IATVWAMOLS 62

62. My Kid Bites When He’s Angry

“Who are you?”

Kaien looked at the servant indifferently.

The servant, Paul, scowled.

“Did you just speak to me like that? You’ve got some nerve…”

Paul was a commoner, just one of many ordinary servants.

While there wasn’t a total lack of hierarchy among the staff, Paul had been notoriously harsh to newcomers since his trainee days.

He scrutinized new recruits based on their background, age, even their previous workplace, and bullied anyone who didn’t meet his approval.

His petty cruelty was soon discovered by the head servant. Having fallen out of favor with those in power, Paul seemed unlikely to be promoted to a full-fledged servant.

But—

“Can’t you tell by this badge? You may just be a trainee, but I’m an official servant of this household.”

Paul proudly pointed to the badge on his chest.

It was a chaotic period, with the household’s authority hanging in the balance over whether it would fall to Roselia. Paul cunningly aligned himself with her.

The head servant, a confidant of Petunia, had long been replaced, and the other servants were busy taking sides.

During the personnel reshuffle, Paul worked hard to build a good image, and he was promoted to a full servant.

“See? In the end, everyone recognizes me.”

Once an outcast among the staff, Paul now strutted around with his shoulders high.

“I’m your senior. So you’d better show some respect.”

“Senior?”

But the insolent newcomer tilted his head, unafraid.

“Still speaking like that? Can’t you read the situation?”

New trainees had to be properly disciplined from the start.

Paul reached to tap Kaien’s forehead with his index finger, but he had to stretch his arm fully just to reach it.

‘Come to think of it, he’s been looking at me like this…’

In a normal dynamic, the senior would tower over the trainee, but because of the height difference, Kaien was looking down at Paul.

Kaien had always seemed slight and frail, but standing face-to-face, his natural build was overwhelming.

Paul’s pride began to sting.

“You’re an orphan, right? Or a former slave?”

“……”

“Ugh, is that true? A slave managed to fake his way into becoming a servant here? How arrogant!”

Paul spat onto the basket of bread Kaien was holding.

“This is what you were greedily devouring just now, right? You little beggar.”

He grinned. His spit dripped down over the glossy bread.

“……”

Kaien glared silently. His red eyes burned with lethal intent, as if he could tear Paul apart at any moment.

Finally, Kaien hurled the basket of bread aside. Then he stepped toward Paul, and the sheer pressure made Paul stumble backward.

“What, what are you glaring at? You gonna bite me?”

Faced with Kaien’s feral aura, Paul swallowed nervously. Despite his bravado, his legs shook.

“So, the former slave has a habit of hitting people? You know you’d be fired if you struck me, right?”

“……”

Paul threatened weakly, but Kaien ignored it. His anger made the threat meaningless.

Kaien grabbed Paul by the shoulders. With his brutal grip, it felt as though Paul’s shoulder blades might shatter.

Desperate, Paul shouted, trying to justify himself:

“Do you think it’s just you who’ll get punished? The people who trained you will be disciplined too! You’re even tarnishing Miss Roselia’s reputation…”

Paul’s words, though blurted out, had an unexpected effect. Mentioning Roselia seemed to give Kaien pause.

As Kaien’s grip loosened, Paul sneered in triumph.

“Just for bringing in one lowly former slave, Miss Roselia doesn’t deserve this, right?”

“……”

“In any case, slaves repay kindness with enmity. What’s the point of being nice? The moment they lose control, their fists fly—stupid brutes.”

“……”

“How could Miss Roselia ever keep someone as violent as you close to her?”

Paul chuckled.

Kaien restrained his anger. He didn’t mind insults, but the suggestion that Roselia wouldn’t want him near her cut like a knife.

“Be honest. Is it true you rummage through the trash at night to eat leftovers?”

“……”

“From your actions alone, it’s clear you’re a vulgar slave. So what’s with the ring and necklace?”

Paul poked Kaien annoyingly.

“They look expensive on someone like you. Did you get them by charming Miss Roselia too?”

The moment Paul touched Kaien’s magic stone necklace, Kaien snapped.

“Argh—!”

Kaien attacked Paul like a wild dog, biting his hand. Blood gushed, yet Kaien didn’t relent.

“Hands off my things.”

Kaien panted. He was used to fights among slaves, and in an unsafe environment, preemptive attacks were the best defense. His attachment to his belongings was intense, and he was prepared to protect them.

“Y-you insane brat…”

Paul fell backward, pale and panicked. Discovering his mangled hand, he screamed.

“Is it normal to get dragged into a fight right after praising him for his work?”

After reporting the situation to the head butler, I sighed while looking at Kaien, sitting sullenly.

He wasn’t a delinquent dragged to the principal’s office, yet he remained stubbornly silent.

“Let’s talk. Why did you attack another servant? You could’ve solved it with words, or told me about it.”

“……”

Frustrated, I tried to reason with him, but Kaien averted his gaze.

Sigh. Raising a teenage son must feel like this.

Since staying longer wouldn’t help, I sent Kaien back for now. If he wouldn’t speak, I’d handle it my way.

Then a message appeared from the Administrator:

【Administrator: Knock knock.】
【Administrator: (＾∇＾)】
【Administrator: Hello, customer. I’ve come with some good news.】

“No thanks.”

I waved my hand, but the Administrator persisted.

【Administrator: You’ll regret not listening 200%, customer.】
【Administrator: You recently unlocked the hidden route with Kaien, right?】

“Yes, well… yes.”

I answered cautiously. His tone screamed scam.

【Administrator: Your romance line could suddenly make major progress.】
【Administrator: ✧｡٩(ˊᗜˋ)و✧*｡】

“Suddenly?”

【Administrator: Yes, suddenly.】
【Administrator: Turns out, our possessed protagonist is a romance genius? That’s right.】
【Administrator: (๑>ω<๑)ﾉ】

“Me…?”

I didn’t even realize I had that talent.

【Administrator: But there’s one problem.】
【Administrator: In romance, misunderstandings and conflicts are essential.】
【Administrator: I don’t like unnecessary complications.】
【Administrator: Does our possessed protagonist enjoy frustrating situations in a masochistic way?】

“……No.”

I had a lot to say, but skipped it for discretion.

【Administrator: Oh my!】
【Administrator: How perfectly our tastes match!】
【Administrator: ꉂꉂ(^ᗜ^*)】
【Administrator: Before we tease poor Kaien…】
【Administrator: How about finding the real culprit first?】
【Administrator: ٩(´▽`)۶】

‘Just my luck.’

That night, I waited again for Kaien’s night persona.

Kaien was under temporary confinement and moved to the attic. Investigating Paul, the servant Kaien had fought, revealed many suspicious points.

[Paul is honestly someone I don’t want to get close to. He instigates conflicts and takes sides—so tiresome.]
[He especially harasses newcomers. Quite a few people quit because of him.]

Maid Ria and Kelly spoke cautiously.

[That guy’s trash.]
[I’m opportunistic too, but he’s worse.]

Maid Ann spoke openly.

The head servants confirmed that most complaints regarding Kaien were caused by Paul, who subtly ostracized others.

‘He’s trying to ruin social life inside and out.’

I waited in a corner of the hallway, barely keeping awake.

After some time, the attic door clicked open.

“Hello, Master?”

Kaien’s night persona greeted me with a bright, sunny smile.

“Hmmm. So?”

I explained the day’s events, but Kaien remained composed. His night self showed no reaction to the daytime harassment.

“So? Of course, we have to pay back that humiliation.”

“Sorry, Master, don’t drag me into that servant’s business.”

“Can’t you step in? After all, it’s still you.”

I would intervene too, but private revenge is often quicker and more effective than official retaliation.

“I’m not getting involved in childish games.”

But Kaien drew a firm line. Words alone wouldn’t suffice.

I focused my energy and mental power, then—

[Help.]
[Help me.]
[Heeeeelp.]

I sent endless telepathy into Kaien’s mind, a tactic learned from the Administrator.

He reflexively covered his ears, his handsome face contorted.

“Master, don’t illegally occupy someone else’s mind. It’s really uncomfortable.”

“You’ll help, right? I even granted your wish.”

“Oh, that. The cleaning wish changed to kitchen duty. If you were going to grant a wish, why not make me your personal assistant? I’m terrible with household chores.”

“…You want your hands always wet?”

“You’re really mean.”

Kaien grumbled.

“All you have to do is get revenge, right?”

“You’ll do it?”

My eyes shone, and he drew the dagger from my waist.

“Of course. I’ll torment them just enough so they don’t die.”

He smiled casually.