A Favor That Can't Be Granted
An awkward atmosphere hung over the dining table. As I prepared dinner with flashy knife skills, I glanced at the tense table.
"...Ugh."
"..."
Two women staring at each other with awkward eyes. The young lady sneaking peeks at Yuria fidgeted with her fingers, while Yuria sipped cheap green tea with an expressionless gaze.
In the midst of that strained vibe between them, I thought to myself,
'This is fucked...'
After hearing Yuria's situation, the young lady had readily allowed her to stay overnight at the mansion.
-Yuria's become a beggar?
-She ran into bandits on the road and got her wallet stolen, apparently.
It wasn't a lie— she'd lost her wallet when parting ways with Ballack. Once the young lady learned Yuria was flat broke, she put on the wicked villainess face she hadn't worn in ages.
-But in exchange, I'm eating with her too.
-Pardon?
-I haven't eaten. I'm hungry.
-Won't it be awkward?
-Ricardo. I'm the homeowner. And the Desmont family doesn't give a damn about awkwardness.
-Oh...
She'd boasted boldly invoking the family name, but now the young lady couldn't utter a word in front of Yuria. Like a wet rat, she was watching her every move. Looks like the Desmonts were pros at reading the room after all.
As the awkwardness dragged on, the young lady waved awkwardly at Yuria. Swinging her hand stiffly side to side like a robot— it seemed like a greeting.
"Uh... uh... h-he... hel... hello?"
Having successfully greeted her, the young lady beamed proudly at Yuria.
"..."
Yuria answered with silence.
"Eek...!"
Clenching her fists, the young lady glared at Yuria. She must've been pissed that her greeting went ignored. Then she looked at me like I was a cat robot with a 4D pocket.
"Ricardo!"
"Yes."
"Help me..."
At her puppy-dog eyes, I chuckled softly and said,
"Fighting."
"Fuck..."
I met her resentful glare as I plated tonight's dinner. Steam rose invitingly from the dishes. As the clinking sounds filled the table, the sulky young lady perked up with a snort.
"Oh...!"
No matter how amazing a butler I was, whipping up food to satisfy everyone in such short notice was basically impossible. It was late, and ingredients were scarce. I'd been away for three days, so the fridge had barely any meat left.
What I'd made was cheese tteokbokki. The young lady's favorite. And back in our academy days, Yuria's too.
Yuria's eyes widened at the tteokbokki on the table. It'd been ages since academy— the first time she'd seen it since. A dish only I could make. One you lot couldn't replicate.
I'd made it for her a few times back then, and it seemed she still remembered the taste.
"It's been a while. This."
Yuria picked up her fork, ready to dig in. The young lady did the same.
"Looks delicious..."
"Drooling already."
Seeing the two women staring hungrily at their plates, a satisfied smile crept onto my face.
Clap.
I clapped my hands and said,
"Let's eat."
Before eating, the young lady scanned the surroundings. Like someone who'd lost something, she eyed every corner of the kitchen. I asked her, fork in hand,
"Looking for something?"
"Where's the village chief from Nokjo Village?"
"Ah..."
Right. I'd left him outside and hadn't brought him in. I'd stepped out briefly to find the passed-out Ruin.
The awkward table without Ricardo.
Scrape.
The only sound filling the gap between the two was the scraping of plates. Yuria ate her tteokbokki in silence, while Olivia desperately watched her cues.
Pour.
Olivia poured a glass of water and offered it to Yuria. She'd noticed her wincing and sweating.
"Here, drink this. It's spicy."
Yuria pushed the glass back. She shook her head firmly and said,
"I'll handle it. Don't worry about me."
"Hic...!"
Olivia's shoulders shook. Ricardo still hadn't returned. She'd dumped Ruin on the third floor, so why was he taking so long? Olivia resented him for it.
But deep down, she'd been waiting for this alone time with Yuria. She had something to say.
Olivia eyed Yuria. Then clenched her fists. Yuria munched away silently. Olivia needed to ask the greatest holy power user she knew— someone whose touch revealed a body's every ailment— one favor.
It was shameless for the bully to ask. She knew Yuria wouldn't grant it, but if she didn't say it now, she'd regret it forever.
Olivia seized this moment without Ricardo to speak up. It was the real reason she'd whined about joining this uncomfortable meal.
"Um... uh..."
"..."
"You know, that thing."
Her trembling voice wouldn't come out easily. It was just 'Do this for me,' so why was her heart pounding like this? Olivia frustrated herself.
'Gotta say it before Ricardo gets back.'
She knew what face that idiot butler would make if he learned she'd made such a request. He'd say it was fine, but with a bitter look. Knowing that, Olivia grew urgent.
"Tha... that thing."
In that brief hesitation, Yuria finished her plate and slammed her fork down roughly.
"Haa."
A long sigh from Yuria. Not a good sign. She looked ready to bolt to her room, leaving Olivia stammering.
"Ahh... you know...!"
Olivia reached out to Yuria. Don't go to your room— hear me out just a sec. If she missed this chance, she'd have to write a letter, but Yuria probably wouldn't even accept it.
As she reached to grab her,
"Ricardo's hand hurts...!"
Yuria cut her off.
"Olivia."
Her voice echoed across the table. Calling her name stiffly. Olivia swallowed hard.
Yuria leaned her elbows on the table. Like a bureaucrat stuck with unwanted work, she looked annoyed. Olivia tensed up.
"I heard from Ricardo."
"Heard what?"
"Your legs."
Yuria eyed Olivia's limp legs. Gaunt and withered from disuse, dangling powerlessly. She said,
"He told me they're inconvenient."
"..."
Olivia bowed her head.
'Ricardo said that?'
She was always a step behind him. This time she'd thought she was ahead for once, but as the master...
Olivia couldn't lift her head.
Scrape.
Yuria stood from her chair. She walked slowly toward Olivia, continuing,
"I don't believe it unless I see for myself. Honestly, when I saw you come down piggybacked by Ricardo earlier, I thought you were faking."
"..."
"Yeah. I don't want to get involved with you or Ricardo. You feel the same about me, right? But... after today, it's bothering me a bit. So just this once. Special favor."
Yuria trailed off.
"Thank Ricardo."
Step step.
Approaching Olivia, Yuria placed a hand on her shoulder. A soft green light began filling the kitchen. The power from the novel that made Yuria a saint.
The miraculous power that heals any ailment began heating Olivia's shoulder.
Yuria's eyes dissected Olivia's body like an anatomy chart. From indigestion to overweight issues and blood pressure. Every flaw, every problematic organ— details flowed through her hand into her.
And then.
"...Huh?"
Yuria pulled her hand away from Olivia's shoulder.
An hour later.
Hiding in a kitchen corner, I watched the young lady slumped alone in her chair. Drooping shoulders. Teary eyes. She looked drained.
Slap.
I smacked my cheek to snap out of it. Couldn't let her see my sulky face.
Judging by her expression, things hadn't gone well.
Too bad.
I walked over with an awkward smile.
"Ahaha... sorry. The third floor was pretty messy. Took longer than expected."
"Ricardo."
A cold voice. Probably grilling me for meddling unasked. I knew it was overstepping.
But it felt like the last chance. I knew begging Yuria would annoy the young lady, but I clung to a sliver of hope and asked anyway.
Yuria refused at first, but after my persistence, she relented.
-Just this once. Since you saved me this time. One favor, that's it.
-Thank you.
-But... you sure you don't want that cut hand treated?
-Don't worry. It'll heal fast here. My recovery's quick.
The young lady glared at me. Then said curtly,
"Don't do this shit."
I replied shortly,
"No."
"I said don't."
"Can't."
I wasn't giving up either. The young lady sighed deeply. Then reached out her hand.
"Wanna go up?"
I naturally turned my back to her.
On the way up to the second floor.
Piggybacked on my back, the young lady said,
"Ricardo. Truth is, I was kinda hoping?"
"..."
"Maybe Yuria could heal my legs."
"...Is that so?"
"Yeah."
She buried her face in my back, unmoving.
"But if my legs heal, I can't ride your back anymore. Not all good, huh... Your broad, sturdy back's actually pretty nice."
Forcing cheer into her voice. I told her,
"I'll make sure they heal somehow."
She replied briefly,
"Don't push yourself."
I nodded. Morning broke, and Yuria and Ruin had left the mansion.