episode_0004

A half-eaten cookie in my hand.

And a sobbing maid.

How on earth did this happen?

Even though it happened right before my eyes, there was no part of it that I could understand.

“Perhaps?”

Maybe she hoped I wouldn’t eat the cookie.

Servants usually taste the snacks left by their masters.

The cookie that came out today happened to be just to her taste.

I casually ate the cookie that would have been solely hers, which she had been eagerly anticipating.

She had every reason to shed tears after having her most anticipated snack taken away.

Having reached that conclusion, I held out an intact cookie.

“Do you want to eat it?”

“No, I shouldn’t. How could I possibly put your snack in my mouth?”

“It’s okay. You can eat it. If you’re worried about what the maid will say, I’ll tell her I ate it.”

“I appreciate your consideration, but really, it’s okay.”

She was a more outstanding maid than I had thought.

To endure the desire to eat the cookie to the point of tears, she was no ordinary person.

But I really didn’t care.

Always thinking from the servant’s perspective, trying to understand their hardships, and being considerate.

Things I learned from watching Luna, who couldn’t say a word, being respected by the servants.

Of course, I was aware that my actions were not right, so I didn’t insist any further.

Continued persuasion could become pressure.

I quickly finished all the cookies and neatly emptied the tea as well.

Clank-.

As I carefully placed the teacup on the tray, a single tear rolled down the maid’s cheek.

“Oh, um… I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. Go on now.”

“Me, go out…?”

The maid tilted her head.

As if there was something to do afterward.

I tried hard to recall, but nothing came to mind.

I was always drunk, so my memory was hazy at best.

“Well, is there something you need to do?”

“T-that’s…”

With the tray in her hand, the maid seemed hesitant to say something.

Then she shook her head from side to side.

“Ah, you’re not here! I must have been mistaken about something! I’m sorry!”

“…Really? Well then, go ahead.”

“Yes, as soon as breakfast is ready, I will inform you.”

The maid bowed her head and slipped out of the room.

As the door closed cautiously, leaving me alone in the room, I couldn’t help but feel a subtle unease.

It was curiosity about what she had tried to say.

Her previous behavior also played a part.

Well, it doesn’t matter.

If it had been really important, she would have spoken without hiding it.

“I should get some sleep for now.”

It wasn’t very comforting to fall asleep again just a few hours after getting up.

But between not having slept well last night and the physical demands of running since morning, my body demanded rest.

Also, the refreshing feeling from the shower seemed to emotionally appeal that I would feel good if I slept now.

So, I decided to take a short nap, just until breakfast was ready.

* * * * *

Albert’s exclusive maid, Melina.

As she returned to the kitchen and set down the tray, she let out a long sigh.

Sighing with both contentment and anxiety.

It was truly a confusing emotion.

Just as she let out another sigh from her mouth, another maid entered the kitchen.

“Ann.”

All the maids were close, but Ann and Melina, being similar in age, were especially close.

To the extent that they could confide in each other without any pretense.

Approaching Melina, who looked gloomy, Ann tilted her head inquisitively.

“Melina… Is something wrong?”

“Ugh…”

Melina grabbed Ann’s shoulders and melted into tears.

Seeing her friend’s behavior for the first time, Ann thought to herself.

Clearly, something was bothering Melina.

And if she was a close friend, she should definitely listen to her worries.

Even if she couldn’t solve them, just listening would ease her mind.

So, she whispered.

“Is it about the young master again…?”

In response to her close friend’s question, Melina slowly nodded and began to cautiously share her story.

It was a very quiet voice, as if she was afraid someone might overhear.

“Today, the young master had cookies and tea.”

“R-Really?! That’s great!”

Anne clapped her hands and spoke, only to realize that she had been too loud and looked around.

Fortunately, there was no one in the kitchen except for the two of them.

The reason for the separation of the large kitchen, where food preparation was in full swing, and the small kitchen with tea time items.

“Yeah, I was happy.”

As Anne said, Albert eating cookies and drinking tea was something to be happy about for Melina.

After numerous efforts, successfully making delicious tea and snacks, but today was the first time the master had eaten them.

Emotions overwhelmed her, and embarrassingly, tears even flowed.

But the real problem came next.

“The young master asked you to leave….”

“Huh…?”

“If it were usual, he would have teased you or subtly shown affection, but he didn’t do that.”

Albert’s teasing.

Incredibly, this was something Melina experienced every morning.

Naturally, it was unpleasant, but it had become a resigned routine.

Strangely, today was different.

─ Well, is there something I should do?

Slipping through that gap, she answered as if nothing was wrong.

The reason for her unease was probably because of that.

In a way, Melina had lied to Albert about everything.

As Melina poured out everything, Anne, after hesitating, nodded her head and said,

“Perhaps the young master is trying to change his ways belatedly.”

“Really…?”

“This morning, he went out for a run. How he treats you might be an extension of that.”

“If that’s the case, it’s fortunate….”

Could someone change so suddenly?

Melina couldn’t shake off the thought that it had changed overnight.

It was also the most comforting to think that he had matured, as Anne said.

I hope it’s really like that.

As Melina was thinking this, the door opened, and the maid entered.

The two who had been talking hastily pretended to be cleaning.

“Melina, breakfast is ready. Please inform the young master.”

“Oh, okay!”

It seemed that the world was not even giving them time to worry.

The spreading rumor among the maids about the young master, who had belatedly started to mature, from that day on, was another matter altogether.

Not long after I fell asleep, the maid came back.

Upon hearing that breakfast was ready, I quickly left the room and soon found a meal set out on the table.

It was more than enough for one person, but I decided to overlook the maid’s overzealousness.

“Where are Mother and Father?”

“I heard they have a health check-up, so they couldn’t have breakfast.”

“I see.”

My parents granted my request.

Without delay.

Despite still having doubts about my identity, they did so, and I felt grateful as I took my seat.

As if she had been waiting, the maid filled my empty cup with water.

‘Melina.’

That was definitely her name.

Since enrolling in the academy, I hadn’t had a personal maid, so I realized it belatedly.

“Melina, thank you.”

“No, it’s nothing. It’s just something I should do.”

Doing what is expected.

It was harder than one might think.

Just like how I failed to be a proper husband to Luna.

I began my meal with bitter emotions held inside.

‘Meat, meat, meat…’

There was meat everywhere I looked on the plates.

It seemed the maid’s enthusiasm had returned in the form of protein.

It was a bit excessive, but what could I do?

Her enthusiasm and care for my actions were quite welcome.

After finishing the protein-filled meal, it wasn’t long before my parents called for me.

There were matters regarding the engagement and the results of their health check-up that I was curious about, so I hurried to them.

Soon, I arrived at the study and knocked on the door.

“It’s Albert.”

“Come in.”

With permission granted, I carefully opened the door and went inside.

Sitting side by side on the sofa were my parents.

They seemed to be looking at me as usual, but it was easy to sense the troubled emotions underlying their gaze.

‘Something has happened.’

Something had been discovered during the health check-up.

Anticipating this, I steadied my trembling heart and bowed my head.

“Good morning. Mother, Father.”

“Okay, for now, just sit there.”

“Yes.”

He raised his head and sat across from his parents.

Their gazes met, and silence ensued.

This kind of situation was unfamiliar to both of them.

After a while, it was the father who broke the silence.

“Albert.”

“Yes, Father.”

“For now, be thankful. The therapist said so, that it’s in the early stages of mana sclerosis. Both your mother and I, that is.”

As I expected.

Their expressions must have been troubled because of that.

It was a natural reaction since it’s a disease that one would unquestionably die from if left untreated.

But once discovered early, there’s no need to die.

We won’t need to lose our parents twice, as we did in the past.

My heart sank at that fact.

And I expressed that emotion directly.

“Truly, I’m relieved…”

“Yes, it’s thanks to you. I’m really grateful.”

A corner of my heart tingled.

There were overwhelming emotions.

For a while, such an atmosphere continued until it subsided.

Father sighed and spoke.

“Albert, to be honest, I want to believe that you simply misunderstood. Your mother feels the same way.”

The pained expressions of my parents, the heavy atmosphere that settled.

It wasn’t difficult to infer what would follow through that.

“But that’s the sentiment of a wretched parent. As the head of the family, I can’t easily overlook it. Apologize in advance, I’ve called someone to prove your innocence.”

After returning to my room yesterday, I must have had a conversation with my mother and made that decision.

It must have been a difficult decision.

If there truly is a demon inside the son, then it must be killed.

In that case, they are no different than having killed their son with their own hands.

Of course, I was more than happy.

Because I am truly innocent.

Not only have I never succumbed to temptation, I’ve never even experienced it.

I had intended to ask for that here, but he moved first.

As always, my father’s actions preceded his words.

“I’m sorry, but…”

I decided to take advantage of this situation.

“Father, I have something to ask of you.”

“Alright, speak.”

“If I truly am innocent, could you teach me how to wield a sword?”

“Are you really interested in learning swordsmanship?”

Father’s eyes widened. His expression seemed to be filled with excitement.

But then, he seemed to realize belatedly that my innocence had not been proven, and a somewhat regretful expression appeared on his face.

It would definitely be good for me to learn swordsmanship, so why does Father seem so pleased?

Nevertheless, I decided to just accept it happily, since a good thing is a good thing.

Not long after that, a guest arrived at our house.

He was the person Father had mentioned who could prove my innocence.

A demon hunter.

That’s what he was commonly called.