Chapter 464: Early Departure (2)

Compared to my usual work hours at the company, this could be considered quite an early departure.

If it were the old me, I might have stayed at the company a little later before heading home, but today, I finished up what was in front of me and wrapped up my work at the treatment room.

While it might be different on other days, I had my own reasons for wanting to leave work a bit early today.

‘I wonder if Eunbyul is doing okay alone at home.’

Currently living in seclusion at my place is the third daughter of the Geumhyang Group, Geum Nari.

She’s using the alias Eunbyul and is currently acting as my maid; she must be waiting for me alone at home.

As it was the very first day of living together with Eunbyul, I had a legitimate reason to leave work a bit early today.

She was in a situation where she was hiding at my house to evade the Geumhyang Group’s pursuit, and yesterday, her anxiety even drove her to my room in the middle of the night.

If possible, it was best to show my face quickly after work to reassure her.

With my schedule, including tomorrow, preventing me from returning home often in the future, I needed to at least show my face as soon as possible on the days I could return home.

“Maybe I should just quickly grab some groceries on my way home.”

Since she couldn’t easily go out on her own, there were things she needed done outside that I had to take care of.

In this day and age, grocery shopping can be done via delivery, but I couldn’t be sure if Eunbyul, who hadn’t yet adapted to a commoner’s home, could use such services.

More importantly, if a delivery person spotted her dressed as a maid, there was a significant chance rumors could spread.

Normally, if I wasn’t eating at home, I wouldn’t bother grocery shopping and would just head home, but for the time being, I’d have to do my shopping before going home like this.

After all, the number of people eating has increased from one to two.

With that thought, I stopped by the supermarket on my way home and sent a message to a newly saved contact on KakaoTalk.

「Eunbyul, I’m stopping by the mart on my way home. Do you need anything?」

For reference, our method of contact with Eunbyul is through a ‘trace-proof smartphone’ specially prepared by Sihee.

Naturally, the contact methods Eunbyul used previously were unusable, but Do Kyung Group mentioned they had several backup communication methods prepared for emergencies.

Thanks to this, communication with Eunbyul, which had only been possible indirectly through Sihee until now, could now be done through direct messages like this.

As soon as the read receipts for my message disappeared in the chatroom with the maid, her reply came back.

「I plan to use the ingredients we have at home for tonight’s dinner. Is there perhaps a menu you’d like for breakfast or dinner tomorrow?」

「Hmm. Honestly, anything you make, Eunbyul-ssi, would be great.」

「Understood. Then, unless there are special requests, I will prepare your meals, Master. The items needed are a carton of eggs and one bell pepper….」

After briefly scanning the grocery list Eunbyul sent, I replied that I understood and finished my shopping at the mart.

Thinking of her face waiting at home, I hurried back.

“…It feels like I haven’t been back in a really long time.”

How many years has it been since I returned to a house with the lights on after being out?

Of course, for nearly 10 years, I considered Eunyoung Noona and Hye-eun’s house my own, but it still felt different from my actual home.

It was unavoidable to feel a sense of nostalgia for this familiar yet awkward scenery.

Catching the scent of dinner wafting through the air, I entered the house, and saw the figure of a maid in a black dress appear from the kitchen beyond the hallway.

As soon as she confirmed my arrival, she walked out to the entrance hall to greet me.

“You’re home from work, Master.”

“Ah, yes.”

“Would you like to eat first? Or perhaps bathe first?”

…I never thought I’d actually hear these words from a current maid in my lifetime.

The scene of such a full-fledged maid in this ordinary home felt rather incongruous in many ways, but I didn’t feel any awkwardness or discomfort because of it.

And perhaps in a few days, this scene will start to feel quite natural. Humans are creatures of adaptation.

“Is dinner already prepared?”

“Yes. I have finished preparations so that Master can dine whenever you wish.”

“Then let’s eat first. It’s a hassle to reheat it after it cools down.”

“Understood. In that case, I will prepare it within 5 minutes.”

With those words, Eunbyul took the grocery bag I was holding and went into the kitchen.

Her retreating figure, with the knot of her maid apron fluttering, was strangely cute.

---

Not long after Eunbyul said she would prepare it, a proper dinner spread was laid out on our dining table.

Compared to breakfast, the dinner table felt noticeably more elaborate.

Before eating, I expressed my gratitude to Eunbyul for preparing tonight’s meal.

“I’ll eat well, Eunbyul.”

“Yes, Master.”

Hearing Eunbyul’s reply, I didn’t hesitate and immediately started eating the meal laid out before me.

This experience of receiving a proper meal right after getting off work felt almost like a first.

During my school days, I often ate meals at Eunyoung Noona’s house, but strictly speaking, that was before I started my life as a Hunter.

More importantly, excluding the meals my late parents used to make, this was the very first time I had eaten a meal prepared by someone else in my own home.

…No, come to think of it, maybe it wasn’t entirely the first time.

‘Taekyung, Taekyung! I’ll make dinner myself today!’

‘…Can’t I just make it myself, Hye-eun?’

‘It’s okay! I learned this from my mom for sure this time, so there’s absolutely no way I’ll fail!’

…These were memories I had buried deep in the back of my mind, not exactly pleasant ones.

Even if they resembled each other as mother and daughter, they clearly didn’t inherit the cooking skills.

Anyway, Eunbyul’s meal was quite excellent on its own, without needing comparison to anyone else.

Not only were there more side dishes than breakfast, but the soup and other elements also showed considerable effort.

It was quite helpful in comforting my tired body after work.

“Thank you, Eunbyul. For breakfast, and for preparing such a delicious meal.”

“As a maid, I am merely doing what is required of me.”

“Actually, I took it upon myself to protect you, so you didn’t necessarily have to perform maid duties. Still, you prepared such a carefully made meal, so I’m grateful.”

“As I am indebted to you, it is naturally something I must do.”

Eunbyul stood beside me as I ate, maintaining a neutral expression as much as possible, just like when she was by Sihee’s side, and answered.

While making eye contact with her and talking, I suddenly voiced a peculiar thought to the maid.

“Come to think of it, Eunbyul.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Did you eat before I got here?”

“No. I plan to eat separately after Master has finished your meal.”

“Let’s just eat together. It’s lonely eating alone later.”

“No. It is the servant’s principle not to share a meal….”

What kind of servant’s principle prevents even sharing a meal?

Thinking back, during the last camping trip, and the one before that on the island, Eunbyul was always the one preparing meals for Sihee and me, but I don’t recall ever seeing her eat.

Recalling those memories, her words about the principle of not sharing meals with the master didn’t seem like a lie.

However, personally, I had a considerable desire to sit at the same table and share a meal with Eunbyul.

I made the suggestion again to the maid, who hadn’t eaten yet, asking if she wouldn’t join me.

“Don’t do that, just eat with me. I prefer eating with someone rather than alone too.”

“…No, as a servant, I cannot.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“Then, when the servant’s principle and the master’s command conflict during duty, which one is more important?”

“……”

Eunbyul, sensing my intention behind the question, hesitated slightly before answering.

Her next words, thankfully, were the principled answer I had expected.

“…In such cases, I am trained to prioritize and follow the master’s command.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

“Then I command you, Eunbyul. Prepare a bowl and chopsticks right now and sit across from me. I command you, Eunbyul, to have dinner with me starting now.”

“…Understood.”

Hearing my words, Eunbyul scooped out enough rice for herself from the rice cooker, took her utensils, and moved to the seat across from me.

Occasionally making eye contact with her, I continued my interrupted dinner.

In the relatively quiet atmosphere, I felt a sense of comfort that further stabilized my mind.

---

“That was a delicious meal, Eunbyul.”

“Thank you for the meal as well.”

After finishing the simple dinner with Eunbyul.

As if nothing had happened, Eunbyul returned to her maid mode and approached me, clasping her hands.

“I will be doing the dishes, so please, Master, enjoy a relaxing bath.”

Well, if bathing follows dinner, it’s only natural for things to proceed this way.

I also felt like washing off the sweat that had soaked into my body from the dungeon today, so there was no reason to refuse.

…However, since we had already shared a meal, I felt it would be a bit of a shame to bathe alone.

As Eunbyul tidied up the dining table after the meal, I subtly broached the subject.

“Do you want to join me, Eunbyul?”

“…I have to do the dishes and clean up….”

“You can do that a little later. Just soak them in the sink and finish up after you come out.”

“……”

“Bathing together doesn’t seem to violate the servant’s principles, does it? You didn’t refuse immediately.”

I wasn’t sure if such a servant’s principle actually existed and just threw the question out there, but it seemed I hit the mark, as Eunbyul nodded and replied.

“…Yes. There is no rule in the servant’s principles stating that a maid cannot enter the bathroom with the master. However, postponing duties to rest is against the servant’s principles…”

“But when the servant’s principles and the master’s command conflict, the master’s command takes precedence. Right?”

“…That is correct.”

Well, last night was rather hectic, so things ended on a slightly unsatisfactory note.

So, continuing from today, relieving Eunbyul’s desires once more wasn’t a bad option.

Of course, now that she’s living in my house, there will be plenty of other opportunities even if it’s not today.

That didn’t mean there was any reason why she and I couldn’t get intimate today.

If we do it this time, and there’s another chance, we can just do it again then.

“This is an order, Eunbyul. Come into the bathroom with me and let’s wash up leisurely. Even if it takes a while, let’s take our time.”

“…Understood.”

Nodding as if resigned to my words, Eunbyul walked with me towards the bathroom.

Her blushing face seemed to convey a subtle sense of anticipation.