Chapter 46
Chapter 46
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: Servant Cedric (11) - Things Drawn to the Flower
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“Lady Torria. Have you heard the news from Eched territory?”
“Eched? That's a new name to me.”
“The place where the youngest of the Redbell Marquis family is staying.”
“Ah, that one. But what's happened there?”
“Well, you see—”
The story about Eched territory spread like wildfire through Birka Kingdom.
It was noteworthy enough that the Redbell family's spoiled young lady had ousted the acting lord and taken his position herself. But on top of that, she was even implementing new policies using her family's secret arts—it was impossible not to be intrigued.
Some took note of how the spoiled lady's policies were yielding impressive results, while others sneered at the idea of wasting a family secret on something so trivial.
The other children of Marquis Redbell found the situation quite displeasing.
“Is Claudia out of her mind? I'm so embarrassed I can't even show my face these days!!”
The third child of the marquis family and the only daughter of the first wife, Mira Redbell vented her irritation in a sharp voice.
The second son, Erwin Redbell, flushed red as he chimed in.
“Damn it. That spoiled brat is bringing shame to the family left and right! How could she even think to use the family's secret arts for something so lowly? Doesn't she have even the bare minimum of dignity and pride as a noble?”
A family secret was a symbol boasting the house's unique traits and history, but also a practical weapon that brought real gains.
Efficient mana cultivation methods, ascending swordsmanship, spells unknown to others—the mere possession of such things created a gap with everyone else.
The Redbell family's ‘Blood Familiars’ ranked among the most outstanding and powerful of such secrets.
Classified as magic, they could be wielded without issue even by non-mages, and their strength scaled directly with their master's skill.
They were as easy to command as well-trained hunting dogs, utterly loyal with no fear of betrayal, and even if killed, they could be replenished given enough time. What other servant could be so convenient?
For Erwin, who had poured effort into creating a familiar rivaling the knights who wielded sword auras, the mere thought of his mighty servant being lumped in the same category as Claudia's mongrels made his blood boil.
“Hmm.”
Amid his siblings' barrage of criticism and outrage toward Claudia, the eldest son, Armin Redbell, alone kept silent, lost in thought.
Apparently displeased by their eldest brother's attitude, the two younger siblings voiced their complaints.
“Brother, say something. Are you really just going to let that wench Claudia do as she pleases?”
“If this continues, the Redbell name will be dragged through the mud. We need to grab that idiot girl right now and make her stop this nonsense!”
The eldest son gazed steadily at his siblings' faces before shrugging.
“I understand your feelings, but what exactly do you plan to do about it?”
“Obviously, tell her to stop what she's doing right now.”
“You think she'll listen just because we tell her?”
At their eldest brother's words, the second son and third daughter fell silent.
They shared the same father, but Claudia was the youngest, born to a different mother.
Though bound by the pretense of siblings, there was no familial affection to speak of—quite the opposite; they despised each other. No amount of polite persuasion would work.
Nor could they apply political pressure easily, since Claudia's position as lord was officially legitimate.
She hadn't ousted a perfectly capable lord to steal his seat; it had always been hers by right, merely left unused until she decided to wield it. Outsiders might gossip, but issuing direct orders was difficult.
“Only two can issue official commands to her: the royal family and the family head. But from the royals' perspective, there's no need to check Claudia. She holds no succession rights, so she's no rival, and since she's royal blood, any increase in her influence within Redbell benefits them rather than harms.”
“So the family head needs to step in?”
Both the eldest and second son referred to Marquis Redbell not as ‘father,’ but as ‘family head.’
That was how distant and intimidating the man was to them.
“Yes. If the family head finds Claudia's actions objectionable, he'll handle it himself without us lifting a finger.”
The third daughter furrowed her brow and asked,
“And if he doesn't step in?”
“Then it means he's seen some value in her. He might even back her. He's not one to stint on investments, is he?”
Confirming his siblings' faces twisting in amusement-worthy frustration, the eldest son shook his head slowly.
“In any case, there's nothing we can do by stepping forward ourselves. Don't worry too much, though. It'll work out somehow.”
“...Yes.”
“I hope you're right, brother.”
Patting his two siblings' shoulders, the eldest son turned and left the room.
And thought to himself.
‘Mira and Erwin utterly loathe Claudia and their stepmother. They'll hate seeing Claudia gain power, but if they even suspect the family head might take an interest in her, they absolutely won't stay quiet.’
Armin had said there was no public way to stop Claudia.
In other words, unofficial methods were fair game.
For example, physically threatening Claudia to force her to recall her Blood Familiars from their guard duties.
Of course, it was extremely shortsighted.
A method Armin himself would never employ.
But his siblings were different.
‘Such adorable little siblings.’
One couldn't love a rival threatening one's position.
But loving those inferior to oneself wasn't so hard.
Thus, eldest son Armin loved his two younger siblings.
And he loved his youngest sibling too, who showed him one-sided hostility.
At least for now.
‘Stay lovable siblings, please. Little one.’
Eched territory lord's residence.
The center of attention, Claudia Redbell, was attempting a very cautious and secretive rendezvous.
“...The item?”
“Right here.”
The suspicious black marketeer—no, the maid Neria, who had grown close to Claudia lately, handed over an object meticulously wrapped in cloth.
Claudia said,
“No one saw you, right?”
“I got it while Cedric was away shopping far off. Kept it completely secret from everyone else too.”
“Good work. I'll repay you later.”
“I hope your plan succeeds. I'll be going now.”
As if caught up in the atmosphere, Neria scanned her surroundings sharply before slinking away like an assassin, footsteps muffled.
Watching her go, Claudia locked the bedroom door and carefully unwrapped the cloth from Neria.
What emerged was a single book.
[Rose and Pocket Watch – How Lady Roselia Captured Her Lofty Servant]
Seeing the title embossed on the cover, Claudia swallowed hard.
Then, with trembling hands, she began to open the book.
One might think she was overreacting just to read a romance novel, but Claudia was utterly serious.
‘If I just sit here, Cedric will leave. I need to find a way before that happens.’
Her contract with Cedric was for three months.
A term she'd once dismissed lightly now grated on her terribly.
After three months, if Cedric left, she had no way to stop him.
Logically, when the contract ended, they could just sign a new one.
The rising star ‘Lady Redbell’ of Birka Kingdom promised good terms—who would refuse a servant?
But Claudia knew better.
Cedric was a man who defied common sense.
He'd work if he wanted, leave if he didn't.
Money or power alone couldn't hold him.
Thus, Claudia aimed for the third option.
‘All I need is for Cedric to fall for me, right?’
Of course, this path was far from easy.
The biggest issue: Claudia had no idea how to win a man's heart.
For her, men's interest wasn't something to pursue—it was simply ‘given.’
A beauty like an unbloomed bud, full of promise.
Her status as a Redbell lady and the vast wealth it brought.
Men she'd met strove desperately for her favor—a daily norm until her spoiled antics began.
Where would she have learned to seduce men?
Claudia needed a textbook to fill that gap, and she'd chosen this romance novel, popular among the kingdom's ladies lately.
Flip. Flip.
Lady Roselia, noble-born, raised like a greenhouse rose.
Adored by all, yet her servant Clark confounded her with his arrogance, rudeness, and occasional courtesy.
At first, the setup mirroring her and Cedric intrigued Claudia. But as the story progressed, disappointment set in.
‘...This is the servant popular among noble ladies? Is it really that great?’
A chilling, sharp beauty evoking a keen sword? Inferior to Cedric's puppy-like innocence with surprising edges.
Artistically perfect task-handling, measured like with a ruler? By description, about 0.6 Cedrics.
Ferocious as a beast, growling even at his noble lady? Still just a cute pup compared to Cedric bluntly calling his own master ‘an insult to dogs.’
And the backstory was contrived.
Not a commoner, but a noble—third son of a northern grand duke, no less.
At least the author avoided making him a legitimate heir, showing some sense. But still, why would someone of that status serve as a servant?
Unless they had the freakish mindset to treat servitude as a hobby—frankly, insane.
“Sigh. This won't help.”
In the end, Claudia closed the book.
Decent as light entertainment; she might reread it later. But utterly useless as a Cedric manual.
Maybe ask Neria for a different one next time.
As she thought that and reached to extinguish the bedside lamp,
Click.
Someone turned the bedroom door handle.
Claudia froze reflexively.
It was deep into the night.
Anyone entering a noble lady's bedroom could spark scandals—a grave rudeness.
Attempting entry without knocking? Unforgivable insolence.
A chill crept up Claudia's spine.
Her mind raced.
Stay silent or make noise?
Which was better? If it was what she suspected, what would they most avoid?
She acted.
-Woof! Woof woof! Woof woof woof!
The Blood Familiar summoned at her side snarled and barked furiously.
The racket echoed through every corner of the lord's residence.
Crack!
Immediately, the bedroom door burst open.
Three assassins clad in pitch-black cloth stormed in.
They swiftly slashed the loudly barking Blood Familiar before scanning the room.
Would they find Claudia hiding somewhere first, or would her signal draw others first?
Unfortunately for Claudia, the assassins were more prepared than expected.
One tore a parchment; light burst from it, shooting straight at Claudia.
Hiding in the door's blind spot, she bolted out the moment she was exposed, assassins in pursuit.
The instant their hands nearly reached her—
“Sorry I'm late, miss.”
A familiar voice rang in her ear as Claudia's body floated into the air.
She barely registered what followed.
Her vision spun wildly for seconds amid impact sounds of foes kicked flying.
Only when it steadied did she grasp her situation—and flushed crimson.
Cedric.
He held her like a princess.
“P-Put me down, you idiot!?”
“Was about to. Enemies are handled.”
“Huh?”
At his words, Claudia, who'd been thrashing in embarrassment, suddenly stilled.
Rolling her eyes, she said,
“...We don't know if it's safe yet, so wait a bit.”
“It is safe, though?”
“I said wait.”