CHAPTER 22
I Will Entrust It to You for Life
Redemberg frowned as he looked at the frozen Herond before him.
His lips hardened tightly.
Herond, who had served him for a long time, knew this expression well.
This is the expression His Highness makes when he is displeased.
Why would Redemberg be displeased?
He misunderstood and thinks I poisoned the food!
There was no doubt about it.
Herond trembled and shouted.
Your Highness, this is a misunderstanding! I will explain everything! Let me tell you what happened…!
As he explained the situation in a voice loud enough to shake the house, another familiar face appeared through the half-open door.
It was Ehilie.
…Who are you?
Herond’s small brain spun at an incredible speed.
He had long known that Redemberg was hiding his identity from Ehilie.
But I just called him “Your Highness,” and she heard it…
What do you call this situation again?
I’m doomed.
Herond’s face turned pale as he rolled his eyes.
Cold sweat formed on his forehead.
Normally, the neat Herond would have wiped it off immediately, but now he could not move a finger.
A heavy silence followed.
Ehilie, who had been staring at Herond with a serious expression, slowly opened her mouth.
Excuse me, but what is your relationship with Rek?
I, I’m… W-Well, about that…
Herond wiped his cold sweat and glanced at Redemberg.
Your Highness, what should I say?
The red eyes flashed sharply.
Having served him for so long, Herond could now understand his master’s wishes just by his gaze.
The meaning of that gaze was…
I won’t let you off.
Herond trembled violently.
If I answer wrong, I’ll die!
Faced with death, Herond’s small brain worked desperately.
Right, he was still the Demon King’s right-hand man.
Figuring out the answer his master wanted was easy for him.
Herond confidently opened his mouth.
I am His Highness’s subordinate!
At the same time, Redemberg spoke.
He is my butler, Herond.
Their answers crossed.
* * *
The moment Ehilie saw the man’s face, she felt it.
He looked very similar to Rek’s raven, Herond.
Soft black hair like raven feathers and deep purple eyes.
Even his atmosphere was strangely similar to Herond’s.
So that’s why he named the raven Herond.
Ehilie had already half-guessed that he was Rek’s butler, Herond.
More importantly, he called Rek “Your Highness” earlier.
The title “Your Highness” was used for royalty or those of ducal rank or higher.
She had expected him to be a noble, but she never imagined he was that high-ranking.
See? Black hair and red eyes really are dangerous.
As Ehilie tried to remain calm, both men’s voices rang out at the same time.
I am His Highness’s subordinate!
He is my butler, Herond.
So he really was a butler… No, wait.
A subordinate?
It sounded a bit strange for a normal noble household’s butler to call himself that.
Unless it was a knight order or an underworld organization.
Ah, there was one more case.
This world had heroes and Demon Kings.
In fantasy novels, people who serve the Demon King are usually called “subordinates,” right?
Ehilie looked at Rek suspiciously.
A man who could not even swing an axe properly could not be a knight.
That left either an underworld boss or a Demon King.
Neither suited Rek’s image at all.
But you never knew.
What if everything Rek had shown so far was just acting…
As her doubts deepened, Herond spoke.
What? Not a butler?
Yes. I was originally an orphan who grew up in the slums without parents. I could not even find food and collapsed on the streets, but His Highness personally took me in and raised me to this position.
…Oh my.
Hearing Herond’s painful past, Ehilie’s heart ached.
So that’s why he used the word “subordinate.”
If he grew up in the slums, it made sense that he would lower himself like that.
And I didn’t even know…
How could she doubt such a kind and gentle Rek?
…That aside.
But Mr. Herond, why are you holding that salt shaker?
Ah, this?
Herond flinched and lowered it.
I was trying to adjust the seasoning.
What?
Taking a deep breath, Herond spoke with a resolute face.
Actually, His Highness prefers his food slightly salty.
Oh, really?
Ehilie widened her eyes and looked at Rek.
Rek’s eyebrows twitched awkwardly.
After hesitating for a moment, he smiled and replied.
Yes, that is true.
His smile looked strangely awkward.
Did he not want her to know?
It was nothing serious to say that the seasoning did not suit him.
Why hide even that?
Ehilie found it strange, then soon understood.
Rek was a considerate person.
…Yes, that’s right.
Feeling both impressed and sorry that he cared even about such small things, she spoke.
Thank you. But from now on, don’t hide things like that. Tell me.
No. This is merely my personal eating habit. You don’t need to worry about it.
No, I will worry.
Ehilie said firmly.
Because I want to take proper care of your meals from now on.
The red eyes quietly gazed at her.
They looked a little surprised and a little flustered.
Rek, who had been frozen, slowly curved his lips.
Soon, a lazy voice flowed out.
Understood. Then, I will entrust my meals to Ehilie for life.
…What? W-Wait, for life?
She never said that.
Yes. For. Life.
He emphasized “for life.”
No, Rek! That’s not what I meant!
As she waved her hands in denial, he tilted his head.
But didn’t you say “from now on”?
Looking into his innocent eyes, Ehilie was left speechless.
Well, I mean…
Usually, doesn’t that imply for life?
No, it doesn’t! I meant while you’re staying in this house!
Ah, is that so?
Rek drooped his eyebrows.
Seeing his dejected face, Ehilie felt guilty, as if she had taken back a gift from a child.
But soon, Rek smiled leisurely as if nothing had happened.
She wanted to protest, but he looked too happy.
…Do whatever you want.
She could not firmly cut him off again.
It could not be helped.
He had already gone too deep into her heart.
* * *
After the commotion ended.
Redemberg quietly led Herond outside.
Herond followed him as if he were a sinner being dragged to hell.
Herond.
Y-Yes, Your Highness!
You were quite busy today.
Gah.
Herond gasped as if he had been punched.
He was so shocked that his human form loosened and black feathers sprouted on his arm.
Your Highness, I’m sorry—!
You did well.
…Pardon?
Redemberg lightly clapped as he looked at the blinking Herond.
Thanks to you, things were easier. You did excellently.
Excellent? Everything had failed today…
No, wait.
What matters is that I helped His Highness in the end.
Herond straightened his shoulders.
Thank you, Your Highness! I, Herond, will continue to serve you with all my might! Please give me any order!
Good. Then I have something for you.
Herond’s eyes sparkled as he waited.
Leave.
What?
Return to the Demon Realm.
Herond’s heart sank.
Return? Why?
He wanted to ask, but he had committed faults.
Though he had helped in the end, his actions were driven by personal revenge.
…Understood.
It was time to return anyway.
With Redemberg absent from the Demon King’s Castle, there was no one to handle the work.
His Highness made this decision calmly and rationally.
The loyal subordinate obeyed once again.
* * *
Watching Herond fly away unsteadily, Redemberg turned back with a lighter heart.
The reason he sent Herond away was simple.
A hero had suddenly appeared and kept bothering Ehilie, which already annoyed him.
He did not want to see Herond attracting her attention as well.
Now one nuisance is gone.
None of his decisions regarding Ehilie were rational.
They were driven only by his selfish desire for her affection to belong to him alone.
