episode_0014

The mansion always has a creepy atmosphere.

The lights are dim and the saturation is low, giving the impression that even the air is gloomy and damp.

However, at present, another factor was adding to the gloominess of the mansion, and that factor was the gloomy face of Ashe.

The behavior shown immediately after experiencing the memories of the hunting dog seems to be quite resentful and embarrassed. Even though the overall color saturation was light, Ashe’s aforementioned cheeks were very dark.

“Ashe.”

“…”

“Ashe.”

“…”

“If it’s the shameful behavior I caused in the break room, please don’t mind me since I’ve erased it from your memory.”

“I’m really nervous about the moment you say it’s embarrassing!”

“That was a slip of the tongue.”

Asher suddenly got angry and started to grumble. But once the silence was broken, the gloomy atmosphere dissipated considerably.

“Look. The fog on the stairs leading to the second floor has cleared. ”

“… Oh, really.”

The stairs that originally led to the second floor were blocked by thick fog, and when you tried to force your way in, the space would often return to its original place as if it were distorted.

The fog must have cleared to appease the spirit of the hunting dog.

‘It’s a strange feeling.’

I learned about the structure of the second floor that I hadn’t even climbed up to yet. It was as if a latent memory was being revived.

Should we consider it a memory of the body rather than a memory of the soul? Whatever the guess, it is an area that is impossible for a possessed person to clarify.

“… Can I come up?”

“The fog has cleared, so it’ll be okay.”

“No, that’s not it… This time, you won’t be ambushed as soon as you go up to the second floor, right?”

“If you’re still anxious, try using a butler’s shield.”

“Okay, let’s go!”

Asher pushed my back with a simple and clear answer.

It is truly a ruthless and merciless decision.

Asher made excuses that were not even asked, as if he had stabbed himself.

“How did I get the coins again… I should use them sparingly.”

“You have a wise mindset.”

“Right? Hehe…”

There are two rewards for comforting the soul of the hunting dog.

It was a hunting dog’s memory and a gift box.

I vividly remember Ashe’s eyes sparkling when she saw the coins when she opened the gift box.

[Butler, it’s a coin! My spare life!]

[Congratulations.]

[What else… huh, an urn? Why something like this…?]

[For reference, the urn contains the cremated body of a hunting dog.]

[Ugh, this is ominous! You’re giving me something like this as a gift?!]

There is no separate description of how to use it, like with coins. It is likely a type that has a special effect when certain conditions are met.

There was a note attached to the urn that made it possible to infer its purpose. According to the note, it asked for forgiveness for Letia’s ill temper.

‘I guess I understand what grumpy means.’

If my thinking is correct, there is still a long way to go before the urn can serve its purpose.

As I was reminiscing about the not-so-distant past, Asher gave me a gentle nudge on the back.

“What are you doing, butler? Let’s go quickly.”

“… Okay.”

Crunch, crunch.

Take a step.

I was chained to the first floor of the mansion for a very long time.

So, Ashe will never know what a great step climbing one flight of stairs means to me.

I didn’t show my agitation for fear of aggravating the anxiety, but my heart felt strangely aching.

Emotions that were buried so long ago and covered in dust are rising up.

I had quite a hard time coming up with a name for that emotion.

joy.

I think in the old days, this kind of chest trembling was called that.

It was when I finally climbed the wide, straight stairs.

Before I reached the second floor up the winding stairs, I stopped in front of a huge portrait hanging on the wall.

“… Wow.”

A gasp came from nearby. It was Asher’s who had come out to my left.

“I never saw a picture like this… even when I was digging deep into history.”

Ashe is a princess with a rich artistic talent, enough to recognize each and every item on the first floor. However, nothing could elicit Ashe’s genuine admiration.

She looks up at the high wall as if possessed and loses her mind.

Although I lacked artistic talent, I thought I understood why Ashe was so captivated.

For unforgettable Belnacien Arkaden

[1st Duchess Bernacien Arcaden]

The writing on the bottom of the frame suggested the motif of the portrait.

The mistress of the mansion that imprisons us.

It was a painting of the Duchess of Bernacien-Arcaden.

“Pretty…”

Asher muttered unconsciously. Then, as if she had suddenly come to her senses, she turned her head towards me.

“Butler? Why are you staring blankly?”

Asher showed his displeasure clearly.

I guess I was lost in thought for a long time, just like she said.

The Duchess of Arkaden’s beauty is so inhumanly beautiful…

…there was no such reason, of course.

“… Ugh.”

As I climbed the stairs, my heart that had been pounding suddenly calmed down. And then I felt suffocated and out of breath, as if I had fallen into a deep lake.

It’s disgusting. That’s all there is to it, but I have no idea what exactly this feeling is.

“Haa… Haa… Ah.”

“Yeah, uh, uh? Butler, why?”

I can sense that she is embarrassed by his strange behavior. Even though I am the one who should be supporting him…

“… Excuse me. Can I borrow your shoulder for a moment?”

“Yeah, of course.”

“Thank you.”

We sat side by side, using the steps as chairs as if we had decided in advance. After that, I reorganized my consciousness, tilting my center of gravity toward Ashe.

It’s a feeling that’s hard to describe.

It was as if I couldn’t wake up from the memories that were asleep because they were being crushed by scissors. It also felt like a thick wall was being built in my head, dividing the boundaries of my memories.

[Butler. You… have a clue?]

Asher’s clumsy reasoning passed through the depths of consciousness, piercing through his temples.

◇

‘… Huh?’

Asher was embarrassed.

I was about to give him a warning when the butler was staring at the portrait so openly. I didn’t like the idea of him being distracted by a woman after having decided to submit to me.

But the butler’s expression was strange.

I thought I would be captivated by the Duchess’s beauty and go crazy, but she was drenched in a cold sweat and had wrinkled facial features.

The result looks like this.

These days, servants who should be loyal are resting by leaning on their master’s shoulder.

It was so sudden that I agreed without thinking.

‘Ugh… I still can’t forget the humiliation in the break room! Isn’t it too close?’

It’s awkward, it’s awkward.

But what can I do if the condition is really bad?

Yeah… it can’t be helped.

“Butler.”

“…”

“Butler, are you sleeping?”

“…”

It varies.

Sitting on the hard steps, leaning against the master, he passed out.

There is no such thing as a superior.

But since the butler is unconscious, my eyes go to his hands.

In addition, the awkwardness that has become so awkward suddenly invades reason through the path of instinct.

‘Oh, I felt good…’

Reminiscing about the memories of the hunting dog Hailey.

In particular, let’s recall the touch of maid B a little more closely.

It was nice to have my head stroked, but the ultimate pleasure was having hands caressing my stomach.

“… big.”

He subtly turns his gaze and grabs the butler’s wrist.

Next, it was pulled in. Very slowly, so slowly that, looking back, I think it happened that way.

When the butler’s palm finally covered Ashe’s stomach, she gently stroked her belly button clockwise, controlling the butler’s hand.

“Ah, ugh…”

A small thrill ran up my spine. I felt strange and creepy for some reason.

‘But… it’s not enough. Maid B did better… and made her weak points stronger…’

Of course, there is a clear limit to doing it secretly alone.

The level of exhaling hot breath with open eyes. Yes, it is just that level.

but…

Before I knew it, I had reached a point where I didn’t even notice the butler staring at me with his clear eyes.

“… Ash?”

“What, hyak?!”

“What are you doing?”

“Uh, ah, uh, that’s, that’s what it is…!”

The flushing spreads rapidly.

A red aura rises up my neck and to the top of my head, like a volcano erupting.

The volcano on the verge of eruption melted away reason.

“My stomach…! Hurts…!!!”

My stomach hurts.

Because I’m sick.

… parser.

The sound lingers, like an echo in a closed mansion.

Then the butler asked his first stupid question.

“Do you need to go to the bathroom?”

“No, no! ”

“You don’t have to hide it. Well, I guess so. It’s useless to eat food in the mansion, but you must have eaten something outside…”

“Oh my gosh, no!”

I’m dying.

I’m going to go back because I’m so tired!

If this continues, the coins may be used arbitrarily.

If you count the number of deaths as a sign, then it will definitely be like that.

Or maybe I volunteer to protect my honor.

It’s terrible… either way.

“If you are worried about the 2nd floor, go back to the 1st floor. Or bring a chamber pot…”

“Hey!!!”

This is driving me crazy…

I borrowed the butler’s hand for pleasure. Or I borrowed it to hold it in because I needed to go to the bathroom.

Whatever I choose, for me…

No!! Human rights!!

“Ugh… Ughhh!”

“Ah, Ash!?”

A tidal wave of emotions violently overtook reason, Ashe later recalled.

As Ashe ran up to the second floor without any sense of fear, her back looked very small to the butler.

Of course, whether or not, the butler had to do what he had to do.

“Ashe! No matter how urgent it is, it’s difficult to open just any room!”

“Shut up!”

…

……

After the storm had passed, the air on the deserted stairs was cool.

The portrait of the 1st Duchess – Bernacien Arcaden was still beautiful.

The corners of her lips, which had been level, suddenly formed a slanted curve.