#52 Servant Cedric (18) – A Lucky Day for a Certain Noble Lady

Cedric thought.

‘My physical condition is a mess.’

His whole body felt heavy as if weighed down by lead, and his limbs constantly went numb.

His senses, which were always sharp, had become so dulled that he could barely maintain a normal level by using magic to assist.

Without a doubt, his body was heading towards ruin.

In a way, it was only natural.

During the assassination attempt on Claudia, the force he exerted was roughly in the mid-4th rank.

It was power that an avatar specialized in force, like the adventurer Bern, could use without difficulty, but for Cedric, who pursued versatility instead of high scores in each area, it was a force that required him to brace for a tremendous backlash.

Already at that point, a considerable strain had built up in his body, and after that, he used even more power in magic than he was allowed.

Armin Redbell’s surveillance was as persistent as his personality, so in order to completely evade the eyes of his underlings and stab him in the back, he had to combine and use quite a variety of magic.

He clearly recognized the sound of each and every one of the components that made up his magical body creaking and screaming, yet Cedric did not hesitate to smile.

‘Still, I’m glad the contract is almost over.’

After all, this body isn’t his main body.

Even if he self-destructed, it wouldn’t be close to death, and unless it was suddenly destroyed by external force like Bern’s case, he could minimize the backlash of transferring to the main body.

If he had to pick an element of anxiety, it would be that he might not be able to fulfill his role as ‘Servant Cedric’, but fortunately, judging from his current condition, he seemed to be able to hold out for the remaining period.

“Cough! Cough! Hiss. I almost got it on my clothes.”

Even while bitterly smiling at the sudden surge of hemoptysis, Cedric neatly tidied himself up and left again.

He did not know that his senses were so dulled by the side effects.

That there was a certain maid who was appalled by his appearance.

*

Sometimes, you just wake up feeling good for no damn reason.

For Claudia, today was exactly one of those days.

Even the maids helping her get ready seemed to sense it. The one brushing her hair spoke up.

“You seem to be in a good mood today, Miss.”

“Is it that obvious?”

“Yes. Did something good happen?”

“Not really. I just… feel good, I guess.”

Easy, mindless chatter, laced with light laughter.

Looking at the maids’ smiling faces reflected in the mirror, Claudia thought to herself.

‘Before, they’d have been frozen solid, just going through the motions like dolls.’

Just a few months ago, the maids initiating casual conversations with Claudia was unthinkable.

If she was even slightly displeased, a slap could land at any moment. What maid in their right mind would risk opening their mouth?

‘What a stupid thing to do.’

Just because she was struggling and miserable didn’t give her the right to take it out on others.

The servants weren’t objects to be used and discarded. They were human beings, just like her, with blood and pain.

Asserting authority as a noble and causing indiscriminate harm were two different things. The proof was right here: even with this chatter, their work efficiency hadn’t dropped, it had actually increased.

These were facts she hadn’t known before, or had known but ignored.

‘It makes me feel bad all over again…’

Of course, she’d already apologized for her past mistakes and offered financial compensation, but that didn’t erase the guilt in Claudia’s heart.

Some of the servants might have genuinely accepted her apology, but she knew others had only done so because of Claudia’s position.

This lingering unease would have to be repaid slowly, over a long period of time.

Breakfast time.

The chef, who had recently been throwing himself into improving his skills, served Claudia a rather familiar menu.

“Omurice and Hamburg steak?”

“It took some time to incorporate what I learned from Cedric into my own cooking. I hope you enjoy it.”

Claudia took a bite of the omurice, which had a rich brown sauce instead of the red sauce Cedric usually made, and nodded slightly.

‘This is actually pretty good in its own way.’

Unlike what she used to eat, this sauce had a deeper, richer flavor, a more mature feel.

If it were just Claudia’s personal preference, she’d prefer Cedric’s version, but other nobles would probably like this one better.

The Hamburg steak, which was usually a large patty when Cedric made it, was presented in bite-sized, rounded balls.

It was easier to eat with a fork, and the taste wasn’t bad either.

“Good, it’s delicious.”

At Claudia’s words, the chef, who had been stiff with tension, visibly relaxed, a joyful smile spreading across his face.

She thought he was being overly pleased over something so simple, but then felt a pang of pity, wondering how little recognition he usually received.

In this vast mansion, it wouldn’t have been difficult to tell her that the food made solely for her was delicious.

Going out into the garden, she saw some of the servants tending to the Bloodfiends.

Or rather, it was closer to playing with them than tending to them.

“Go! Go fetch! Good boy! Good girl!”

“Paw! Paw! Ugh, why don’t you listen to me?”

“That’s just skill, isn’t it?”

“What? Hey! Switch! Let’s switch who’s in charge and try it!”

“Ahem, why are you so flustered when I’m just speaking the truth?”

Leaving the servants, who weren’t dogs yet were snarling at each other, to their own devices, two Bloodfiends, the size of small dogs, stretched and yawned endlessly.

Considering that they used to tremble at even the shadow of a Bloodfiend from afar, it was a truly astonishing transformation.

Of course, you couldn’t treat a massive beast that rivaled a lion and a dog that barely reached your knee the same way…

‘Did they forget that my blood is in those Bloodfiends’ bodies as they’re playing around like that?’

Claudia didn’t always share everything the Bloodfiends saw and felt in real-time.

But when Claudia faced those Bloodfiends, she could receive their experiences as will.

Conversely, she could give the Bloodfiends somewhat complicated orders – more complicated than one might give a regular dog – such as “In this situation, do this,” or “When this happens, go to that building and call for someone.”

Now, to the Bloodfiends scattered throughout the territory, she’d issued the command, “Teach what you’ve learned to your offspring.” The security system would be passed down on its own, even if Claudia didn’t personally meet and give orders to each one.

Claudia debated whether to casually offer some advice to the servants, but decided to remain silent.

To be honest, it was quite an entertaining sight to watch.

-Woof!

-Bark!

As if sensing Claudia’s thoughts, the two Bloodfiends conveyed their will: ‘We’ll let you know how they played later!’

Claudia smiled and left the garden.

The next place she went was the Lord’s Residence’s office.

Bestian, the head butler, who now looked completely natural holding documents, reported on the state of the territory’s management.

“The number of free people attempting to settle in the Etched Territory from outside continues to increase. It seems that ‘a territory where you don’t have to worry about criminals or monster attacks’ is a major attraction for them.”

“Are there any problems with food or territory?”

“Since Eched territory already has a lot of unused and neglected land, there shouldn’t be a big problem if we gradually accept immigrants by having them cultivate farmland. Our territory’s finances are also fairly healthy, so we have the means to buy food from outside if we need to.”

“We should thank oppa and unnie. What they squeezed out of them must be considerable.”

“It’s not like it was for anything else, but as compensation for the threat to young lady’s life. You could’ve squeezed even harder and no one would say a thing.”

“What are the reactions from the other territories under Redbell?”

“Quite a few are taken aback by the young lady’s support for His Imperial Highness the Grand Prince, not the Second Prince, but those openly expressing dissatisfaction are relatively few. Seeing that the Marquis hasn’t placed any particular restrictions on the young lady, they seem to interpret it as a kind of ‘hedging your bets’.”

Putting all your eggs in the Second Prince’s basket means losing everything the moment the Second Prince loses.

But if you divide some eggs into the Grand Prince’s basket, there’s something left even in the worst-case scenario.

Of course, that’s just theoretical, and in reality, it’s a very problematic strategy.

Apparently, the Second Prince is currently flying into a rage, accusing you of playing both sides.

The Redbell Marquis doesn’t care about the Second Prince’s behavior and hardly even acknowledges him, the key point being that only Armin, the eldest son, is suffering to the point of losing his hair.

“Working so hard for his younger sister, as expected of the eldest son.”

Claudia laughed gleefully.

She’d gained some composure and grace, and had softened towards ‘her people,’ but her fundamental personality hadn’t disappeared without a trace.

Her delight at the misfortune of others was the very essence of a villainous young lady.

After reviewing various documents for a while, she wrapped up her work for the time being and sought out Cedric.

Because she wanted to drink the black tea he made.

“I’m here, young lady.”

After being summoned, Cedric appeared with a serving cart shortly after, and Claudia quietly took a sip of the black tea he had made.

Adjusting the temperature to an easily drinkable level, while preserving the aroma that would normally weaken at such a low temperature, it was truly a skill only Cedric possessed…

“…Huh?”

Sensing a strange incongruity, Claudia tilted her head, then took another sip of the clear orange liquid.

And she was certain.

‘The aroma is weaker than usual?’

The taste itself on her tongue hasn’t changed much.

However, the aroma, a crucial element of tea, felt somewhat weaker.

If she remembered correctly from what Cedric had told her, he used some kind of magic to lower the temperature while fully preserving the aroma, but perhaps that process didn’t work well this time?

Even though she was tasting a flawed creation with less-than-usual perfection, Claudia didn’t particularly get angry.

No, she was actually a little pleased.

The thought that Cedric could also make mistakes made her feel strangely closer and amused.

“Geez, the taste is worse than usual. Haven’t you been slacking off lately?”

Claudia, with a touch of mischief, spoke to Cedric,

expecting some kind of impudent retort.

But the reaction she received was unexpected.

Cedric widened his eyes, truly surprised, then lowered his head, his face crestfallen.

“…I am sorry, my lady. I have no excuse.”

“Huh? Oh, uh, no, you don’t have to take it so seriously. People make mistakes. You’re the one who taught me that, right?”

Claudia, abandoning her original plan to tease Cedric, hurriedly comforted him.

She never imagined such a reaction.

For her, Cedric was already a massive, inseparable part of her life.

Claudia wasn’t so pathetic as to sincerely scold the servant who changed her life for a minor mistake.

At least, not until she heard what Cedric said next.

“I offer my deepest gratitude for your ladyship’s generous spirit. You have grown so much. I believe I can now leave with peace of mind.”

“…Leave?”

Claudia murmured the word blankly.

A moment later, her previously serene face twisted into a vicious expression.

“Don’t talk nonsense. Where do you think you’re going?”

“The contract period will soon be over.”

“We can just renew it then!!”

Crash!

The teacup Claudia dropped shattered with a loud noise.

But Claudia didn’t even glance at it.

Her eyes were fixed solely on Cedric.

“Don’t go. You’re mine. My servant. You think I’ll let you go!?”

“Even if you say so, the contract cannot be renewed, my lady.”

“So, why!!”

Bang!

Claudia slammed the table and stood up.

Claudia’s blazing eyes met Cedric’s calm ones in silence.

It was Cedric who lowered his head first.

“…You seem somewhat agitated at the moment. I will visit you again later.”

Cedric said that and left the room, Claudia glared fiercely at the door he’d exited, then sank into a chair with a jittery movement.

Just then, Neria, a maid, entered to clean up the broken cup shards.

After tidying the floor with careful sweeping and mopping, she hesitated, not immediately leaving.

Claudia, whose good mood from the whole day was now meaningless, was about to snap in irritation.

“Um, Miss. Actually—”