Chapter 27

One day, I woke up as usual.

Getting out of bed in the mansion and changing clothes, I suddenly noticed.

"...She's not coming."

Usually, the maid Frederica would come to greet me in the morning at a set time. But today, she didn't come.

After getting dressed and having breakfast in the dining room, she finally appeared.

"Good morning, Master."

Frederica came up to me and bowed deeply.

"I'm very sorry for being late."

I stared at her intently.

"Idiot... What were you doing, you?"

"Master...?"

"Never mind, go back."

"...Excuse me."

She bowed and stumbled back.

"Ah, um... Sir!"

The servants, including the head chef, looked at me with worried expressions.

"What's wrong with you all?"

"Head maid, you didn't fire her, did you...?"

"Anyone can be a little late, Sir."

"That's right, just once..."

What are they talking about?

"Fired? Why would that happen?"

"Because you told her to go back..."

I sighed and said,

"She seems to be unwell."

"..."

She had a calm expression, but it was obvious she was suppressing her illness.

So, I sent her back.

"I see... That's what happened."

"Our master wouldn't do something so cruel!"

"Of course, Master is kind!"

I stood up, turned around, and left the dining room.

"Um, Sir. What about taking care of Frederica?"

One of the servants asked me.

"Take care of her? Don't be ridiculous. She's not a child; she should take care of herself."

"But... I'm worried."

The servants nodded in agreement.

"Are you all so eager to slack off?"

"N-no, that's not it at all..."

"Those who can't do their own jobs have no right to take care of others."

"..."

The servants were speechless.

"Let Frederica handle it herself. That's all. Get back to work."

I said and quickly left the mansion.

I headed to the guild hall for the raw materials.

"Good morning, Guild Master~"

"Katrina, you're early."

The receptionist was wiping the tables in the hall.

"You're unusually early today."

"Yeah, a bit. And sorry, but I plan to take a day off this afternoon. If there are any documents that need approval, please have the staff send them to me early."

"Ah... I see."

Katrina nodded as if she understood.

"Understood."

"Thanks."

"Guild Master, should I come to help?"

"Not necessary."

I retreated to the Guild Master's room on the second floor.

After a while.

"Good morning!"

"Yui, good morning."

My disciple Yui came to work.

"Sorry, Yui, but I'm taking the afternoon off today."

"Really? But your schedule..."

"It's all arranged. If you have any documents that need approval, do them early. And this afternoon, take a training session with Katrina on administrative work."

"O-Okay... But it's quite sudden to take a day off, isn't it?"

"Do you have a problem with that?"

"N-no... I was just curious."

"It's none of your business."

"By the way, where's Frederica?"

"That's none of your business. Stop talking and get to work."

"O-Okay... Sigh..."

Under Yui's assistance, I finished the paperwork.

At exactly 12 o'clock, I stood up.

"Yui, I'm leaving now."

"Understood. Have a good day."

Just then, Katrina came to pick up the approved documents.

"Sir Act, please give this to Frederica."

It was a brown paper bag that made a rustling sound when shaken.

"It's tea made from boiled herbs."

"Thanks, I appreciate it."

"Please tell her to get well soon."

I left the Guild Master's room.

"Hey, Katrina, where's the Guild Master?" "Well, you see...""! ? So, that's what happened!"

Thud! Yui chased after me.

"Um! Guild Master! I'm sorry!"

"What's the matter?"

"Earlier, I thought you were a bit cold... I'm sorry!"

I sighed.

"Is that all? You're wasting time. Get back to work."

"Y-Yes! As I thought, Sir Act is... so kind. Please tell Frederica to get well soon!"

I continued down the stairs.

"Guild Master! Good job!" "Please tell the lady to get well soon!"

"Taking time off to take care of her, you're so kind, Guild Master!"

I sighed and told the guild members,

"Listen up. If any of you use visiting her as an excuse to slack off, you're all fired."

"Okay!"

I quickly left the guild hall and returned to my mansion.

"Welcome back, Sir."

All the servants greeted me, wearing masks.

"...What a hassle."

I handed my coat to a servant and walked down the corridor.

"Hey, you all. Of course, you haven't gone into Frederica's room, right?"

The servants awkwardly turned away.

"O-Of course not!""We didn't take care of her at all~"

"Good. Then it's fine."

The servants sighed in relief.

I pointed at them and said,

"Go home today. You don't need to come tomorrow. Come back the day after tomorrow."

"Understood!"

I sighed and turned around.

"...Did they find out about the care?""...Probably.""...Maybe it's because of the cold, so they're on standby at home.""...As expected, Sir is kind."

I headed to Frederica's room.

"It's me. I'm coming in."

I waited for a response and entered the room, of course, wearing a mask.

Inside, Frederica was lying on the bed.

"Master... I'm very sorry to show you such an undignified appearance."

"Just rest."

I used my appraisal eye to check Frederica's condition.

"Your fever hasn't gone down yet."

"...I'm very sorry."

"Instead of apologizing, just rest."

"Okay..."

I sat in the chair by the bed. On the bedside table were a tray with ice water and cut fruits.

It clearly looked like someone had been taking care of her.

"Um... Master, please don't blame them. They did it out of kindness."

"What are you talking about?"

"Eh?"

"They said they didn't take care of you. My subordinates, even if they are servants, are excellent and don't lie. So, you must have done it yourself, right?"

"Master... As I thought, you are a kind and wonderful person."

I took the towel on her forehead, dipped it in the ice water, wrung it out, and placed it back.

"It's cold, Master."

"Endure it. ...Honestly, the woman called the Ice Wolf catching a cold. What a weakling."

"I'm very sorry."

"Well, you should be better in a couple of days. Just rest until then."

"Okay."

"Ah, right. I'm taking a day off tomorrow to enjoy some alone time. You don't need to do any work as a servant."

"Okay... Master."

"What is it?"

"...I feel a bit lonely. Can you hold my hand?"

"What?"

"Sorry. I might give you a cold. I was being selfish... Ah."

I gently squeezed Frederica's right hand.

"Unlike you, a weakling, I don't catch colds."

"...Master"

"What?"

"...I love you. Truly, I love you. Do you love me too?"

"...Stop saying nonsense and just rest."

"...It was a silly question. Good night, my kind Master."

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