The Only Butler Who Survived
Within the illustrious Estel Ducal House, an old saying had long endured: "The mansion may crumble, but the butler stands firm."
Yet the present told a different tale.
The mansion remained intact, but the butlers had already collapsed.
"I—I’m so sorry, my lady!"
Crash!
A porcelain teacup shattered across the floor, scattering shards in every direction.
A young maid who looked no older than twelve sank to her knees, trembling violently. Before her stood a girl with golden hair cascading to her waist and eyes like brilliant rubies. Her face was doll-like in its beauty, every feature the picture of noble elegance.
But the words that left her lips were anything but lovely.
"You touched my teacup with those filthy hands?"
"...I’m sorry."
"Sorry? Is that all?"
The maid’s shoulders shook harder.
"I—I won’t do it again."
"Enough."
Celina lifted her chin, her voice ice-cold.
"Get out of my sight."
The maid swallowed a sob and bowed repeatedly.
"I—I’m sorry!"
She fled the room as if pursued. Once the door closed, Celina’s brow furrowed in irritation.
"Useless, the lot of them."
"..."
"Why does our house only employ such worthless creatures?"
None of the servants in the room dared speak. Some lowered their heads; others closed their eyes. It was a familiar scene.
Celina von Estel, the sole daughter and heir of the Estel Ducal House, had been born with everything—beauty, talent, immense power, and the arrogance that came with noble birth. Though only ten years old, she was already called the "Little Duke" within the estate.
The problem was that no one could manage her.
"This is the thirty-second time," the head butler reported calmly in the study.
The Duke of Estel pressed his fingers to his brow.
"...How long did this one last?"
"Three days."
"...A record."
"...Yes."
A heavy silence settled between them. At last the Duke exhaled a long sigh.
"I raised her poorly."
"Your Grace."
"No."
He smiled bitterly.
"From the time she was small, I gave her everything she wanted. I overlooked her faults because of her talent. In the end, she became a child who believes only that she is right."
Knock, knock.
A cautious rap sounded at the study door.
"Enter."
The door creaked open, and a boy stepped inside. Black hair, black eyes, a youthful face, yet his posture was as straight as any knight’s. He bowed silently.
"Jo Junghyun, at your service."
The Duke’s gaze softened.
"You came."
Jo Junghyun had entered the Estel household five years earlier through a chance encounter. He had begun as an apprentice butler performing menial tasks, but something about him was different. Whatever he learned, he mastered tenfold. Swordsmanship astonished the knights; etiquette impressed the noble tutors. When given accounts, his ledgers balanced perfectly; when sent to negotiate, even adults were left speechless.
Most striking of all was the way he treated people. Maids, knights, gardeners—he greeted them all first, offered thanks, and apologized when he erred. At first the servants had found it awkward, but before long the entire household waited for his greetings.
The Duke had watched this for a long time. Now he had made his decision.
"Junghyun."
"Yes."
"From today onward," the Duke said after a brief pause, "you will serve as Celina’s personal butler."
The air in the study froze. The head butler’s eyes widened.
"Your Grace!"
The position meant standing closest to the ducal heir—not merely as a servant, but as educator, protector, and companion. It was an enormous burden for a fifteen-year-old boy.
Yet Junghyun showed no surprise. He simply asked, "May I inquire as to the reason?"
The Duke chuckled. This boy truly was different. Most would have rejoiced or panicked; this one asked for reasons first.
"Change her for me."
"..."
"Not into a powerful noble, but into a worthy one."
"..."
"I beg you."
Junghyun closed his eyes for a moment, then bowed slowly.
"Leave it to me."
Those words brought the Duke his first true relief. He did not yet know that the ten years beginning today would shake not only his daughter’s life, but the entire continent. Nor did he know that someone at the end of the corridor was listening.
Golden hair swayed slightly.
"My personal butler?"
Young Celina twisted her lips into a smirk.
"How dull. I’ll make him cry and drive him out within three days."
She turned away with utter confidence, still unaware of what lay ahead.
The heavy oak door opened quietly. This was the private chamber reserved for the direct heiress of the Estel line. Famous paintings adorned the walls, and rare orchids prized throughout the Empire stood by the window. In the center of the room, a young girl sat on a sofa with her legs crossed, flipping through a book.
Junghyun bowed at the threshold.
"It is an honor to meet you. From today onward, I am Jo Junghyun, the personal butler assigned to attend you, my lady."
"..."
No reply came. Celina merely pretended to turn a page, not even glancing his way. Silence stretched. Ordinarily a butler would have grown flustered and spoken again, but Junghyun waited in perfect stillness. After several seconds, it was Celina who closed the book first.
"...Aren’t you leaving?"
"If that is your command, I will leave."
"Then leave."
"I am afraid I cannot."
Junghyun smiled.
"His Grace the Duke has ordered me to attend you. Therefore I cannot leave your side without a legitimate reason."
Celina’s brow twitched.
He refused to leave? No one had ever spoken to her that way before. Maids fled in tears, knights broke into cold sweats, and butlers never lasted three days. Yet this black-haired butler remained perfectly composed.
"...How boring."
She rose and walked to the window.
"Tea."
A maid waiting outside hurried in.
"Yes, my lady."
"Bring fresh black tea."
"Yes."
Moments later a new cup arrived on a silver tray. The maid’s hands trembled faintly.
She’ll scold me again...
The thought showed plainly on her face. Celina deliberately watched her, lips curling upward.
"Look at those shaking hands."
"...I’m sorry."
"Am I frightening you?"
"..."
The maid could not answer. Celina slowly lifted the teacup, then—
Thud.
She dropped it to the floor.
Crash!
Porcelain shards flew everywhere. The maid’s face went deathly pale.
"...I’m sorry!"
"Why are you apologizing?"
Celina sneered at the maid.
"I dropped it."
"..."
"Still, it’s your fault."
"...Pardon?"
"You made me lose my temper by being so nervous."
The maid said nothing, her eyes already brimming with tears. Then Junghyun stepped forward.
"My lady."
"What."
"Might I ask one question?"
Celina folded her arms.
"I’ll allow it."
"Why do you believe the fault lies with this maid?"
"..."
"Because my mood soured."
"If your mood sours, does that make it someone else’s fault?"
"...Of course."
"Why?"
Celina spoke as though it were obvious.
"Because I am the heir to the ducal house."
Junghyun regarded her for a moment. There was no anger, no disappointment—only calm.
"The heir to the ducal house," he said, "bears more responsibility than anyone."
Celina snorted.
"Ridiculous. Responsibility?"
"Nobles give orders. Commoners obey."
Junghyun shook his head quietly.
"That is power. Not responsibility."
Celina’s expression twisted.
"Are you talking back to me right now?"
"No. I am correcting a mistaken belief."
The air in the room turned to ice. The maids held their breath.
It’s over. This butler won’t last the day either.
Everyone thought the same. Yet Celina slowly smiled—a smile filled with fury.
"You. What was your name again?"
"Jo Junghyun."
"Right."
She snatched a silver teacup from the table and hurled it straight at his face without hesitation.
Whoosh!
The cup flew with a sharp whistle. Junghyun caught it in one hand without even turning his head, as though he had expected it all along.
"...!"
Celina’s eyes widened for the first time. Junghyun placed the cup back on the table with perfect gentleness, not a sound escaping.
"My lady."
"..."
"If you are angry, please express it in words. Objects can injure people."
"..."
"Especially," he continued, his gaze shifting to the cowering maid on the floor, "those who have done nothing wrong."
Celina could find no words. This butler was not frightening, yet somehow she could not bend him to her will. It felt like standing before a mountain.
Junghyun met her eyes steadily.
"From today onward, I will begin your education."
"...Education?"
Celina laughed as though she had heard a joke.
"Do you even know who you’re speaking to?"
"I do," Junghyun replied evenly. "You are the daughter of the Estel Ducal House and its future duke. You are also a ten-year-old child who still has much to learn."
When he finished, only suffocating silence remained.
"……A child?"
Celina’s lips twitched.
"You called me a child?"
"Yes."
"..."
"You are still a child, my lady. And children must learn when they err."
The instant the words left his mouth—
Bang!!
The table overturned. Porcelain and silverware clattered across the floor.
"You insolent little—"
The smile vanished completely from Celina’s face.
"A mere butler dares to lecture me?"
"Yes."
Junghyun did not even sigh. He had expected this reaction. The records the Duke had given him made it clear: no one had ever contradicted her. She received only praise for her mistakes and never heard unpleasant truths. So the moment someone pointed out her faults, the child exploded.
She is not a wicked child, he thought. She simply has not been taught properly. If there is any fault, it lies with the parents who failed to educate her.
That was his conclusion.
"...Are you finished talking?"
Celina’s voice was frigid.
"Yes."
"Good."
She pointed toward the door.
"Get out. Now."
"I refuse."
"..."
"From today onward I am your personal butler. Therefore I will remain at your side until you walk the proper path."
"I said I don’t want you!"
"Yes."
Junghyun did not yield an inch.
"Children sometimes wish to keep only those they like, rather than those they need. A guardian must not leave at such times."
Celina’s eyes trembled violently. She had never heard such words before—someone who called her a child in need of protection, someone who did not fear her. All of it felt alien. Yet that strangeness quickly turned to rage.
"Ha. How amusing."
She strode forward until only a single step separated them. Though she stood a full head shorter, her presence did not falter.
"Shall we test that?"
"..."
"Whether you truly are my butler."
Suddenly she whirled and pointed at the maid.
"You."
"Y-yes!"
"Kneel."
The maid dropped to her knees without question. Celina spoke in an indifferent tone.
"Slap her cheek."
"...Pardon?"
"Did you not hear me? My mood is foul, so slap her across the face."
The maid’s face drained of color. Her hands shook uncontrollably.
"M-my lady..."
"You refuse?"
"..."
"Then shall I dismiss you instead?"
The room fell deathly silent. Knights and servants alike stood frozen, unable to intervene.