Living as a Butler to the Northern Duke chapter 141

* * *

The night had grown quite late, and the road leading to the northern castle was cloaked in silence, devoid of any signs of life, with only darkness stretching ahead.

“I know the knights pay extra attention to the security around the northern castle and nearby villages, so it’s safe… But it feels eerie when it’s this dark,” Ed thought.

Rustle.

Suddenly, the sound of something moving came from behind him.

There shouldn’t be anyone walking toward the northern castle at this hour except for him.

Trying to convince himself it was just the wind rustling through the branches, Ed decided to ignore it.

But contrary to his wish, the rustling noises grew closer and closer, forcing Ed to finally turn around with a creak of his neck.

When he did, however, there was nothing there.

Relieved for a moment, Ed’s breath caught as he noticed something moving in the darkness ahead.

Raising his trembling hand, he lifted his magical lantern high to see what it was.

At that very moment, a dark silhouette began charging toward him.

Terrified, Ed instinctively closed his eyes and stumbled backward, flailing as he fell.

“Aaaahhh!”

After struggling for what felt like an eternity and realizing nothing had happened, he hesitantly opened his eyes in confusion.

“Huh? What is it?”

Sniff, sniff.

Ed flinched when he felt something damp brush against his face.

Opening his eyes wide, he discovered his “attacker.”

“…Joy?”

It was Joy, the Grand Duke’s beloved horse.

Seeing the horse here alone puzzled Ed. He looked around to see if anyone else was nearby.

“Could His Grace be here too?”

But even as he shone the magical lantern in all directions, there was no sign of him.

Feeling a twinge of disappointment, Ed absentmindedly scratched the horse’s forehead and asked,

“Why are you out here all alone?”

Joy ignored the question, instead licking Ed’s face enthusiastically with his long tongue, clearly delighted to see him after some time apart.

As Ed’s face grew increasingly wet, he felt the need to put some distance between them and muttered to himself,

“Did you escape from the stables on your own? Even Irthel, who rarely speaks, called you a mystical creature. Maybe they’ve just let you roam free… Either way, I won’t be lonely if you’re with me on the way back. Right, Joy?”

Joy, enjoying Ed’s attention, crouched slightly and nudged him gently with his head.

“Are you telling me to get on?”

As Ed stood there staring, puzzled, Joy glanced over his shoulder, as if to urge him.

“So you really came to pick me up, huh? Thanks. This will make the trip much easier.”

After climbing onto Joy’s back and settling himself, Ed noticed that the horse started walking at a pace just slightly faster than a human’s stride.

Though Joy was capable of much faster speeds, he moved deliberately slowly, as if being considerate of Ed.

The thought brought an odd sense of comfort to Ed.

As ten minutes passed, then twenty, Ed, holding the reins, felt his head begin to droop lower and lower.

He tried shaking his head to stay awake, but his heavy eyelids refused to obey.

How much time had passed like that?

“Ed, lean back and rest,” a voice said softly.

‘Huh…? Am I dreaming? That sounded like His Grace’s voice.’

Startled by what seemed like the Grand Duke’s voice coming from behind him, Ed jolted out of his drowsy state, only to see a warm glow before his eyes.

“Don’t worry about anything. Just sleep, Ed,” the voice continued.

Rustle, rustle.

Ed felt himself being gently wrapped in a blanket.

Clutching it and turning over, he suddenly opened his eyes wide in confusion.

“…Wait a minute. How did I get to my room? I was riding Joy to the castle, wasn’t I?”

His groggy gaze darted around the room, trying to make sense of the situation.

He was in his bed, his outerwear had been changed, and his body felt oddly refreshed.

‘Not only did someone change my clothes, but I feel dry and clean, too…’

Puzzled, Ed tried piecing things together but couldn’t arrive at an answer.

Eventually, he climbed out of bed, spotted a gift box he had prepared for Ronen on his desk, and headed to the bathroom.

“What’s going on?” he muttered.

Splashing water on his face, Ed stared at his reflection in the mirror, running a hand down his chin as water dripped off.

He let out a small sigh.

“Yesterday, I went down to the village to buy a gift for Ronen. On my way back, I met Joy… Then I think I heard His Grace’s voice after that.”

Gripping the sink tightly, Ed’s thoughts turned serious.

“Did His Grace bring me to my room?”

Ed had delayed responding to the Grand Duke’s confession, knowing that rejection would make it hard to maintain their previous relationship.

‘…It would be awkward to keep someone close after they’ve rejected your feelings.’

Though the Grand Duke wouldn’t ostracize him outright, he’d likely keep his distance while pretending to be unaffected.

But if His Grace, unable to face me after the confession, silently carried me to my room last night… If that’s what happened…

The thought left Ed feeling as if a large hole had been punched through his chest.

“….”

Memories of the time he spent with the Grand Duke flashed before his eyes, and Ed lowered his gaze, resting his face in his hands against the sink.

Splash, splash.

He shook his head as if to wash away the troubling thoughts and then straightened up.

Staring at his dripping reflection in the mirror, he resolved,

“Today is Ronen’s birthday. I’ll focus on the party and not think about anything else.”

---

Despite the early hour, the house was bustling with preparations for the party.

Descending to the reception hall, Ed checked on the arrangements and approached the staff who were busy with the preparations.

“Marie, let’s prepare a few more sets of silverware for the banquet.”

“Got it, Ed.”

“Kai, check on the progress of His Grace’s and Ronen’s outfits.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Also, contact the greenhouse and ask for additional rose pots.”

“Yes, understood.”

Even after giving his instructions, Kai lingered, staring at Ed.

“Is there something you’d like to say?” Ed asked, noticing his hesitation.

“Well, sir… Are you feeling unwell?”

“Huh?”

“You keep pressing your temples, and your complexion doesn’t look good.”

At Kai’s concerned look, Ed shook his head lightly.

“Oh, I’ve just been overworking myself lately. It’s just fatigue, nothing serious.”

“I understand!” Kai replied, running off.

Watching him go, Ed pressed a hand to his forehead.

‘…Do I have a slight fever?’

He fanned himself lightly while sipping cold water.

Just then, Jin ran up to him, out of breath, with news of a frustrated chef.

“Sir, the chef is furious, saying the strawberries we received are bad, and he’s accusing the supplier of being a fraud. What should we do?”

Rubbing his temples lightly, Ed nodded.

“Got it. I’ll head to the kitchen right away.”

Moving quickly, Ed descended the stairs. But just as he reached the bottom, his vision blurred.

‘What’s happening? Am I just tired? But I got plenty of sleep… I’ll inspect the banquet hall first, then rest a bit.’

Shaking his head slightly, he tapped his cheeks lightly and quickened his pace.

It was when Ed arrived at the dining hall, deciding to settle matters in the kitchen before inspecting the banquet hall.

As soon as he stepped in, the pungent aroma of food hit him, and he furrowed his brow.

“Why does the smell of food feel so nauseating all of a sudden? I haven’t even eaten much.”

Clearing his throat softly, Ed moved to enter the kitchen but abruptly stopped, unable to suppress the wave of nausea.

At that moment, Erin, emerging from the kitchen, spotted Ed leaning against the wall with a hand over his mouth.

“Ed? What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

“Oh, it’s nothing, Erin. I just felt a bit dizzy for a moment.”

“Are you sure you’re not sick? You look so pale and gaunt. What happened while I wasn’t around?”

Ed shook his head slightly at Erin’s worried inquiry.

“I’m fine. I’ve just been busy the past few days. How’s the head chef?”

Hearing Erin’s reassurances that the chef was no longer upset, Ed felt relieved.

After exchanging a few more words, he made his way to the banquet hall.

There, he busied himself with inspections before sitting down briefly.

The next time he opened his eyes, Ed found himself lying on his bed in his room.

The Grand Duke and the court physician were standing by, looking down at him.

Confused, Ed spoke up.

“Your Grace?”

“Ed, are you alright?”

“Ah, yes. I’m fine.”

Blinking, Ed looked up at the Grand Duke, who had his hand on Ed’s forehead.

The Grand Duke’s previously tense expression softened slightly.

* * *