The Fasting Lady -1-
Recalling those memories from the past, I let out a faint sigh. Our current relationship with Mikhail. I kept sighing because I wasn't sure if what we had now was right.
It was a bond that had become too tangled, far beyond untangling.
Mikhail and I had a deep emotional chasm between us that made it impossible to get close, pushing each other away. If Mikhail's memories had been intact, things might have been different, but the world itself rejected that possibility, leaving me no way to fix it.
After that day, as soon as my body recovered, I'd gone straight to the slums. I was worried that bastard might have done something to Mikhail, and I wanted to let him know I was alive and well. No one understood the agony of endless waiting better than I did, so I'd searched the slums for Mikhail.
-He's not here today either.
The empty slums greeted me.
Mikhail wasn't there.
An hour later, when I returned. A week later. A month later. Still no Mikhail.
-What are you doing here! We were gonna play ball!
-Waiting for my friend.
-Fwiend?
-Yeah.
-You had a fwiend?
-Yeah. I did.
-Hieeeek! What about me?
-You're lame.
-Eeeeek! I'll make one too!
No one in the slums where I'd lived remembered me anymore. The little kids who'd followed me had all gone off to find their own paths in life, and Mikhail was gone too. Rumors said he'd been adopted by a convent, just like in the novel. I'd only learned through an informant that he'd tightly gripped the hand of a nun who'd come on pilgrimage from far away and vanished with her. Since I'd been unconscious for so long, I hadn't even gotten to say goodbye, but thankfully, Mikhail's story had a happy ending.
Staring at the small dirt mound under the bridge, I'd given a wry smile.
[My Beloved Hero Sleeps Here. - Lee Min-hyuk]
A makeshift gravestone woven from sticks into a cross shape was truly striking. Seeing a tombstone with my name on it while I was still alive wasn't exactly a great feeling.
After that, nothing much happened. I followed the lady into butler training.
-Hey.
-Don't use casual speech!
-Why not?
-I'm paying you!
-True. Then, boss.
-Yeah.
Bickering with the lady, I'd solidified my career path. At first, I thought holding the evil lady's hand would ruin my life, but after she'd saved mine, waffling around would have been rude. With the mindset of mending a frayed rope, I'd firmly grasped her hand.
I'd done my utmost to change the lady's future. Her success was my survival, her peace was my peace.
Losing weight. Grooming her appearance. Working hard to fix her twisted personality.
-Eeeeek... Don't starve me.
-No choice, miss. Your obesity has exceeded my wildest imagination. At this rate, we might face a horrific tragedy where the Earth's axis tilts.
-I don't care about that crap.
-Fair enough.
Of course, the process wasn't smooth, but it was fun, and I could smile through it, so it became meaningful time.
The reformed evil lady, after much effort.
-Damn it!
-What's wrong, miss?
-A sparrow's chirping.
-I'll catch it.
-Yeah. Cook it tasty. Others might not know, but having read the novel's version of the cold evil lady, I loved watching her gradual changes.
Not content with landing her a good job, she'd even made me take classes with her. "A dumb butler is useless," she'd said, while building a wall between herself and studying.
-Today's lesson is... Excuse me, miss, who is that over there?
-My butler.
-I see. But why is he joining the lesson...
-He's my butler.
-Apologies, but this isn't a general education class for sharing.
-Just teach the damn class! I'm sleepy!
-Miss. Speak nicely.
-No!
-Want to fast again today?
-Eeeeek... Teach the class.
-More nicely.
-Please teach the lesson.
The tutor liked me. She was an elite teacher who'd had it rough until now. She hugged me crying, and thinking she had a lot pent up, I patted her back.
-You've been through a lot.
-Sob... I always thought I had no talent.
-Nonsense. You produced a student like me.
-Waaah...
Unexpectedly gaining her trust, I learned a ton. History, etiquette, even how to win over high nobles. In the end, I benefited the most.
There was opposition from the family, of course. Darbav had frowned at Olivia bringing home a grubby kid like me.
-Olivia. What's this guy?
-My butler. Starting today.
-What happened to the butler you saved last time? Did you toss him and get a new one?
-Didn't need him anymore.
-I thought you were praiseworthy for picking up an injured kid, but apparently not.
-Nope. I'm not that nice.
-...I see. Still, no. He's too scrawny to handle my daughter.
-Eeeeek! Do it!
Thinking back to the lady picking her nose and throwing a tantrum in front of the family head still made me chuckle. No one could stop her stubbornness.
Thus, I'd become a Desmont without much hardship.
Recounting everything with the lady would take ages. Over 13 years, there were laughs and plenty of tears.
I decided to reminisce later, carefully tucking those memories into a drawer with a smile.
"Good choice."
Time passed, and when I met Mikhail at the academy, much had changed. He'd grown enough to wield a sword, matured mentally. It was heartening to see. I even chuckled softly at his empty hands—no more bear doll.
(!) If Mikhail learns of your existence, the future storyline may change dramatically.
Because of that damn System, I couldn't approach him. I'd planned to keep my distance anyway. Over 13 years, I'd prioritized the lady, doing my all to protect her future.
What could I do? The possessor had sided with the evil lady, but I'd tried hard to maintain a good relationship. It wasn't easy, though. Mikhail disliked me from the start, and the lady's antics began then. No way to get close.
So I ended up disliking him too. Sorry, Mikhail, but back then, I hated how he treated the lady harshly. I hadn't raised him that way. I'd never taught him to be cold to people. Forgetting the love I'd given and only scorning the lady—it pissed me off.
That's why I resented him, leading to our current rift.
No regrets, though. Choosing the lady. Falling out with Mikhail. No regrets.
I'm happy now.
I let out a small sigh, closing the book of memories in my mind. No point dwelling now.
Better for my mental health to think about tomorrow's meals. With a faint smile, I closed my eyes to end the day.
And at that moment.
-Knock. Knock.
A knocking sound echoed in my ears.
"You asleep?"
"..."
"Haven't had a drink in ages, and no one to share with."
I chuckled softly and opened the door.
*
Darbav poured liquor into my glass, wearing a silent smile.
"It's been a while. Drinking together like this."
"Indeed. My first drink after turning adult, so at least three years."
"Olivia threw such a fit back then, demanding some too."
Darbav shook his head, touching his forehead in reminiscence.
"Calming her down was hell."
"I had it rough too, with her sulking. Said she'd never play with me again..."
"Pfft! Olivia did that?"
"Yes. Wouldn't speak to me for a while."
"Truly regrettable."
I smiled faintly, sharing a little brag with Darbav.
"Come to think of it, I had drinks with the lady recently."
"Olivia drank alcohol?"
Darbav perked up at the word, eyeing me with deep concern. Propping his chin seriously, he muttered, "You've done something big," clearly objective about his daughter's nature.
Meeting his worried gaze, I smiled lightly.
"She handled it better than expected."
"Really?"
"Yes. Fruit wine, and she drank it well."
"Olivia's all grown up. Even drinks now."
"That's right."
"How's her tolerance? Does she hit people?"
"Thankfully, no."
"Good."
Chatting old tales with Darbav was fun. From his initial thought of "What giant did she drag in?" to the hassle of stopping the lady from packing up when he refused me—it was captivating, time flying by.
I was surprised to learn he'd originally planned to raise me as her knight.
"Good call making me a butler. I grew up fine on my own."
"Thanks to your support, family head."
"Smooth talker."
At first, I'd thought the Desmont head was terrifying—an villain backing the evil lady. What a hilarious family.
The Desmonts were like that.
Of course, this was the face they showed family, but I liked it. You couldn't underestimate any member. One of the founding nobles who wouldn't bow to the emperor, higher prestige than the Histania. Though the lady's issues had dimmed their glory lately, the name Desmont alone was an unignorable mountain.
Especially Darbav before me now—a monster rivaling the Histania head. One reason the empire couldn't touch Desmont was this man. Despite the taboo of black magic, the great archmage Darbav kept them noble.
As the mood warmed, Darbav swallowed hard and spoke gravely.
"Ricardo."
"Yes, family head."
Darbav fiddled with his glass. Sensing a tough request, he sighed deeply, bowing his head.
"Never mind."
"You're doing the world's worst deed."
"How'd you know?"
"Is it true?"
"No."
He was a pro at teasing. Darbav sighed softly and finally spoke.
"Olivia isn't eating."
What a hilarious family.