Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Servant Cedric (4) - This Servant is Really Good
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Eisen Empire, Golden Cloud Palace.
While the Crown Prince was buried in paperwork, Lucidra, who had been observing him through Cedric's shadow, asked the Crown Prince with a dubious look on her face.
"...So, this concept is a servant, right?"
The Crown Prince replied without taking his eyes off the documents.
"That's right. Ideally, I'd prefer something more specialized with distinct personality, like a butler or head chef. But since we couldn't predict what tasks the employer would assign, we went with a broad servant concept."
"It's still working under someone, isn't it? But will that really work?"
No matter how she looked at it, he didn't seem like a servant. He seemed like something else wearing a servant's skin.
Unaware or perhaps aware of what she left unsaid, the Crown Prince calmly replied.
"I told you. Servants in the Golden Cloud Palace say whatever they want."
"No, from what I've seen so far, none of them were that unhinged."
The Crown Prince paused thoughtfully with a hum before speaking.
"Well, since a fair bit of my own image is mixed in, there might be 'some' difference from the originals."
What kind of creature was the servant in this man's head? Was his life's mission to screw over his employers, even though he was one himself?
Feeling incredulous, Lucidra nonetheless refocused on observing through the shadow.
It was rare entertainment hard to find anywhere else, after all.
"Mm, a satisfactory contract. I'll continue to do my best going forward! Miss!"
"Yeah...."
The atmosphere in the room was exceedingly awkward.
Cedric wore a beaming smile across his face, while Claudia slumped on the sofa as if utterly drained of energy.
She ground her teeth inwardly.
'How did it come to this?'
Tracing back, it started when Claudia insisted on handling the servants' employment contracts herself, a job normally managed by the head butler Bestian.
Bestian, knowing Claudia had never negotiated a hire in her life, tried desperately to dissuade her. But once Claudia dug in her heels, nothing could stop her stubborn rampage.
Of course, Claudia had her own plan.
Resentful of Cedric's constant refrains like "That's not in the contract" or "The contract allows this," she planned to stuff the agreement with terms favorable to her and bend him to her will.
In the end, it was a utterly futile dream.
「Regarding this clause about 'performing miscellaneous tasks requested by the employer,' the scope feels too vague. It would be better to specify the tasks clearly. If that's difficult, at least include a right of refusal.」
「A 24-hour workday? That's impossible, Miss. Workers deprived of proper rest become mentally and physically exhausted, which is unfortunate for both the individual and the household.」
「Do I know who you are? You're Claudia of the Redbell family, aren't you? Afraid of repercussions? Why would I fear anything when I've committed no crime!」
「You want permission to slap me? I respect your tastes, Miss, but indulging personal desires in this sacred workplace is hardly appropriate. Exchanging 15 virka silver coins for 15 gold? Haha, no means no!」
Staring at the contract on the table, Claudia trembled with rage.
No matter if she twisted words to insert poison pills, pressured him with the Redbell name, or tempted him with lavish pay, Cedric didn't budge an inch.
On the contrary, he added clauses she hadn't even considered, bloating the document to five full pages.
Claudia had been tempted countless times to flip the table in frustration—did hiring one servant really require all this? But somehow, the contract was signed.
'Anyway, he's my servant now. I'll torment him thoroughly...!!'
She glared at Cedric with bulging eyes.
"Hey."
"Yes, Miss."
"No need for long talk; my throat's sore. Brew some black tea."
"Right away! Please wait a moment!"
Cedric gave an energetic bow and whooshed out of the room.
Left alone, Claudia eyed his retreating back with dissatisfaction, but soon a wicked smile curled her lips.
Truth be told, she wasn't fond of tea.
She sipped it at social gatherings for show, but honestly, she couldn't fathom what anyone saw in it.
Bitter taste, subtle aroma—utterly lacking appeal.
But now, that was perfect.
No matter how flawlessly Cedric brewed it, she could dump it in one go.
Pour the contents over his hand while complaining it was swill?
Or make him redo it endlessly until satisfied? Delightful either way.
"Heh, hehehe, hahahaha. Hmph."
Lost in pleasant fantasies and chuckling to herself, Claudia snapped to attention at the knock.
-May I enter, Miss?
"Yeah, come in."
Her face chilled to ice in an instant, as if the laughter never happened.
She silently pierced Cedric with her gaze as he wheeled in the cart and prepared the tea, every motion under scrutiny.
She knew from experience that servants got nervous and slipped up under such stares.
But soon, she inwardly clicked her tongue.
No matter how fiercely she glared, Cedric prepared the tea with unflappable composure.
'Always so... irritating.'
Her inner grumbling halted.
She found herself mesmerized by Cedric's tea-brewing motions.
A true expert's movements, once reaching a certain mastery, captivate attention on their own.
Cedric's techniques were modeled on Golden Cloud Palace servants—the pinnacle of the industry in skill and proficiency.
Flair and restraint.
His actions embodied these contradictory concepts, holding Claudia's gaze like a work of art refusing release.
As the black tea deepened in the pot, exuding a gentle aroma, Cedric carefully poured it into the cup and set it before her.
The alluring crimson liquid shimmered ethereally in the white porcelain.
Enchanted by the perfect harmony of scent and hue, Claudia brought the cup to her lips.
Not too hot, not lukewarm.
Slightly more tart and sweet than standard black tea—tailored precisely to her palate.
The aroma shook her senses pleasurably; the warmth trickled down her throat, soothing her frayed nerves throughout her body.
"Hoo."
A soft sigh escaped Claudia's lips.
Savoring the aftertaste half in a daze, she suddenly snapped awake. "Hah!"
She jerked her head around stiffly, like a wooden puppet.
There stood Cedric, beaming ear to ear.
A bright, cheerful smile that could lift anyone's spirits—but to Claudia, utterly infuriating.
"I'm glad you like it."
"Shut up!!"
Face flushing red, Claudia hurled the teacup.
Cedric caught it effortlessly and set it back on the table as if it were nothing.
The perilous game of catch continued until Claudia collapsed in exhaustion.
"Clean up. Where? The whole mansion, obviously! Don't even think of resting till it's done!!"
"What? You're done? Ha! Joke's on you? No dust here... none. Leaves over there... none. Window streaks... why aren't there any!?"
"Make a meal I like without meat, eggs, fish, or milk. If you can't handle a full course, at least manage this much, right?"
"Wait, isn't this meat? No? Mushrooms and tofu? Hah, just crude fakes mimicking the look? As if trash like this could satisfy my... ...... What's with that lukewarm stare!! Get it away!?"
"Tend to my blood familiars. Warning: no hitting or bullying with force. You can't call it proper beast-taming if you're just beating them, right? If even one shows displeasure, you'll be the one in the pens. Be ready."
"Tch, tamer than expected. At least naptime's handled well... doesn't need you on nice days. What? Say 'hand'? ...Hand! Right hand! Left hand! Right foot! Left foot! Roll over! Hahaha! What is this! Hey, what other tricks... That's not it!!"
"What the hell is that!!"
Claudia pummeled pillows on her bed.
Luxury linens worth a commoner's fortune shredded pitifully under her fists.
Ripping them until feathers flew, she tossed them aside and gnashed her teeth.
"Cedric, Cedric!!"
Never had she fervently called a mere commoner's name like this.
Nor exploded in frustration at failing to control one.
He was utterly alien.
His servant skills were unmatched or superior to any, yet his demeanor was politely insolent.
He served per the contract, but showed no servile fear or awe toward nobility expected of commoners.
Writhing on the bed in thought, Claudia's eyes drifted to the massive mirror in the corner.
Her disheveled yet alluring figure sparked an idea.
Without fixing her attire, she draped a blanket loosely and rang Cedric's dedicated bell (made due to her frequent summons).
-You called, Miss?
With the knock came Cedric's voice; Claudia beckoned him in, smile intact.
Arrogantly, she declared.
"The pillow's ruined. Dispose of it. Tidy the surroundings."
Obviously, cleaning scattered feathers required looking toward the bed.
Meaning he'd see her more disheveled than usual.
If his eyes lingered on her exposed skin, blasphemy.
If he hesitated to avoid looking, ripe for mockery.
Claudia smirked at the thought.
"Understood, Miss!"
But she staggered at the sight of Cedric donning an opaque paper bread bag over his head and diving into cleanup.
"What!? What's that!?"
"Hahaha, I trained to focus on tasks without looking, anticipating such scenarios. Never useful in daily life until now—thanks to you, Miss! Ah, my deepest gratitude for your benevolence!"
Claudia flung pillow remnants.
The bag-headed freak caught it with refined grace, bagged it in leather, and continued cleaning.
Claudia made a tearful face.