Chapter 19

My name is Sei. I don’t have a family name. Originally from the slums, I was picked up by a young lady and have been working for the Duke of Armenia’s household ever since.

However, it feels like a long time ago when I worked as a butler’s assistant under Sebastian in the mansion.

The turning point came when the young lady became the acting lord. She established a merchant guild and appointed me to manage it. Since then, my duties as a butler have been overshadowed... I’ve become her eyes and mouth, holding meetings with various department heads, dealing with customers, and so on. There’s a mountain of work. Just now, I was delivering a message from the young lady, like a homing pigeon, and giving instructions.

"Ah, Sei. Good work."

"Thank you, Tanya."

Tanya, who has a similar background to mine, passed by. She, too, works as a maid, supporting the young lady.

"How are things going recently?"

"Same as always. How about you?"

"I’m also the same. By the way, what are your plans after this?"

"I was thinking of taking a short break and then going to the young lady."

"In that case, how about having some tea?"

I accepted Tanya’s unusual invitation and went to the servants’ break room.

"Here you go."

Tanya served me tea as I sat in a random chair. It was a light yellowish-green herbal tea, which the guild has been promoting recently.

"This is rosemary herbal tea. It’s very good when you’re tired."

"Thank you. ...I’ll have some."

I took a sip and slowly exhaled.

"It’s delicious. ...Do I look that tired?"

"No, but you must be tired, right?"

"Hehe, well... yeah. But I’m still fine. When I think about the young lady... she works twice as hard as I do."

My workload has indeed increased since the young lady returned. However, I don’t mind. Rather, I’m excited to see how big the guild will grow and to be part of that growth. When I see her working so hard, I naturally feel motivated to work harder.

"You shouldn’t use the young lady as a benchmark. She’s already addicted."

"Hehe, you’re right... and, I should probably go now."

"Right now, the young lady is talking with her mother. She’s probably still tidying up..."

"I see. Then I should wait a bit longer. ...By the way, do you think her mother came because she’s worried about the young lady?"

"Probably. The mansion’s situation is reported to her occasionally by Yail."

Yail is the second butler of the duke’s household. Since Sebastian is almost entirely focused on the administration of the fief, Yail is effectively doing the work of the first butler.

"I understand that what the young lady is doing is very important. But to me, the young lady is more important than the fief. It would be good if she could take a proper break..."

For Tanya, the young lady is a savior. Tanya’s feelings for her are stronger than anyone else’s, and she would gladly give her life if asked.

"You’re right. ...Ah, Tanya, could I have another cup of this tea?"

"Of course."

I decided to take a bit more time before heading to the young lady, so as not to disturb her rare break.

"…Oh, it’s been a while. To see both of you here together."

"Didar. It’s been a while."

Didar, who serves as the young lady’s bodyguard, appeared. However, he has been traveling around the fief on her orders, so it’s been a while since we last met.

"Would you like some tea, Didar?"

"That’s the popular tea, right? I’ll have some."

Tanya quickly served Didar some tea. At first, he looked at it curiously, but after taking a sip, he smiled happily.

"Wow, this is good. I like it more than regular tea. The young lady keeps coming up with these new things; she’s amazing."

"Hehe, indeed. By the way, what have you been up to recently?"

"Hmm? I’ve been leading the new recruits Lyle trained, patrolling the roads."

The young lady has been strengthening and increasing the security forces, with Lyle and Didar in charge of the training. The duke’s household is known for having the highest quality guards, and there’s no one better suited for the job than Lyle and Didar, who turned down offers to join the prestigious Royal Guard.

"How’s the security?"

"It’s excellent. The economy is also doing well. The new recruits have even mentioned that Lyle’s training is too intense."

"Hehe, that’s a good thing. So, why are you here today?"

"I was called by the young lady. I have no idea why. ...Well, it’s been a while since I’ve been back here. Maybe I can let loose a bit. Hey, Tanya, how about sparring with me?"

"I’ll have to decline."

Tanya is actually skilled in martial arts, having been trained rigorously since childhood by her mother’s family. She did this with the sole purpose of protecting the young lady.

"My martial arts are designed for one-hit kills. They are meant to kill, which is fundamentally different from your style, so I can’t spar with you."

"Hehe, you’re a tough maid. But what if I lose?"

"No, I didn’t say that. I just mean our styles are too different."

"Fair enough. Well, I’ll just have to train with Lyle again."

Didar finished his last sip and stood up.

"Thanks, Tanya. See you."

"Good work."

"Good work... I think I’ll do a bit of work before heading to the young lady. Excuse me."

...I’ll work hard too. The young lady and everyone else are doing their best in their own ways. My head was cluttered with work, but now I feel refreshed and ready to return to my duties. Breaks are really important.

I also think the young lady should take a proper break now.