episode_0015

While we were the ones who worked hard preparing the party,

it was Firnea who suffered during the party.

“L-Lady Firnea, you are truly, sincerely beautiful…” “Ah, thank you.” “P-Perhaps, if it’s not too presumptuous! Would you take a stroll with me!” “I’m sorry. I’m not feeling well.”

The nobleman, defeated for the 25th time today, trudged away dejectedly.

I watched Firnea with pity as she sat elegantly at the head table, sipping tea with trembling hands but never losing her smile.

…It’s understandable she’d hate events like this.

Firnea was now the most eligible bride in the empire—no,

the most eligible bride in the empire’s history.

First, she was beautiful. This wasn’t a joke—she effortlessly outshone every other young lady who woke up, washed her face, and still looked like she was wearing full makeup.

Second, she was a figure of the Seliratus family, rumored to possess wealth and connections surpassing even the imperial family’s—

and now that she had come of age, she could formally inherit the family’s affairs from the acting head, MacLaine, whenever she wished.

On top of that, her magical talent was that of a once-in-a-century genius.

In other words, to even consider courting her, one would at least need to be on the level of the crown prince.

Though in my opinion, even the emperor wouldn’t stand a chance.

As I was lost in these thoughts, Firnea blinked at me a few times.

It was our secret signal.

The meaning: “Save me.”

I diligently ignored her and blinked only my left eye in response.

The meaning: “I’ll kill you.”

…

“Milady, the tea you requested has been prepared.” “Ah, thank you. I’ll bring it right away.”

Firnea stood up with a beaming smile.

Right away, my foot—she’d probably dawdle for at least twenty minutes before returning.

Just then.

“…Huh?”

With a clatter, someone else stood up.

I turned my gaze and frowned.

Golden hair that seemed to glow under the sunlight, and the symbol of a hero fastened at the waist—

It was Armeria, the one MacLaine had warned us about.

She hadn’t spoken to anyone, just devoured the refreshments like a madwoman—why was she suddenly acting like this?

Armeria alternated her gaze between me and Firnea, wearing an expression of disbelief, then slowly began walking toward us.

I instinctively stepped back.

When she kept coming, I turned into an alley to shake her off—

“Um…”

“—!”

I nearly jumped out of my skin, barely suppressing a curse.

Armeria was there. Wait, then who was behind me?

I turned around—no one was there.

Instead, a small crater in the shape of a footprint was left where she had been standing.

…Hero blood is way too overpowered.

Armeria scrutinized me up and down before asking a bizarre question.

“There’s something I’m curious about, uh…” “Yes?” “Who are you?” “…?”

Though it was unbecoming toward a descendant of heroes, I couldn’t help but look at her with slight disdain.

“I’m not sure I understand the intent of your question.” “Ah, sorry! I’m Armeria of the Faltis family!” “I’m aware.” “Huh?” “Though my knowledge is shallow and limited, I do know of the hero’s lineage.” “Eh, ehehe… Right. I’m a hero. Ehehe…”

That wasn’t a compliment.

Armeria laughed awkwardly, her face reddening.

What is wrong with this woman? As I stood there baffled, she asked another question.

“A-Anyway! I was just wondering what you do.” “Why?” “Uh, well…”

After about thirty seconds of hesitation, Armeria answered.

“I was curious!” “Sigh…”

Almost instinctively realizing she was the type of person who made conversations exhausting, I gave her what she wanted.

“I am Firnea’s butler, Servus Bildem. I oversee the general operations of the festival. Was there something that displeased you?” “Ah! No! The party is really great! Especially the chocolate cookies—they were so delicious!!”

…Most people would compliment something else first.

Still, I wasn’t in a bad mood, so I expressed my gratitude.

“I’m glad you enjoyed the cookies I made.” “Wow! You made them, Mr. Bildem? They were amazing—they tasted just like the ones sold in my hometown!” “Your… hometown?” “Ah, I got sidetracked. So, you’re a butler? Why? Wasn’t Firnea’s butler Mr. MacLaine?” “MacLaine is currently acting as the family head’s proxy, so he cannot be on the front lines.” “Eh? Really?” “Yes.” “That can’t be…” “I’m sorry, but I don’t understand what you’re implying.” “W-Well…”

Avoiding my cold gaze, Armeria gave a feeble reply.

“I just… wanted to know…” “Pardon?” “I’m sorry, ah—”

Armeria shrank back and retreated to her seat. I even noticed she was cradling a handful of chocolate cookies in her arms.

After watching her for a moment, I summed up the situation.

A descendant of heroes had stepped forward.

But she didn’t ask anything particularly meaningful.

Suddenly took an interest in me, followed me, and tried to dig into my personal details.

Her reason? She wanted to know me.

This…

“…Flirting?”

…If this was for real, Armeria was a woman unfit for romance.

“You’ve worked hard, milady.” “Sigh…”

Firnea let out a deep breath and lay on the bed, covering her eyes with a warm towel.

I frowned at the sight.

“Milady, I know you’re exhausted, but you should shower.” “Ugh, no, no.” “If you don’t wash properly, you could get sick. Come on, get up.” “…”

I forcibly lifted Firnea and shoved her into the shower before returning.

MacLaine looked at me as if he couldn’t believe it.

“How on earth did you change the young lady like this?” “I’m not sure what you mean…” “As far as I recall, after Lord Pitus’s accident, she became a vengeful spirit who knew nothing but training… Yet in less than two years, she’s turned into a perfectly ordinary noble lady.” “I truly have no idea. She just suddenly changed like that. Still, she seems healthier this way, so I prefer it.” “It hardly looks like a master-servant relationship anymore.” “…My apologies.” “No.”

MacLaine shook his head at my apology, then nodded in approval.

“You’re commendable, Bildem. Far more than I… A master’s well-being should always come first. As the successor to the head butler, your mindset is correct.”

I was about to respond when the last sentence caught me off guard.

“What do you mean by that?”

Before he could answer, the door opened, and someone entered.

“Oh, hello, brother.” “…”

It was—the maid.

The same maid from the test nine years ago.

There was no way I wouldn’t recognize her.

She hadn’t aged a day.

Struggling to hide my shock, I greeted her.

“…It’s good to see you again. You’re the one whose hand I held back then.” “My, my. I didn’t think you’d still remember me.”

The maid covered her mouth with her hand and smiled softly, her eyes curving gently.

“Head Butler, is this…?” “Yes. This is Bildem, your new master from now on. It seems you’ve met before.” “Yes~”

Now it was my turn to ask.

“Pardon me, but who is this?” “Geminoth. That is the name of these beings.” “Gemi…noth?” “I don’t know the details myself. They are maids who have served the Servus family for an extremely long time. Only the head butler of the Seliratus family has the authority to command them. And this—is why the Seliratus head butler is feared by all.” “I don’t understand. I’ve never seen them since the test.” “Fufu, I’ve seen you often, though? Almost every day.” “…Why didn’t I notice?” “Because Lord Pitus ordered it. ‘All Geminoth are to protect Firnea.’ The reason we were involved in the test was because hiring a butler was also related to Lady Firnea’s safety. We had to thoroughly examine whether any suspicious individuals were hiding among the candidates.” “…Ah.” “I followed that order to the letter. An inexcusable failure. Even if it meant breaking the command, even if the scars of obedience split open—I should have used one of them to guard Lord Pitus…”

Watching MacLaine drown in self-blame, I could only feel bewildered.

“W-Wait a minute. Are you saying that if these… beings had been present, the assassination could have been prevented?” “Yes~ If I had been there, I could have stopped it.”

Geminoth stated it matter-of-factly.

“That doesn’t make sense. Lady Firnea was also present at the time.”

MacLaine nodded slowly, as if he understood my confusion.

“You’ll learn in time. What the Geminoth are. What they’re capable of—you’ll come to know naturally.” “…”

I stared at the maid—now identified as Geminoth.

She smiled brightly. She looked like a child, almost cute.

“Please take care of me, new and young head butler.” “I still don’t fully understand, but… this is the biggest issue here.”

I shook my head vigorously.

No, seriously, this old man MacLaine—

He’s acting all casual, treating people like they’re nothing but rice cakes.

I can see he’s trying to bury the issue under the mood, but I’m not falling for it.

Head butler?

This is basically nailing me to the position.

“I have absolutely no intention of becoming head butler.” “Of course, I’m well aware of your humility. I never expected you to accept it right away.” “It’s not humility, I genuinely—” “But this is the result of nine years of observing you, testing you, and sensing it… I’m certain that if it’s you, you won’t make the same foolish mistakes I did.” “That’s not the point, I really, really don’t want—” “I’m not saying you have to do it immediately. The other retainers will likely object, and you don’t know the head butler’s duties in detail yet. But at least accept the authority over the Geminoth. You’ll need to learn how to command them in advance.” “…”

MacLaine spoke with absolute conviction. Seeing his resolute expression, I gave up. No use arguing with a brick wall.

Reluctantly, I nodded. I’ll just leave before I actually have to become head butler.

“If you insist, then very well.” “Great~ Provisional Head Butler, what will your first order be?” “Here, have some leftover chocolate cookies.” “Oh my, thank you~”

Watching Geminoth nibble on the cookies like a hamster was oddly endearing—until the door opened again.

“I’m done washing…”

Firnea, now dressed in cozy pajamas, flopped straight onto the bed.

When I looked to the side, Geminoth had already vanished.

…What? Did she just teleport or something?