Villain Family’s Strongest Butler - Chapter 34

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 37

‘Is he saying I don’t listen and just cause trouble wherever I go?’
The Grand Duke’s tone rubbed me the wrong way.
‘But have I ever disobeyed his orders?’
I sifted through my memories of the past days, searching for any instance where I might have defied him.
‘No matter how hard I think, I can’t find one……’
What happened with the attendants today barely qualified as an incident.
‘It was something I was explicitly permitted to do.’
I had simply followed the Grand Duke’s order not to be underestimated to the letter.
‘What exactly is he upset about?’
While I puzzled over this, the Grand Duke stepped into the bath. His voice echoed softly from within.
“In any case, you’ve worked hard today. There’s nothing more I’ll need you for this evening, so get some rest.”
“……Yes, Your Grace.”
I acknowledged his permission and withdrew from his chambers, heading for my own room.
My assigned quarters were situated directly adjacent to his, and they weren’t significantly different in size or grandeur.
‘Even the Grand Duke’s Estate was vast enough to take your breath away.’
The Grand Duke’s Estate had been enormous, and the Imperial Palace was nothing short of awe-inspiring by comparison.
‘Is this the true power of an empire blessed by the World Tree?’
The Imperial Palace of Tenasis seemed to dwarf that of Kadea in every conceivable way.
I stepped out onto the terrace.
The cool night air cleared my head and settled the restlessness in my chest.
‘Talks begin tomorrow……’
Negotiations concerning a ceasefire and alliance between the Kadea Empire and Tenasis Empire.
They said no one knew how long the deliberations would take.
‘An alliance, of all things……’
Though I serve as the Grand Duke’s Household steward now, I’d crossed swords with the Grand Duke on the battlefield for five years.
This wasn’t the sort of feeling that could be neatly settled by something like a ceasefire or an alliance.
‘Once we become allied nations, the Grand Duke and I won’t be enemies anymore.’
No more need to slit each other’s throats, no more call to curse the other in secret.
‘Should I call this fortunate, or a shame?’
I’d wanted at least one decisive clash……
‘That’s something I’ll miss.’
Perhaps the opportunity will present itself someday. Well……it can’t be helped if it doesn’t.
“Sigh……”
I leaned against the railing and gazed up at the night sky. The cloudless expanse sparkled with countless stars.
They seemed like golden jewels scattered across black velvet.
Beneath the starlight that threatened to cascade down upon me at any moment, I lost myself in thought.
My first night in the Imperial Palace passed in this manner.

***

It was the second day since the Grand Duke entered the conference.
The talks continued day and night, yet no conclusion seemed forthcoming.
Having befriended the head chef of the Imperial Palace kitchen within two days, I sampled everything he prided himself on.
Today, too, I made my way to the Dining Hall.
The Dining Hall and Kitchen remained perpetually open so that nobles and attendants participating in the conference could eat whenever they wished.
As a result, I could sit closest to the chef Rixson and receive whatever I wanted without delay.
Meanwhile, every attendant who entered the Dining Hall spotted me and sat as far away as possible.
Whether word had spread of what happened in the Rest Hall on the first day, no one approached me with confrontation or gossip.
‘How tedious.’
I’d wandered the Imperial Palace so thoroughly that I’d memorized its layout and geography, and the scent of the garden had grown tiresome.
‘At the Grand Duke’s Estate, I was so busy running around that the days flew by.’
This much leisure wasn’t sitting well with me at all.
“What’s troubling you, Freya?”
Rixson, the Imperial Palace’s head chef, set a plate before me.
“Eat while you think.”
“Yes, thank you for the meal.”
Rixson set down a plate with a slice of peach pie on it.
Between the crisp, golden latticed crust lay a tender peach glistening with clear sugar syrup—impossibly appetizing.
I cut the pointed tip cleanly with my fork and lifted it to my mouth.
Then.
“What are you doing all alone, Freya?”
“Hm…?”
When I looked up, the Crown Prince sat down across from me, radiant and gleaming, watching me intently.
‘Good grief, he startled me!’
I jerked back, my whole body recoiling in shock.
“Oh—Your Highness?!”
I stared at him with open bewilderment, forgetting even to bow. At my expression, the Crown Prince’s mouth curved into an amused smile—a practiced, almost mask-like one.
It was the same smile I’d seen him wear at the banquet.
“Is it good? Can I have a taste too?”
“…”
Since I hadn’t put the fork to my lips yet, there was technically no harm.
‘But for me—a butler of the Grand Duke’s Household—to feed pie to the Crown Prince’s mouth… Can I even do that?’
I lowered the fork gently and offered a polite smile.
“That wouldn’t be proper, Your Highness. I’ll ask Rixson to bring you a fresh slice instead.”
I glanced toward the kitchen. Rixson was already looking my way. Our eyes met, and we exchanged a wordless understanding before nodding briefly to each other.
“Ha.”
The Crown Prince let out a short laugh at my response.
Watching him, I picked up the fork again and brought the pie to my lips as though nothing had happened.
‘He appears out of nowhere making strange requests, yet I can’t seem to dislike him. I suppose it’s because of his face.’
The Crown Prince possessed strikingly beautiful features. My own face was striking enough to draw attention, but standing together, our combined presence was something else entirely.
Palace attendants and retainers from other houses who passed nearby glanced in our direction.
‘One rumor dies only for another to take its place.’
This time, they’d surely spread gossip about me warming the Crown Prince’s bed.
I sighed and sent a meaningful look to Rixson, who was watching us from the kitchen area.
Quick-witted as always, Rixson nodded and promptly brought out another slice of peach pie.
“Your Highness, we’ve prepared this one especially for you.”
Our eyes met. I nodded to convey my gratitude, and Rixson returned the gesture, understanding my intent perfectly.
The Crown Prince let out a small exclamation of delight, then picked up his fork and cut into the pie.
“Thanks, Rixson.”
“You’re too kind, sir. We have more ready should you need it.”
“Got it.”
The Crown Prince nodded and began eating. With him occupied, I too relaxed and pushed another bite into my mouth.
A bright, sweet tang filled my mouth and my mind.
Just then, as the Crown Prince chewed his pie with delicate precision, our eyes met.
He gazed at me with an eager, unblinking stare, and the moment our eyes locked, his lips moved as if he was eager to speak.
I spoke first, before he could open his mouth.
“Your Highness.”
“Yes, Freya?”
“Please, would you speak to me more casually? When you use such formal language, it makes me self-conscious with all these eyes on us, and I find it quite unbearable.”
“I didn’t take you for someone who cares what others think.”
“It’s not about my reputation—it’s because I worry about bringing shame to the Grand Duke’s Household.”
“Ah.”
The Crown Prince glanced around with an amused smile.
“Fair enough. It’s not difficult at all. So then…should I just call you Freya?”
I thought it would be far better than being called ‘Freya’ all the time, ‘Freya, Freya.’
“Yes, please call me that.”
“Good, Freya. You’re the first butler I’ve ever met who scolds me for being too formal.”
“Surely you don’t speak so formally to butlers of other houses?”
“What? No, of course not.”
“Then…?”
“How would a butler from another house dare speak to me?”
Dare.
The Crown Prince’s laughter rang out clear and bright through the Dining Hall.
“But why do I…”
As I posed the question with exasperation, the Crown Prince answered at once.
“Because you’re beautiful?”
“……….”
This damnable man had a worship of beauty that bordered on the obsessive.
The Crown Prince continued.
“And she’s the first female steward in our empire. Or perhaps the first on the entire continent. The first female steward to skip the Academy altogether. Who wouldn’t find that fascinating?”
“……….”
I frowned, and the Crown Prince laughed.
“And most of all—she’s Kadean.”
“……….”
The Crown Prince smiled softly, his gaze settling upon me with unmistakable warmth.
I turned my eyes away from his and sipped at the teacup Rixson had brought.
After a long moment of quiet deliberation, the Crown Prince spoke as though seized by sudden resolve.
“Excellent! Freya, I shall take you as my first and dearest friend among stewards!”
“……I beg your pardon?”
A friend, out of nowhere? The Crown Prince certainly had a talent for the absurd.
I rose to my feet, eager to end this conversation.
“The Grand Duke will have returned to his chambers by now, so I should take my leave.”
“What? You’re leaving already?”
“Yes.”
I answered curtly and turned to go.
That was when—
“What are the two of you doing?”
The Grand Duke stood before me, his eyes sharp as a blade’s edge, looking between the Crown Prince and myself with unmistakable scrutiny.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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