episode_0043
by fnovelpia“Release Rosewood, to Ser Blacksong.”
“……”
Upon confirming that I was the unexpected recipient of a letter from an unexpected person, my mind momentarily went blank.
Ser Blacksong… He seemed to be someone related to the Blackwood security forces, perhaps the head of the security division.
After being hit by Galgomni’s attack and collapsing, then getting up at the church, his name was the first one I saw in the letter, so I could vaguely recall him.
Moreover, I am not the type to easily forget those who have shown me kindness.
Being able to receive treatment safely at the church after being struck down by a monster, potentially burdening Isabelle or Katarina with the church’s medical expenses, and even settling the value of the Galgomni materials that I should have given up on—all of this was thanks to this person.
And what did I say to this security chief before losing consciousness?
“Enough, get lost!”
“I will definitely finish this guy! Just take one more step closer…!!”
“……”
The more I thought about it, the more embarrassed and regretful I felt about my past actions.
In hindsight, this Ser Blacksong was just doing his job as a territorial guard.
He tried to rescue a maid in a helpless situation and ended up receiving criticism and had to deal with the aftermath. How absurd it must have been for him back then.
Honestly, considering the mistakes I made, if the letter placed beside me when I woke up at the church that day had been a complaint letter instead of a well-being note, it wouldn’t have been surprising.
…In that sense, I started feeling strangely hesitant to open this letter.
Somehow, I had a gut feeling that the moment I opened this letter, this Ser Blacksong would mention that day’s events and say something to me.
“…Well, it was my fault. If he brings up that incident, I should accept it gracefully.”
Although I found it somewhat puzzling why he sent a complaint letter about an incident that happened almost a year ago, he was someone significant enough to rise to the position of the Blackwood Territory’s security chief.
From Release’s perspective, he was undoubtedly a person of high standing whom she couldn’t afford to offend.
Not knowing what trouble might arise if I disregarded a letter from such a person, I cautiously opened the envelope, unfolded the letter, and checked its contents.
“To Release Rosewood,
Last year, on the fifteenth day of the fifth month, I express my gratitude once again for your efforts in repelling Galgomni’s appearance in the Blackwood Territory’s commercial district. I am writing this letter to you with all due respect to ask for a favor regarding this matter.
If you have the time this month, I would appreciate it if you could visit the Blackwood Territory Security Office once. We will not take up much of your time, and if you provide us with the exact date through this letter, we will send a carriage and escort to bring you to the Blackwood Mansion.
Security Chief of the Blackwood Territory Security Division, Ser Blacksong.”
Hmm…
I still don’t quite understand.
At least, seeing that the introduction expresses gratitude for repelling Galgomni indicates that they are not trying to interrogate me about that incident.
Rather, it seems like a simple request for something else, given the brief nature of the letter.
Moreover, the offer to send a carriage and escort suggests that there might be something important they need from me.
If Release is summoned to the security forces, could it possibly be for…
“Is he asking me to dance, sing, and perform a condolence show in front of the security force soldiers?”
“If such a request were made, my answer would naturally be NO. To do such a thing in front of men would be insane.
Staring at chests is inevitable, so even if I don’t pay much attention and just brush it off, becoming the object of another man’s gaze was out of the question.
The problem was, upon reading this letter, I couldn’t tell whether this man, Ser, called me for such a request or for some other reason.
I stood there quietly holding the letter, pondering what to do.
‘What are you pondering about so deeply, Miss Lillis Rosewood?’
Damn, Dieter is still around.
It seemed like my act of contemplating the letter felt odd, as the butler looked at me and asked, tilting his head.
Contemplating whether to reveal the contents of the letter, I responded evasively.
‘Ser Blacksong, the head of security at Blackwood Territory, has summoned me to the security office.’
‘Ser Blacksong is calling for Lillis Rosewood?’
‘Yes.’
‘Is it related to last year’s monster extermination incident?’
‘I’m not sure. The details aren’t specified. Still, it seems likely to be related to that incident.’
Because in the original, Lillis had never visited places like the Blackwood Territory security office. There was mention in ‘Luminor Academy’ that Hyundan always kept Lillis within reach, so there was no reason to take her outside the mansion.
Especially taking her to the distant territory security office was completely out of the question.
Even in Lillis’s memories, not from her ‘past life’ but from ‘Lillis’ memories, meeting Ser was all about that incident from May last year.
Most probably, 99% of the reason he was summoning me was related to that incident.
Considering he left a gentlemanly impression, I had a gut feeling that he wouldn’t call someone out just to be a spectacle for the soldiers.
Of course, that was something I couldn’t know for sure until meeting him in person.
‘I’ve received many favors, so I’ll have to repay them at some point…’
In my heart, I wanted to visit the territory security office when the time allowed, but the issue was that Lillis’s status was still that of a debt maid.
Moreover, she was even playing the role of Edan’s exclusive maid, so she couldn’t respond to calls as she pleased.
After getting permission from the head maid Melissa to go out and a day off approval from Edan, only then could I send a letter to the Blackwood security office once the date was confirmed.
It was a moment where I realized how difficult it was to simply go out as Lillis again.
…Of course, the biggest reason was because of that damn incident last year where I almost died facing a level 10 monster.
‘If I weren’t a debt maid, I would have written a reply saying I’d go on the next vacation.’
Damn this cursed status preventing me from doing what I want.
It was truly frustrating that even repaying a favor to someone in need was something I couldn’t do freely.
‘Do you plan to respond to the summons, Miss Lillis Rosewood?’
‘Butler, you know my status. I’m not in a position to respond to the summons as I please.’
‘However, with your good work attitude, Miss Lillis Rosewood, if you set your mind to it, couldn’t you get permission from the head maid to go out?’
‘After almost dying in that previous outing due to Gargoylumn, I doubt the head maid will ever grant me permission to go out.’
‘…Is that so?’”
“Yes. Besides informing the head maid and the young master about taking time off, it seems nearly impossible to coordinate schedules.”
“If it’s possible to just coordinate schedules, would the maid be willing to respond to the Chief of Security’s call?”
“I’d like to give a positive response. During the incident involving the Gargoyle Fangs last time, I also owed a lot to Sir Blacksong, and even if it’s not this letter, I believe I should apologize and express gratitude at some point…”
“…Hmm, the maid thinks that way.”
…Huh?
At some point, Dittmayer’s voice seemed to have changed, momentarily sending a chill down my spine.
It was right after that moment that I realized it wasn’t a mistake.
“Sir Ser Blacksong of the Estate Security… I didn’t know the maid had connections with such a person.”
“…Edan, young master? Have you finished your sword training?”
“I just finished. Learning directly from Father is not easy.”
Drenched in sweat as if he had trained his whole life, Edan seemed capable of enduring Harold’s lessons for however long it took.
Given Edan’s nature as seen at the Luminor Academy, it was uncertain how long such antics would continue.
“So, Maid.”
“Yes?”
“How well do you know Sir Ser?”
“I briefly met him when my colleagues and I went out to the commercial district on holiday. It was during an incident where a monster sealing scroll was released in the middle of the commercial district…”
There wasn’t much to hide, and besides, Dittmayer seemed like he would explain it himself if I didn’t, so without much hesitation, I explained to Edan about the Gargoyle Fangs incident from last May.
“…That happened?”
“Yes.”
“It was dangerous! Thankfully, it ended well, but if something had gone wrong…”
“That incident was over a year ago, Edan. Is it necessary to worry about past events?”
“But still, Lyrilis is my personal maid.”
“At that time, Edan, she was not your personal maid but a regular junior debt maid.”
“…Right, that’s true.”
After a brief thoughtful expression, Edan glanced briefly at the letter from Ser that I held. Seeming to ponder something, he asked me with a slightly tense expression, as if suggesting something.
“So, are you going?”
“…I would like to visit if circumstances allow, but considering the duties of a personal maid, it might be difficult. I plan to send a refusal letter.”
“That’s fine. It works out well.”
“Yes?”
Not understanding what had worked out, I tilted my head, only to receive an answer from Edan that didn’t reveal his intentions.
“As the heir of the Blackwood family, patrolling the estate is important, so it wouldn’t hurt to visit the estate security soon. Besides, lying in bed all this time, I haven’t been able to act as a proper heir…”
“…Are you saying you will personally visit the estate security?”
“Well, something like that.”
Casually responding to Dittmayer’s inquiry, Edan fixed his gaze on me this time. Reminding me of one of the regulations for personal maids that I had forgotten while staying inside the mansion.
“Lyrilis is my personal maid, so you know she has to accompany me on external activities, right?”
“…Yes.”
“We’ll leave in three days, so have the maid send the letter. This includes not needing a carriage or escort.”
“…Understood.”
“Good, then let’s take care of the maid’s business on the day of the visit.”
Leaving a final word, Ethan disappeared towards the bathroom to wash up, leaving me and Dietmayer behind.
Confused about how to respond to his unusual attitude, I was at a loss.
In any case, the moment to decide the contents of the letter to reply to Ser came.
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