2nd Day (2) | The Start of A New Life in "Hell" (1)

"I... called you?" Anastasia asked, her voice faint and unsure. Her mind was still clouded, weighed down by the lingering echoes of her horrifying experience.

Sebas let out a soft chuckle, a bit amused by her bewildered reaction.

"Yeah, you did. You didn't realize?" he said, his tone light yet reassuring. "I heard you shouting my name from inside the tent, my lady."

"The tent...?"

The noblewoman realized that she was in a tent—the one this butler had put up for her.

The first thing she noticed, of course, was that she was lying on a simple cloth bed... which, strangely enough, felt surprisingly comfortable for her.

"Mmhm... My Lady... five more minutes..."

Anastasia heard the faint mumbling of someone familiar and turned toward the voice, finding none other than her maid, Bella, sleeping soundly in another cloth bed like hers.

"Lady Ana?"

"Y-yes?"

Anastasia was startled by the call from Sebas. She turned toward him, finding the butler staring at her with concern etched all over his face.

"S-sir Sebas...?"

Without another word, the butler reached into the pocket of his suit and pulled out a neatly folded handkerchief.

"Excuse me, my lady."

"W-wha—?!"

To her shock, Sebas began wiping her face with the handkerchief! The unexpected act startled her, causing her to yelp in protest as she tried to pry off the hand that was wiping her face.

However, she was powerless against his firm but gentle grip.

"S-Sebas?! What—hmph...! Hah! W-what are you doing?!" she cried out, her words muffled as she struggled to talk through his thorough, albeit sudden, attentiveness.

"Your face, my lady, was covered in sweat," he replied calmly, his tone steady yet focused as he continued. "It wouldn't be appropriate for a young noblewoman to be seen with a face drenched like that, would it?"

"Ummph...! Ah! Y-you're being too rough...! S-stop it, Sir Sebas!" Anastasia stammered, her cheeks flushed from embarrassment as she squirmed under his treatment. "I'm no child who needs someone to wipe my face!"

Sebas paused, finally pulling back the handkerchief to give her some space to breathe.

"Understood, my lady, but it is my responsibility to ensure your well-being," he said, his voice tinged with genuine concern. He added softly, "...especially since it seems that you were crying in your sleep."

"...!"

Anastasia froze, her hand instinctively rising to touch her face. It didn't take long to realize what he said was true—her cheeks were damp not just from sweat but... from tears.

She couldn't believe herself... she couldn't believe she'd cried...

Again.

She remembered vaguely crying before sleep had taken hold of her... and now she'd cried again in her sleep.

For someone of her status and pride... showing such fragile emotions, especially toward her loyal servants... ESPECIALLY toward this strange butler of all people...

She couldn't help but hide her face with her hands, concealing her shame.

"... My lady, was it a nightmare?"

"..."

She slowly lowered her hands, but... she didn't answer him. Instead, her gaze cast downward to avoid his gaze of concern.

Anastasia was still wrestling with her emotions. Not just from the weight of her shame, but also... from remembering the haunting thought of such a nightmare.

Her silence, however, was all the answer he needed. Sebas then leaned back and sat on his rear, beside her bed.

"S-sir Sebas...?"

"... Would you mind sharing what you saw?" he pressed gently after a moment.

"P-pardon...?"

"I only mean to ask if you'd like to talk about your nightmare, Lady Ana," he said, his voice soft and considerate. "Sometimes, sharing what troubles you have can lighten the burden, you know. Maybe there's something that I could help you with."

"Sebas..."

Anastasia was touched by his kindness, but... she shook her head at his offer.

The nightmare she'd witnessed... it was not only tied to her guilt—her sin—but also... to what it meant toward the very butler himself who sat beside her.

"I'm sorry, but... I'm not... comfortable enough to share what I saw..."

"I see..." Sebas could only nod, showing a faint, understanding smile at her refusal. "I won't force you to elaborate, but please remember that you can rely on me... alright?"

She nodded hesitantly, a small smile gracing her lips at his understanding.

"Well, either way..." the butler said, standing up from the tent's ground.

He turned around... and bowed gracefully to her, surprising her a bit.

"Good morning, Lady Ana. We have much to do today, so I sincerely hope that you are in your best condition."

"A-ah, yes, indeed, Sir Sebas," she replied, regaining a bit of her noble composure, "we are going to inspect the items that you procured last night, right?"

"Indeed so, my lady."

"T-then please wait for me outside so that I can prepare myself."

"As you wish, my lady."

He bowed once again. However, before he left the tent, he went toward the sleeping Bella first.

Sebas crouched down to her... and lightly poked her cheek.

"Ooiii~, Miss Maid~, wake up~," he called to the sleeping maid, his tone almost teasing.

"Uhm... don't wanna~... 10 more minutes, please~..." the blonde maid mumbled in her sleep, which earned a small sigh from the butler.

However, instead of giving up... Sebas had a mischievous glint in his eye.

He rummaged through his suit's pocket for a moment... before pulling out a feather! Anastasia couldn't believe her eyes at the sort of randomness this butler was pulling...

And she pretty much understood what he was about to do.

The butler used that feather... to lightly tickle the cute, small nose of the maid.

Bella scrunched her face, her nose twitching and lips curling as if to ward off the sensation.

"Mmm... what's—ah... ahh... ahhh...! Achooo!!!"

She sneezed; instantly awakened from her slumber, opening her eyes wide!

And the first thing she met, of course... was the smiling Sebas.

"... S-sir Sebas?"

"Good morning, Miss Maid~."

The maid looked confused for a moment, looking around and noticing the exasperated look of her mistress... before realizing the state she was in...!

She quickly got up from the bed and bowed toward not just Sebas, but also Lady Anastasia as well.

"I'M SORRY FOR OVERSLEEPING!!!"

"Hahaha, don't worry, don't worry," he said with a chuckle. He then stood up and headed toward the exit of the tent. "We've got a lot of things to do, Miss Maid, so please help Lady Ana prepare herself for the day."

"Y-yes, sir!"