Chapter 544
Chapter 544
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 544
Chapter Title: Reborn as the Plum Sword Guard in a Count's Family
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I rose at the Advice message.
It was 5 a.m. Dawn hadn't broken yet. As the butler, I had no choice.
'...I've gotten used to early bedtimes and early rises. Even this stuffy butler uniform feels comfortable now.'
I checked for wrinkles in my uniform and stepped out. Feeling the cool air, I scanned my surroundings. Having moved into the dormitory yesterday, everything still felt unfamiliar.
I prepared breakfast as the Advice instructed. It was just okay when I ate it, but for others, it rivaled the royal chef's cooking.
With no other servants around, I was unusually busy. Still, Yuria's cooperation made it easier.
As I brushed her silver-blue hair, I glanced out the window. In front of the first-floor entrance stood three noble ladies and, a short distance away, three servants. Three ladies, one butler, two maids.
"They're waiting for you, my lady. We'd best hurry."
"No need. Take your time. They're the ones choosing to wait. No reason to accommodate them. I don't want this time interrupted."
I finished styling her hair perfectly.
"Is it to your liking?"
"Yes. Perfect. Not a flaw."
"...My lady. May I have my reward?"
"First thing in the morning? So greedy. But... I'm in a good mood today, so I'll allow it."
"Thank you."
I gently held her waist and cheek, then kissed her. We'd done everything but sex, so a kiss was nothing.
Her lips parted. She rarely allowed my tongue, but today she did—her good mood was genuine. I slipped my tongue in, focusing on the kiss. I sucked her tongue and swallowed her saliva. As it intensified and my hand on her waist slid toward her hips, her hand pushed my chest.
"That's enough."
"...Yes, my lady. Your skirt hem is a bit disheveled."
We headed to school. Yuria strode confidently, leading her three friends... no, followers. It took fifteen minutes to reach the academy building. I followed behind with the other servants, trailing the ladies.
As time passed, more nobles headed to school.
With nothing else to do while walking, I tuned into the noble heirs' murmurs.
"That's the heir to the Filuania Ducal House... Even her looks and gait are different... Just watching makes me yearn."
"I spoke with her briefly yesterday—her voice and speech were so graceful... If I were a man, I'd fall for her."
"I heard Lady Yuria is engaged to Prince Parein. Don't they make a perfect match?"
Most noble ladies gazed at Yuria with envy. The men weren't much different, though their eyes held ulterior motives.
"Oh my. That's Prince Parein. What a coincidence... Is this fate?"
A golden-haired handsome man. His green eyes sparkled with a soft demeanor—like a fairy-tale prince. The real deal, and Yuria's fiancé.
"Yorsen, heir to the Selbriz Count family, is here too!"
A blue-haired man with a massive build. Handsome face, muscular body. His aura suggested formidable skill.
"Isn't that Mathis, the next prime minister candidate?!"
A black-haired man with sharp features. His furrowed brow screamed perfectionist.
"The kingdom's famous hunks all in one place!"
"Ah! Thrilling! I never dreamed of this day...!"
"...But who's the lady in the center?"
"I know her. Mary, from the Komotops Viscount family."
"Why is Mary with them? It looks like..."
"Like the three men are fawning over her."
I looked at this Mary.
Radiant golden hair. Cute big eyes, a smile and vibe evoking summer. A beauty, but common. Slim waist, but only B-cup bust and average hips. Not my type.
'...But why do those three seem so smitten with her?'
Prince Parein especially baffled me. He ignored the far more stunning Yuria, eyes only on Mary.
"Mary! There's a great dessert shop outside the academy. Want to go after class?"
"Really? I love desserts! How could I refuse the prince's invitation!"
"You need an escort outside. Leave that to me."
"I'm interested in desserts too. Sweets energize the brain. I'll join."
"...Can't you all go separately?"
The murmurs grew louder over time. All because of that group. The atmosphere here and there differed starkly.
My eyes met Mary's. She smiled at me—probably just a casual smile.
Yuria glanced back briefly but soon passed without interest. No greeting even for Prince Parein.
'This is bad.'
My prediction hit the mark.
"Isn't Prince Parein engaged to Lady Yuria...?"
"They look like total strangers. Did something happen between them?"
"Did Mary steal him from Lady Yuria...?"
Murmurs turned to gossip. Yuria and Prince Parein's reputations plummeted in real time. The prince wouldn't care—nothing to lose without succession rights. But for future duchess Yuria, it mattered.
'Just a butler. Nothing I can do.'
I merely frowned.
Just before parting from Yuria, I asked her.
"My lady. Strange rumors will spread. We need to address them somehow..."
"Nothing's happened yet. We can't act rashly on this. If Prince Parein has any sense, he'll handle it."
"Understood. I'll watch for now."
???
While Yuria attended classes, I got some free time.
'Lunch at the cafeteria... Afternoon classes too, so pick her up in the evening... Maybe a nap.'
"Still time for a quick nap..."
"...Fine. Got it."
I cleaned as Advice demanded. No reward.
This was my routine since arriving at the academy. Back at the castle, I occasionally got assassination missions, but now it was just simple errands for Yuria.
And things grew stranger as time passed.
"Eugene. Heard Lady Yuria lost Prince Parein to Mary... True? I know it's rude, but our young miss insisted on an answer..."
"Nonsense. No broken engagement. What was 'stolen' exactly?"
"Oh. Just a rumor then."
Servants often asked me about the rumors. I denied them all.
But the rumors only intensified, never dying down.
Prince Parein ignored them, fueling the fire.
Days later, rumors claimed Yuria and Mary were bitter enemies over a lovers' quarrel.
Once Mary was involved, Parein dropped his indifference and acted boldly.
But his actions only lent credibility to the rumors.
"My lady. Someone's maliciously spreading these. Will you stay idle?"
"Rumors are just rumors."
"You know rumors can topple nobles if used right... Are you using them to force a breakup?"
"I've focused on Parein lately. Breaking it off might benefit the family more."
"Won't the duke be furious?"
"Mother's seat will be mine soon."
She dismissed the duchess.
But I couldn't sit still.
'This chapter's probably about these rumors. Clear them or find the culprit, and we advance.'
Even without Yuria's help, I'd investigate alone.
???
"Heard Lady Yuria and Miss Komotops grabbed hair and fought, with Prince Parein breaking it up?"
"Oh my..."
Maids gossiped. Spotting me, they tensed.
"Eu-Eugene..."
"Mind if I ask about that rumor?"
"I-I don't know details. Just heard it..."
"From whom?"
"Uh... Matilda in the kitchen..."
I tracked clues methodically, like following animal prints in the woods. No rush—loop if needed.
Couldn't kill anyone.
A murder in the academy would blow up uncontrollably.
'Eleven suspects. No evidence. But circumstances point to them. Three servants, eight nobles. Even knowing the culprit won't be easy to handle.'
Motive was obvious: jealousy.
Yuria's excellence bred envy, inflating the rumors.
In spare time, I roamed, gathering overlooked evidence.
There, I ran into Mary.
Behind the academy, a small forest path called the back garden by students. We crossed paths.
"Eugene, butler to Lady Yuria? What brings you here?"
"You know me?"
"You're famous. The finest butler. Rumors say you'd be nobility without Filuania service. Speaking of rumors, that one with Lady Yuria... Sigh. I don't know why it started, but she's upset, right? Especially since it involves me. Should I apologize personally?"
Mary talked a lot up close.
But I couldn't focus. My eyes and mind locked on the black cat in her arms.
Something felt off.
"Miss Mary. That cat..."
"Cute, right? Always around here. Want to take it home, but might have an owner, so I visit when free."
"Miss Mary! Set the cat down and come here! It's a monster in cat skin!"
"Huh?"
Mary's eyes widened. She stared at the cat in disbelief.
Meow.
The black cat leaped from her arms. Its body swelled, growing huge. Strangely, it hovered in midair without falling.
The giant cat raised a massive paw. Preliminaries to swat Mary.
I kicked off the ground toward Mary.
"Kyaaah?!"
I grabbed her shoulder, pulling her aside to dodge the cat's strike.
"Don't run around needlessly. Stay put—easier to protect."
The black cat's slit pupils fixed on me.
Crackle.
Lightning sparked in my hand as I charged the cat. It let out a long yowl.
My balance vanished, vision shaking. The cat slashed with clawed paw.
"Eugene!!"
I braced my lower body, catching the attack with both hands. Claws dug into my arms, drawing blood. I kicked its nose hard.
Nyaang!
It recoiled in shock. I seized the opening.
"Time for electrotherapy."
Zzzzzzap!