Episode 45: Cedric the Butler (11) – Things That Echo Like Flowers
“Madam TORIA, have you heard about Lord ECCHEDE?”
“ECCHEDE? I’ve never heard that name before.”
“That, it’s the place where the youngest member of the REDVELL marquis family is staying.”
“Aha. So that’s where. Is there an issue?”
“That’s the thing—”
The story about Lord ECCHEDE spread rapidly throughout the Kingdom of VIRKA.
The fact alone that the REDVELL family’s reckless young mistress had chased away the acting lord and taken his seat was noteworthy, but even more, she was said to be implementing new policies using the family’s secret techniques, making it all the more intriguing.
Some pointed to the effectiveness of the reckless young mistress’s policies, while others mocked the use of the family’s secret techniques for something so trivial.
The other children of the REDVELL Marquis were, to say the least, quite annoyed by this situation.
“Claudia, that girl, hasn’t gone completely mad, has she? I can’t show my face around these days because of her!!”
The third child of the Marquis family and the only daughter of the first wife, Mira REDVELL, vented her frustrations in an irritated voice.
The second son, Ervin REDVELL, also turned red in the face with matching irritation.
“Damn it. That reckless one’s brought nothing but shame to our family! How did she even come up with using our secrets for such trivial matters? Does she even have the slightest sense of dignity and self-respect as a noble?”
The family secret represents not only the individuality and history of the house but also functions as a practical weapon.
Things such as highly efficient methods of magic practice, the art of ascending swordsmanship, and unknown spells can create disparities against others simply by having them.
The ‘Blood Beast Hand’ of the REDVELL family belonged to one of the more superior and powerful categories of such secrets.
Firstly, categorized as magic, it can be wielded by someone who is not a wizard without any problems, and its strength increases in response to the wielder’s capability.
It can be used conveniently like a well-trained hunting dog, with no risk of betrayal, and even if it dies, it can be replenished with enough time—what other servant could possibly be so convenient?
To Ervin, who had successfully cultivated a Blood Beast Hand that was as powerful as a knight wielding sword energy after much effort, the very idea of these being categorized alongside Claudia’s mongrel beasts made his insides boil.
“Hmm.”
Amidst their incessant criticisms and complaints about Claudia, the eldest son, Armin REDVELL, remained silent, deep in thought.
Perhaps annoyed by the eldest son’s attitude, the two siblings voiced their complaints.
“Brother, say something. Are you really just going to sit by and watch that girl Claudia?”
“If we don’t do something, the honor of REDVELL will be tarnished. We need to immediately stop that dimwit!”
The eldest son gazed steadily at his siblings’ faces before shrugging his shoulders.
“I understand your feelings, but what exactly is it you plan to do?”
“We should, of course, tell her to stop what she’s doing right away.”
“Will she even listen to us if we tell her to?”
At the eldest son’s words, the second son and the third daughter were left speechless.
Though sharing the same father, they were each mother’s from a different wife with Claudia being the youngest.
Tied loosely as siblings, they lacked the affection of a family, and rather than getting along, they were each trying to devour the other. Hence, they wouldn’t expect any polite words to be heeded.
Besides, politically pressuring her was tricky—it was an official position, after all.
Since Claudia hadn’t ousted a rightful lord but rather reclaimed something that was originally hers, any external noise about it remained talk, making it difficult to issue a direct order.
“The only ones who can give her an official order are two: the royal family and the head of the house. Yet from the royal family’s perspective, there’s no particular need to restrain Claudia. Claudia isn’t in line to inherit, thus not a competitor, and as a bloodline of the royal family, it benefits them if REDVELL’s share through her grows.”
“Then, should the head of the house interfere?”
Both the eldest and second son addressed the REDVELL Marquis as “the head of the house” instead of “father,” indicating just how distant and hard he was to them.
“Yes, if the head of house finds Claudia’s actions bothersome, he’ll handle it without our involvement.”
The youngest daughter furrowed her brow and asked.
“What if he chooses not to interfere?”
“If he doesn’t, it likely means that he sees value in her and might even support her. He isn’t stingy with his investments, after all.”
After confirming the distorted faces of his siblings, finding it amusing, the eldest son shook his head.
“Regardless, it seems that there’s nothing much we can do that would come in front. But don’t worry too much. Things will likely turn out fine, won’t they?”
“…Yes.”
“Let’s hope things turn out well as Brother says.”
After patting both their shoulders, the eldest son turned his back and left the room.
And in his thoughts:
“Mira and Ervin detest Claudia and their stepmother deeply. They must find it unsettling that Claudia is gaining power, but considering that the head of the house may take interest in her, they would never be able to sit idly by.”
Armin said so.
There is no way to stop Claudia publicly.
In other words, though, it could be interpreted as meaning that there are ways to stop her that are not public.
For instance, placing a physical threat to Claudia’s safety so that it becomes unavoidable to withdraw the Blood Beast Hands meant to protect her.
Certainly, this would be an extremely shortsighted action.
An action that someone like Armin would absolutely not choose.
However, his siblings are different.
“Such adorable siblings, aren’t they?”
It’s impossible to love a competitor who threatens one’s position.
But loving someone who’s less capable than oneself isn’t that hard.
Therefore, the eldest son, Armin, loved his two siblings.
And he loved his youngest sister, who had displayed animosity towards him without any provocation.
At least, that had been the case so far.
“Would you please remain a dear younger sister, forever? Little one.”
*
At the residence of Lord ECCHEDE.
Cladia REDVELL, the figure of attention these days, was attempting a very careful and discreet contact.
“…The item?”
“Here it is.”
It wasn’t a dubious black-market merchant, but rather NERIA, maid to Clauda, who had been recently getting much closer to her, offering what was wrapped thoroughly in a cloth to Claudia.
“Has it been discovered?”
“I obtained it when Cedric was away on the long shopping trip. Furthermore, I made sure it remained completely secret from others.”
“Thanks for your work. I’ll repay you later.”
“I wish for the success of your plan. I will leave now.”
As if intoxicated by the atmosphere, NERIA looked around sharply with piercing eyes and left quietly like an assassin.
Claudia saw her off with her gaze, closed and locked the bedroom door, and carefully unfurled the parcel NERIA gave her.
Inside was a book.
[Roses and Pocket Watches – How Lady ROZELIA Captured the High-Born Servant]
Seeing the title inscribed on the cover, Claudia swallowed dryly.
And she began to open the book with trembling hands.
One might think reading a romance novel is no big deal, but Claudia was as serious as could be.
“Something tells me that Cedric might leave if things stay as they are. I need to find a way to prevent that.”
Their contractual period was three months.
A period she once didn’t consider much but now, in Claudia’s eyes, became quite bothersome.
After three months, when Cedric leaves, there’s no way to stop him, right?
Of course, logically, after a contract expires, one just makes a new one.
Even with the power and status she had as the REDVELL heir, promising good treatment, how could anyone refuse her advances?
However, Claudia knew.
Cedric was someone who could absolutely not be judged by conventional standards.
He would work when he wanted to, and if he didn’t want to work anymore, he would leave.
And neither money nor power could hold him back.
Therefore, Claudia was aiming for the third path.
“To sum it up, all I need is Cedric to fall for me, right?”
Of course, this was no easy road.
For one, Claudia knew nothing about how to win a man’s heart.
After all, for her, the interest from the opposite sex wasn’t something she had to actively go out and earn—it was simply something that was “naturally given.”
Still budding but promising the expectation of a grand future in beauty.
The social status as “the REDVELL heir” and the immense wealth that came with it.
Men who met Claudia strived hard to win her favor, and this was nearly an everyday, natural occurrence before she went berserk as a reckless one.
So how could someone like her possibly learn how to seduce a man?
Claudia needed a textbook to fill her lack, and this romance novel, popular recently among the kingdom’s young ladies, became the chosen material.
Flip. Flip.
The noble young lady ROZELIA, growing up like a rose in a greenhouse from a prestigious bloodline.
Amid everyone pampering her, CLARK, alone, moved between arrogance and humility, confusing his master with his demeanor.
Claudia initially felt interest upon seeing how the setting fit her relationship with Cedric perfectly, but as the story progressed, she grew gradually disheartened.
“…Is this servant famous among the noble young ladies, to this extent?”
The sharp and cold beauty, reminiscent of a keen blade?
Not as impressive as Cedric who is gentle like a puppy but occasionally shows surprising sides.
Artistic and flawless work performance?
Based on the book’s descriptions, it seems he’s at most 0.6 Cedric level.
The ferociousness of an animal that dares to growl at a noble young lady?
Compared to Cedric who flatly slapped someone for comparing him to a dog, this character was just a cute little puppy.
What’s more, the setting was overly contrived.
In truth, it wasn’t a commoner but a noble, and even the third son of a northern duke.
Though the author seemed to hold at least some sanity by not including anything about him being the official heir, still there was something off. Honestly, why would someone of that rank choose to be a servant?
Unless, they had the bizarre mental outlook that enjoyed performing servant duties as a hobby, or in simpler terms, were insane.
“Phew. This won’t be useful as a reference.”
Eventually, Claudia closed the book she was reading.
Though it wasn’t bad as simple entertainment, it was not helpful at all in teaching her how to win Cedric’s affection.
Next time, she would have NERIA procure a new book.
Thinking about that, just as Claudia was about to turn off the lamp in her bedroom.
Click.
Someone turned the doorknob of her bedroom.
Claudia immediately stiffened her body reflexively.
It was already late into the night.
A visit to a noble young lady’s bedroom could lead to many scandals, which was an alarming rudeness.
Moreover, trying to invade by twisting the doorknob without even knocking was an act of disrespect that couldn’t be argued against, even if the intruder’s head were chopped off.
Claudia felt a chilling sensation crawling up her spine.
Her mind raced quickly.
Whether to stay perfectly still and hold her breath or make a scene.
Which was the more correct action, given that if the person outside the door was indeed what she suspected, what situation would they most avoid?
She decided.
– Wrrrrf! Wrrrff! Come here!
Her Blood Beast Hand, summoned by her side, began to fiercely growl and bark loudly.
The loud noise reverberated throughout every corner of the lord’s mansion.
Crack!
Immediately after, Claudia’s bedroom door was forced open.
Inside rushed three assassins cloaked in jet black fabric.
They swiftly cut down the Blood Beast Hand continuously barking loudly, and immediately began to scan the room.
A race to see whether they find the hidden Claudia first or others arrive in response to the alarm she triggered first.
However, unfortunately for Claudia, the assassins’ preparation was far more thorough than expected.
One assassin tore a piece of parchment, and the light emanating from it shot straight towards Claudia hiding in the door’s corner.
Claudia realized she had been spotted and jumped out the door, with the assassins following in hot pursuit.
Just as their hands were about to reach Claudia.
“I apologize for being late, Miss.”
A familiar voice resounded in her ears, and simultaneously Claudia’s body floated into the air.
Claudia didn’t fully perceive what happened next.
Her vision swirled rapidly, and sounds resembling people being kicked away filled the air for a few seconds.
After the vision stopped shaking, Claudia realized her situation and her face turned red.
Cedric.
Because he was holding her in his arms as if cradling a princess.
“Hey, let me go already!”
“I was just about to, madam. The enemies have been dealt with.”
“Eh?”
At the mention of releasing her, Claudia, who had been flailing with embarrassment, suddenly became still.
Her rapidly darting eyes then spoke.
“…We still don’t know if it’s safe, so please wait a bit.”
“It’s safe, but…”
“Please just wait.”
Cedric held her tightly in his arms, reminiscent of a princess being saved.
