episode_0011

“And you said you were the butler of the Cerberus household. Your loyalty to your master is commendable. But sometimes, excessive loyalty can lead to misunderstandings. It would be wise to keep that in mind.”

It was a loaded warning.

I concealed my true thoughts and replied as politely as possible.

“Thank you for the advice, Lord Lorencia. However, assisting the young lady is my sole duty.”

Kyle showed no particular reaction to my response and left with Emily in tow. Watching his retreating figure, I felt cold sweat trickling down my spine.

He was a far more formidable opponent than I had anticipated. He might already be wary of me.

“Virdem, are you okay?”

The young lady looked at me with concern in her eyes.

It seemed she, too, had sensed the unusual tension in the brief but sharp exchange with Kyle Lorencia.

“I’m fine, my lady. If anything, you handled the situation splendidly.”

I forced a smile as I answered.

Firnea had deftly deflected Emily’s provocation and completely turned the situation to her advantage.

The training had paid off.

“Hehe, right? I did great, didn’t I?”

Firnea soon brightened up, laughing proudly.

Her childlike delight at receiving praise remained unchanged.

Seeing her like that eased my tension a bit. But the cold glint in Kyle Lorencia’s eyes and his ominous warning lingered in my mind.

There was a darkness to him—something deeper than mere jealousy or rivalry among noble heirs.

The head butler’s warning came back to me.

Perhaps it hadn’t been baseless after all.

Duke Pitus remained at the center of the banquet hall, conversing with other high-ranking figures. The Emperor himself made a brief appearance.

The Duke carried himself with unwavering dignity before His Majesty, yet never faltered in courtesy—a testament to his political acumen. It was a scene that underscored the influence of the Serratus family.

…To plot against an absolute authority like that required either extraordinary audacity or sheer desperation.

Firnea seemed to be growing increasingly weary of staying by the Duke’s side. Boredom and fatigue were plain on her face.

She gestured toward a quiet terrace at the edge of the hall, signaling to me. “I need some air.”

I approached the Duke and respectfully requested permission.

“My lord, the young lady wishes to rest for a moment. We will step out to the terrace for some fresh air.”

The Duke turned to Firnea with a gentle smile.

“Very well. Don’t stay out too long. Virdem, take good care of her.”

“Understood.”

I escorted Firnea to the terrace.

The terrace was quiet and secluded, away from the noise of the banquet. The night sky was studded with stars, and a cool breeze brushed past us. Firnea leaned against the railing and exhaled deeply.

“Haa… I feel alive again. It was so stifling in there.”

“Shall we stay a little longer?”

“Mhm. Look at those stars, Virdem. Aren’t they like jewels?”

Firnea pointed at the night sky, marveling like a child. She seemed to prefer this natural scenery over the opulence of the banquet hall.

I stood beside her in silence, gazing at the stars. A part of me wished this peaceful moment could last forever, but…

Tonight, something will happen in this imperial palace.

Even without the head butler’s warning, my instincts as a butler were sounding alarms.

“Virdem.”

“Yes, my lady?”

“What do you think… about what Emily said to me earlier?”

Just as I was suppressing my unease, Firnea suddenly asked with a serious expression.

“Which part are you referring to?”

“That I’m like an ice sculpture. Cold and hard to approach.”

“…I believe you are a person of careful and profound thought, my lady. Clear and transparent as ice. And sometimes, within that firmness, you conceal a warm heart.”

Firnea fell silent at my answer. Her silver hair fluttered in the night breeze.

“…A warm heart? I don’t have something like that.”

“You do.”

I answered firmly.

“I’ve seen you overlook the mistakes of the attendants who ruined your day off. You shielded me during the tea party. And…”

I paused briefly before adding softly,

“…the way you enjoyed studying the dwarven books with me was anything but cold. If anything, it was warm.”

Firnea’s face flushed slightly. She averted her gaze and coughed awkwardly.

“T-That was just… because I was bored!”

“Of course.”

I smirked. Even her inability to be honest was endearing.

I didn’t know if this affection stemmed from the scar of obedience or the bond we’d built over the past three years. Maybe both.

We lingered on the terrace a while longer, letting the night air wash over us.

Firnea tossed out random questions—about constellations, the palace’s history, even her opinions on other nobles’ attire.

I answered earnestly within my knowledge, humoring her while keeping my guard up.

I kept a close watch on the attendants and guards moving around the terrace.

“Shall we head back now, my lady? The Duke may be waiting.”

“Mmm… Alright.”

Though reluctant, Firnea complied.

Just as we were about to return to the banquet hall—

“Lady Firnea, might I have a moment of your time?”

An unexpected figure blocked our path.

I was about to refuse on her behalf when I froze in shock.

—It was the Crown Prince.

The future Emperor of the Empire was young, not much older than us, yet carried the same imposing presence as his father.

Several imperial knights shadowed him like specters.

“Your Highness.”

Firnea’s expression flickered with surprise, but she quickly composed herself and curtsied.

I, too, bowed as deeply as etiquette demanded. This was my first time facing royalty directly. I suppressed any trace of emotion, wary of any unforeseen complications.

“On such a beautiful night, under the moonlight, you resemble the goddess of the night herself.”

The Crown Prince smoothly delivered his compliment.

Firnea smiled faintly, but I could sense calculation in her gaze.

The Crown Prince wasn’t foolish enough to approach her just for her beauty.

This was undoubtedly a political overture toward the Serratus heir.

“You flatter me, Your Highness.”

“Would you care to join me for a stroll? Perhaps to that lovely fountain over there?”

He gestured toward an ornate fountain in the garden below.

Refusing the Crown Prince’s invitation was unwise, but accepting it was equally dangerous.

Duke Pitus had warned against contact with certain individuals.

I didn’t know if the Crown Prince fell into that category, but letting Firnea go alone was out of the question.

Firnea hesitated briefly before giving me a subtle look.

A silent plea for help.

As a mere butler, this was a situation she should handle herself.

…Yet, a butler’s duty was absolute loyalty to his master’s will.

Steeling myself, I stepped forward and spoke respectfully.

“Forgive my impertinence, Your Highness, but the young lady is fatigued from exchanging greetings with many guests earlier. We deeply appreciate your kindness, but if you would permit her to rest a while longer before paying her respects…”

The Crown Prince’s brow twitched slightly.

A mere servant daring to interject clearly displeased him.

But he quickly smoothed his expression and laughed magnanimously.

“Haha, I see. I may have been too hasty. Very well. We shall meet again once the lady has rested. The Serratus butler is not only loyal but also quick-witted.”

His final words were directed at me, his gaze piercing.

He didn’t seem pleased. I bowed deeper.

“My apologies, Your Highness.”

The Crown Prince said no more. With a light nod, he departed with his knights.

Watching his retreating figure, I exhaled in relief—only to realize the situation had just gotten messier.

Even the Crown Prince was showing interest in the Serratus family and Lady Firnea. If the imperial family was involved now… Ugh, I didn’t even want to think about it.

“Virdem… that was well done.”

Firnea let out a quiet sigh and whispered.

“I merely did my duty as a butler.”

“Still, what would I have done without you? The Crown Prince appearing out of nowhere… How did you even step forward like that? I was tongue-tied.”

“Presumptuous as it may be, your command is my highest priority.”

“…”

Firnea’s face reddened as she brushed a hand over her chest. For someone her age, a private audience with the Crown Prince must have been overwhelming.

We returned to the banquet hall. Duke Pitus was still conversing with other nobles but beckoned us over with a glance.

“Is everything alright?”

The Duke studied Firnea’s complexion, his eyes filled with paternal concern.

“I’m fine, Father. I just needed some air.”

She forced a cheerful tone, but the Duke seemed to sense something.

“Good. Don’t push yourself too hard.”

He gently ruffled her hair before turning to me.

His eyes asked, “Did something happen?”

I gave a slight shake of my head—Nothing of concern. Now wasn’t the time to bring up the Crown Prince. Details could wait until we returned.