075.
“…Why did it turn out like this?”
“Stay still, Kal!”
“Miss, you’re right. We need to be careful not to further widen the scar, Master.”
“…”
Kal, as if he were a commander, observed Sinat, who stood with her arms crossed, confidently issuing commands.
Under normal circumstances, there wouldn’t be anything strange about this scene, but the current situation is a bit different.
The moment Kal woke up, Sinat had suddenly entered Kal’s room and witnessed Seline wiping his body with a damp cloth.
-I want to help too!
It was shocking.
Even though Kal had gone through various things with Sinat, asking her to help with such an intimate task was another matter entirely.
Seline had even pleaded for a chance to atone for her sins and reminded everyone that she was the head maid.
Moreover, Sinat was supposed to become the mistress of this grand mansion.
It was difficult to comprehend, even logically, that someone as important as her would be involved in such personal care.
Seline tried to dissuade Sinat, and Sinat herself seemed to realize she had been too eager, so she opted to merely observe.
Kalen thought it would be alright to that extent but…
“Big sister! Over there!”
“Understood.”
“Over there too!”
“Yes.”
What exactly was she trying to achieve by interfering so thoroughly?
Kalen sighed lightly as he entrusted his body to Seline’s soft, gentle touch. Her tender care felt soothing and strangely comforting.
By the time Kalen grew accustomed to the touch of the head maid, the morning care was over.
Seline tidied up the damp cloth and medicine. Meanwhile, the apprentice maids Orty and Putre moved skillfully.
“Is it done?”
“Yeah.”
“I hope you get well. Right?”
“I hope so too.”
Sinat approached Kalen with a smile and caressed his chest where his heart lay.
As if they had been transported back to that moment when everything started.
When he would lean against her and let her gently cradle his head in comfort.
“Hmph. Kal, it’s because you don’t take care of your body. Big sister, should I tell you how reckless Kal is?”
And yet, she complained with an almost childish bashfulness.
Sinat was being utterly Sinat-like, Kalen knew this all too well. Beneath her antics lay a genuine concern, which he simply accepted with a smile.
“Master’s old story…”
“Huh? Big sister?”
“Ah… no, it’s nothing. I’ll listen attentively if you tell it.”
“Alright. Ahem… it all started a long time ago, when Grandpa found a scruffy Kal…”
Sinat took her place on the bed, patting the spot beside her.
Seline understood the gesture and sat next to her.
Soon, Sinat began reminiscing about past events from years ago. Her voice had an enchanting quality to it, and before they knew it, not only Seline but also Orty, Putre and the other maids were absorbed in the tale.
Kalen found himself reflecting on the long-standing bond with Sinat.
It evoked quite a mixture of emotions.
As the story wrapped up…
“Do you understand now? It’s only natural that Kalen embraces me.”
“Yes…”
Still, as much as that may be true.
Was it necessary to get so moved?
The expressions on Seline and Orty and Putre’s faces, along with those of the other maids who had listened intently to Sinat’s story grew wistful.
Slightly awkward, Kalen had to change the subject.
“Sinat, we should go now.”
“Huh?”
“You need to attend the lessons for being the head of the household. And I’ve planned to go pick out clothes for the banquet.”
“Oh!”
Sinat clapped with a realization, a gesture so stiff it almost made one suspect she had deliberately forgotten out of reluctance.
“Shouldn’t we go shopping for clothes today… together?”
“No. We agreed to keep our outfits secret until the banquet. It’ll be more thrilling that way.”
“I see…”
“Seline will help you too. Go attend your lessons.”
“Alright.”
Kalen had formed deep connections with many noble ladies. Yet, his background remained undeniable.
At this moment, Kalen was just a bastard child born between a street prostitute and a low-level rural noble in the marketplace. Hadn’t he resolved to revisit the spirit world too?
Thus, it was quite natural that he had no banquet attire.
Suggesting shopping for banquet clothing came from Sinat’s recommendation. And at that time, Sinat presented the idea of keeping each other’s banquet outfits secret until the event.
She said it would be thrilling.
Kalen found it questionable if there was really a need to be thrilled about the banquet, but her confession always lingered in his mind, so he agreed.
An occasion was needed for everything.
To Kalen at least, it was important.
“I’m off!”
Without a trace of previous sulkiness, Sinat left the room with another cheerful smile.
The prospect of the banquet must have brightened her mood. Nearby, Seline inquired delicately, seeking Kalen’s consent.
“Would you like to go now, Master?”
“Yes. Let’s go.”
“I’ll prepare.”
Seline quickly prepared Kalen’s outdoor outfit. While gazing at it, Kalen thought it would suffice for the banquet.
*
The Drannus territory is located in the heart of the Claire Empire, though it would be a stretch to call it the absolute center like Mulrand City.
It’s situated a bit away from the capital Mulrand but is nestled in a thriving city influenced by both old Drannus’s legacy and Mulrand’s sway.
Even if the Drannus family had declined in power, once established foundations don’t collapse so easily, especially not for the Drannus.
The territory they governed flourished, and when their master returned, the prosperity soared even higher.
And on those streets,
A young boy clad in a sleek uniform strode somewhat awkwardly. The monocle over his left eye seemed oddly out of place for his age, yet his appearance was striking enough to overshadow that fact. The cane dangling from his waist looked dignified.
Behind him, proud Drannus maids exuded their authority.
People who didn’t know his name and age might wonder if the Drannus family even had a son.
Each step he took drew eyes, another step invited curiosity.
The women at their prime and the young, innocent girls were all captivated by the dashing youth, and his apparent indifference was enough to stir waves of admiration in their hearts.
As for the boy himself,
Kalen, who was drawing all the attention on the street, merely wanted nothing more than to escape this attention as quickly as possible.
“…Miss Seline, how much longer until we reach the clothing store?”
“Not long at all.”
“Phew…”
“There’s no need to be so troubled. It means you shine brightly, Master.”
Though Seline said it matter-of-factly, even she had unknowingly averted her gaze when she had helped Kalen dress in the casual clothes.
The still-childlike face, but a presence too mature. Once dressed neatly, his whole aura became even more pronounced.
And so, Kalen and Seline, along with Orty, Putre, and the apprentice maids, made it to the clothing store while enduring those stares.
Upon entering, the store exuded both a shabby charm and an old-world elegance.
“Huh? I don’t have any appointments scheduled at this time…”
Walking out from the back of the store was an old man with a very average, forgettable face. However, his well-fitting clothes lent him an aura of refinement.
“Seline?”
“Hello.”
“Why are you here without even saying a word? Didn’t I perfectly tailor everything last time?”
“That’s correct. But we need another set this time.”
From their conversation, it seemed that Seline and the shop owner had a long-standing relationship. As the head maid, she probably ordered clothes for the family and the estate’s servants. It seemed like a reliable store if it was favored by the Drannus.
“Who… Hmm?”
Upon hearing that they needed another outfit, the old man’s gaze settled on someone.
Kalen.
The young boy in the uniform whose appearance was far too fitting.
“What is this? This is an artwork.”
“Artwork…?”
Before Kalen could fully comprehend the old man’s comment,
He had already approached him, leaving the shop counter behind.
“Oh… Oh my… The perfectly straight shoulder line. The waist that so snugly fits the garment. The clean cut and proportion of the legs…”
And then, as if dissecting him,
The old man began gauging Kalen up and down.
Revealing his monocle, pulling at his clothes, even adjusting the collar of his coat.
“Ah. My apologies. I didn’t realize you were someone Seline brought with her.”
“It’s fine.”
“Thank you. I am Gillun, the humble owner of this clothing store.”
“Gillun… sir.”
Just as Kalen recalled Drannus’s head butler Gillon,
Seline whispered that Gillun was his brother.
So that’s why the Drannus family used this store.
Even with a fleeting doubt, Kalen thought if Gillun lacked the skill, Seline’s personality wouldn’t have allowed her to trust him.
Now the way he addressed Seline made sense.
After all, regardless of how close they were,
In Kalen’s presence, Seline, the head maid of Drannus, held a much higher status.
But understanding that he was Gillon’s brother and they had a close relationship made it reasonable.
“Am I supposed to meddle with this masterpiece?”
“I humbly request your help.”
“Dear me…”
While Kalen was trying to figure out their relationship,
Gillun sighed with apparent difficulty after learning the situation from Seline.
“One wrong move could dim this beauty. An ultimate challenge in my lifetime, it seems.”
“Thank you for accepting.”
“Of course. It’s simply repaying Drannus’s trust in my abilities.”
After Seline persuaded him for some time,
Gillun finally agreed and said,
“Please come this way, sir. We need to be extra careful from the start.”
“…Alright.”
Despite being from the Drannus family,
Do they really need to fuss this much over clothes for an event that’s basically just eating and drinking?
Kalen pondered slightly over the “banquet” Sinat had mentioned and observed the gentle smile Gillun now carried as he produced a measuring tape.
