmetrical halves. Both sides were filled with neatly trimmed hedges, colorful flowerbeds, and carefully maintained trees that had clearly been tended to for many years. Everything was arranged with remarkable precision, giving the estate a sense of elegance without appearing overly extravagant.
Several gardeners could be seen quietly tending to the plants in the distance, while servants carrying baskets and trays moved along the smaller paths branching away from the main walkway. Despite the number of people working throughout the estate, the atmosphere remained peaceful, with everyone carrying out their duties in silence.
As we continued forward, a large fountain gradually came into view.
Crystal-clear water flowed gracefully from the sculpted centerpiece before cascading into the wide circular basin below. The gentle sound of flowing water blended harmoniously with the rustling leaves, creating an unexpectedly calming atmosphere.
Beyond the fountain stood the Hartwell residence.
It was a magnificent three-story mansion constructed from polished white stone. Tall windows lined the front of the building, while intricately carved pillars supported the spacious entrance. Although it lacked the overwhelming grandeur one might expect from the most influential noble families, it was still more luxurious than any residence I had seen since arriving in Astravia.
Without slowing her pace, Leslie led me toward the mansion's entrance.
Standing on either side of the massive double doors were two neatly dressed servants. The moment they noticed Leslie approaching, both of them bowed respectfully before pushing the heavy wooden doors open in perfect unison.
As I stepped inside, an even more impressive sight greeted me.
The entrance hall was remarkably spacious, its high ceiling making the entire interior feel even grander than it had appeared from the outside. Suspended from the center was a magnificent crystal chandelier, its countless crystals reflecting the morning sunlight streaming through the tall windows and casting a warm glow across the polished marble floor below.
The walls were adorned with elegant paintings and finely crafted decorations, while luxurious furniture had been arranged neatly throughout the hall. Every ornament, every piece of furniture, and even the intricate carvings along the pillars seemed to have been carefully selected, creating an atmosphere of refined elegance rather than excessive extravagance.
The mansion itself was just as lively as the estate outside. Servants moved about with practiced efficiency, some carrying trays of tea, others transporting neatly organized documents or attending to various household duties. Despite the constant movement, the hall remained surprisingly quiet, with everyone carrying out their responsibilities in an orderly manner.
As my gaze swept across the interior, I also noticed guards stationed at various points throughout the mansion. Unlike the ordinary guards posted outside the estate, every one of these men possessed an energy core. None of them appeared weak, and although they stood motionless at their assigned positions, their sharp eyes constantly observed everyone passing through the hall, ensuring that nothing escaped their notice.
Without stopping, Leslie continued leading me deeper into the mansion.
Before long, we arrived at a broad spiral staircase that curved elegantly toward the upper floor. Its polished wooden handrails and intricately carved balusters reflected the craftsmanship that had gone into every corner of the residence. We climbed the staircase together, our footsteps echoing softly through the otherwise tranquil mansion.
The first floor was no less impressive than the grand hall below.
A wide corridor stretched far into the distance, with finely crafted wooden doors neatly lining both sides. Each door was adorned with subtle carvings, suggesting that the rooms beyond served different purposes within the household. Servants moved quietly along the corridor, some carrying neatly stacked documents while others transported trays of refreshments or attended to various errands. Despite the steady flow of people, everything remained orderly, with no unnecessary noise or confusion.
What caught my attention even more was the security.
Guards stood stationed at regular intervals throughout the corridor, each maintaining a vigilant watch over the surrounding area. Like those in the entrance hall, every one of them possessed an energy core, and their disciplined posture suggested they had undergone considerable training. Compared to the peaceful atmosphere outside the estate, the security within the mansion was noticeably tighter.
As I followed Leslie through the corridor, I quietly took in everything around me.
Although the Hartwell family wasn't regarded as one of Astravia's most influential noble houses, their residence alone was enough to reveal the vast difference between the lives of ordinary citizens and those of the nobility.
After walking for several minutes, Leslie eventually slowed to a stop before an especially large wooden door situated at the very end of the corridor.
Standing guard outside the room was a single middle-aged man.
The moment my eyes fell upon him, I immediately sensed the fluctuations of energy radiating from his body.
...Peak Stage Moderate-Level Controller.
Unlike the guards stationed throughout the rest of the mansion, this man's presence was noticeably different. Although he stood perfectly still with his hands clasped behind his back, the faint aura surrounding him carried a quiet sense of pressure.
The guard noticed Leslie's arrival almost immediately. Straightening his posture, he gave a respectful bow.
"Young Miss."
Leslie acknowledged his greeting with a gentle nod before stepping toward the large wooden door.