Living as a Butler to the Northern Duke chapter 41

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“Damn it.”

Naisen, who had been hanging his head in despair, suddenly raised his head with a spark of realization.

“If I borrow money from the Duke once more and play against that merchant couple again, I can win it all back! Yes, that’s it! There’s nothing to worry about!”

His eyes, filled with hope, gleamed brightly.

However, when the Count Herins, alerted by the city guards, sent a butler to bring Naisen back to the estate, all his plans fell apart.

“Slap.”

The Count Herins struck Naisen’s cheek, his furious voice echoing in Naisen’s ears.

“How many times have I told you? Never act recklessly!”

Before Naisen could soothe the sting in his cheek, he lowered his head toward the Count.

“F-Father, it’s just that—”

“Silence! Do you know how many people witnessed your disgraceful behavior?!”

“Well, I was returning to the estate in a carriage last night, but…”

“Enough excuses. You are to leave the estate today and head to Venta Academy immediately.”

Naisen gulped nervously. Normally, his father’s anger would subside after a while, but today was different—completely different.

“Venta Academy? But that’s…”

“Yes! It’s a place where strict doctrines are enforced, and you will study deeply about duty and morality as a human being. It’s exactly the kind of education you need right now!”

“But Father!”

Naisen tried to calm the Count, who was now filled with rage.

Venta Academy was located in the middle of the southern Yelta mountain range, isolated from the outside world, and known for its strict rules as a boarding school.

“Enough! Even the Duke of Asnel supports the academy. If it can benefit you, it will do no harm. So stop talking and follow the orders. The Duke was so shocked by the report from the city guards that he even mentioned Venta Academy to me!”

With the Count’s words seething with anger, Naisen bit his lip, realizing there was no way to change his father’s mind this time.

“Now, sit down, Naisen. You will shave your head for your entrance, so I will personally cut your hair.”

“…Father.”

“Whether it takes one year, two years, or even three, as long as you can regain your dignity as the Young Master of the Herins estate, that time will not be wasted. Study diligently and improve yourself.”

With a stern gesture, the Count picked up the scissors from the desk.

Naisen hung his head, knowing there was no way to stop his father’s iron will.

He resigned himself to the thought of staying in that desolate place for a month—two at most.

“Snip, snip.”

He watched helplessly as his brown hair fell to the floor, unaware that his time there would be much longer than he expected.

---

“How about planting these red carnations here, Ed?”

Since the morning, the western garden of the Herins estate had been bustling with activity.

In one corner of the garden, small pots filled with carnations and daffodils, along with shovels and watering cans, lay scattered around.

Ronen wandered around, carrying a pot in his hands, searching for a place to plant the flowers.

His gloves were already covered in dirt, and the condition of his shoes and trousers wasn’t much better from roaming the garden.

“Yes, I think they’ll look lovely,” Ed replied, wiping the sweat from his forehead as he stood beside Ronen.

While the eastern garden, which had been tended to by the northern knights, was neat and tidy, the western and southern gardens were in disrepair.

Count Herins greeted the captain of the security corps warmly, but his mood, which had been good until breakfast, quickly soured.

Embarrassed, he called for the butler and saw off the captain as he left the estate.

Two hours later, Naisen, looking disheveled and with dark circles of fatigue under his eyes, stepped out of the carriage with the butler and headed straight to the annex, not to be seen again.

As soon as Naisen entered the annex, Count Herins gave an order:

“Today, no one but the butler is allowed in the annex.”

According to Sena, Naisen had behaved indecently, which had greatly angered Count Herins.

Apparently, he had made a scene in front of the southern region’s famed fountain, and it had become the talk of many.

Knowing how much Count Herins valued propriety and was concerned with others’ opinions, it was easy to imagine just how furious he must have been.

If that was the reason Naisen had been sent away, it all made sense.

To avoid gossip, Count Herins had removed him from the center of the scandal until the rumors subsided and people’s attention shifted away from the Herins family.

‘But what exactly did Naisen do in front of the Herins Fountain to make Count Herins, who usually stuck by him, this angry?’

Ed was mildly curious but quickly lost interest when he remembered Naisen’s spiteful face.

Ed picked up his spoon.

Spending time worrying about a man who brought no benefit to his life was a waste.

It was better to eat even one more spoonful of soup, which would do him some good.

After finishing his meal and leaving the dining hall, Ronen called out to him.

“Ed.”

“Yes, young master?”

“Well, I… I want to decorate the garden. Could you help me?”

“The garden?”

“Yeah,” Ronen nodded. “I want to spruce up the west and south gardens. They feel kind of bare.”

Of course, they could decorate the gardens.

If Ronen wanted, they could do more than just the gardens; they could build a mountain or dig a swimming pool if he asked.

But was it really necessary?

Ed looked down at Ronen.

In three days, Grand Duke Asnel would leave the Herins estate and head for the imperial palace.

He was scheduled to attend a banquet hosted by the emperor, celebrating the reunion with his younger brother.

Afterward, he would journey north.

So planting flowers in a place they would soon leave… it wasn’t that Ed found the task difficult.

He just didn’t feel compelled to decorate the gardens of the Herins estate, a place that held no fond memories for him.

‘Decorate? If I had my way, I’d bulldoze the entire place, tear it down, and leave it in ruins.’

As Ed remained silent, Ronen, perhaps growing anxious, added more.

“I mean, I’m leaving the Herins estate in three days, and Naisen won’t be coming back for at least a year.”

“……”

“So, I was thinking… wouldn’t the Count and Countess Herins be lonely? The place will feel pretty empty.”

Ed’s heart twinged at Ronen’s innocent eyes looking up at him, as if struck by a sharp arrow.

He sniffed, feeling a lump in his throat.

‘Oh, did you see that? Count Herins, Countess Herins.’

The small child you mistreated and tormented has such a vast and generous heart.

Ed was moved by Ronen’s kindness, far surpassing that of the heartless count and countess, and he bent down to meet Ronen’s gaze, taking an interest in the young boy’s plans.

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