Not quite so predictable

Jp between Winteroak and Bandorchu
Stoneshade Keep

Sir Zane announces you as you enter the Duke's study behind him. The blonde man is sitting behind a desk. You had seen the Duke before but had never been this close to him. His green eyes look at you as if evaluating you. He asks you to sit.
You get the immediate impression that this is a very different type of character to the Knight.
"We are told your actions led to the destruction of this Creed." He started still looking at you as if wondering what type of person you were. "You have our thanks." Although he paused you didn't get the impression he wanted a reply form you yet.
"We are told you have been offered the commission of Sargent already after your successful ingression into Sentinel Island."

The Duke looked at Sir Zane. "Maybe a higher rank would suit someone with your skillset. We are in needed of people like you up north are we not Sir Zane?" He asked again not expecting an answer.
He drank from a nearby cup while looking at you.
"Alexis Greyriver, for your actions in Sentinel Island and exterminating this Creed, your Duke is offering you a boon. Ask and you shall receive." He told her still holding her gaze.

Alexis never had trouble to hold a person‘s gaze, no matter their station. This was no different. Experience with those of higher station however had taught her to at least school her features to neutrality when she did.
Certainly the time to apply that.
And while the Duke scrutinised her, the mercenary did some evaluating of her own.

It fortified the decision she had arrived at after taking the time to think things through.

After a short pause she spoke up.

“Thank you, Your Grace.”

Her tone was calm and polite.

“Though I think I have come to the conclusion that I must disagree. I believe I might not be the kind of person that you need.”

She continued cordially:

“So in fact I would ask you to let me out of my tenure.”

The Duke looked at Alexis and understood his mistake immediately. He had obviously been asking her what promotions she would see her taking.

He leaned back on his chair with a stern look on his face.

"And how long has Alexis Greyriver been with us so far?" He asked.
"Just under 4 seasons." Came Sir Zane's reply.
"I see..." The Duke pondered his next words carefully.
"I'm a man of my word, Alexis Greyriver. I told you to ask for a boon and you have." He started looking at her considering his next steps. "Done. Your three year service to Ostiarium and the Empire of Salos is now over. You will receive your parcel of land but forfeit all payments owed to you for the same period." He told her and looked at Sir Zane. The man's assessment of this one had been wrong but he had backed himself into a corner.
"We once again thank you for your service and whish you prosperity as a land owner in the lands of Ostiarium. Sir Zane will oversee the final details. Dismissed." He concluded and went back to what he was doing before.

Alexis calmly got up.

“Thank you, Your Grace.”

Then she left the rest room without another word.

Before they could leave the Duke said.
"Sir Zane. Maybe a nice plot of land at the edge of the forest. Somewhere Greyriver is familiar with already..." He called after them with his final decree.