Chapter 239
I was rattled by the Second Manager’s taunts, but there was nothing I could do. If only I could teleport right now, I’d rush over and give him a few slaps.
But at least he answered my questions. If he had just teased me without giving any answers, I might have lost it.
‘That bastard.’
I stared helplessly at the comms terminal where the Second Manager’s face had just vanished.
Actually, if this fool makes some outrageous provocation, I do have a way to strike back. With him about to get married, I could use that as ammo, right?
But him getting married before me—it serves as both my weapon and my Achilles’ heel.
‘He’ll definitely get more obnoxious.’
The more I attack, the worse my future retaliation will be. I can see it all too clearly. As soon as his wedding ends, he’s going to stab me right in the heart. The more I tease him, the more daggers he’ll have to throw at me. And let’s not forget, my own wedding will be five times more chaotic.
The more I fight, the more it’s a setup for me to end up losing. Did the Second Manager realize this? He’s been throwing out provocations like a wild horse let loose, instead of the more restrained jabs he used to make.
Please, please let the Judicial Minister give him some harsh words on my behalf. If only at the wedding he’d wrestle him down with ‘If you can’t beat me, you can’t have my niece!’
‘…Should I egg him on?’
Suddenly, that thought crossed my mind. If I can’t handle it myself, why not get the Minister involved to create a ruckus?
Judging by how he pressured the Minister into arranging the marriage, it seems he has some affection for his niece. If he had no feelings, he wouldn’t have bothered with love or marriage.
Yeah, let’s awaken the fatherly instincts of a man about to send his daughter off to a loser. The Judicial Minister knows the Second Manager isn’t quite right, so he might actually do something effective here.
‘Perfect.’
If I can’t do it myself, I’ll just hire an outsider to take down another outsider.
It sounds insane, but it’s a brilliant plan. Time to get to it.
I mean, I said I’d do it immediately, but something like this should ideally be done face-to-face, not through a comms terminal. With the graduation ceremony just a few days away, I’ll hold off until I return to the Information Department.
Besides, right now, it’s time to focus on something more crucial than my own games of intrigue.
– You’re coming again, I see.
I informed my butler about our travel plans. From the butler’s standpoint, knowing ahead of time would make hosting guests a lot easier.
But for some reason, when I mentioned coming again, I noticed the butler’s expression was oddly stiff.
‘Oh, he’s really stiff.’
And honestly, it makes sense. How long has it been since we welcomed royals, a prince, and a miracle of a holy child in such a lineup?
It’s hard to even meet one of those in a lifetime. To see them more than once in less than a year, it’s insane.
But that’s a misunderstanding. This time, we won’t have to endure that suffering.
“We’re not bringing everyone this time; it’ll just be four of us, including me.”
At that, the butler’s expression softened immediately.
“Me, Lady Marghetta, Lady Louise, and Lady Irina.”
It softened even more.
– I see. Understood. I’ll do my best to prepare.
“Just don’t overdo it.”
– Haha, when else would I get a chance to go all out if not now?
Seeing the butler laugh off his earlier anxieties made me feel a bit of relief too. It’s peaceful when highborn folks return to their rightful places.
Sure, having a princess among the guests might complicate things a bit, but given that the butler has already dealt with the sharp spices of royalty, he should manage just fine with one princess.
Besides, the butler is aware of how things are between me and Marghetta, so it’s probably a welcoming feeling for him to greet a future lady of the house. Not even an inconvenient guest—just someone he has to serve.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
– Yes, Master. I look forward to our next meeting.
I ended the call after bowing to the butler. He’s someone who knows his job well, so I don’t need to worry any further.
Now, I should focus on the ring designs. Giving all five the same ring feels a bit half-hearted. Even if I go with diamonds, the shapes should vary a bit.
‘After all, I’m not even the one making them.’
The artisan will do the making. And the artisan will create exactly what the paying customer wants.
As long as I throw money at it, there won’t be a design that’s impossible. If there is, it’s just because I didn’t pay enough.
*
With Sofia and a pile of blankets on my back, I walked into the storage room. We were swapping all the bedding in the mansion for winter styles.
‘Finally done.’
It was merely changing the bedding, but the mansion’s size meant it took days. We washed and dried the winter bedding stored away and repeated the washing and drying for the autumn bedding in every room.
After dozens, if not hundreds, of trips back and forth, we finally finished the last room. Thankfully, others had taken care of the thorough winter preparations; ours was merely finishing the task!
“Ugh, I think my neck is going to snap.”
Just then, Sofia, who had just tucked the last blanket into the drawer, let out a groan. Of course she feels that way. Constantly carrying winter blankets on her head, she’s bound to feel it.
“Right? You should have just carried them normally.”
“Doing it this way makes it faster, doesn’t it?”
Sofia massaged her neck and grinned at me.
What a fool. Even though she’s not feeling well. Nobody would’ve mind if she had eased up a bit.
“Let’s go out now; I heard the kitchen made cake?”
“Wow! Cake!”
Telling Sofia about our morning’s news, she dashed towards the exit. Of course, I followed; if I was slow, she would eat it all. The chef’s cake was not something Sofia would share lightly.
But apparently, it wasn’t time to eat just yet, as we couldn’t escape the storage room.
“Whoa!”
As Sofia led the way, she bumped into the butler just entering the storage room.
Even though they collided, thanks to the difference in size, Sofia bounced back while the butler didn’t even flinch like a balloon.
“Sofia, are you okay?”
The butler looked slightly startled and rushed to help Sofia up. He probably didn’t expect an accident right as he walked in.
“I think I bumped into the wall…”
“Looks like you’re fine.”
The butler seemed relieved after hearing Sofia’s complaints.
Last time she actually fell and couldn’t speak, just crying. Seeing her make a fuss like this means she’s likely uninjured, thankfully.
“Butler, what brings you to the storage room?”
I asked, noticing the dust on Sofia’s skirt as she brushed it off. It’s pretty rare for the butler to come all the way here.
“This time the Master is coming with guests, so I need to find bedding for important visitors.”
“Guests?”
That instinctively made a face cross my mind. The princess, who’s got a thing for the Master, the strangely comforting pink lady, and the blonde lady I owe an apology to.
Plus, those high-ranking folks who I do wonder about their purpose in being here.
“Are they… the ones who came in summer?”
Cautiously asking, I felt a slight unease. When those high-ranking guests stayed, it wasn’t easy for anyone. The chef, for instance, couldn’t sleep and turned practically ghostly. What if he collapses again this time?
Reading my uneasiness, the butler smiled gently.
“They’ll be fewer this time. Just the Master and three ladies.”
That’s a relief. If they’re just ladies, that’d be Lady Marghetta, Lady Louise, and Lady Irina, the future lady of the house—it should be manageable.
…
‘Wait, what?’
Something feels off. Hearing who’s coming raises an alarm in my head.
No high-ranking folks? That makes sense; it’s actually normal. No siblings of the Master? That’s also acceptable; the Master’s family is in the territory, not the capital.
But all that leaves is a crew solely of women? With no siblings and three ladies joining—especially with the lady of the house?
‘…Could it be?’
I may not know about the pink lady, but one thing’s for sure: the blonde lady definitely has feelings for the Master. With two out of three members in the group having a crush on him.
Then there’s a good chance the pink lady also has feelings. And if all three do, then surely the Master knows their feelings too, right?
I have no solid evidence; it’s merely speculation. But…
‘There’s also no counter-evidence.’
It sounds ridiculous, but my instincts are shouting loudly. My assumptions must be correct.
‘Damn it!’
This isn’t good. While it’s great that the Master is meeting good people, it’s not the right time for that.
I haven’t heard from Lady Penelia recently. Not a single letter or message.
Usually, she’d contact me via letter or the comms, but nothing has come through lately.
Sure, sometimes there are instances like that, but it’s strange it’s happening now. With the Master visiting the capital and so many people vying for his attention.
‘Surely there’s been no progress, right?’
If any significant development existed between her and the Master, the estate would surely know by now.
If she and the Master got into that kind of relationship, people would notice; the whispers would reach the butler, and news would definitely trickle down to the estate. It’s obvious.
Yet surprisingly, there’s been crickets on that front.
‘Idiot…!’
Lady Penelia, what on earth are you doing?
Someone who just found out about the Master’s existence is getting dangerously close, and here you are dragging your feet!
“Yuris?”
“Oh, yes!”
As I was lost in my boiling frustration, the butler spoke up. It looks like he noticed me staring vacantly at the floor and was worried.
“Hehe, nothing’s wrong.”
“You seem too deep in thought for nothing being wrong.”
“Honestly, I was thinking about how to let out a big ‘whoa!’ like a scream.”
“Hey!”
Sorry, but I sold out Sofia.
‘I need to say it.’
Hearing Sofia squeal, with the butler chuckling at her, I quietly made a determination.
I’ll say it. I must say it. When the Master visits the estate, I’ll definitely tell him that Lady Penelia has feelings for him.
I can’t afford to delay even a second more. If I wait for her to make a move, she might never do anything.
‘Why is she so slow when it comes to such a great guy…’
A sigh escaped me. Why does everything related to the Master turn into this mess?
*
Finally, the academy’s last event, the final exams, are done.
No matter how noble you may be, once you’re a student, when exams end, the academy is filled with excitement.
And what follows right after is the graduation ceremony.
“Well done, everyone.”
The morning of the graduation ceremony had arrived, and I quickly headed for the Student Council Room.
“Thank you. It’s all thanks to the Executive Manager.”
“Haha, what did I really do?”
To finally collect the stinkin’ newbies, that one-year wait was over.
‘Good.’
This is the real jackpot. This is where the gold’s at.
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