Chapter 100. Beatrice's Butler Interview
Beatrice's Butler Interview
The day after visiting Riri's home and returning.
Lucian sat at his desk in the office and let out a sigh.
Piles of paperwork demanding his attention were stacked high on the desk—territory reconstruction projects, tax collection, public order maintenance...
Just a single day away from his duties had left administrative work on the verge of paralysis.
"Sigh... Even if I had ten bodies, it wouldn't be enough."
Of course, he had capable administrators and an elderly butler who had served the Eckhart family for generations.
But the old butler was now frail and struggling to keep up with the sudden surge in workload, while the administrators were on the brink of collapsing from exhaustion.
'I need someone reliable. A competent manager who can act as my right hand.'
Coincidentally, his friend Gerard (Count Blanc), who had visited recently, had recommended a highly skilled butler before leaving.
"I vouch for them. Their work ethic is impeccable. Though... they're a bit unusual, so keeping them around long-term might be difficult. But someone like you might be able to handle them."
Though the words unsettled him, Lucian decided to hold an interview to put out the immediate fire.
By afternoon, rain poured down as if the sky had cracked open.
In the dimly lit office, Lucian had been dozing off to the sound of the rain when a knock echoed in his ears.
Knock, knock.
"Come in."
The door opened, and a woman quietly stepped inside.
"Good afternoon. My name is Beatrice. I've come for today's interview."
Lucian's drowsiness vanished instantly.
Drenched from the rain, her long black straight hair and clothes clung tightly to her body.
She was a woman of an ambiguous age—too young to be middle-aged, yet too mature to be a maiden.
Her pale, almost ghostly skin contrasted sharply with her raven-black hair. The features visible beneath the bangs slightly covering one eye were cold and intellectual.
Dressed in a perfectly fitted black suit and trousers, with a luxurious silk ascot tie around her neck, she exuded the charisma of a strikingly handsome beauty.
Yet, the voluptuous curves of her chest subtly visible through her wet white shirt and the pronounced contours of her hips above her trousers undeniably marked her as a woman—one with an undeniably sensual figure.
But what startled Lucian wasn't her physique.
"...!!"
Her eyes.
Behind her intelligent glasses, her irises gleamed a vivid crimson.
Though Lucian himself had red eyes, hers were different.
Deeper, more intense, devoid of emotion—cold and piercing, with an otherworldly glow.
And at their center, vertical black pupils like those of a snake or a crocodile.
"Excuse me, but... are you aware that today's interview is for a butler position?"
Lucian asked cautiously. Her aura felt more like an assassin's than a butler's.
"Yes. I was recommended by Count Gerard."
The moment Beatrice spoke, Lucian saw it.
The sharp, pointed fangs peeking from behind her red lips!
'Those are...'
Red eyes, pale skin, and fangs.
A single word surfaced in his mind—a creature found only in legends and horror tales.
"By any chance..."
"Yes, I'm a vampire."
Beatrice answered flatly before Lucian could even finish, as casually as if stating her blood type.
'...A vampire coming for a butler interview?'
Lucian was speechless. Given that the succubus Bella already roamed freely around the castle, he shouldn't have been surprised—but a vampire in a suit sitting across from him for an interview?
Adjusting her glasses, Beatrice calmly explained her circumstances.
"In the past, I served as an administrator in the Demon Realm under His Majesty the Demon King. But after his death, the realm fell into chaos... The lack of civilization there didn't suit my tastes, so I crossed over to the human world."
'The Demon King!? The era of the Demon King is ancient legend!'
"The Demon King, you say..."
"Yes, it was a very long time ago."
She replied nonchalantly.
"I'm not of pureblood lineage, so my combat abilities are lacking. But I do excel in intellectual work. I've studied human culture and used that knowledge to assist noble households in administrative duties in exchange for compensation."
From her pocket, she retrieved a thick bundle of parchment and handed it to Lucian.
Her resume.
It was impressive. Names of the kingdom's most prestigious noble families were listed one after another. And among them...
"This... is my family's name?"
"Yes. I briefly managed the territory of your great-great-grandfather, Wilhelm von Eckhart. I oversaw the castle wall restoration project at the time."
Lucian let out a hollow laugh. He was interviewing a woman who had worked with his ancestors.
"Your skills seem undeniable... but why didn't you stay in one place for long?"
Most of the employment periods on her resume were short—a year, or just a few months.
"Humans... fear my appearance. Once the urgent matters are resolved, they grow uncomfortable and send me away. Count Gerard was no exception."
"However, I'm a vegetarian vampire. I don't drink human blood. I prefer deer or rabbit blood."
Beatrice smiled bitterly. The fangs revealed in that smile were eerie yet strangely alluring.
'She's... definitely intimidating.'
At a glance, she seemed like a cold beauty, but locking eyes with her sent chills down the spine. If Rimeyer overwhelmed others with sheer presence, Beatrice instilled a primal fear—like being eyed as prey.
A sudden question occurred to Lucian.
"Do you know a dark mage named Belial?"
"Belial... I've never met him personally, but I've heard rumors. They say he's rallying the dark creatures of the northern Demon Realm. Some fools even believe he'll resurrect the Demon King."
Her tone carried contempt for the dark mage. At the very least, she didn't seem like an enemy.
Lucian pondered.
She could be dangerous. But the Eckhart family desperately needed someone of her caliber right now. Besides, if he already had a succubus around, what harm was there in adding a vampire?
Above all... her cold intellect and the beastly nature hidden beneath her ascetic suit intrigued him.
"Very well. You're hired. I'll compensate you as you wish."
"A wise decision, Count."
Beatrice bowed respectfully.
"If you don't have immediate accommodations arranged, you may stay in the guest annex tonight. You can start officially tomorrow."
"Thank you for your consideration. It's been a while since I've been to Eckhart Castle... I suppose I'll reminisce a little."
Beatrice brushed off her wet clothes and left the office.
In her wake lingered the cold scent of rainwater and a faint, metallic tang—something unidentifiable.
'A vampire butler... Rachel's going to flip.'
Lucian gazed at the rain outside before closing his tired eyes again.
[The Maids' Gossip]
On a night of relentless downpour.
The maids' lounge, lit by a single candle, was thick with an air of dread.
When Nancy returned after escorting Beatrice to the guest room, she was bombarded with questions.
"Is it true? A vampire is really coming as a butler?"
"What do we do... Are we all going to get drained?"
At Ari's words, Riri trembled and clutched Sophia's sleeve.
"Lady Sophia... If that woman tries to attack us, you'll protect us, right?"
"Of course. But... if Count Gerard recommended her, she likely won't harm us outright."
Even Sophia couldn't hide her unease, though she tried to reassure the maids.
Then Ella, who had been leaning against the windowsill filing her nails, called out to the shadows in the corner.
"Hey, Bella. You'd know, right? Since you're both demons, you must be acquainted?"
From the shadows, Bella emerged with a giggle.
"Oh my, how ignorant. Our lineages are entirely different."
Wagging a finger, Bella explained.
"Succubi like me are pureblood descendants of the Great Mother Lilith, while vampires are undead cursed by the fallen angel Lucifer. The difference between the living and those who can't die."
"Isn't that the same thing?"
"Not at all! I don't suck blood. It's gross and tasteless—why would I? Now, Master's sticky, sweet cum is another story~."
Bella licked her lips with a lewd grin.
"But vampires are different. They love
human blood. Especially... the necks of young, fresh maidens like you. Better watch out when you sleep? Unless you want a straw stabbed right in. Hehehe!"
"Eek!"
The maids screamed and clung to each other.
Why did the Count have to bring in a vampire after the succubus? The castle was slowly turning into a den of monsters beyond human comprehension.
[The Next Morning]
To cross-verify Beatrice's claims, Lucian went looking for Bella.
But she was nowhere to be found in the castle—not even Maria knew her whereabouts.
'The underground dungeon, then.'
Lucian headed down himself. Deep inside the prison, in a hidden chamber used as a shelter.
As he approached the door, sticky, wet moans seeped through.
"Hahh... Nngh... Master... right there...!"
Silently, Lucian pushed the door open.
[Images: 845-852]