Surviving As An Obsessive Servant

This time, it truly was unreasonable.In the vast land of Terroir, there was no one unaware of Duke Denkart’s loyalty.And yet, she was being ignored.When the maids didn’t agree, Delilah became furious.“It’s true! Everyone always looks down on me! Even Father is the same!”The conclusion was always the same.“I want to marry my brother! Or at least bring me someone just like him!”“Oh, Your Highness. Today, His Majesty sent a pearl accessory. Let us put it on for you.”The maids spoke kindly to the fuming Delilah.As they adorned her platinum blonde hair—a symbol of the royal family—with ornaments she might like, her beauty became even more striking. However, Delilah’s expression only grew gloomier.Staring at her doll-like reflection in the mirror, Delilah muttered to herself.“I want to see my brother.”“Shall I deliver a letter from Crown Prince Louis?”“I’m sick of letters. I don’t want letters; I want to see him in person.”Ah… what can be done with this princess? The maids truly wanted to cry.Crown Prince Louis had been away from the capital for a long time, studying abroad in the Holy Empire.Though the maids deeply respected his broad perspective and sense of justice, they had recently begun to resent him.If only he were here, he could persuade the princess.“Your Highness, would you honor us by playing house with us?”At least playing house was something the princess enjoyed. The problem was that it required Prince Louis…As the maids tried to console her, hiding their exhaustion, Delilah’s face suddenly brightened as if struck by an idea.“Oh, right! The Grand Duke is coming today, isn’t he? Then I’ll go see the Grand Duke! I’ll play house with him!!!”With the prince absent, there was no one to stop the princess.Delilah whined to her father, and as always, her doting father gave her permission without hesitation.Soon, the carriage set off toward the townhouse in the capital without delay.The maids murmured that Duke Denkart lived nearby, but Delilah pretended not to hear them.Eventually, they arrived at a mansion that seemed to radiate a cold, bluish hue.Delilah scrutinized it with disapproval.“Hmph. Why did the Grand Duke visit Manellano Stell before seeing me?”Determined to address this, she marched straight into the mansion. The maids couldn’t catch up in time.As she crossed the garden, her voluminous dress became a hindrance.Though she lifted the hem delicately with her tiny hands, it wasn’t enough. Proper etiquette only allowed the dress to be lifted to ankle height.To make matters worse, she became lost in the garden.The Stell family was ostentatious by nature, and their towering topiaries and shrubs had turned the garden into a maze.“These shoes were a mistake…”Grimacing, she clutched her aching legs when someone suddenly spoke behind her.“Um… are you feeling uncomfortable?”“…Goodness!”Startled by the unexpected voice, Delilah clutched her chest.A tall boy stood there, smiling apologetically.His shining silver hair and pale complexion made him appear harmless.But more than his appearance, it was his aura.Born with the ability to perceive people’s dispositions, Delilah could see his nature.“…Bright and warm.”If the Duke, shrouded in gloom, was a demon, this boy was an angel.The term “angel” suited him far more than it did Duke Denkart.As expected, the boy seemed preoccupied with figuring out how to help her, wearing an expression of genuine concern.He wasn’t threatening, didn’t try to take advantage of her, nor did he flatter her like others often did.After some thought, he gently asked, “Shall I call your maids, or would you like me to carry you?”But she disliked both options.Just as she was about to voice her objection, the boy smiled brightly and offered another suggestion.“Or, perhaps you could lift your dress just a little higher and try walking like that?”  *****  The guest Manellano had previously mentioned was the Grand Duke.Once a war hero who had roamed the battlefield with the young Duke Denkart, he had lost the use of both legs due to an injury.Though the Grand Duke returned immediately to his territory to lead a quiet life, the nobility never forgot him.It wasn’t just his exceptional swordsmanship; he was also wise and intelligent.Because of this, many people sought his counsel and respected him, even after he left the capital. The Stell family was among them.Now I understood why Manellano Stell had personally asked me for help.“For someone like him, you’d want to put in your best effort, even if it’s just to host him as a guest once.”When I relayed this to the young master, he gave a chilly smile.“If help is needed, then I must step forward. After all, my judgment is impeccable.”“…Pardon?”“Let’s go, Lobel.”With that, the young master boarded the carriage with me, postponing all his plans.I was taken aback by this unexpected company, but…Well, there had always been a connection between the Grand Duke’s household and Denkart. Perhaps his curiosity had been piqued, or there was something he had always wondered about.Moreover, no additional permission was required. Manellano often visited the young master unannounced anyway.“We’re almost there now…”Among the townhouses where nobles resided, the Stell residence was relatively close.True to the wealth of the Stell family, the garden alone radiated a luxurious atmosphere that outshone other mansions.Though we had arrived earlier than expected, Manellano was already pacing near the front gate, as if waiting for the Grand Duke.Even though we’d gone out of our way to arrive early, I worried if we might still be late.Hurriedly descending from the carriage, I saw Manellano’s face light up as he noticed me.“Lobel.”But when he saw the young master step out after me, his smile froze.The two stared at each other, almost forgetting to exchange greetings.Oddly enough, their eyes were now level. Whether due to genetics or a growth spurt, the young master had grown considerably.“…Has he grown this much already?”Amazed, I glanced at him. Manellano, however, quickly regained his polished nobleman’s smile and spoke.“Ah, the young lord has come as well.”“Lobel’s promise is my promise, is it not? I couldn’t possibly miss this. It’s an honor to offer my assistance as well.”The young master extended his hand first for a handshake.When Manellano took it, the young master’s smile turned slightly sharper, almost wolfish.“However, next time, do inform me first if you need such assistance. That would be the proper order.”“Okay.”Manellano’s satisfied expression was short-lived, as the young master suddenly smirked.“Also, if it concerns Robel, do make sure to seek my permission first in the future.”“……”“That would also be proper, wouldn’t it? After all, he is my personal attendant.”… It seemed the young master had been quite annoyed by Manellano’s unexpected visits. Judging by how he subtly goaded him, it was clear he’d been holding it in.While this strange tension brewed, the Stell family’s butler approached the young master.“Thank you for gracing us with your presence. The Count has prepared a place for you and is awaiting your arrival. Allow me to guide you.”“…Very well.”Though his expression was less than enthusiastic, the young master, well-versed in noble etiquette, understood its importance and didn’t decline.But then, Manellano spoke with a sly smile.“Time is tight, so Lobel and I will enter separately.”“Young master, the master and mistress have specifically requested your presence as well.”“…Me?”Manellano raised an eyebrow in displeasure at the butler’s words.He didn’t even try to hide his reluctance. Was he annoyed at the idea of hosting the young master properly? Or did he simply want to spend time with me alone?But then, the young master replied first.“Yes, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”With both the butler and the young master now reinforcing the invitation, Manellano’s expression shifted completely. Still, he couldn’t refuse… Nobles were truly constrained by etiquette, forced to maintain decorum even when they didn’t want to.While they squared off, I quietly observed their antics and then pointed toward the garden.“I’ll take a look around for now.”Manellano had previously sought my advice on places or settings the Grand Duke might appreciate, so there was plenty to inspect.Understanding my intention, both men nodded—though their expressions remained unusually tense.Well, children grow through their quarrels, right? They’d manage somehow.I wandered through the garden, where nature was so beautifully maintained that it rivaled Denkart. The lush greenery, vibrant year-round, was a sight to behold.“If the Grand Duke’s coming from afar, he might enjoy the sight of autumn leaves after being in the capital for so long.”Though an outdoor table was already set up, other promising spots caught my attention. I took notes as I walked, eventually finding myself in the maze-like garden.Fortunately, the butler had explained how to find my way back, so I started retracing my steps when I noticed someone.“…Who’s that?”The child looked about seven years old.Barely tall enough to reach my waist, she was a small, delicate figure. Her shimmering platinum hair and anxious pink eyes darted nervously as if she were lost.Judging by her teary expression and the way she looked around, she seemed to have wandered off.Was she perhaps one of Manellano’s distant cousins, here for the Grand Duke’s visit? That seemed plausible. Thinking it would be an easy task to help her, I took a step closer but froze.“Wait… wait. Platinum hair and pink eyes…?”That alone was enough to deduce her identity.“…A royal descendant? No, a princess?!”