episode_0005

Zeros suddenly becomes the direct servant of Katlena, a person who must build walls around him as much as possible.

At the same time, the treatment he receives right now is clearly incomparable to what it was before.

‘If I had to use a metaphor, it would be like going from a trainee to a sergeant in one go.’

Although he was still a servant, his status as a servant was different from that of a low-ranking servant who cleaned the floor.

Although they still receive basic combat training in preparation for emergencies, they are not asked to do menial tasks like cleaning in the first place.

Their job is to act as servants and assistants, serving their masters and being their basic conversation partners.

And, for this purpose, as now, we studied the basic knowledge and culture required in an aristocratic society.

People of high status usually did not easily meet other people, and in that respect, their direct servants could be said to be their most trusted subordinates and one of their few friends.

It’s a position that requires you to use your mouth and head more than physical labor, so if you look at it that way, it could be seen as a much better situation for Zeros than before…

Despite the immediate improvement in the situation, the future seemed even more bleak.

Now that Princess Katlena had become his direct superior without any fuss, it also meant that for Zeros, the justification and opportunity to go under Elios had disappeared.

‘If things had gone as planned, I was originally going to be promoted to Elios after two years and continue the network as the original owner..’

In fact, in the original work, there were descriptions of Zeros often being conflicted because of this, so this could have been a very good excuse for him as well…

There was nothing like that for him, who was suddenly pointed out by Katlena and dragged into the open air.

‘In other words, this also means that my path along the Elios route has become even more difficult.’

Of course, that doesn’t mean I can just sit here and die.

Since he had no choice but to board the Victory Coin in order to survive, Zeros began to worry about how to get away from Princess Katlena by any means necessary.

‘That’s true, but there’s no way out right now. If I act clumsily and end up like this, I’ll end up being labeled as an untrustworthy person by Katlena, and even Elios and the entire ducal family. I might end up spending the rest of my life scrubbing the floor, let alone sucking honey.’

Now that the premise that the future flow will proceed according to the original has been broken, hasty actions are prohibited.

For now, there was no other way than to quietly build up Katlena’s trust as her servant.

Even if there is a chance that I will have to cut her off at a crucial moment later.

‘Still, this will give me more opportunities to stand out as the princess’s direct servant. If I show my ability every time and increase my value, it will be helpful when I take the Elios route later on.’

Yes, Zeros, a loyal subject according to the original, is starting to think about betraying him right away.

Then he began to focus again on the contents of the book in front of him.

It is a book that contains the history of this country, the Duchy of Dragona.

I don’t know if it was because of the influence of the ice, but fortunately, I didn’t have any major problems recognizing letters and learning to write, and of course, there were no major restrictions on communication.

However, the reason he was reading this book at this moment was not simply to gain the culture and knowledge necessary as a servant.

The most important fact he needs to find out now through history books.

That was the part about whether this world was really the same as the world in the novel he knew.

Katlena’s unexpected actions shook up the great assumptions he had made about this world, so there was a possibility that this place was really a completely different place from the novel ‘The White Princess’, with only a few people’s names being the same.

And the results of that confirmation… made Zeros feel both relief and doubt.

‘Strange? This place is definitely like a place in a novel. It’s no different from the history of the original Dragona Duchy that I know. But why…’

Of course, just because history is the same, there is no guarantee that each individual’s actions will be the same.

However, this kind of subtle change was likely to create headaches for Zeros, who was living within it, just like it is now.

Of course, that was a lot better than being completely dropped into a different world.

“Haa.. I really don’t know what’s going on.”

“What are you talking about?”

“!”

The next moment, a voice is heard in my ear.

At this, Zeros was startled and quickly got up from his seat, bowing 90 degrees to greet him.

“Go… Your Majesty!”

At one moment, Zeros felt as if Two Star had opened the door and barged in without warning while he was rolling around in the barracks.

In the future, a cut-off is a cut-off, and since this woman in front of him was a being who practically held the power over his life and death, it was natural to treat her with respect.

“Sorry.. I’m sorry, Your Majesty, I didn’t even know you were here..”

Zeros speaks urgently, worried that there might be a landmine in the words he carelessly utters.

And looking at that appearance of Zeros, she,

Princess Katlena spoke to him with a somewhat pleased smile on her lips.

“You don’t have to be that nervous.. It looks like you were studying. It’s okay to relax.”

“Ah..n..yes. Go. Thank you, my lady.”

Princess Catlena speaks in a light tone.

Zeros thought that fortunately, there was no particular matter, and carefully sat down with relief. Then, Katlena’s gaze turned to the book Zeros was reading.

“Huh.. A history book? Well, this is a must-have for working in this field.”

“Yes, so for now, I’m studying hard. I’m lacking, but I have to do my best as the princess’s servant.”

Zeros speaks with a sense of relief at the fact that he had prepared a suitable excuse in advance.

However, looking at such a Zero, the princess opened her eyes wide and asked.

“I see. But what’s surprising? You already knew how to write. Where did you learn this?”

“Huh? Ah…that…that’s…”

A fact that I didn’t pay much attention to because it wasn’t specifically described in the original work.

If you think about it, the fact that Zeros, who had been brought here as an orphan, could read and write, could be considered strange in itself, considering that the story is set in the Middle Ages, long before the concept of compulsory education existed.

To the extent that you can read a history book… a book that is definitely not easy to read.

‘Oh my god! How could I have made such a mistake? What should I say here?’

It is a situation where it is obviously impossible to talk about things like ice.

That being said, it wasn’t easy to come up with something that could even make a flimsy excuse here.

That’s right, when Zeros was just sweating and mumbling…

“I knew it.”

“!..”

Katlena speaking with a meaningful expression

Zeros’ heart began to beat faster at her reaction, as if she had clearly noticed his important secret.

‘S.. No way.. Did I get caught?.. Ah.. No, that can’t be true, even so, it’s too much to think that far with just this much.. Ha. But if that’s really the case, what will happen to me..’

Zeros’ face began to turn pale and hard as he thought that in the worst case scenario, he might be treated like a demon and even tried to kill himself.

Katlena slowly reaches out her hand towards Zeros.

What she did next…

-Thump!-

“Ugh!”

She places her hand on Zeros’ shoulder.

At this, Zeros felt as if his heart would stop for a moment…

The next moment, his eyes were filled with neither anger nor caution.

Katlena was seen making a funny expression.

“If you’re going to brag, why don’t you brag a little better? I already know you can’t read, so there’s no point in pretending to study by bringing such a difficult book.”

“ㄴ..Huh? Ah..I. That..Um..Sorry.”

Katlena’s words that give us a way to survive precariously.

At this, Zeros quickly grabbed the lifeline and muttered an apology.

‘Wow…I thought my heart stopped…’

Zeros let out a deep sigh of relief, then lowered his head as if he was embarrassed.

And, seeing this appearance of young Zeros, Katlena said with a light laugh.

“Hehehe, it’s okay. Still, it’s amazing that you’re showing this much passion. In that sense, I will teach you step by step from now on. Everything from writing to etiquette.”

“ㄴ… Yes?”

Katlena says something unexpected.

At this, a clear look of bewilderment began to appear on Zeros’ face, but Katlena interpreted it as the exact opposite of his intention.

“You don’t have to be so embarrassed. After all, you are my servant who belongs to me. Isn’t it the natural duty of a master to educate his subordinates?”

“That..That’s..”

To be honest, since I already knew the letters thanks to the ice buff, and as a reader of the novel, I had a rough idea of the etiquette of this era, the thought of learning something from the princess who was watching Sonjeolgak, of all people, was heartbreaking in itself.

However, Zeros soon realized the harsh reality that he had no veto power.

From the perspective of someone who had previously admitted that he did not know how to read, it was impossible to refuse the owner’s request for help.

“Thank you. I will study hard. Princess Katlena..”

With such a sad and desperate heart, Zeros could only express his gratitude to Katlena, who was so confident.

And, looking at such a Zero, a deep smile began to appear on Katlena’s lips.

‘I have to raise him well step by step from now on. So that he can become a man who suits me perfectly.’

Like that, feeling like an older sister taking care of her younger sibling, Katlena looked at Zeros’ face in front of her with a happy feeling.