The Young Lady's Unusual Affection

The Young Lady has been acting strange.

"Eat this."

"Isn't this honey candy? Is it really alright to give such a precious thing to your butler?"

"…Just eat it."

"Yes, ma'am."

She handed me honey candy, one of the luxuries of the nobility.

"How about this dress?"

"It's so beautiful."

"…Really? Then it's yours."

"The dress?"

She even tried to gift me the dress I complimented as pretty.

"Read this for me."

"You don't know the Imperial language?"

"…Shut up and read."

She suddenly called me to her bedroom to read a fairy tale book to her.

Oh, by the way, the request for a narrated fairy tale—

"I said, read it."

Is still ongoing.

"Sigh…"

I quietly let out a sigh.

As an exclusive butler, it's right to stay close to my master, but this was excessive.

"Young Lady."

"What?"

"Aren't you overworking me?"

The Young Lady's expression stiffened slightly. She probably knew it herself.

I could understand, considering she must have been lonely all this time, but I needed some time to myself.

I also needed to regain my lost strength and prepare for the banquet the day after tomorrow.

Watching her closely, I hoped.

Since I had brought it up so directly, wouldn't she tell me to take a short break?

"You're right, I have been overworking you."

My hopes were utterly shattered. Thinking I had misheard, I asked again.

"Pardon?"

The corners of the Young Lady's lips curled into a smile.

Despite her youthful face, it was a chilling smile imbued with the dignity of a conqueror.

"You heard me correctly."

"Ah… Yes."

I lost.

With her cool acknowledgment, I was left speechless.

I decided to struggle a bit more. Pressing my temples, I grumbled.

"Other butlers or maids work in shifts, but I handle everything alone."

"I'll pay you more."

"No, it's not about the money—"

"Triple."

"—Alright."

The amount was too large to refuse.

The beggar instincts ingrained deep in my soul ruined my escape plan once again.

"What should I read for you first?"

"The Frog Prince."

"…Isn't this plagiarism?"

I squinted at the book cover to check.

Though my eyesight was good, I hadn't slept properly for days, so my vision was blurry.

"Wait a moment."

"Yes?"

The Young Lady, who had been silently watching me, threw the fairy tale book aside and reached out her hand.

With her right hand, she grabbed my face and suddenly brought her beautiful face close.

"…Are you tired?"

"Not at all."

"You look tired."

I had tried to hide it.

But, as expected, she was sharp.

"I guess it's because I've been studying hard."

"Studying?"

"You know, passing the butler exam in just one day without any prior training."

I shrugged and smiled, but it didn't work on her.

"Stay still for a moment."

Her pale, slender fingers rested on my forehead. The cool touch felt pleasant.

"You don't have a fever…"

"Of course not. I told you I'm fine."

"No, you look a bit unwell."

Worry filled her crimson eyes.

Did I really look that bad?

I slightly turned my head to check the mirror directly in front of me.

Darkened circles under my eyes.

Slightly hollowed cheeks.

Disheveled hair.

A man who looked handsome but a bit tired was reflected in the mirror.

I definitely didn't look to be in great shape.

"I…"

The Young Lady trailed off.

She glanced at the candy scattered on the bed, the dress lying on the floor, and the fairy tale book left unattended, then lightly grabbed my collar.

"I'm sorry."

For a moment, I doubted my ears. Tears welled up in her sharp crimson eyes.

"I've been too much of a bother, haven't I?"

Her still youthful lips curved downward, and the small hand clutching my collar trembled slightly.

"Ever since my mother disappeared, I've always been alone… You're the first to approach me so naturally…"

"Young Lady."

I held her trembling hand.

"You haven't been a bother to me at all."

I meant it.

Just being able to meet her again and serve by her side made me happy.

"Then why do you look so tired?"

"It's just that there's a lot of work."

The main reason for my current busyness was the banquet.

What I initially dismissed as a simple event to showcase the Young Lady's talent turned out to involve the Eastern Nobles' connection to the Demon God Cult.

I had to both help the Young Lady awaken her talent and deal with those damned bastards.

The plan was already in motion.

Days were spent with the Young Lady, and nights were filled with training. It was exhausting, but bearable.

Once the banquet was over, it would all be done.

Afterward, until her admission to the Academy, there would be room to take things easy.

I reaffirmed my resolve once more.

"It's absolutely not because of you, Young Lady. So please, don't apologize to me again."

"…Why?"

Hesitating, I opened my mouth.

"Because it feels like I might cry."

"How ridiculous."

The Young Lady let out a small laugh. I exaggerated my actions a little more.

-Sorry, Yuri.

To avoid showing the image of the Young Lady's tragic end that had surfaced in my mind without warning.

That's how I spent time with the Young Lady.

This time, the choice was a fairy tale.

The Frog Prince.

A story about a frog who, after receiving a kiss from a princess with terrible breath, left this world forever.

"What kind of f*cked-up fairy tale is this?"

"Please mind your language, Young Lady."

"What a dogsh*t book."

"Much better."

After barely stopping her from burning it, I flipped through the pages again.

To find something suitable to read to her, I rummaged through various books and picked one out.

"Kekeke, lying with your mouth, but your body is so honest! Grandpa Geppetto! Not the nose, nooo!"

"Hold on a moment, Yuri."

"What is it, Young Lady?"

"What's the title of that one?"

"It's Pinocchio."

"…I'm certain it was fine when my mother read it to me."

"Is that so?"

As we immersed ourselves in the world of fairy tales for quite some time, I lifted my head.

"Come to think of it, it's time now."

"Time for what?"

"The Young Lady's guest will be arriving soon."

"My guest? Who is it?"

A sly grin.

I answered with a smile.

"Lord Clark Valentine."

Clark Valentine.

The eldest son of the Valentine Count Family and the man chosen as the Young Lady's sparring partner.

The Young Lady shouted in shock.

"Why him?!"

After moistening my lips, I replied.

"Because I'm somewhat close with him."