Subsequently, the Black Robe Society made a last-minute effort and gave Bai Yu a one-day intensive training course for footmen.

Bai Yu: "."

He roughly learned how to elegantly carry a tray and how to bow in greeting. Finally, under the operations of the Black Robe Society, he cleared all the hurdles, successfully passed the first and second interviews, and made it all the way to the final interview stage.

The final interview was to be conducted by the Duke personally.

That morning, the Black Robe Society carefully selected a set of attire and sent it to Bai Yu—a crisp, well-fitted pure white shirt, a black-and-brown checkered waistcoat that perfectly outlined the doctor's waistline, straight suit trousers that just right fit his long, straight legs, and a satin bow tie.

Bai Yu even pulled out a hair extension piece from among the suit and trousers, his face darkening with imaginary black lines as he asked, "What is this thing?"

55: "It's a long hair extension that's essential for footmen and butlers. Have you ever seen medieval vampire movies, Host? When those beautiful vampire lords seduce boys and girls, they tie their long, straight black hair into a low ponytail and bind it with a hairband."

Bai Yu: "."

He asked the system, "Why do I feel like you're a little excited?"

"..."

The system asked himself, and it seemed he had been influenced by his previous generation's uniform-fetish host to develop some strange attributes.

55 swayed back and forth guiltily. "...N-No, I'm not."

It dodged to the side. "Just try it on, Host."

Bai Yu gave him a cold look and stood in front of the full-length mirror.

55 completely held its breath.

It knew its host would suit it well, but didn't know he would suit it this well.

This outfit naturally carried an air of cold abstinence, and Bai Yu's temperament was inherently on the colder side. Wearing the shirt and trousers like this, with sleeve garters fastened on his arms and shirt stays clipped to his thighs, the crisp, tailored waistcoat wrapped around a figure even more slender and well-proportioned than a male model's. Coupled with the low ponytail formed from long, straight black hair and silver-rimmed glasses, it pushed the highly intellectual and abstinent aura to its absolute peak.

He looked exactly like an aloof, medieval vampire butler stepping straight out of a movie.

55: "Host, can I take a picture!"

The love of beauty is human nature, and 55 also liked a good-looking host.

Bai Yu turned sideways to adjust his bow tie, the person in the mirror having a cold gaze. "Suit yourself."

The system happily flew a circle around him, but then suddenly thought of something and sighed.

Bai Yu: "What's wrong?"

55: "I was thinking, since you are clearly so good-looking, Host, how could Grand Duke Imuel find you displeasing to the eye? Is there something wrong with his eyes?"

Bai Yu was rendered speechless for a moment. "Maybe?"

In the afternoon, the selection for butlers and footmen finally arrived.

Bai Yu and several other candidates walked into the waiting hall. A gray-haired old man was already waiting in the hall. He was the retired old butler of the Duke's estate, temporarily called back to help.

Bai Yu did a rough count. There were about ten people who entered the final selection, all of whom were young men with handsome and clear-cut features, proper manners, and good upbringing.

The old butler was thin and bony, with a perfectly straight back. Wearing a tailcoat and a bow tie, he was an old gentleman with a British flair. His sharp gaze swept over everyone present as he spoke: "First, congratulations to you all for clearing the hurdles to become candidates for the Duke's attendants. Second, there are a few taboos in the Duke's estate that I hope you will all remember."

All the candidates present held their breath and listened carefully.

It was well known that Grand Duke Imuel had a bad temper, and no one wanted to cause trouble on the very first day.

Except for Bai Yu.

He was just here to go through the motions and would be logging off soon, so he didn't care about any taboos at all. However, since everyone else lowered their heads to listen to the instructions, he also lowered his head, putting on a show of listening earnestly.

The old butler: "First, the Duke's residence has strict functional divisions. The area where footmen can move about is limited, so please do not wander around freely. There is a restricted area in the estate. If you happen to walk into the restricted area, you will be killed without mercy."

Everyone bowed and voiced their compliance, while Bai Yu nodded perfunctorily.

The old butler: "Second, the Grand Duke does not like people serving him up close, nor does he like physical contact with others. Please be aware of this. Especially, do not rely on your youth and beauty to harbor any pipe dreams you shouldn't have."

Bai Yu: "?"

They were all footmen, what would they do relying on being young and beautiful?

55: "Illyria has an open culture, similar to the era of ancient Greek city-states. Many nobles have the habit of keeping male pets, or even becoming sworn brothers with the same sex. Moreover, the status of these pets is not low. When the lords tire of them and release them from the estate, they can often obtain titles, mansions, and generous wealth. He is warning you that Grand Duke Imuel hates people getting close, so don't try to climb into the Grand Duke's bed."

The candidates looked at each other and lowered their heads like quails.

Bai Yu felt this had nothing to do with him, so he stayed out of it and just listened casually.

The system muttered, "But the Grand Duke's temper is already so bad, who would actually want to climb into his bed? He kills people over the slightest disagreement, everyone should be staying far away from him, right?"

It poked Bai Yu. "Don't you agree, Host?"

The system was no longer afraid of Bai Yu now, but unlike its previous two hosts, Bai Yu spoke very little. It had to proactively ask him for him to be willing to say more.

Thus, Bai Yu replied, "Indeed."

The old butler paused for a moment and then said, "And the most important point is that the Duke loathes cats. Please do not talk about pet cats in front of him, do not say that you raise cats, or mention any topics related to buying, feeding, or selling cats. Understand?"

The old butler deliberately emphasized this point, appearing very strict.

The candidates kept as quiet as winter cicadas.

55 commented, "Not even liking cute little cats, this Duke is really sick in the head, right? What do you say, Host?"

This time, Bai Yu echoed with genuine feeling, "Indeed."

The old butler finished giving all the instructions, lined up all the candidates in a row, told them to stand properly, and then said, "When the Duke comes later, keep your heads down first. Do not look directly at the Duke. Only raise your heads when the Duke tells you to."

55 critiqued, "So many annoying rules. When my previous host, Lin someone, was the emperor, there weren't this many annoying rules. Right, Host?"

Bai Yu: "Indeed."

They communicated where no one noticed, and then stood waiting for another ten minutes. 55 got bored waiting and asked Bai Yu if he wanted to watch a movie. Bai Yu said he could do whatever, so the system chose an action movie on its own and started playing it with a crackle and bang.

About fifteen minutes later, the action movie reached the first fight scene. The male lead drew a short sword, and from the doorway came the sound of heels stepping on the ground.

Unable to look up, Bai Yu could only look at the ground. Into his line of sight stepped a pair of tall leather boots. Around the boot shafts were a circle of rivets and buckles, inlaid with precious rubies and sapphires. Craftsmen had outlined intricate patterns with fine gold thread. This pair of boots alone was incredibly expensive.

The old butler bowed deeply. "Grand Duke."

Grand Duke Imuel strode in. Bai Yu could feel his steady gaze sweeping over everyone present, but it suddenly paused, and even his footsteps came to a halt.

The old butler: "Grand Duke, these are the final candidates in the screening for personal footmen. Please take a look."

"..."

Silence.

The old butler: "Grand Duke?"

"Hmm." Imuel responded very lightly, forcing his gaze away from a certain someone. He sat down in the main seat and gently rubbed his fingers together.

Today, the doctor was a bit too good-looking.

The doctor had taken off the trench coat he usually wore—the oversized fit of that coat had concealed his good figure—and changed into well-tailored suit trousers and a waistcoat. This outfit perfectly outlined all the curves of his body. The doctor's figure was tall and athletic, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. The curve of his chest was full and smooth, and his hips and legs were flawlessly encased in the stiff fabric... It should be known that Imuel had laid on those very thighs to sleep more than once, so he knew exactly how well-proportioned and beautiful the muscles there were.

Looking further up, the doctor's face was too handsome, standing out like a crane among a flock of chickens even amidst a group of good-looking men. His narrow-framed glasses rested just right on the bridge of his nose, making him look highly intellectual and abstinent.

It was simply a perfect attire.

The Duke looked at him quietly, never knowing the doctor had such a look.

Rubbing his fingertips together, he felt an urge to lean in and rub against him.

It wasn't until the butler reminded him again that Imuel lowered his eyes and hastily checked his own clothing—he had come in a hurry and hadn't dressed up carefully. Fortunately, the Grand Duke's clothes were inherently prestigious enough, and Imuel was also confident enough in his own appearance.

The Grand Duke spoke slowly, his gaze fixed on a certain spot. "The third one on the right, look up."

It was exactly Bai Yu.

Bai Yu raised his eyes and looked straight at the Grand Duke. Coming from the twenty-first century, he did not view the Grand Duke of Illyria as an awe-inspiring, inviolable existence, and merely smiled politely.

55 rubbed its hands together. "Here it comes, here it comes!"

Singling out Bai Yu right after entering the door showed that the Grand Duke indeed found Bai Yu displeasing to the eye. The next part of the plot would be the Duke becoming inexplicably enraged, and then ordering his guards to drag Bai Yu out and execute him.

Everything was falling perfectly into place! It was completely logical!

But Grand Duke Imuel did not become enraged. Right in front of Bai Yu, he suddenly adjusted his hair, tucking the loose strands behind his ears to reveal his complete face.

It was said that Grand Duke Imuel was a gorgeously striking beauty. Now that Bai Yu had seen him, the rumors were indeed true. His jet-black long hair was vividly gorgeous and exquisite, and those lake-blue eyes gazed quietly over, like a serene, bottomless lake.

However, it was also obvious that he had just recovered from a severe injury. His complexion was slightly pale, and his brows were not relaxed, revealing a gloomy sickliness.

The Duke stepped down from his seat.

His heels clicked against the ground, making crisp sounds. Grand Duke Imuel walked gracefully and steadily, like a cat doing a catwalk. He slowly walked in front of Bai Yu and then, seemingly inadvertently, brushed past him, walking right in front of the doctor.

The Grand Duke hoped to see amazement in Bai Yu's eyes.

Imuel was conceited about his appearance, and everyone in the city-state knew it. Bai Yu was the only one who had publicly called him ugly.

But Bai Yu showed absolutely no reaction.

—The doctor wasn't very interested in humans and even had mild face blindness. He only liked fluffy things.

Watching the Duke pacing back and forth in front of them without getting to the point, 55 got a bit anxious, unable to even focus on its movie. "What is he doing pacing around? Can he hurry it up?"

Bai Yu: "Indeed."

He was tired.

The old butler nearby, however, noticed something was up. Seeing that the Duke was clearly interested in the handsome and clear-cut man before him, he hastily presented a file. "This is Bai Yu, a doctor from Xike Street. He graduated from Kemia Medical Academy and has an excellent resume."

The Duke casually flipped through it. It was the doctor's detailed information, and there was even a black-and-white photo in the upper right corner. In the photo, the doctor looked ahead indifferently, just as cold as he was now.

Imuel: "Doctor, according to this resume, your job and income are both very good. May I ask why you came to apply for the position of valet?"

Being a valet in the Duke's estate naturally had many benefits. First, after retiring, one could be titled a Baron, enjoying a life free from worry about food and clothing. Second, there was countless wealth. If one gained the Duke's trust, they could even enter the center of power in Illyria and experience the thrill of holding everything in their grasp.

But Imuel felt that the doctor had no interest in any of this.

The doctor's life was simple and regular: reading the newspaper in the morning and reading a book before bed, completely apathetic to things he wasn't interested in. Imuel figured that even if he offered a noble title right to his face, the doctor wouldn't care.

Bai Yu: "..."

Why did he apply? Because the system and the plot required it, of course.

55 was going crazy. "Why are there extra questions? The original book didn't mention this!"

The real reason truly couldn't be told. The doctor pondered for a moment and came up with a somewhat plausible excuse. "Being a doctor provides a meager income. I have to support my family and am strapped for cash. I happened to see the recruitment notice, so I came to give it a try."

Imuel paused slightly.

Strapped for cash?

...He clearly left behind a ruby. Did the doctor not see it?

The Grand Duke rested his chin on his hand, thinking about how to inconspicuously send him some more money. His facial expression remained unchanged as he flipped through the file in his hands again and asked, "Doctor, I see you are unmarried and have no relatives. The information shows you have no bad habits, so you also don't have a lover, right?"

Asking this, Imuel pinched his sleeve, actually feeling a slight sense of nervousness.

Bai Yu: "Yes."

Imuel raised his teacup. This teacup was Porcelain traded from the East, pure white as jade and very expensive. He took a small sip. "Your income is fairly decent. Without the need to support family members, do you not have enough money to spend?"

Bai Yu: "I actually have two family members."

Imuel's eyebrows twitched.

Before he could ask further, Bai Yu, maintaining a cold face, directly stated the taboo of the Duke's estate: "I raise two stray cats, one tortoiseshell and one tabby. They eat a lot and consume a great deal of meat every meal. I can barely afford to raise them anymore."

He was going to die anyway, so violating the taboo earlier meant dying earlier. Bai Yu was also tired; he didn't want to waste any more time, much less engage in idle chatter with a cold-blooded, ruthless, and tyrannical Grand Duke. Having this time, he might as well go back early to read books and newspapers.

"..."

For a moment, the entire hall was as silent as winter cicadas, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

The old butler's face twitched, not knowing how this young man could be so bold, while the rest of the candidates showed astonishment. A few even took a step back, distancing themselves from Bai Yu.

Meanwhile, Grand Duke Imuel's fingers trembled. The expensive teacup slipped from his hand, fell to the ground, and shattered completely.

The Grand Duke gritted his back teeth, smiling without the smile reaching his eyes, and repeated with an ambiguous tone, "Oh, two cats, one tabby and one tortoiseshell, is that so?"