The Butler's Hidden Skin
We successfully completed the swordsmanship training and returned to the villa once more.
Stamina 25 > Stamina 40
Only swinging the sword a few times resulted in a 15-point increase in stamina.
'Only one successful activity, though.'
By the time I meet Leonhardt again, even D-rank will be easily surpassed.
"Clothes are dirty."
Success's joy momentarily gone, Adelia looks down at the clothes she's wearing and pouts.
"Once back at the villa, I will provide clothes to change into."
Adelia bows her head at my words.
I didn't know why I felt deflated at the time.
Upon arriving at the villa, we head straight to Adelia's room.
'Are there no extra clothes?'
Open the closet, it's completely empty inside.
Of course, in the game it started with only one outfit...
'But it wasn't dirty then.'
Feel the cold reality once again.
If that's the case, I have a way.
"I will fetch extra clothes."
'This Easter egg from the game is now its time to shine.''I need to eat some rice.'
In the game, the butler's room had almost no interactable objects except for scheduling.
But I found it.
Clicking the closet in the butler's room revealed that each character has different outfits.
How thrilling it was when I discovered it by poking around bored.
Since my character is Kalael, there's a high probability of traditional elf kingdom clothes.
'Adult male size, so a bit big, but unavoidable.'
In game, it was a butler-only skin, couldn't dress the princess, but here it's reality, so okay.
"Eh?"
Open the closet in my room, it's not what I expected at all.
'Why is this here?'
A shirt and dolphin pants sized for my body.
The shirt is fine, but...
Dolphin pants in a men's closet? That's not right.
What kind of taste was Kalael?
Of course, weird outfits in the game too.
Modern clothes sometimes appeared, but...
Formal wear or something, not casual.
It felt like forcing me to dress Adelia.
Is it okay to dress her in this?
While pondering whether to give this outfit, a knock comes.
Knock knock.
"How long do I have to wait? I will come in for a moment."
The door opens, and Adelia enters.
Then Adelia's gaze lands on the modern clothes I'm holding.
Adelia closes the door and looks around the room.
When she confirms no one else, she switches back to her original tone.
"The butler has extra clothes?"
"This outfit is tailored to my size, so it will be too big for the princess."
Adelia shakes her head and takes the clothes without permission.
"That's for me to decide."
Adelia says she's changing and kicks me out.
"Butler. This is your room..."
"I know."
With Adelia's cheeky answer, I have no choice but to wait outside the door.
"I'm done changing. Come in."
The voice has a sense of urgency, like wanting me to see.
Open the door, Adelia in an oversized shirt looks at me with a stern expression.
"Eh, how is it? Looks good?"
Because of the white hair and white eyebrows, the shirt suits her well.
As I stare silently, Adelia's face turns red.
"It suits you well, princess."
When I say it honestly, Adelia nods, satisfied.
"Is this the traditional clothes from the Elf Kingdom? It's more comfortable than a dress, and I quite like it."
To be precise, it's modern attire, but I don't correct and nod.
"From now on, I will wear only this outfit."
Though glad she likes it, living in such attire would ruin her reputation.
"It can't be. To maintain dignity, a dress..."
"But this outfit is good."
Adelia keeps pulling up the shirt.
Since she won't accept just being told, I try negotiation.
"Then, only wear it for indoor wear. For外出, you must promise to wear a dress appropriate for your status."
Adelia nods as if agreeing.
Relieved, I check the next schedule.
Early on, each turn is precious. Can't waste time.
"Next schedule is.... Princess?"
The room is suddenly quiet.
Looking back, Adelia is lying on the bed.
"Zzz... zzz..."
After about an hour of sword training, perhaps tired.
She falls into deep sleep with regular breathing.
In game, I'd force wake her, but seeing her sleep so soundly, I want to let her rest.
"Reading magic books can be postponed."
Gently, I pick up Adelia and carry her.
Her body is surprisingly light.
'When she wakes, I should feed her something.'
In my arms, Adelia only shifts slightly in her sleep, not waking.
"Ugh..."
Carrying Adelia through the villa corridor to the princess's room, I carefully lay her on the soft bed.
Covering her with the blanket so it doesn't slip, Adelia breathes comfortably and falls back into sleep.
"Butler..."
Adelia murmurs in her sleep as if dreaming.
"Stay..."
Hoping for good dreams, I leave the princess's room.
Stress 10% > Stress 2%
After taking a nap, the stress has dropped so low I don't need to worry.
"Then, I can try night activities."
There are many things to do before Adelia wakes.
First, explore around the villa.
Of course, I brought some money to give Adelia delicious snacks.
"From now on, I will handle the princess's meals."
Saying this, the maid in charge of the villa's household gives me a small pouch.
"This is the fund used to purchase the princess's ingredients."
Surprisingly small amount, perhaps because she's a bastard child.
'This might be insufficient.'
In game, I'd use unreasonable diet to maximize efficiency...
'But I can't do that.'
Even if it means I starve a bit, I must feed Adelia properly.
'If stats drop.'
In the end, I took even my own food expenses from the maid.
This way, I can feed Adelia abundantly.
'I guess I have to eat wild fruits from the roadside.'
As a self-proclaimed sword saint, I won't die even if I starve for a few days.
To find the location of emergency rations and check if there's a hidden field nearby, I head to the central plaza.
'Preparation for game ingredients is complete.'
Adelia's stress has also decreased a lot, so today's meal is stat-focused food.
Just as I was about to explore more around, Adelia's status window appears.
Stress 2% > Stress 3%
"What? Suddenly?"
Stress 3% > Stress 4%
Stress is rising in real time.
"What's going on? Is it the prince again?"
Stress keeps rising without stopping.
I have to stop exploring and rush back to the villa.
By the time I arrive at the villa, Adelia's stress is already 9%.
Stress 9% > Stress 10%
Even while thinking, it rose to 10%. If I knew, I wouldn't have let her sleep.
"Princess. Are you okay?!"
I run to the princess's room in a hurry, open the door without knocking.
"Eh, no one?"
No one in the princess's room.
At that moment, presence behind me.
"...Butler?"
Turning around, it's Adelia appearing from my room.
But Adelia's expression is very scary.
Feels like I've done something terrible.
Plop
Adelia, with a face about to cry, grabs my wrist silently and pushes me into the room.
"How dare you leave this body alone and go somewhere!"
Adelia closes the door and starts scolding me in princess tone.
"I went to the market to prepare the princess's meal."
"Isn't that the butler's job!"
Adelia, not believing me, interrogates me.
"From now on, I will take responsibility for the princess's diet."
"...Then, will the butler cook for me every day?"
Adelia's expression brightens noticeably.
When I nod, Adelia's expression softens a bit.
"Even so, from next time, when going out, you must tell me and leave!"
"I understand. If something happens while I'm away..."
Adelia shakes her head.
"No incidents."
Since anger is gone, she switches back to original tone.
'Even though nothing happened, why did the stress go up.'
I quickly realize why stress increased.
Stress 10% > Stress 9%
'Because of the trait.'
Since I'm by her side, stress is gradually decreasing.