episode_0004

A half cookie in my hand.

And the exclusive maid crying.

How on earth did this happen?

Even though it clearly happened right in front of my eyes, there was nothing I could understand.

‘if?’

Maybe she didn’t want me to eat the cookie.

Don’t they say that users usually taste the snacks left behind by their owners?

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

Normally, I wouldn’t even put it to my mouth, so I ended up eating the cookie that would have been hers alone.

She deserves to shed tears because the snack she was most looking forward to was taken away from her.

After coming to that conclusion, I held out an intact cookie.

“Do you want to eat?”

“No, it’s not surprising. How could I eat your snacks?”

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

“Thank you for your consideration, but it’s really okay.”

She was a better maid than I thought.

It’s not uncommon for someone to want to eat cookies to the point of crying and then endure it.

But, I really didn’t care.

Always think from the perspective of the users, try to understand their difficulties, and be considerate.

These were things I learned from seeing Luna, who couldn’t say a word, being respected by the workers.

Of course, I was aware that what I did was not right, so I did not recommend it any further.

Continued encouragement may actually become pressure.

I quickly ate all the cookies and finished off the tea.

Tuk-.

As she carefully placed the teacup on the tray, a tear eventually fell from the maid’s eye.

“Ah, ah… . Sorry.”

“It’s okay. Hurry up and go out.”

“I’m going out… ?”

The maid tilted her head.

As if there was something to do later.

I tried to recall my memories, but nothing in particular came to mind.

To begin with, I was drunk every day, so my memory itself was vague.

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

“Well, that’s… .”

The maid held a tray in her hand and hesitated as if she was about to say something.

And then he started shaking his head from side to side.

“Uh, you don’t have any! I guess I was misunderstanding something! Sorry!”

“… okay? Then go out.”

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

The maid bowed her head and left the room.

The door was carefully closed, and I, left alone in the room, had to feel a subtle sense of discomfort.

The reason was curiosity about what she was trying to say.

The behavior she showed earlier also played a role.

Well, it doesn’t matter.

If it was really important, she would have said it without hiding it.

‘Let’s get some sleep first.’

Falling back to sleep a few hours after waking up wasn’t very pleasant.

However, because I didn’t sleep well last night and had been running since morning, my body was demanding sleep.

Also, the feeling of refreshment from the shower seemed to be an emotional appeal that it would feel good to fall asleep now.

So, I decided to take a rare nap.

Just until breakfast is ready.

* * * * *

Albert’s exclusive maid, Melina.

Returning to the kitchen, she put down the tray and let out a long sigh.

ha-.

I feel good but also anxious.

It was a truly confusing feeling.

Just as another sigh came out of her mouth, a maid came into the kitchen.

‘Anne.’

All the maids were close to each other, but Anne and Melina were especially close because they were similar in age.

To the point where we openly share our concerns with each other.

Seeing Melina’s gloomy expression, Anne approached her, tilting her head as if she were puzzled.

“Melina… ? Is something wrong?”

“Wow-.”

Melina melted, holding Anne’s shoulder.

Anne thought about her behavior when she saw her for the first time.

Clearly, something is going on with Melina.

And if you are a close friend, you should listen to your concerns.

Regardless of whether or not it can be resolved, I feel at ease just by listening.

He said in a whisper.

“Perhaps it’s you again… ?”

Melina slowly nodded to her close friend’s question and began to carefully tell the story.

It was a very small voice in case anyone heard it.

“The master ate cookies and tea today.”

“G, really?! Good!”

Anne said this while clapping her hands, and then realized belatedly that the noise was loud and looked around.

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

This was because the large kitchen where food preparation was in full swing and the small kitchen where tea time supplies were kept were separated.

‘That’s right, I was happy.’

As Anne said, it was a happy thing for Melina that Albert ate cookies and tea.

After much effort, they succeeded in making delicious tea and refreshments, but today was the first time the owner ate it.

I was so overcome with emotion that I even shamefully shed tears.

But the real problem was what happened next.

“The master told me to leave… .”

“Uh… ?”

“If it were normal, you would have verbally harassed me or subtly touched me, but you didn’t.”

Albert’s harassment.

Ridiculously, it was something Melina had to experience every morning.

Of course it wasn’t pleasant, but it was a routine I had now given up on.

But strangely enough, that wasn’t the case today.

─ Well, is there something I need to do?

I squeezed through that gap and answered as if nothing had happened.

That’s probably why I’m anxious.

In a way, Melina was telling a lie to Albert.

As Melina revealed everything, Anne fell silent and then nodded and said:

“Maybe you’re trying to grow up late.”

“Is that really true…? ?”

“You went out for a run this morning. Treating you is also an extension of that.”

“If that’s the case, I’m glad… .”

Is it possible to lose your temper so suddenly?

Melina couldn’t erase the thought that things had changed so overnight.

As Anne said, it was the most comfortable thing to think of it as something I had grown up with.

I really hope that’s the case.

While Melina was thinking, the door opened and the head maid came in.

The two people who were talking pretended that they were cleaning in a hurry.

“Melina, breakfast is ready. Please tell the master.”

“Ah, yes!”

The world was so cruel that it didn’t seem like it would even give me time to feel anxious.

It was another thing that from that day on, rumors about the master, who had started to mature late, spread among the maids.

* * * * *

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

When I heard that breakfast was ready, I immediately left the room and soon saw a meal for one person sitting on the table.

To be exact, it was too much to eat for one person, but since it was the head maid’s nonsense, I decided to skip it.

“What about your mother and father?”

“I heard that you two cannot eat breakfast because you have a health checkup.”

“I see.”

My parents listened to my request.

Immediately without delay.

I sat down feeling grateful that I had done so, even though I still had doubts about my identity.

Then, as if she had been waiting, the maid filled the empty glass with water.

‘Melina.’

It was definitely that name.

Since I had not had a dedicated maid since entering the academy, I realized it too late.

“Melina, thank you.”

“No, it’s not surprising. I just did what I had to do.”

Do the obvious thing naturally.

It was more difficult than I thought.

Just like I wasn’t the right husband for Luna.

I started eating with a bitter feeling inside me.

‘Meat, meat, meat…’ .’

Looking here and there, the plate was full of meat.

It seemed that the feelings of the head maid had returned as protein.

It’s a bit excessive, but what can you do?

I was so touched by my actions, and the fact that they cared about me was something I couldn’t help but be happy about.

Not long after finishing the protein-filled meal, my parents called me.

Because the engagement matter was over and I was curious about the results of the health checkup, I hurriedly moved on.

And soon I arrived in front of the office and knocked on the door.

“This is Albert.”

“Come in.”

When permission was given, I carefully opened the door and entered.

The next thing I saw was my parents sitting side by side on the sofa.

My parents were looking at me as if nothing had happened, but it was not difficult to see that their underlying feelings were disturbed.

‘There was something.’

A medical examination revealed something.

Having expected that, I lowered my head, clutching my trembling heart.

“Good morning. Mother, father.”

“Okay, just sit there.”

“Yes.”

I raised my head and sat across from my parents.

Silence continues as we exchange glances.

This was because we were not familiar with this type of location.

For a moment, it was my father who finally broke the silence and opened his mouth.

“Albert.”

“Yes, father.”

“First of all, thank you. The therapist said it was the early stages of mana sclerosis. Both your mother and me.”

As expected, my prediction was correct.

That might have been why my parents looked so distraught.

It was a natural reaction since it is a disease that will kill you if left unnoticed and neglected.

However, as long as it is discovered early, there is no chance of death.

I no longer have to lose my parents, who I lost once in the past, a second time.

My pounding heart calmed at that fact.

And I just poured out those feelings.

“I’m really glad… .”

“Yes, it’s thanks to you. Thank you so much.”

A part of my chest is itching.

There were overwhelming emotions.

The atmosphere continued for a while and was about to subside.

My father sighed and said.

“Albert, to be honest, I want to believe that you just grew up. Your mother feels the same way.”

The parents’ expressions were distressed, and the atmosphere was grave and subdued.

From that, I was able to infer the following words without difficulty.

“But that’s my feeling as a bad parent. As the owner of the family, I couldn’t get over it easily. I apologize in advance, but I have called someone to prove your innocence.”

I guess that decision was made after a conversation with my mother yesterday after I returned to my room.

It probably wasn’t an easy decision.

If it really is a devil inside my son, then it is right to kill him.

In that case, it would be no different than having their son die with their own hands.

Of course, I was overjoyed.

Because I’m really innocent.

I have never been tempted, let alone by the devil.

Anyway, I was planning on asking for that here, but I never thought he would make the first move.

As expected, he was a father whose actions spoke louder than his words.

‘I’m a little sorry, but… .’

I decided to take advantage of this situation.

“Father, I have something to ask you.”

“Yes, say it.”

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

“Sword, you mean sword? Really, you want to learn the sword?”

My father’s eyes widened. The expression of emotion is a bonus.

Then, perhaps because he realized too late that his innocence had not been proven, he looked regretful.

I am definitely the one who would benefit from learning the sword, but why does my father like it so much?

Still, a good thing is a good thing, so I decided to just accept it happily.

Not long after that, a guest came to the castle.

He was the person my father said would prove my innocence.

Demon hunter.

He was commonly called that.