Living as a Butler to the Northern Duke chapter 14

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Ed stared down at the brightly decorated gift for a while.

“Thank you so much,Young Master Ronen.”

“Yeah, and I’ll escort you.”

“…What?”

“It’s your first time going to the main dining hall, right? Sir Irtel said that when guiding someone on their first trip, you should do it like this.”

“Oh…”

Ronen extended his right hand, gesturing the way forward.

The path he pointed to was lit by soft crystal lamps along the hallway.

On the red carpet, knights in light armor stood on either side, their swords crossed to form an archway.

It was an impressive sight.

It was Ed’s first time going to the main dining hall.

The hall was filled with expensive tableware, and he was far too lowly a servant to serve the high-ranking nobles there.

The dining hall was a place far beyond his reach, and he was usually busy running around as a doorman.

“…”

Ed also realized one thing. This splendid path of swords was not meant to celebrate his first entry into the Count Herins’ main dining hall.

A noble family’s dining room was a private, intimate space.

It was a place to discuss important family matters or to thoroughly crush a disappointing child.

There’s a saying that even dogs won’t be disturbed while eating, but at the Herins estate, every meal was an opportunity to trample on Ronen’s self-esteem.

It was clear that the Grand Duke had arranged this scene for Ronen to enjoy his newfound power reversal.

The dining hall, which had once been a place of torment, was now meant to be a source of amusement.

Ed slightly bowed.

“Master Ronen.”

“Huh?”

“Please, walk ahead.”

“Why? I want to walk with you.”

Even if he wanted to, he couldn’t anymore. Their circumstances had changed.

There was now an immeasurable distance between him, a lowly servant, and Ronen, the Grand Duke’s younger brother.

Ronen was no longer the child Ed needed to care for.

Greed leads to disaster, and people must know their place.

Ed couldn’t share the path the Grand Duke had created for Ronen.

“Well,Young Master Ronen, when a mother duck leads her ducklings, doesn’t she go first?”

“Oh! That’s right.”

“Yes, I’m not familiar with this path, so it would put my mind at ease if you lead the way.”

“Oh, okay, Ed.”

Ronen nodded vigorously and began walking confidently ahead, the sunlight streaming through the windows shimmering.

A light spring breeze gently brushed against Ed’s feet.

The sunlight glinting off the knights’ swords was dazzling, and Jaynon, who suddenly dashed forward, scattered flower petals with a serene expression.

It was a charming spring procession.

---

When the large dining hall doors opened and they stepped inside, Ed had a gut feeling.

‘…Something’s wrong.’

“Brother! We’re here.”

The Grand Duke was already seated, and when their eyes met, Ed felt something was seriously off. Not just a little, but very seriously.

The moment their eyes met, the bouquet of candies in Ed’s hand slipped to the ground, and his whole body stiffened.

Something was wrong.

The Grand Duke’s voice echoed in his ears, “Shall we try one more time?” and he felt the blood drain from his fingertips and toes.

‘Why… Why am I like this?’

If a status window had popped up over Ed’s head right then, it would probably look something like this:

[Condition: Heart attack, increased heart rate, headache, and mild fever. Weakness in the legs and dry mouth, followed by a surge of heat and a massive energy buildup in the lower abdomen!

Danger!

Warning!

Pupils dilated, left arm and left leg moving erratically! Overload on the entire body causing a creaking in the neck, rapid blood vessel dilation leading to burning red cheeks like a carrot!

Emotional State: Anxiety, nervousness, worry, stress, and excessive excitement.

Conclusion: Self-diagnosis – Status abnormality due to the aftereffects of poison. High possibility of arrhythmia.

Third-party diagnosis – Consult a doctor for diagnosis, and a pharmacist for medication.]

‘No, but why are the Grand Duke’s red lips so distracting?’

As Ed stepped into the dining room, he tried to back out, but the door slammed shut behind him, and he pressed his hand to his chest.

‘Please, heart, don’t act up.’

The aftereffects of the poison were severe.

---

The atmosphere during the meal was pleasant.

A brilliant chandelier and tableware adorned with intricate designs.

The luxurious furniture, all newly replaced to celebrate spring, and the finest carpets covering the kitchen floor.

The lavish clothes of the Count and Countess and the table set with the highest-quality dishes.

Despite their strained financial situation, the Count and Countess had spared no expense, creating a visual feast. Laughter abounded.

…Except for Ed.

Having picked up the candies he dropped, Ed creaked into his seat.

“Brother, I want to wait until Ed is fully recovered before going to the North.”

Ronen said, looking at Ed with a bright voice.

The Grand Duke smiled kindly, and Jaynon, who was pouring water behind Ed, looked deeply discouraged.

The Count and Countess busied themselves with empty words about doing everything possible to ensure their stay was comfortable.

Meanwhile, Ed, the main subject of the conversation, didn’t even know what was being discussed as he absentmindedly stabbed his fork into his plate.

‘Why is the Grand Duke sitting right across from me?’

Every time those red lips caught his eye, he couldn’t tell if the food was going into his mouth or up his nose.

Every time his eyes met the Grand Duke’s, he felt his heart drop to his feet.

‘If I’d known it would be like this, I would have eaten alone in my room.’

It was a difficult and uncomfortable setting.

After the meal, Ed headed to the third floor of the main building to meet the Grand Duke.

Jaynon had mentioned that the Grand Duke spent most of his time in the study lately.

The room’s layout was designed to allow cool air to circulate for book preservation, which seemed to please him.

Knock, knock.

As Jaynon knocked on the study door, Ed recalled the events in the dining hall earlier.

After the meal, while having tea, Irtel had spoken.

“Master Ronen, shall we go change before you head out?”

At that moment, Ed realized.

‘The Grand Duke wants to talk to me alone, which is why he’s separating Ronen from me.’

As Ronen nodded and left the dining hall with Irtel, Ed also organized his thoughts for the upcoming conversation with the Grand Duke and followed Jaynon.

“Come in.”

As they entered, the Grand Duke, having brushed off the Count and Countess, was looking out the window. He briefly massaged his temples, as if his head was aching.

The Grand Duke hadn’t yet questioned Ronen about recent events, instead showing only endless goodwill towards the Count and Countess in the dining hall.

‘But he must have already been gathering a wealth of information behind the scenes…’

“…and you must have heard that Ronen was abused as well.”

“Please sit here, Ed,” the Grand Duke said, directing Ed to a sofa as he entered the study.

“Oh, sure.”

“Would you like some tea?”

Ed glanced up at Jaynon.

‘Should I have a bit of fun with Jaynon?’

‘The tea is too hot, too cold, over-steeped, under-steeped… I could make this quite entertaining.’

Perhaps sensing Ed’s playful intent, Jaynon clasped his hands together and shook them lightly as if begging for patience.

Ed gave a sulky smile.

‘Well, why did you hide the letters?’

After a moment’s hesitation, Ed folded his playful intentions neatly away.

There were more important matters than petty self-satisfaction right now.

“No, I’m fine.”

“Very well then.”

At the Grand Duke’s gesture, Jaynon sighed in relief and quickly exited the room, perhaps fearing he might be caught.

“I have a question since I understand you were close to Ronen.”

As Ed watched Jaynon’s back disappearing in haste, he turned his gaze back to the Grand Duke.

Meeting the Grand Duke’s eyes, he slightly lowered his own. He was ready to listen.

“Speak, Your Grace.”

“Is it true that Ronen was abused in the Herins Coun’ household?”

The voice was soft, but there seemed to be a chilling edge in the Grand Duke’s tone. Ed raised his gaze.

“Your Grace, before I answer, I have two requests.”

“What are they?”

“One is that you lower your tone when speaking to me.”

“And the other?”

“I would like us to draft a contract.”

“A contract? What kind of contract?”

The Grand Duke tapped his fingers on the armrest of the sofa, thinking.

“…Your Grace, I truly don’t know how to respond when addressed with such formality.”

It was true. Every time the Grand Duke spoke to him with such formality, Ed felt a tingle in his toes.

The dream from the previous night came to mind, making his scalp tingle and his heart feel strained.

“Let’s try to make an effort. I can’t treat a benefactor carelessly. So what kind of contract are you referring to?”

“…It would be ideal to have a contract that gathers the people from the Count’s house and binds them together.”

“…”

“A contract with clauses that would make them collectively liable for debts if the Count’s house falls or provisions that would allow us to push them into a remote northern land.”

“How many pages does the contract need to be?”

“…At least 12 pages.”

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