Chapter 568: The Butler's True Feelings
Chapter 568: The Butler's True Feelings
Just as Diana had commanded, Vanessa waited in her room for her return.
As Vanessa waited for Diana, who could return at any moment, a storm of complex thoughts swirled within her mind.
Vanessa was known for her stoic personality, so much so that others often said she seemed emotionless, but that didn't mean she was truly devoid of feelings.
What if she really couldn't feel anything at all? If she were just a machine, faithfully assisting Lady Diana without any emotion.
Then she wouldn't have had to feel this way.
Then she wouldn't be agonizing alone in Lady Diana's room right now.
Has Lady Diana noticed?
Lately, Lady Diana had been showing a much more emotional side while spending time with Guwon, but she was originally known as the world's greatest mage—the very incarnation of reason.
It could even be said that Vanessa's own personality was heavily influenced by having grown up admiring Lady Diana since she was a child.
That was the kind of person Lady Diana was. She might have spoken in a casual tone, but it was possible she had already figured everything out.
No. She must know.
Otherwise, there would be no reason for her to summon her separately at that specific moment.
If so, what kind of expression should she wear when she faced Lady Diana?
An even deeper sense of guilt washed over Vanessa's heart.
Just as Vanessa was drowning in her guilt, the door before her finally opened, and Diana appeared.
The moment she saw Diana, Vanessa's body flinched and trembled reflexively.
Unsure how to react, Vanessa somehow managed to feign composure and bowed her head to Diana.
"Welcome back."
"Mm. You've been waiting. Let's sit and talk."
Lady Diana's face looked no different than usual.
No. On closer inspection, her face was slightly flushed.
What had she been talking about alone with Guwon? No. What had she been doing with him? And of all places, in that location.
Realizing that this was her first, reflexive thought upon seeing Diana's face, Vanessa was consumed by even greater guilt.
"Sit."
"...Yes."
Diana walked over to the tea table in the room, sat down in a chair, and gestured to the seat opposite her for Vanessa.
Usually, when Diana was seated like this, Vanessa's proper position was behind her.
Being made to sit facing her directly made Vanessa feel even more restless.
In truth, the same was true for Diana.
No, perhaps it was a little different from being restless. It wasn't quite that severe, but she couldn't help feeling a strange sense of unease.
Especially considering what she was about to say.
To think she would be having this kind of conversation with Vanessa.
Of course, she had always thought the day would come when she'd hear about Vanessa's love life.
After all, she was sure she wasn't the only one who felt their relationship was more than just that of a master and servant.
She had literally watched over her since the day she was born.
She didn't know how Vanessa felt, but she thought of Vanessa as a granddaughter.
Because it was Vanessa, she had naturally assumed she would one day hear about her romantic affairs.
The stoic Vanessa had always maintained an attitude of complete disinterest in men, but she wouldn't live alone forever.
No. Diana wouldn't let her. If Vanessa couldn't find a partner, Diana had even considered finding a good match for her herself.
But her own darling was never, not for a single moment, a candidate.
To think that Vanessa, of all people, would fall for her darling.
Vanessa had always followed her closely and tried to emulate her since she was a child, but to think she would even share her taste in men.
No. Is this not a matter of taste, but simply that my darling is too wonderful?
Hmm. On second thought, is it impossible not to fall for him when you see him all the time? My darling. He's so handsome, after all. And so considerate... though now isn't the time for such thoughts.
In any case, Diana had no idea what to say first to the woman sitting before her.
Of course, the topic of conversation was already decided, but how on earth should she begin?
"Ahem. So. Vanessa. Is there anything you wish to say to me?"
“...”
Letting the silence drag on would only make the atmosphere heavier.
Unable to decide how to broach the subject, Diana tried to guide Vanessa into speaking for herself.
After she spoke, she realized it was probably for the best.
If she spoke first, it would feel like an interrogation, but if Vanessa spoke first, it would at least feel more like a confession.
It might ease her heart a little.
But upon hearing Diana's words, Vanessa said nothing.
No. To be precise, she couldn't say anything.
Because Diana's question had finally confirmed it for her.
Lady Diana definitely knew how she felt.
An indescribably immense guilt weighed heavily on Vanessa's heart.
And seeing Vanessa's expression, Diana could also tell what she was thinking.
Though others said it was hard to read Vanessa's face, Diana could usually tell what she was thinking just by looking at her.
"Sigh. Vanessa. I am not interrogating you."
She tried to say this in the gentlest voice possible, but Vanessa only flinched once more and remained silent.
"Vanessa. Do you truly wish for me to speak first?"
"...I am sorry. I have... developed feelings for Master Guwon that I should not have."
After a long silence, Vanessa finally bowed so low it seemed she would hit her head on the table, apologizing to Diana.
But seeing her, Diana could only think, I knew it.
In truth, she had only become certain after seeing Vanessa's reaction with her darling today; she had suspected it for some time.
She had assumed Vanessa wore makeup to look good for him, and she had thought that her particularly cold treatment of him was proof of how conscious she was of his presence.
She had kept thinking this, but she had dragged her feet until now, telling herself it was still just a suspicion.
"I see. Thank you for telling me honestly. So, since when? I don't see you as the type to fall for a man for no reason."
Of course, my darling is wonderful enough to fall in love with for no reason at all.
Diana decided to keep that thought buried deep in her heart rather than say it aloud.
Although Diana thought of Vanessa as a granddaughter, their official relationship was still that of master and servant. She had to maintain a certain level of dignity.
However, her attempt to maintain that dignity was shattered by Vanessa's next words.
It was only natural, as they were words Diana had never expected to hear.
"...It started after I happened to have skin-to-skin contact with Master Guwon."
"That early?!"
The time Vanessa accidentally had skin-to-skin contact with Guwon. Wasn't that a long time ago, back when Guwon had just learned Holy Ground Proclamation?!
The fact that Vanessa had liked Guwon for much longer than she'd expected made Diana cry out involuntarily.
Besides, if she started liking him then, doesn't that mean... Was Vanessa the type to prioritize sexual compatibility above all else when choosing a lover?!
Diana had no idea how to react.
And seeing that reaction, Vanessa was also inwardly shocked.
Could it be that Lady Diana knew? I thought it was a secret between just me and Guwon, but has she known all along and just pretended not to?
At that thought, the guilt crushing her heart grew even heavier.
I shouldn't have lied to Lady Diana from the start. I should confess everything now and beg for forgiveness.
"...Yes."
She even confirmed it?! Really?! Is that truly it!? Vanessa. I never imagined you liked sex that much...
Surely it wasn't torture for you to work in a mansion with only women all this time, was it...?
Diana had thought she knew Vanessa well, having watched her since she was a child, but now she was no longer so confident.
"I apologize for keeping silent until now. Ever since that day, when I unintentionally had skin-to-skin contact with Master Guwon once again, I..."
"Hmm? Once again? Are you talking about what happened recently?"
"...Huh?"
And only then did Diana and Vanessa realize that their conversation wasn't quite lining up.
"Wait. Hold on a moment. So you're saying that you and my darling were intimate again, without my knowledge. Is that what you're telling me?"
And Diana, being quick-witted, immediately figured out which part of their conversation wasn't matching up and drew the correct conclusion.
"...Yes."
That damn darling of mine!
The moment Vanessa answered, Diana almost shot up from her seat to run to Guwon's side.
But her conversation with Vanessa wasn't over yet.
Dealing with her darling could wait until after this was finished.
"Oh, ho... I-Is that so. W-Why don't you tell me about it... in detail?"
Aware that her voice was trembling with rage, Diana forced herself to sit and listen to Vanessa's story.
Right. There must be a reason. My darling wouldn't lay a hand on Vanessa without a good cause.
Of course, considering Vanessa's earlier answer, it seems they were intimate quite some time ago, and while he's different now, the old Guwon did have a bit of a playboy streak... What am I going to do with that man?
"...Some time ago, I was affected by Master Guwon's skill once again."
"Oh, ho... My darling used a skill on you. Is that it...?"
"N-No. To be precise, I walked into it. Master Guwon didn't intend to..."
"Vanessa. I'm well aware that you like my darling, so you don't have to make excuses for him."
For Vanessa to go so far as to lie to defend him. Just how did my darling embrace her to make her fall for him so completely!?
Just you wait until I'm done talking with Vanessa.
Diana was grinding her teeth inwardly, but her anger subsided slightly at Vanessa's next words.
"It's not a lie. It seems he was trying to play a prank on Lady Sara. He was using Stealth and about to use a Saint's skill when I mistook him for a thief who had snuck in..."
"Ahh..."
A sigh escaped Diana's lips.
That foolish darling of mine... He's never tried a surprise play like that on me... No. That's not the point. How could he do something so stupid...!
"I-Is that so. Enough about that. So, you were intimate?"
"...Yes. But, Lady Diana, even though we had skin-to-skin contact, there was no penetration. I know I have no credibility saying this now after hiding it for so long, but please believe me. There truly was no penetration. If there had been, I would have reported it to you without fail."
Seeing Vanessa say this with a look like she was about to cry, Diana knew she was telling the truth.
And to be honest, she felt a little better.
That's my darling. Mm. Of course. He wouldn't betray me so easily.
"So. You had no choice but to have skin-to-skin contact to break the effect of my darling's skill? And you fell in love with him just from that? But isn't that strange? You've had a full relationship with him before that, haven't you?"
Vanessa had definitely said they had skin-to-skin contact again. Meaning, it wasn't the first time.
And according to Diana's memory, the first time Vanessa had skin-to-skin contact with her darling was back then. When she was hit by Holy Ground Proclamation, but he wasn't at a high enough level to make her climax with just the skill, so they had to go all the way.
She didn't develop any feelings then, but she developed special feelings later from just being caressed?