/
Meanwhile, the clever director of the orphanage finished signing the paper that was given to him.
The big guy began to notice that something was wrong.
“Then, this place is now the same as my family’s property.”
The Young Master spoke coldly to them.
“From ancient times, those who step on land belonging to Denkart without permission have been punished by cutting off their ankles.”
Denkart—.
There was a trouble sound. The pale-looking big guy tried to scramble out of each other.
At that moment, the Young Master picked up a dagger that fell on the ground.
It landed right at the boss’s feet, who was about to run away. It was a dangerous place where, if he made a mistake, it could almost get stuck in his foot.
“Hukk!”
Surprised, something fell from his hand, and tumbled to the floor.
It was my button.
****
Denkart’s privilege was really strong.
The Head of the Family could express his will by skipping some legal procedures because his family had earned the Emperor’s limitless trust.
And so did the heir.
So the Count emphasized from the first lesson to the Young Master.
[Carry all the documents and sign them first if anything happens.]
Then, unless it was a confrontation with the imperial family, it was said that, in general, everything would be resolved.
When I heard the story behind the scenes, I was like, ‘Is there really any use for that privilege?’.
The oath of loyalty from the Black Chain Knights was a strong force, so he expected it to be used somehow.
‘But this is how you use your first privilege—’
Most of all, I was in trouble because I didn’t know if Evo’s future would change.
‘I tried to intervene a little bit because of the situation, I had no plans to intervene in this way—’
Of course, Evo is someone who will somehow manage to make up for the merchant with his father’s books and secrets he stole when he ran away, but—.
I shook my head in agony. It can’t be helped because the water has already spilled.
I don’t know anyone else, but I brought Evo to another carriage because there was a possibility that he might be harmed.
But I shouldn’t worry about what will happen in the future. I should just focus on what is happening right now.
I cleared my complicated mind and raised my eyes.
The Young Master, who happened to pass nearby, checked the carrier pigeon and ran after tracking it, still looking uncomfortable.
Then the Young Master, who had his arms crossed and was looking out the window, closed the window.
Several men passed by on the street outside as I looked out the window reflexively. Everyone was smoking.
‘You seem to hate cigarettes like me.’
As much as I was obsessed with the Young Master’s breath, I was also sensitive to other air. And I particularly hated cigarettes.
Thinking it was similar, I first asked the Young Master what I was worried about.
“Is it okay to set up a merchant?”
No matter his privileges, establishing a merchant this way could be a problem.
When I asked the question carefully, the Young Master replied with the tone that it was not a big deal.
“It’s something I’ve discussed with Count Clant before.”
“…Before?”
“The Duke will take control of all three conflict areas by winter. Count Clant wanted us to monopolize the resources we get from it, from production to delivery.”
Did the aides or the Count talk to the Young Master separately in my absence?
It was the first time I had ever heard of it, so I widened my eyes.
“There’s nothing bad about having a merchant. That way, the Denkart forces will take all the benefits.”
“Then…after the children grow up, they can help out.”
As in the previous world, orphans were forced to leave the orphanage when they reached adulthood. After that, the orphanages faced great difficulties in finding a place to live and making a living.
Of course, it is their freedom to do what they will do after leaving the orphanages, but the Young Master promised to solve the problem at least.
Either way, they’ll be treated much better than working under those b*stards.
‘Then what choice will Evo make—’
While imagining an unexpected future, the Young Master suddenly asked.
“Lobel. Why did you help him?”
“Oh, about that. Evo helped me. I got lost in the capital.”
Actually, this was an excuse prepared in advance.
Before I got on the carriage, Evo and I quickly agreed to do this, so it was easy for me to answer.
However, the Young Master didn’t believe me easily.
“Only for that reason… Do you rip off all your buttons?”
His cold eyes turned to my jacket.
I usually went around neatly, but today I was dressed so poorly that I couldn’t be seen as a servant of a prestigious noble family.
So I immediately took out the second plan I had prepared.
“I almost ran into a bully along the way, but he risked his life to help me. You know my personality. If I get help, I just can’t get over it.”
“….”
The Young Master was half convinced, but he remained silent as if he was not.
But it wasn’t that I didn’t think it was strange either.
The Young Master’s personality is actually close to indifferent, so there’s no way he can help him so actively—.
Even if the orphanage’s surroundings are terrible and the children are in danger, he is not the type of person who will walk arm in arm and go out as actively as he is today.
“Young Master… Why did you help them?”
“It’s what you need.”
“….?”
What do you mean I need it?
Looking at him strangely, the Young Master added in a low voice.
“Because if it wasn’t resolved right away— you would always be concerned.”
I will correct it. Our Young Master is the best angel in the world—.
I was moved, but I heard a voice that sounded even colder than before.
“By the way, you two look pretty close for just meeting today.”
Since the answer to this question hasn’t been decided in advance, I was thinking about how to wrap it up when one thing came to my mind.
Ah, that’s it.
“We talked a lot. But you know what, Young Master? Do you know what Evo said to me?”
“…What did he say?”
“No, I’m not sure, but listen. Evo says I don’t look like a man. From action and way of speaking.”
I said it proudly because I was so proud.
In fact, when I first went to the Denkart estate, I lived a little rougher on purpose because the servant Hyungs would make fun of me and say, “Is that really a servant?”
That’s why no one ever doubted me until the end. It was a relief, but it hurt my pride.
Nevertheless, Evo recognized me with a very accurate eye, and he was also one of the main characters—.
Excited by this, I bragged about it now and then.
“His eyes are not as good as the button that fall on the floor.”
Then, the Young Master said with a sullen face.
“How can he come up with such a ridiculous idea?”
“…Yes?”
“From the first time I saw you, I thought you were a servant among servants. When I said that he became my person, your big voice stood out—”
With a more serious face than when taking any classes, the Young Master explained in detail the reason why Lobel is the true servant of this era.
It was very serious.
I had never seen anything like this in Count Clant’s successor class.
I mean—this is a compliment, but the more I listen to it, the more complicated it gets.
I also did that because of the situation, but if he says it so firmly, I feel embarrassed again—. However, I couldn’t even cut the Young Master’s words, which were unusually talkative.
“That’s… right! I’m the best servant in the world!!”
When I smiled and nodded vaguely, the Young Master looked satisfied.
—There was some kind of reaction that I didn’t know, so I quietly let out the words.
“Still, isn’t it accurate sometimes? If, if I just grow my hair, it’s just like a maid! I thought that a maid would be better suited than a servant.”
“Where in the world is such stupid logic? Not everyone with long hair is a maid, and not everyone with short hair is a servant.”
“Ah…ha…ha… Of course. That’s right, but….”
“Trust me, Lobel. I’m the one who spends the longest day with you. I’ve never felt that you’re not a servant for a moment all the time I’ve been with you.”
…Whoa. To be honest, it’s a bit hurt, isn’t it?
Later, when I’m wearing a dress and my hair is down, it seems like our Young Master won’t recognize me and will pass me by.
That’s a good thing, but somehow I feel bitter.
As I tilted my head downward, the Young Master comforted me as if he had mistaken me for a different meaning.
“Don’t worry too much about the orphanage. I’ll figure it out on my own.”
“I believe you, and… you seem to be good at swordsmanship now, Young Master.”
The sword under the Young Master’s foot was what I saw earlier.
He wasn’t the kind of person who would carry around useless things if he couldn’t use a sword well, so I expected it.
In the first place, his dagger handling skill was far from beginner’s.
When I asked him, the Young Master secretly looked at me.
“…I’m sorry I didn’t tell you in advance.”
“I didn’t bring it up to get an apology. But was that why the three of you kept disappearing?”
“…Yes.”
“Did you learn from Arif Hyung too?”
“Because he’s useful.”
The Young Master spoke bluntly as if saying, ‘This sword is quite useful.’
I felt— a sense of incompatibility. He had a look and tone that looked like a Duke. Is it natural to treat people like objects—?
‘Nope. Still, our Young Master is completely different from the Duke.’
I shook my head at the thought that came to my mind. Then the Young Master looked at me curiously.
“Uhm, Young Master.”
After a moment of hesitation, I asked for one more favor.