episode_0007

The tea party held at the imperial garden in the capital was as splendid as expected.

Children from noble families gathered from all over, flaunting their finest attire as they clustered in small groups to chat.

—However, the moment Firnea stepped out of the carriage, all eyes turned to her.

No matter how young she was—no, precisely because she was young—her pure beauty was impossible to ignore.

A beauty that reduced everyone else’s looks to mere child’s play. Gazes filled with admiration and envy alike pierced through the air.

Firnea, unaccustomed to such attention, subtly hid behind me.

“Why is everyone staring at me like that?”

“It’s because you’re so beautiful, my lady.”

I reassured her in the gentlest voice I could muster, all while recalling MacLaine’s warning and keeping a watchful eye on our surroundings.

As the tea party began, the children scattered across the garden to mingle.

As expected, several young lords and ladies approached Firnea. Most sought to flaunt their connection to the Serratus family or were simply curious about her reputation.

Firnea was awkward at first, but with my help in guiding the conversation, she gradually settled in. Still, her expression remained visibly bored.

“VirDem, when will this be over?”

Firnea tugged at my sleeve and whispered.

“It hasn’t been long since we arrived, my lady.”

Just then, a group of children approached us.

At the center was a girl in an extravagant red dress—Emily, the young lady of House Laurentia.

Though she was known in high society as the second “divine beauty” after Firnea, rumors said she harbored a quiet rivalry with her, unable to match Firnea’s magical talent.

In other words, she likely didn’t have good intentions.

“My, if it isn’t Lady Firnea? What an honor to meet you here.”

Emily’s voice, sharp despite her sweet expression, cut through the air.

“Hello, Lady Emily.”

Firnea greeted her briefly, just as I had taught her.

Emily looked Firnea up and down before curling her lips slightly.

“You’re as beautiful as the rumors say. Like a doll.”

It sounded like praise, but there was an unmistakable edge to it.

“But… you don’t say much, do you? Then again, I suppose the young lady of House Serratus wouldn’t find it easy to mingle with common nobles like us.”

The children around her giggled. It was a clever ploy to isolate Firnea. Firnea frowned in displeasure but only bit her lip, unsure how to respond.

I stepped forward quietly and spoke.

“The young lady is simply unaccustomed to unfamiliar company. I’d appreciate your understanding, Lady Emily.”

Emily’s gaze shifted to me.

“My, the Serratus family’s butler is quite young, isn’t he? What was your name again?”

“VirDem of House Serbus.”

“Serbus? Ah, that servant family?”

Emily dismissed me outright before turning back to Firnea.

“Lady Firnea, would you like to join us for a game? It’s a fun round of hide-and-seek.”

“…Hide-and-seek?”

For the first time, Firnea seemed interested. But I caught the glint of malice in Emily’s eyes.

“My lady, we have an important engagement soon—”

I tried to intervene, but Emily cut me off.

“It’ll be quick, I promise. Right, Lady Firnea?”

Emily tugged lightly at Firnea’s arm. Firnea hesitated briefly, but her desire to play with peers must have won out, as she nodded.

“…Fine.”

“Wonderful!”

Emily and her entourage led Firnea deep into the garden. Uneasy, I followed at a distance.

The game began, with the seeker covering their eyes and counting. No matter how overprotective I was, I couldn’t interfere—so I watched from afar.

Firnea looked around, unsure where to hide. Then, Emily leaned in and whispered to her.

“My lady, there’s a perfect hiding spot over there. No one will find you.”

She pointed to an old storage shed at the garden’s edge.

“That place—”

Something felt off. The shed, long unused, was covered in dust, its door secured with a rusted lock.

I tried to stop her. But Firnea had already opened the door and stepped inside.

I didn’t miss the knowing smirks exchanged between Emily and her friends.

—Clank.

The moment Firnea entered, the sound of something locking echoed out.

“Huh? Why is the door—”

Firnea’s panicked voice came from inside the shed.

Emily and the others quickly scattered, putting distance between themselves and the scene.

“Oh no, Lady Firnea got locked in the shed!”

“My, how unfortunate. The seeker will find her in no time!”

It was clear they had planned this humiliation. Their mocking laughter faded into the distance.

I rushed to the shed door.

“My lady. Are you all right?”

“VirDem! The door’s locked! Open it!”

Firnea’s voice trembled with panic and a hint of fear. The lock, though old, looked sturdy. There was no key, of course.

“Damn brats…”

I gritted my teeth. I could blast the door open with magic, but that would only escalate things. Drawing attention would further damage Firnea’s dignity.

Instead, I pulled out the multi-tool set I always carried. Butler training had included lockpicking—something I’d never thought I’d use until now.

Click, click…

Carefully, I worked the lock’s mechanism with a thin wire. After a few tries, a soft clack signaled success.

When I opened the door, Firnea was crouched inside the dusty shed. With no lantern, she must have been terrified—her eyes were slightly red.

But she feigned composure and glared at me.

“What took you so long?”

“My apologies, my lady. The lock was quite stubborn.”

I took out a handkerchief and dusted off her face and dress.

“Let’s go.”

Without another word, Firnea grabbed my hand and stepped out.

As we emerged, some of the children playing hide-and-seek stared in shock. The seeker was still searching elsewhere.

Firnea spotted Emily’s group and glared. A faint blue aura of magic flickered around her hands.

“My lady, wait.”

I gently caught her wrist to stop her. Using magic here would only make things worse.

“Allow me to handle this.”

After reassuring her, I approached Emily’s group. Emily’s face paled, but she forced a smile.

“My, Lady Firnea. You’re back already? The seeker didn’t even come looking for you.”

“The shed door must have locked by accident. Fortunately, I had a key, so we got out quickly.”

I lied smoothly, pretending to slip the lockpick into my pocket.

“But Lady Emily, there’s one thing I’m curious about.”

“Wh-What is it?”

Emily tensed as she asked.

“When the young lady entered the shed, there was no lock on the door. Yet right after, someone locked it from the outside. Did any of you see who played such a prank?”

Under my calm but sharp gaze, Emily and the others exchanged nervous glances.

“W-We didn’t see anything…”

“Is that so? How odd. For something to happen so openly. Should I request an investigation from the imperial guards? Locking a noble lady in the imperial garden isn’t a matter to be taken lightly.”

Emily’s face went white. She clearly didn’t want this escalating.

“…It must have been an accident. Someone probably didn’t realize the shed was in use. We were too busy running from the seeker to notice…”

Emily stammered out excuses. I found it amusing but didn’t press further. My goal was achieved.

The other noble children around Emily began inching away.

No one wanted to be involved.

Emily would be spending the rest of the tea party alone.

“I see. It’s good it was nothing serious.”

I gave a light bow and returned to Firnea.

“Shall we go, my lady?”

Firnea, still seething, followed without protest. Emily and the others didn’t dare approach us again.

Once we were in the carriage, Firnea finally spoke.

“Those… those brats. They’re so annoying.”

“Pay them no mind, my lady. It’s just petty jealousy.”

“But it’s unfair! Why should I have to put up with that?”

Her voice shook. She was hurt—this was her first taste of betrayal and humiliation.

After a pause, I replied.

“You’re far stronger and more exceptional than them, my lady. In magic, and in everything else.”

“…Really?”

“Yes. But there are things in this world that can’t be solved with magic alone. Sometimes, you must endure. Other times, you must respond with wisdom.”

“I don’t know how to do that.”

“You’ll learn. I’ll help you.”

Firnea stared out the window before turning back to me.

Her eyes held a complexity I hadn’t seen before.

“…VirDem.”

“Yes, my lady.”

“…Thanks. For saving me earlier.”

“Eh?”

The unexpected gratitude caught me off guard.

“Th-Thank you.”

Firnea turned away, mumbling shyly.

“Teach me… how not to lose to people like that.”

Her tone was like a child discovering a new toy, but the sincerity beneath it was unmistakable.

I smiled faintly.

“Gladly, my lady.”

This was the first proper order I’d received since becoming a butler.