Chapter 572: The Butler's True Feelings
Chapter 572: The Butler's True Feelings
It was the very room where so much had happened between Vanessa and me.
If Diana and Vanessa had the conversation I imagined, then Vanessa had to be here now.
Confident, I opened the door and called out her name at the same time.
“Vanessa!”
…
The room was dark and silent.
Naturally, no one answered my call.
Huh? Wait? That’s strange. This can’t be… There’s no way.
Damn it. Then how am I supposed to find Vanessa?
I was only able to spot her earlier because I happened to be passing by, but I couldn’t count on that kind of coincidence twice.
Flustered, I was about to leave the room when I noticed that the curtain around the bathtub was drawn.
This was an empty room. No one would be using the tub, so it would normally be kept open for easier cleaning.
I quieted my footsteps, tiptoed closer, and yanked the shower curtain open.
Inside the tub, just as I’d expected, was the crouched figure of a person.
It was, without a doubt, Vanessa.
Vanessa was crouched in the middle of the tub, her arms wrapped around her legs.
Perhaps it was just my own bias, but she looked as if she were reminiscing about the memories made in this very tub.
The few, but intense, moments of contact between us.
“…What is it?”
But contrary to my sentimental thoughts, and as if her earlier reaction had been a lie, Vanessa looked up at me with her usual expressionless face. She had been hiding here in silence the moment I entered, yet her tone was as devoid of emotion as her expression.
However, that was only how it seemed at a glance. A closer look revealed that she was, indeed, different from her usual self.
Her breathing was a little faster than normal. Her eyelids trembled faintly. Her cheeks were flushed red.
…Alright. I might have exaggerated about the cheeks. The truth is, the crimson sunset seeping in through the window made it hard to tell her exact complexion. But still, they were probably flushed.
In any case, while a closer look revealed these subtle differences, there was one major change that was obvious even without looking closely.
It was the fact that Vanessa was in her Dragonian form, not her human one.
And she was wearing her full butler uniform, too. Just how did that thick tail of hers manage to poke out?
The question briefly crossed my mind, but I decided not to mention it.
“Is that what you say when you get caught hiding?”
“…I was not hiding.”
“You didn’t answer when I called you.”
“…I was on a break, so I felt no need to respond.”
“Didn’t you run away earlier, saying you were busy?”
“…I did that because I dislike my break time getting shorter and shorter.”
What a ridiculous excuse. She was definitely not her usual self.
And hey, you didn’t even deny that you ran away, did you?
“Really?”
“Do I have any reason to lie?”
“Of course you do.”
“On what grounds… ugh!”
Vanessa had been responding with her usual bluntness, but that deadpan expression of hers shattered once again.
Because I had grabbed her chin and lifted it.
Watching her pupils tremble visibly, I slowly brought my face closer to hers.
“I have my grounds, but to be honest, they aren’t exactly solid. So I’m going to test them right now.”
“Wh-What is that supposed to…”
“I’m going to kiss you now.”
“……!”
At my bold declaration, Vanessa’s body went rigid, unable to even let out a whimper.
And I could see her eyes, staring straight into mine, trembling even more than before.
“So if you don’t want this, dodge it or stop me.”
With those words, I moved my face even closer.
Slowly. Very slowly. I gave Vanessa plenty of time to react, to completely block any excuse that it was too sudden for her to do anything.
But as my lips drew nearer to hers, Vanessa’s body remained stiff, only trembling slightly, showing no other reaction.
“Mmph…”
In the end, Vanessa didn’t avoid it.
My lips gently touched hers, soft and pliant. Not satisfied with that, I pressed forward, pressing my lips firmly against hers.
I didn’t use my tongue, of course, but for a first kiss, it was quite passionate.
Even a girl with a face like a rigid iron mask has such soft lips.
As that silly thought crossed my mind, I slowly pulled my lips away from hers.
I had pressed them together so firmly that, for a moment after we parted, I felt the phantom sensation of her touch still lingering.
“Hah… hah… Wh-What… are you thinking?”
It seemed Vanessa felt that strong afterglow as well, as she stared at me for a while, speechless.
After taking a long moment to catch her breath, Vanessa finally managed to put some strength back into her eyes and glared at me questioningly.
Of course, since the lips that had just been pressed against mine were trembling faintly, she didn’t exude any of her usual intimidating presence.
“What about you? What are you thinking?”
“What do you mean?”
“What were you thinking, not avoiding my kiss? And don’t give me some excuse like you couldn’t. I gave you plenty of time. You saw that yourself.”
“Ngh…!”
At my words, Vanessa whipped her head to the side, avoiding my gaze.
But even though the kiss was over, I was still holding her chin.
I tightened my grip, forcing her head back toward me. Vanessa resisted for a brief moment before she eventually, obediently, turned to face me.
“I’m not letting you run away like last time. I’m going to properly hear your…”
Your heart, your thoughts.
That’s what I was about to say, but right before the words came out, I felt that wasn’t quite right.
Vanessa probably did like me.
But so what? Vanessa likes me, so I accept her, and things just flow from there?
Isn’t that a little off?
Not long ago, when I had a serious talk with my girls about accepting other women, I made myself clear.
I don’t want to take a woman into my life just because she likes me. I want to make a woman mine because I like her.
If that’s the case, then shouldn’t I be the one to confess to Vanessa first, before she confesses to me?
Besides, there was still the issue with my girls.
To be honest, kissing Vanessa like this was, by my standards, cheating.
Until now, whenever I considered accepting other women, I tried to let my girls know first before starting a relationship.
Of course, considering what I overheard from my room, it seemed Diana had already given her permission and was even planning to persuade the others, so one could argue I had semi-approval. But even so, it was different from getting their permission myself.
Despite all that, the reason I came looking for Vanessa right away was none other than Diana.
If I left things as they were, it was obvious Diana would end up being pushed around by the others.
Of course, Sara and Leia weren’t like that.
Leia was a literal angel, and Sara, despite her cold exterior, was actually incredibly kind.
They wouldn’t hold this over Diana’s head.
But Diana, who was just as kind-hearted as them, would feel a sense of responsibility and would keep feeling sorry toward them.
However, if I acted first, there would be no need for Diana to feel sorry.
That’s why, even after realizing what my girls were talking about, I didn’t go back to my room and came straight here to find Vanessa.
And from that perspective, too, it seemed right for me to be the one to confess first.
“Vanessa.”
“Wh-What is it?”
“You will be my woman.”
…Huh? Wait? That’s not what I meant to say!
I was planning to be more polite, to whisper words of love.
No, I mean, it’s because Vanessa kept glaring at me.
I was subconsciously trying to gain the upper hand, so my tone kept getting harsher, you know?
So my confession just came out a little strong without me realizing it.
“Wha—!”
“I’m sorry, but you don’t have the right to refuse. This is a decision. As your master… right. As your master’s man, I command you. From today on, you are my woman.”
I felt a pang of regret, but I couldn’t take back the words I’d already spoken.
Besides, retracting what I just said to whisper words of love would just look like I was teasing her.
I had no choice but to push forward with what I’d said.
Well, I already know she likes me, so saying it like this shouldn’t be a problem…
“…I refuse.”
“…Huh?”
I was rejected. And flatly, at that.
“Did you truly believe I was a woman who would obey any command, even one that demands her love?”
“No. Wait. Hold on a second. It’s a misunderstanding. That’s not it. I can explain. It’s not like that…”
“Furthermore, do you truly believe I would obey your command, when it is not even Lady Diana’s?”
So you’d obey if it were Diana’s command?
That thought briefly crossed my mind, but that wasn’t what was important right now.
“No. I told you, it’s not like that. Hey. Look, the thing is…”
“Love is something I will follow with my own heart. Therefore, Guwon. I love you.”
“It’s a misunder… huh?”
As I was desperately trying to make excuses, something about what she said felt out of place.
I looked at Vanessa again, properly this time.
I hadn’t noticed in my panic, but at some point, Vanessa had returned to her usual self.
Her eyes were no longer trembling, and her voice was steady.
She was just looking at me, her gaze direct and filled with resolve.
“…I would appreciate an answer.”
But it seemed even she was a little embarrassed to keep staring like this, because when the silence stretched on, Vanessa spoke again in a slightly awkward tone.
This is strange.
Although I’m not her direct master, the most fitting description of our relationship would be that of master and servant.
And yet, why is it that whenever I talk to her, I get the feeling that she’s the one holding all the cards?
It makes me want to make her cry someday… come to think of it, did I make her cry earlier? It wasn’t a very pleasant feeling.
Damn it. Isn’t this totally unfair?
“Yeah. I love you, too.”
“Is that so? That is a relief.”
Vanessa said this while still maintaining her expressionless face.
And her complexion… was still bathed in the red evening glow, making it impossible to see clearly.
“Hah… If this was going to happen, why did you reject my confession in the first place?”
“Was that a confession?”
Hey. Don’t hit me where it hurts, you’re just the butler.
“I simply disliked the idea of such a relationship being formed through a command. I am, after all, a woman.”
I told you not to hit me where it hurts!
“Fine! I’m sorry! I’m sorry for being a guy who doesn’t understand a woman’s heart and can’t even confess properly!”
“I did not go that far, but I will accept your apology.”
Th-This shameless woman!
Let me say it again! I’m the master and you’re the butler!
“And besides! Why are you so expressionless even at a time like this! You said you’re a woman! You should be more embarrassed! Huh?! Here!”
“Hnngh…!”
As I spoke, I stepped into the tub and pulled Vanessa’s body into an embrace. For a fleeting moment, she let out a small sound and her body flinched.
“Hm? Hmmmm?”
“Wh-What is it?”
Look at this. She’s trying to play innocent.
“You actually are embarrassed, aren’t you?”
“That’s… hngh!”
Vanessa tried to retort, but as I held her body, she flinched again.