Villain Family’s Strongest Butler - Chapter 45

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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 48

Cardrian watched the scene through the crack in the door without uttering a word.
Whoosh, whoooosh—.
The Training Ground echoed with nothing but the sound of blade against air.
So completely absorbed was she that Freya had forgotten the door stood open, her entire being fixed on the movement of the sword.
Cardrian’s eyes narrowed as he focused on the Training Ground.
He had recognized the blade in Freya’s hands.
Her slender, graceful form and the sword that seemed to mirror her own nature moved as one.
The soft arc that carved through empty air transformed in an instant into destructive force, shattering the silence.
A blade like lightning split the moonlight, and each step that followed on the floor was light and precise, as though treading on clouds.
She moved with the ease of a falling feather, then planted each footstep with the weight of an anchor buried in the ocean’s depths.
Every motion of her swordplay was restrained, yet simultaneously carried the skill and cunning of a warrior who had crossed countless battlefields.
Cardrian watched in silence for a long time.
More moments passed.
At last, Freya lowered her sword and steadied her breathing.
The Aura that had filled the Training Ground began to fade.
And then, with a creak—.
The Training Ground door swung wide open as Cardrian stepped inside.

***

Breathe…….
I steadied my breathing.
Perhaps it was because the blade fit so perfectly in my hand once more.
‘I got far too absorbed.’
I’d only meant to loosen up my body, but this sword proved unexpectedly well-suited to me.
As though I’d returned to my prime.
‘Indeed, there’s no comparison with a Wooden Sword.’
I’d broken thousands of wooden swords over the years. There were days I shattered dozens in a single session.
‘This one endures my Aura…….’
It was truly a sword worth coveting.
Then, the door opened.
I turned my head toward the open door.
“…….”
“…….”
Our eyes met. His deep and enigmatic violet gaze held mine.
Perhaps because of the unique atmosphere that color carried.
The Grand Duke’s gaze was remarkably calm.
I studied the impenetrable eyes of the Grand Duke as I finished collecting my breath.
In the silence that hung between us, the Grand Duke slowly opened his mouth.
“Do you like it?”
“……Pardon?”
Oh, the sword!
‘Does the Grand Duke really keep this here for practice?’
I slid the blade back into its sheath and bowed my head.
“I apologize for using the sword without permission.”
“I’m not its owner, so it matters little.”
“…….”
What? If it’s not even his, why would he keep it in his private Training Ground?
I looked at him with confused eyes. The Grand Duke gazed at the empty spot where the blade had hung and spoke.
“I meant to gift it to someone, but they never came to claim it. So now it’s nothing more than a sword without a master.”
“…….”
Ah……. I turned my thoughts over rapidly, trying to decipher what his words truly meant.
‘There’s quite a story behind this, it seems.’
I glanced down at the sword I held in my hands.
‘What am I to do with this.’
From his tone, it appeared the person meant to receive it had either departed to a distant place, or——
‘Or perhaps… they were dead.’
Lord, what a mess this is.
In that moment, Cardrian turned and walked toward me.
Flinch. My fingers trembled where they gripped the sword.
‘Don’t be ridiculous. Don’t be afraid.’
If the sword were precious enough to kill over, he wouldn’t have left it lying in his private training ground.
The fact that he kept it there, knowing I used the Training Ground with him, meant he’d likely anticipated something like this.
Still, honest fear made me edge backward in small, careful steps.
“I-I’ll clean away every trace of my use and hang it back right away—”
But before I could finish, Cardrian spoke.
“If it doesn’t trouble you, you may keep it.”
“…Pardon?”
I stopped mid-step, staring at him with wide eyes.
I’d thought, at worst, he might drive me from the Training Ground.
But give me the sword?
Cardrian continued.
“The one who was meant to own that blade is already dead.”
“…”
Ah, just as I’d feared.
‘…Dead, then.’
I looked down at the sword. The death of a warrior is never a peaceful one.
I couldn’t know who had owned this blade, but somehow my chest tightened.
Cardrian spoke again.
“If that troubles you, there’s nothing to be done for it.”
At his words, I quickly drew the sword to my chest and held it close.
“No, not at all! It doesn’t trouble me in the slightest!”
It was true that the original owner’s death was lamentable, but that didn’t mean the sword felt wrong to me.
‘I mean, it’s not even a keepsake if the person died before I received it.’
On the battlefield, when a warrior’s blade shatters, we strip the swords from fallen enemies and use them without hesitation. This is hardly different.
“I’m in no position to be choosy about such things anyway. If you offer it, I’ll receive it with gratitude, Your Highness.”
“…”
What waste it would be to let such a fine blade sit unused.
‘Only a fool refuses a gift.’
I gazed down at the sword.
‘You like this too, don’t you? Yes, I like it as well.’
From now on, we belong to each other. Understood?
In an instant, the sword in my hand became truly mine.

***

“Hehehehe.”
[….]
“Heehup, phup.”
[…That’s frightening, butler. Stop laughing like that. Why are you making such a face?]
“Hehehet.”
[….]
‘Where did such a beautiful thing come from?’
Cardrian had said he’d give me a sword, but I never imagined it would be one this magnificent.
‘To his own people, he’s no devil—he’s an angel. An angel, truly.’
Even after some time had passed since receiving the sword, I would slip into my room whenever I had a moment and draw it out to polish it.
“Oh, what a beautiful thing.”
I wanted to kiss the blade itself, but I held back for fear my lips might be sliced on that keen edge.
[Isn’t that a demon blade? The way the butler’s acting, it seems like it really might be one?]
“Hah, a demon blade, you say. Well, it could be called a Holy Blade at least.”
That radiance flowing subtly from the silver edge. The sword couldn’t possibly possess an Aura.
‘At this point, wouldn’t it deserve to be called a Holy Blade?’
After finishing with the sword’s care, I took out writing paper and a pen and sat at my desk.
Even if someone told me to polish the blade all day long, I would—but in the meantime, a butler must also attend to his duties.
‘Now then, let me write to the old master first.’
I wonder how his travels are going.
My teacher. Norbert had not once returned to the Grand Duke’s Estate since he left.
‘He said he was traveling, but does he enjoy it that much?’
And here I am, trapped at the Grand Duke’s Estate because of this dog collar, unable to leave!
‘Well. ……Still, for someone his age to be traveling about means he’s still quite spry.’
That settles it, then.
‘He was bound to the Grand Duke’s Estate for two years because of me—it’s time he enjoyed himself.’
I smiled softly and began writing the letter.
To my esteemed teacher: In your absence……. So this happened, and that happened, and……. (omitted) ……In any case, do visit the Grand Duke’s Estate sometime. —Your most treasured student, Freya.
I kept the greeting and business brief, then sealed the envelope.
‘I’ll ask Ed to send this later.’
I stood before the mirror and inspected my reflection.
‘Perfect.’
I tugged the hem of my top down and left the room.
The dawn was still dark—the sun had not yet risen.
I stopped first at the Kitchen, where a light was already burning, and checked the ingredients and menu once more. Seeing how much extra effort had gone into today’s dishes, I smiled quietly.
Then Patrick, the head cook, scratched his cheek and asked.
“Why are you smiling? Did something go wrong?”
I shook my head.
“No. I’m very pleased with it.”
“Is that so?”
Patrick’s broad frame shook with relief as he began preparing the ingredients.
Once it was decided we would attend the Hunting Festival, the Grand Duke’s Estate had been consumed with preparations for it.
And today—exactly one week to the day since Lady Anette’s letter arrived.
For once, with concerns about the Hunting Festival set aside, a different kind of tension settled over the Grand Duke’s Estate.
Today was the day the Grand Duke’s own mother, Lady Anette, would visit.
Once all preparations to receive Lady Anette were complete, the sun had reached its zenith.
Every servant of the Grand Duke’s Estate gathered before the Main Building.
Like the day the Grand Duke had returned from his expedition a year ago, they stood in a line with neat attire and composed bearing.
The Grand Duke himself was there as well—and it was plain to see that his mother’s visit had him on edge.
The day was flawlessly bright, and even the sharp winter wind had fallen silent.
“She approaches.”
At those words from me, tension deepened in the servants’ faces.
The Grand Duke’s Estate’s massive iron gates swung open on both sides, and a single horse passed through the main entrance at a gallop.
It drew closer at a pace that was not overly rushed—the horse and its rider.
‘Ah. That woman…….’
Silver armor gleamed as it caught the sunlight, and above it a deep crimson cloak trimmed with gold fluttered in the wind. Her black hair scattered on the breeze, and her sharp gaze dominated all around her.
In that form lay a dignity as if a legendary hero who had conquered the continent had returned.
It was unmistakable at a glance. The knight upon that horse was Lady Anette, the Grand Duke’s own mother.
I could not tear my eyes away. Every fiber of my being tingled.
‘That knight is the Grand Duke’s mother.’
Lady Anette, a female knight of the Cadeah Empire…….
Both nobility of bearing and dignity emanated from her.
As the Grand Duke stepped forward to greet his mother, Lady Anette, now closer, reined in her horse and came to a stop.
For a moment, she looked down at her son with golden eyes like the sun itself.
“It has been some time.”
Those eyes were a completely different color from the Grand Duke’s, yet the atmosphere they held was strikingly similar.
“Welcome. Please come inside.”
“Very well.”
At last, Lady Anette dismounted.
‘Like mother, like son—even their manner of speech is alike.’
Though it was an occasion of reunion after a long time, the two’s tone of voice was remarkably blunt.
The Grand Duke and Lady Anette walked side by side through the gathered servants. And then, my gaze met Lady Anette’s.
I bowed quietly toward Lady Anette.
Then, Lady Anette’s voice fell upon my head.
“You……. What are you doing here?”

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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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