“That should be enough to keep her quiet.”
After throwing a chilling warning (?) at a maid who looked oddly familiar but whom I had never seen before, I found myself strolling down the hallway alone.
I had whispered to her discreetly, worried that my emotional old butler might be disappointed, hoping that it wouldn’t turn into an annoying rumor.
While I considered being a bit kinder to her, discipline typically needs to be enforced strictly.
“Besides, it’s not like it matters to be a bit of a scumbag, right?”
Taking personal responsibility for the young maid would be the right thing to do, but it also wouldn’t be wrong to use the flaws of a class society to handle this issue appropriately.
It was a hundred times better to leave the young girl in the care of the old butler than to take her to the infirmary and earn the reputation of a coward or hypocrite for trying to score points in the competition after saying I would withdraw.
Having a bad reputation can sometimes be useful, while an infamous one is just garbage.
If I had to earn a bad reputation, I’d rather carry a notorious one.
Anyway…
“Ah, I just want to lie down on my bed.”
From waking up in this world, announcing my withdrawal from the contest, to meeting with the trio of regretful characters, and now this clash with the maid… it has been a tiresome day.
I had dozed off while reading a women-centric fantasy novel titled [If You Want to Be My Husband, Kneel and Beg.], and when I woke up, I found myself transmigrated.
Right before the story began, no less.
Like all other transmigrators, I didn’t have the luxury to blend into this world or to grasp the situation keenly.
No wonder today has been exhausting.
“By the way…”
Who the heck threw me into this situation?
To be honest, I didn’t mind being transmigrated.
I was a bit scared to be dropped into an unfamiliar world, but since I had no ties to my previous life, it was somewhat welcomed.
The issue was how I got here as if some godly being exclaimed, “Look at that guy! Let’s mess him up.”
I hadn’t done anything to offend any godly being, nor had I insulted the author.
My life was utterly ordinary; there was nothing dramatic or exciting about it.
“Wasn’t there a trend about transmigrating ordinary citizens into wild novels?”
Stomp, stomp-.
Lost in trivial thoughts, I found myself arriving at the area where the final candidates’ residences were situated.
Located in the western wing of the Grand Duke’s Castle, there were four separate houses for the candidates that were heavily guarded.
The guards patrolled 24/7, and only those deemed worthy by the Grand Duke or the participants were allowed in.
Meaning the area mostly welcomed the servants of the candidates.
The reason for this strict arrangement was simple.
To prevent any secret deals from forming.
One of the rules of the contest stipulated that any interactions between final candidates had to occur under the watchful eye of an evaluator.
Should a participant violate this, they would be warned. The more warnings received, the further away from victory they became.
Thus, each separate housing for the candidates was rigorously watched over by the Grand Duke’s guards.
These locations served as private spaces and sanctuaries.
As they couldn’t monitor inside, restricting access was a preventative measure.
Of course, someone might question whether just a couple of guards could be effective, but humans, at the end of the day, are just animals with instincts. So even a simple barrier would have a significant psychological impact.
And…
Being fully aware of these regulations, I was rather surprised.
“……Advisor?”
As soon as I entered the fourth house meant for the Raphelion family, there was Gelwood, the Grand Duke’s advisor, waiting for me.
“There you are, Lord Elden. You’re rather late.”
Although it had been less than half a day since we first met, I was actually glad to see that old, stuffy face because he had brought the ‘answer’ with him.
Though a Count’s son and the Grand Duke’s advisor might have similar social standings, in the hierarchy of nobility, I stood significantly higher than him.
That meant he couldn’t just summon me for the sake of delivering an answer.
So the very fact he had come here pointed towards something important, likely concerning the ‘answer.’
Please let it be so.
I politely greeted him, wishing for the chance to head south towards the Raphelion territory by tomorrow morning.
“Honestly, I didn’t expect you to show up, advisor, especially considering how busy you seemed with official matters.”
“Haha. I had to be here. How was your meeting with the other candidates?”
He likely knew everything that had occurred there.
He was aware of every single word spoken in that meeting.
The evaluation committee could watch the situation through the magical artifacts worn by the evaluators.
Secretly, of course.
Besides, Gelwood had been described as having unmatched insight in the latter parts of the free chapters.
It wasn’t disclosed to the public, but he was born from the union of an Imperial Advisor and a High Dragon.
Because of that, trying to hide anything from him would be futile.
Others might be unaware, but with prior knowledge from the novel, I was keenly aware of his background and abilities.
Trying to hide my thoughts from him would only pique his curiosity.
Well…
‘Even if I were truthful, it would still spark his curiosity.’
Since it was a foregone conclusion that any answer I gave would intrigue him, I decided to share my feelings in a roundabout way.
“It was a tiring affair.”
Gelwood chuckled, his eyes glimmering with interest.
“Haha, so it was a tiring affair, you say?”
Then he gestured towards the entrance of my residence.
“Shall we talk while we walk?”
Following Gelwood’s lead, we climbed the stairs toward an area known as the ‘Master’s Rescind.’
One might think his visit indicated my imminent freedom. If my withdrawal had been approved, there’d be no need for such formalities.
As we walked, his reluctance to broach the topic hinted that my desired answer might not arrive.
“……Time for plan B, then.”
Of course, I had a backup plan in case my withdrawal was denied, so I did not panic.
It simply meant that the quickest and easiest escape route had failed.
Upon reaching the top of the stairs, Gelwood, who had remained silent, finally spoke up.
“Did you enjoy your meal, Lord Elden? If I’m not mistaken, that was your first meal provided by the Ducal house.”
“It was excellent. I’d happily eat meals like that every day.”
“Haha. Can I take that as a sign you want to retract your withdrawal?”
“……”
Not a chance.
Even if a royal cook prepared my meals daily, I would still refuse if the price was getting entangled with the heroine.
Instead of responding, I merely smiled at him, and Gelwood pressed on with another question.
“I find your silence intriguing. Don’t you wish to ask?”
“Are you referring to the ‘Answer’ you promised me?”
“Yes.”
We had reached the highest level now.
This was a space reserved for only the Head Butler and select servants, meant for private discussions.
Interesting.
What kind of ‘answer’ would warrant such a formal setting?
After all, even the most exquisite dish becomes bland if it’s overcooked.
Still, I didn’t want to press him, figuring Gelwood must have his reasons for all this.
“I wonder where your urgency went.”
“Haha. This is rather curious…”
“What might it be?”
“Raphelion’s sole heir is known for his impatience and cannot bear to leave a question unanswered.”
Sadly, Lee Jun-Woo, a modern Korean man, had cultivated a profound sense of patience.
Such a trait was essential for any salaryman.
Just because I now held this body didn’t mean I could emulate every trace of his personality.
The truth was, I had no intention of living as a wastrel or pretending to be one until the end.
“I’m trying to cultivate my patience.”
So, I answered the first thing that came to mind as I endured Gelwood’s gaze scrutinizing me.
Ignoring him, I simply looked ahead as we walked.
Anyone who understood the mysterious power in those eyes would avoid his gaze.
“Then I’ll hope your wish comes true.”
“Is that so? Do enlighten me then, where are we headed?”
Despite reaching the top floor and having no eavesdropping ears, Gelwood continued deeper into the residence without answering me.
“We have arrived.”
Finally, Gelwood halted his steps.
In front of us stood a door marked as a reception room.
At that moment, I felt an indescribable dread linger in the air.
“I promised you an answer.”
“That you did.”
Gelwood then opened the door, gesturing for me to enter.
“There’s someone inside waiting to meet you.”
“……Who might it be?”
Hesitating to step inside, I noticed a smile creep across his face as my ominous feeling reached its peak.
“Your ‘answer.'”
Cautiously, I peered into the room.
There, next to the sofa,
Stood a woman, wearing a mask.
Meanwhile, Elden Raphelion stood face to face with his ‘answer.’
The voice of a young woman echoed in the upper levels of the Second Grand Ducal Castle.
“My Lady~!”
A voice calling for the one she served.
It was the voice of a maid who hurried back to her Lady after being caught up in an emergency.
“My Lady~? Where are you!”
Yet, the maid received not a single reply.
At this hour, her Lady should be sitting at her bedside, reading a book, but she was nowhere to be found.
“Hmm-. Where has she gone?”
The maid ventured out into the hallway.
This entire floor served as the Third Northern Duchess’ sanctuary.
A secluded space where few could tread.
Thus, it was completely silent.
“Is she in the study……?”
As her Lady spent most of her day researching alchemy, practicing magic, or even reading until late hours, the maid began heading toward the study.
Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap-.
The maid walked with a crutch for support.
Indeed, this was the same maid who had received Elden’s warning earlier in the day.
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