Surviving As An Obsessive Servant

In the end, my plan to properly serve the young master failed, but he himself succeeded once again.Through the hunting festival, he made his name widely known, and among the nobles, his efforts and talent in rehabilitation were recognized.Moreover, it seemed that the young master had caught the crown prince’s eye. Though they only exchanged a brief conversation at the temple, I could sense the crown prince’s fondness for him.‘Now, the young master’s misfortunes are truly over, and happiness begins…….’As the protagonist, he would shine even brighter and be loved by many. I felt somewhat relieved.And I also knew very well that it was my turn to step away. So, I spent the night carefully writing a new letter of resignation and hid it in the carriage.After that, I planned to discreetly slip out of the carriage on the way to Denkart and return home… Or at least, that was the plan. No, I was certain that was the plan.Reality, however, was not so accommodating.“Why do you keep looking outside? You’re making me nervous.”There was absolutely no way to escape, with security as tight as a fortress.Sitting on either side of me were Rimson and Sir Blivan, squeezed into the seat. …Was it just my imagination, or did this large carriage suddenly feel cramped?As if the suffocating atmosphere wasn’t bad enough, Rimson was one thing, but Sir Blivan never left his seat.I swallowed a sigh and turned my gaze to the side. Rimson, whom I hadn’t seen in a while, looked noticeably gaunt.I heard that while I was in the temple, Denkart was in chaos.Of course, I had somewhat expected that, but it seemed that some vassals had taken the situation more seriously than I anticipated.Well, since I was the young master’s only personal attendant, any threat directed at me could be seen as a threat to him as well.“So, they investigated nonstop, day and night… Apparently, some servant messed up while lighting a fire.”It seemed like he had more to say, but he hesitated, glancing at Sir Blivan.Sir Blivan must have noticed too, because he finally left during mealtime, giving us a moment alone.Once it was just the two of us in the carriage, Rimson finally told me everything he had been holding back.After listening, I gave him a skeptical look.“You don’t actually believe that, do you?”“Of course not. Even the vassals were in an uproar. I’ve never seen Count Clant make that kind of face before. You were this close to being dragged off and killed. It’s a good thing they caught the real culprit.”I had heard that the person responsible had been caught, but I hadn’t expected things to be this bad.Still, at least my innocence had been proven. That was a relief in the midst of all this misfortune. Now, I could use my health as an excuse to resign…“The fire was put out thanks to a sudden downpour… Sigh. If you’re planning to stay by the young master’s side, you’d better take better care of yourself.”I gave a weak smile and avoided answering. I was already set on leaving; I had only delayed it slightly.But… could it be that the young master instinctively sensed our impending farewell?Ever since we returned, he had started keeping more distance from me.I had already noticed that he felt awkward around me even before the hunting festival… but now, it was clear he was deliberately keeping his distance.Like right now.“Give it to me. I’ll do it myself.”Without waiting for my response, the young master snatched the cufflink from my hand.Then, he fastened it onto his shirt himself.Even though he had only done it once before, he was as quick to learn as ever, skillfully securing it in place.But his gaze was strangely unnatural. He either looked at his own wrist or at the wall.‘…What’s with him?’Lately, the young master avoided meeting my eyes and subtly kept his distance.He didn’t even try to have a proper conversation with me.At first, I thought he might feel guilty for what happened to me because of him… but on second thought, that didn’t seem to be the case.He even started turning his back to me. This hadn’t happened since back then.I had worried that he might try to hold onto me, but since that wasn’t happening, I should have been relieved… Yet, people are such fickle creatures. Honestly, I didn’t feel great about it.I had never encountered this situation before, so I wasn’t sure how to respond. Besides… we didn’t have much time left together.As I sorted through my complicated emotions, I happened to notice something out of place.“Wait a moment, young master. There’s a loose thread.”Even the perfect maids of Denkart occasionally made mistakes.I had keenly spotted a tiny loose thread near the young master’s shoulder and reached out to remove it.But at that moment, the young master flinched and abruptly stepped aside.“!”“!”Which, in turn, startled me.I mean, I wasn’t an insect or anything, so why was he reacting like this…?He was so startled that even his ears turned red.Avoiding my gaze, he awkwardly mumbled,“Sorry… You suddenly got close, so… it surprised me.”“R-right. I suppose that happens. I completely understand.”That was a lie.No… This was the same young master who never flinched even when we shared a bed, and yet, now he was startled just because I tried to remove a loose thread?An awkward silence filled the room.It was the young master who broke it first.“Uh… Lobel.”“……?”“From now on, move your room next to mine.”I couldn’t see his face since his back was turned to me.Nor could I understand his reasoning. Why was he suddenly telling me to change rooms?As I stared at him, puzzled, he bit his lip and said,“That way… you’ll be able to assist me better.”I didn’t answer.Instead, Rimson, who had been sharing my room, nodded in my place.“Yes, I’ll move in with Lobel tonight.”“No. Just Lobel.”The young master ignored Rimson, who looked utterly dejected, and walked ahead.‘…Didn’t he mention an urgent issue with the merchant guild that required him to travel to another city?’Whether it was lingering suspicion from the vassals or something else, I hadn’t been told the reason this time either.And… now that Wayne was handling most of the young master’s needs, I no longer had to follow him.That was fortunate for me. At last, I had a real chance.I knew it in my gut. Today was the day I would leave.So, one last time, I followed the young master.“Young master!”His strides had grown as much as his height, making him walk incredibly fast.I had to sprint at full speed to catch up.“Wait! Young master!!”Just as I reached out to grab his sleeve, the guards crossed their swords in front of me, blocking my path.But I didn’t back down.As the young master frowned and raised his hand, the guards quickly withdrew their swords.“Be careful! You were in danger!!”Haha. This time, he’s not avoiding my gaze.As I looked at the young master, who was worried and scolding me instead of turning away, I felt a strange tickling sensation inside.My eyes, nose, and mouth all felt itchy. Or maybe they just stung.I held it in and smiled even brighter.It was the same foolish, carefree smile that Rimson had always teased me about.But I didn’t stop smiling. I wanted the young master to remember me with a sincere and pure smile.In the future, countless people would approach and form relationships with him, but not many would smile at him like this.I hoped that, even faintly, he would remember that there was someone in his childhood who truly cared for him.Unlike in the original story, where he had been lonely throughout his youth.Suppressing the sorrow that might have been from our impending farewell, I spoke cheerfully.“It’s okay. You protected me, young master. Thank you for saving me.”“……”“If it weren’t for you, I really would have died. You saved my life.”Lobel.Wayne mouthed my name, trying to stop me, but the young master didn’t.“I was truly grateful, young master. I will never forget this for the rest of my life.”I spoke with all the sincerity I could muster.This time, the young master didn’t turn away and looked straight at me.It was just a fleeting moment, but one that would be remembered forever.Just as he was about to speak, his aide called for him.“Young master.”“Go ahead.”At my words, the young master gave a slight nod and left.The pace of his steps as he moved away was quick. And for the first time since he was born, I felt a tinge of nostalgia for the past.Even after his carriage disappeared completely, I couldn’t step away from the main gate.I stood there for a long time until Rimson approached me with a grumble.“You should’ve stepped back a little. You made such a fuss this morning, dressing up in new clothes and shoes, and now you’re covered in dust… Hey. Are you crying?”“…There’s dust in my eyes.”“So clumsy. Come inside and wash your face.”Wiping my eyes with my sleeve, I frowned at Rimson and nodded.Then, without hesitation, I headed straight to the butler’s office—the one who had full authority over employment.There was no more time to hesitate. And no reason to, either…Now that the young master was gone and the vassals weren’t nearby… this was the perfect opportunity.“You’re quitting?”The butler chuckled lightly, as if he had just heard some trivial joke.But I handed him my resignation letter with a serious expression.“According to my contract, I can leave immediately without issue.”I had prepared this speech ever since returning to Denkart, so despite my nervous heart, my voice came out calm.Sensing my resolve, the butler’s smile gradually faded.He tried to dissuade me, but I firmly refused.“Please give me my wages for today as well. I’m absolutely sick and tired of this job.”It was a conclusion I had reached after much thought.Only after returning to the mansion did I learn that rumors were spreading among the nobles—rumors that the incident at the hunting festival had been orchestrated by the young master himself.Even though we had almost been the victims, the story had twisted against us.Considering the timing of these rumors, it seemed likely that the duchess had acted before suspicion could turn toward her.But if I were to suddenly disappear now, after being known as the young master’s exclusive attendant, it would only worsen the rumors about him.That was something I absolutely couldn’t allow.“I’ve worked enough and earned enough. I’m not interested anymore. I just want to go back home and live well.”“But quitting so suddenly puts us in a difficult position. I’ll inform the young master and discuss it with him. In the meantime, why don’t you reconsider…”“I’ve already talked to the young master. My decision won’t change.”“……!”“Hurry up and give me my money.”