For The Money [1]

Uncomfortable.

"You're not harboring any impure thoughts about my daughter, are you?"

"No, I'm not."

That too was extremely uncomfortable.

The reason was simple.

"Hmmm…"

It was because a man who looked exactly like the Young Lady was glaring at me as if he wanted to kill me.

He asked another question.

"Do you want to die?"

"Pardon?"

"Why don't you have impure thoughts?"

"Pardon…?"

"Isn't my daughter beautiful and adorable?"

Vasselo Salvatore.

He was the current head of the House of Salvatore and the father of Young Lady Frey.

After a brief moment of deliberation, I answered.

"Are you telling me to have impure thoughts, then?"

"Is that your last will?"

"This is driving me crazy."

The killing intent was overwhelming.

I hastily changed my words.

"Then I won't have any."

"So, my daughter isn't good enough for you?"

What am I supposed to say to that?

I had expected this, but the extent was extreme.

Count Salvatore was famously known as a doting father even in my previous life.

However, he had never been like this from the very first meeting.

In my first life, I was sent straight to the Butler Division and never even met him. In my second life, he merely left me with vague instructions to do as I pleased after a quick introduction.

This time, things started differently.

-Follow me.

After suggesting we go together, the Young Lady headed straight toward the center of the Imperial Capital.

-This is our villa.

The villa of the House of Salvatore.

It was a gift from the Emperor.

Such a thing was possible because the House of Salvatore had enjoyed the Emperor's favor for generations.

-You're not surprised?

-Well, no.

Most people would be awestruck by the splendor upon seeing it for the first time, but this was already my third time.

During my time as a butler, I occasionally accompanied the Young Lady here. I even stayed for several years while attending and graduating from the Academy.

-Boring.

-Should I act surprised now?

-Yes.

I immediately stood on my hands.

-So surprised I flipped over.

The Young Lady nodded.

-Now that's a proper butler.

-Thank you.

That was the kind of banter we were having.

-Come here, Frey!

-Father?

He appeared out of nowhere, separating me and the Young Lady before retreating.

-Who's that boy next to you?

-I picked him up.

-What?

-I'm making him my exclusive butler.

-Suddenly?

He looked at me.

I bowed politely and greeted him.

-I am Yuri.

He continued to regard me with suspicion.

Young Lady Frey grabbed Count Vasselo's sleeve with a bright smile.

-Even beggars introduce themselves. Shouldn't the head of a noble family say something, too?

It was an unspoken demand for him to introduce himself.

He finally opened his mouth.

-…Vasselo Salvatore.

After the introductions, he summoned a butler and quietly gave some instructions.

Then he dragged me to his office.

"Dieeeeee!!"

"This is driving me insane."

He kept acting like that.

At this point, there was no other choice.

Swoosh.

I subtly turned my gaze toward the silent Young Lady Frey.

'Please help me, Young Lady.'

I conveyed my plea with my eyes.

The Young Lady casually retorted.

"What are you staring at?"

Like father, like daughter.

Thinking my signal might have been too weak, I even tried winking.

"Are you asking to be stabbed?"

A cold glare was her response. Still, thank you for the kind reply, Young Lady!

I sincerely spoke to the two of them.

"I feel like I'm going to faint from fear."

It wasn't a joke—I was genuinely terrified.

The members of the House of Salvatore had appearances more suited to villains than heroes.

Even the casual curses they threw out sounded like villainous lines when spoken by them.

I was recalling old memories and trying to remember the location of the villa's restroom.

"Daughter."

"What?"

Before I knew it, Vasselo had calmed down and was smiling lovingly.

He held Frey's hand.

"Could you step outside for a moment?"

"No."

Of course, it didn't work.

After a moment of thought, he added.

"I won't kill him."

Oh.

So you were planning to kill me?

The Young Lady finally nodded.

"…Keep your promise."

I thought they brought me here just to abandon me, but it was quite the opposite.

If it weren't for the Young Lady, I might have been killed by this man long ago.

I bowed my head quietly in gratitude.

"Let's meet again, alive."

For a Young Lady, those were warm words. Just as my savior was about to leave—

Something suddenly came to Vasello's mind, and he quickly added.

"Ah, by the way, a schedule for a friendly sparring match has been set. Let's talk more later."

"…Understood."

Right after the Young Lady left—

"You're Yuri, correct?"

Vasello, now serious, opened the conversation.

"Yes, that is correct."

"You look quite young."

"I am twelve this year."

He seemed like a completely different person from just moments ago.

Running a hand through his hair, he asked,

"How do I look to you?"

I observed him more closely.

Long, flowing blonde hair, crimson eyes deeper than the Young Lady's, and flawless skin.

He had the sharp appearance of a young man, making it hard to believe he was the father of two children.

I couldn't help but admire him.

"You are very handsome."

A moment of silence followed.

Vasello covered his mouth with his hand and simply stared at me for a while.

"You want to serve as my daughter's butler, correct?"

"Yes, that is correct."

"Why?"

There were many reasons.

Because the Young Lady had saved my life, because we had built a bond over a long period, and because I never wanted to lose her again.

But I couldn't say any of that.

Revealing my previous life to Ian had been enough. Though I knew Count Vasello was a good person, this was a separate matter.

After a brief moment of thought, I answered.

"For the money."

"Money?"

Now was the time.

I delivered the response I had prepared in advance.