episode_0012

The next day,

*Knock, knock.*

Like a ghost, the knocking sound came precisely at 7 o’clock.

“Madam wishes to see you.”

The old butler, whose white hair was beginning to show, couldn’t hide his worried expression outside the door.

Here comes trouble.

I patted the butler on the shoulder, meaning for him not to worry.

“Understood.”

He’s quick on the uptake, anyway.

It seems that yesterday’s events have reached Madam’s ears. It was almost expected. After all, the moment rumors surfaced about raising a vampire in an unauthorized household, I would undoubtedly be labeled a heretic and swarmed by inquisitors at any moment.

“Just a moment, the rest need not come in.”

I held back the maids who were about to barge into my room.

I called for Harzen, rejecting other attendants, fearing that Yuria’s vivid kiss mark might be visible.

…

Two men were waiting in front of the study.

The protagonist, Dylan, and the second son, Cain.

I casually disregarded their intense gazes as I opened the door.

A wave of magic was sent my way.

And with a casual glance, Ian erased it.

“…! What are you-”

Cain’s reaction was one of great surprise as he turned around, but Dylan simply nodded in response.

If it’s just this level of intimidation through magic, it could easily be dismissed.

Then, Cain’s pupils contracted slightly as he spoke.

“When did you become so adept at handling magic? Weren’t you someone who couldn’t even undo a simple spell due to your lack of sensitivity?”

“Brother, if I’m getting in the way of the succession competition, just say so.”

“What?”

“How long has it been since I awakened my magic and grew up using Mother as a shield behind your back? How can you already make such a face, Brother, shouldn’t you also have as much composure as Dylan? Oh, is it because things aren’t going well for you these days?”

Cain pursed his lips as if stung by Ian’s words.

No wonder, given how Ian, who couldn’t even make a peep before, had changed overnight. It was enough to leave him speechless.

I chuckled, as if to crumple up the magic Cain had sent in front of his eyes.

Ian, a troublemaker by nature, always seemed to develop bad habits due to his somewhat spiteful appearance. He would start off as usual, causing me embarrassment, “Ian, are you still unable to handle this kind of pressure? If you can’t even manage this as a fellow noble…” and then proceed to berate me vigorously, likely restoring his diminished self-esteem through comparisons with Dylan.

Considering that, I didn’t need to hang my head low. After all, Cain is nothing special. Despite his connections with the upper class, there was no harm in distancing myself from him, as he was undoubtedly someone who would stab me in the back.

Thud. The door closed in an instant.

///

Brittania Carman.

She was an elderly woman with wrinkled skin. Despite her age, she maintained a youthful air about her, with sharp eyes and a dignified demeanor.

“…So, you’re here to have a proper conversation.”

“Ian, is it true that the maid you brought in as your servant is a vampire?”

I involuntarily shut my mouth in response to the aggressive tone from the start. It was an instinctive reaction, not mine.

A tremendous weight.

He threatened with magic dispersed around him.

“Why can’t you speak anymore? If not, what are you doing? Answer me now.”

As our cold golden eyes met, I almost succumbed to his aura.

“It’s not true,” I lied first. Although Yuria currently had no power, if she hid for a few years, she could easily break free from a family like this and grow with the remaining strength. Besides, I was going to escape from this family anyway.

‘…Well, if Yuria, who has just recharged her blood, is at full power, she might even destroy the mansion right now. But seeing her not doing so, she must have her reasons.’

Ultimately, considering that all the witnesses were servants, it was highly probable that they couldn’t be sure she was a vampire. If I told the truth here, it wouldn’t just be a loss for me, so at least for my own sake…

‘You must deceive them at all costs.’

Of course, it’s a risky business. If I were to hastily cover up for the maid and get caught, there would be no escape from execution. However, I am soon to die from an incurable disease. Therefore, I felt no fear or trembling.

Isn’t it the same in novels? The one who has nothing more to lose is the most frightening. Perhaps the lord will think about Ian, who was timid and useless before I came into the picture, and worry.

The lord massaged his chin and furrowed his brow. Eventually, he pressed his temple and let out a deep sigh.

“…Do you even know who the maid is that injured your concubine? She’s none other than the daughter of the knight commander Rupert. Is it reasonable that a mere servant girl has caused harm to such a girl? This is not a matter that can be resolved with mere words.”

“I’m sorry.”

“If you are sorry to me, what good does that do? Go directly to Sir Rupert and apologize. I hear you’ve been making excuses with a peculiar tone… If you’re not a vampire, then what are you? What was the reason for touching Sir Rupert’s daughter in the first place?”

“……”

“I have already apologized to Sir Rupert and his daughter. Do you understand how difficult it was for Sir Rupert to restrain himself from drawing his sword and stopping your lot from defiling his concubine? That damn knight commander alone could tear you apart, couldn’t he?” I could only grind my lips, unable to say that.

After all, that fellow Rupert had no idea that Uria was the final boss, even in his dreams.

First, I lowered my waist and spoke.

“…It is my fault for not properly educating the head maid. I apologize. I will make sure to teach more strictly to prevent such incidents in the future.”

“Hmm, understood. You are of the Brittna lineage. Always be mindful and deliberate in every aspect before you act. Don’t forget that each of your actions could tarnish the family’s reputation.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Nodding, the lord released his chin and stood up, approaching me closely to ask.

And then it was smoothly passed over. “Ian, tell me about the slave’s peculiar constitution. I’ve heard that the slave doesn’t have a peculiar constitution, so what’s going on?”

…

That question came unexpectedly.

I had spread some excuses to the servants at an appropriate time, as I hadn’t expected Yuria to be caught as a vampire at that moment.

But fortunately, this guy is incompetent even in the original work.

He’s just good at wielding force like other knights, but at least his judgment is very narrow-minded.

Just as the protagonist in the original work never shied away from the lord’s gaze and believed the protagonist’s words without hesitation, this was one of the strategies used by the lord and one of his stubborn habits.

Whenever the old man’s eyes flickered, he always believed it was a lie.

The protagonist at that time could barely match gazes, which allowed him to train his magic power to an incredible extent, but the reason I could do this was…

“Sometimes I’m in your room when you’re angrier than usual.”

Without a hint of change in expression, I met the lord’s eyes squarely and said, “I’m afraid of blood.”

“Afraid?”

Ian, who had prepared the bait, pulled up the questioning lord with a smirk inside.

“Didn’t you hear from the surrounding servants? Your body trembled, your eyes blinked, and you were shaking your legs like a willow tree. You were rambling and couldn’t get a grip on yourself. Generally, people who are afraid of blood show such reactions.”

“Hmm, the servants’ words vary, you know. However, they all say that your pupils turned red.”

“It must be a mistake. Since the servants haven’t seen a vampire, they must have exaggerated things.”

As I intended. The servants’ words often inflated.

A vampire under the full moon, a bloody massacre. Just with those words, rumors spread among the servants; it was their gossip.

If they really thought she was a vampire, they would have said something as witnesses. With that thought, he nodded and opened his lips.

“Understood. I trust you, but don’t forget that if something like this happens again, I will not hesitate to execute that slave or send them to the Holy Kingdom without mercy.”

Even though such a thing had occurred, one should be satisfied that it ended with disciplinary action rather than death. Originally, it would have been a serious offense deserving of having one’s throat cut or being killed by amputation.

It was possible because the atmosphere predominantly attributed most of the blame to Ian due to his foolishness.

“Even if Yuria were to face execution, I would have prevented it by all means.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Just when it seemed that things were somewhat resolved, Carman, standing behind Ian, spoke with a hint of anger.

“I’ve given your slave Yuria a brief vacation. It wouldn’t be right for such a dangerous individual to be by the patient’s side. I’ll either visit the slave market again to find a new person or select a new personal servant or maid from the newcomers.”

“A new personal servant, you say?”

Ian’s face contorted noticeably. It was a moment when he had just managed to get along with Yuria.

He had been trying to develop a liking for her, unafraid of his incurable disease, and had even begun to form a secret attachment. It was frustrating to be interrupted in this way.

Furthermore, newcomers or those from the slave market often tended to be inexperienced, and he couldn’t predict how they would handle a serious situation if it arose.

Carefully adding, there was also a personal motive. He liked Yuria, and he had a premonition that continuing to stay apart from her would lead to an unbearably lonely life.

“…And Yuria is the final boss. If left alone, who knows what she might do.”

For the sake of the world, it might be better for her to stay by his side. Frankly, Yuria was good at her job, and in many ways, it made things easier.

With that determination, he spoke up.

“Please cancel that.”

It was a thoughtless remark.

The surprised murmurs of the attendants could be heard from nearby.

“W-What… What is this about the Lord’s words…”

“Seems like he’s asking so casually… Clearly, he’s gone mad… Tsk tsk.”

For the first time, Ian rebelled against the Lord’s words.

Sure, here’s the translation of the provided Korean webnovel into English:

—

Seolma, as if not expecting it to turn out this way, the duke’s face stiffens for a moment.

“…I forbid it. Yuria is dangerous to you. If someone other than Rupert’s daughter had harmed you with their nails or something else, the one in this place might have been someone else, not you.”

“I’m fine. Bringing in other maids wouldn’t extend my remaining life, and I’d just feel worse. Father knows that too. He knows how much I detest having maids around me. It could even be a punishment for Yuria.

And… I quite like Yuria.”

“You can’t like her. How will you feel when you see blood coming from your nose or mouth? The first maid would be trembling in fear.”

“As long as it’s not directly seeing someone’s skin being torn and bleeding, it’s fine. It’s the fear of blood flowing from a wound. Besides… lately, even that has decreased.”

A cold silence fills the room as if cold water had been poured into it.

To be honest, talking about blood on the skin or torn blood was nonsense.

It was more like spitting out what was there, and that’s why.

I deliberately appealed to my status as an incurable terminal patient.

At least, as long as I was human, I couldn’t add anything more here. For the first time, I felt comfortable being a terminally ill patient.

As expected, Father turned his head and washed his face with one hand.

“…I understand. I respect your wishes. That guy was also the first maid you chose. And don’t forget. Yuria’s appearance is outstanding, but that’s only on the surface. He’s a person with unknown depths. Also, magic…”

“Yes, I understand. Black symbolizing flames, right? I’m fine. After Yuria became my personal maid, he hasn’t done any harm to me.”

“…”

“…If I misheard, it sounds like you have feelings for Yuria.”

“It’s not entirely a misunderstanding. It’s natural for a master to like and favor their personal maid.”

Half of it was a lie.

—

In truth, I never felt emotions like marriage or love towards Elloa. I simply wished she would grow up well, much like a beautiful piece of art.

But at the moment, there was no better way to thoroughly torment the head of the household than this method.

The daughter of Rupert, receiving favor from the despised exclusive maid, well… just thinking about these tangled human relationships gives me a headache too.

By now, when the episode arrives, Elloa will likely be seething with anger towards the nobles. Perhaps her departure from this mansion is not far off. If she focuses on strengthening herself and another opportunity arises, it’s certain that the first encounter with the protagonist will take place.

So, there won’t be any interest directed towards me, the supporting male lead…

At that moment,

A hologram window fills my vision.

[…??? Quest Target (Hidden: Elloa) has gained favor with you.]

[Elloa is showing interest in you!]

[Elloa has developed affection for you!]

[Target: Elloa has sprouted feelings of love for you!]

[CLEAR!! Hidden Quest: Achieved favorability of the final boss over 50!]

[CLEAR!! Hidden Quest: Achieved favorability of the final boss over 55!]

[Rewards will be given in the status window.]

[A title: One who achieved a tremendous feat will be granted.]

Swiftly, as I turned around,

I caught a glimpse of red hair passing through the crack in the door.

…Did she hear everything?