Villain Family’s Strongest Butler - Chapter 43

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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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Chapter 46

A peaceful week had passed.
No more absurd dreams, and the Grand Duke had stopped finding fault with me over trifles.
I stopped by the Kitchen at lunchtime to check on the meal preparations, and as I was leaving after a quick inspection, Riel pressed a freshly baked loaf into my hands.
“Eat this before you go, Freya. Ever since you came back to the Grand Duke’s household, everything feels so much livelier! Do your best today!”
“Thank you, Riel.”
“Oh, don’t mention it.”
I offered her a smile and left the Kitchen, the warm bread still in my grip.
As I emerged and began tearing into the loaf, I spotted Allen striding out from the direction of Knight Headquarters.
The moment he caught sight of me, he called out, “Freya!” and hurried over.
“Where were you headed, sir?”
“Ah, His Grace summoned me to the Office. I was just on my way there.”
“As it happens, I was heading the same way. Shall we go together?”
“Of course.”
Allen and I began walking side by side.
‘He called for me, and he called for Allen? Both of us?’
If it were ordinary steward’s work, there would be no reason to summon a knight along with me.
Preparing tea or tidying the Office—those were tasks I normally delegated to a maid.
As we walked, I found myself wondering why the Grand Duke had called us both at once.
As we made our way in silence, Allen cleared his throat hesitantly.
“This…”
“Yes?”
Allen fidgeted self-consciously with the cuff of his sleeve.
My gaze naturally followed to where he was touching.
Ah—the Cufflinks.
The Cufflinks I had given him.
I looked at them and smiled faintly.
“They suit you very well, Allen.”
“…Do they.”
A smile pooled at the corners of Allen’s mouth.
‘When he smiles, he really is beautiful.’
I’d known him as impressive, handsome, and solid—but his smile had a beauty all its own.
‘Now that I think about it, they said his family was good too.’
Allen Fratius. He was the eldest son of the Count Fratius Household.
For generations they had served as retainers of the Balot Grand Duke Household, a family marked by their loyalty to the Grand Duke and the natural excellence of each of its members.
‘I thought only the Grand Duke had everything, but Allen is a man who has it all too.’
And his character is even better than the Grand Duke’s.
‘Really now.’
I shook my head to myself and continued toward the Office.
When we arrived at the Grand Duke’s Office, Ed, his aide, was already there.
‘Why is everyone gathered here?’
As I looked around puzzled, the Grand Duke spoke up.
“Read it.”
The Grand Duke handed me an envelope gleaming with gold leaf.
‘Hmm. This is from the Imperial Palace, isn’t it?’
I felt uncertain about reading something like this, but since the Grand Duke had ordered me to, I took it without hesitation and withdrew the Letter inside, scanning its contents.
“…The Hunting Festival?”
At that, Ed’s expression darkened considerably. The Grand Duke’s face, as always, remained impassive.
The Hunting Festival was held once every two years—a major imperial event. Since it wasn’t frequent, it drew enormous public interest.
The problem was that this Letter announcing this year’s Festival carried one new condition.
After taking the Letter from me and scanning its contents, Allen spoke up.
“I’ve never heard of a Hunting Festival that includes stewards, Your Grace.”
The Grand Duke nodded at this, and Ed echoed his acknowledgment.
“Indeed.”
Allen examined the Letter’s contents once more with care before speaking again.
“Not simply guarding the family encampment, but actually participating in the hunt itself. This is…”
Both Allen’s and Ed’s gazes turned toward me.
‘That’s the one.’
Anyone could see this condition was hastily rigged to target me.
“…….”
“…….”
Everyone in the room seemed to share my thoughts.
The Grand Duke turned to me.
“Steward.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“When you went to the Imperial Palace, who did you make an enemy of?”
“…….”
Ah…… Um…… Well…
‘Too many to count?’
I couldn’t answer immediately, only blinked a few times in silence. At that, the Grand Duke bobbed his head dismissively.
“Never mind. I’ll consider that answer enough.”
“…….”
I briefly recalled what had happened in the Lounge with the attendants.
‘But honestly, I wouldn’t say it amounted to making enemies, would I?’
It was just a brief quarrel you’d see anywhere.
Did I curse their parents? Did I insult their household heads?
‘I simply returned the rudeness I received in kind.’
Though I felt a bit wronged, I didn’t bother defending myself.
‘Their pride was wounded, that’s all.’
They probably ran straight to their masters and tattled.
Downplaying their own faults while magnifying mine.
‘Petty creatures, all of them.’
As I swallowed the curses rising in my throat, my lips twitching, the Grand Duke suddenly—pluck—removed his glasses and set them on the desk.
“Since attending the Grand Aristocrats’ Conference, our steward has apparently become quite popular. The way the Imperial Court is making all this fuss just to see our steward rather tells the tale.”
“Ha, you can say that again……”
I laughed awkwardly.
‘Not that I’m thrilled about it either.’
But I had expected that attention would somehow concentrate on me regardless.
The Grand Duke must have known this as well.
‘From the moment he brought me to an official setting, he must have anticipated people would come trying to unearth my secrets.’
I just hadn’t expected the Imperial Court to move directly.
Just then, Ed spoke.
“The Imperial Court is likely acting so openly because of the Third Princess, I suspect.”
I looked at Ed.
“The Third Princess? Why?”
The Grand Duke leaned back in his chair and folded his arms across his chest. Watching his expression carefully, Ed continued hesitantly.
“The Third Princess harbors quite passionate and deep affection for our Grand Duke, you see.”
“…….”
I whipped my head toward the Grand Duke.
‘Affection. As in, she likes him. Loves him. That sort of thing?’
I stared at the Grand Duke while suppressing my shock. The Grand Duke showed not the slightest disturbance at hearing that a princess had feelings for him.
He already knew. That’s why he’s so unfazed.
‘But why?’
Ah. That was a stupid question.
‘He’s handsome.’
He has money, a large frame, a grand household, vast lands.
‘The Grand Duke is large in every way.’
In the Tenasis Empire, he might be a villain and a devil, but here in the Kadea Empire, he’s an ideal husband in every respect.
‘Except his temper is foul.’
Regardless, with Ed’s single remark that the Third Princess had feelings for the Grand Duke, all the puzzle pieces fell into place.
‘I thought it strange that the Imperial Court would move this far just based on hearsay from a few nobles.’
The Third Princess’s influence had clearly been at work.
‘So what this means is, the Third Princess orchestrated all this to claim the Grand Duke for herself?’
No, that wasn’t right. A surge of frustration rose in me.
I may have no lingering attachment to the Grand Duke’s neck now, but originally it was I who had decided to claim it.
‘The Grand Duke didn’t promise his neck to the Third Princess—so why is she causing such a commotion?’
I gazed quietly at the Grand Duke.
“Let us postpone today’s bout for another time. ……So you’d better survive. I’ll be taking your head.”
The Grand Duke’s voice and gaze from the battlefield rose in his memory.
Yes, that was it.
‘……It’s mine.’
He couldn’t suppress the peculiar emotion welling up inside him.
It was like having a toy snatched from his hands. Such petty, vexing jealousy rose all the way to his throat.
At that moment, the Grand Duke spoke in a low voice.
“Steward.”
“Yes. Your command, Your Highness.”
“I don’t simply mean for you to attend as a steward. I suspect you’ve already grasped that much.”
He answered calmly.
“Indeed, Your Highness. The intent is rather transparent — almost tedious, if I’m being honest.”
Pfft. Ed, standing beside him, burst into stifled laughter.
“My apologies. Ahem.”
He continued without pause.
“You intend to dispose of me there.”
……
……
Bows, firearms, blades, Magic, or even Aura.
As it was the Hunting Festival, the means of attack permitted in the hunting grounds were virtually limitless.
‘There may come a moment when I must reveal my true capabilities.’
But he had already settled the matter long ago.
‘I was taught to return every provocation as it comes.’
That was the position of the Balot Grand Duke Household, and the power held by the Grand Duke’s name.
‘Old Nobbert taught me that himself.’
Ah…….
But if the one throwing down the gauntlet were of royal blood — he’d never been taught how to handle that, had he?
‘Well, what does it matter.’
One way or another.
‘I’ll simply act as I’ve been taught.’
He bowed toward the Grand Duke, placing his hand over his chest.
His words came formal and grave, yet the barely concealed delight shone through in the smile that played at his lips.
“It would be my greatest honor to have the chance to compete at the Hunting Festival alongside Your Highness. I shall repay such trust with nothing less than my finest performance.”
At that, the Grand Duke let out a quiet laugh.
“I’m counting on it, Steward.”

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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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