Chapter 579: The Butler's True Feelings
Chapter 579: The Butler's True Feelings
“So that was Vanessa’s true form.”
It seemed I wasn’t the only one staring at her swaying tail, as I heard Leia murmur beside me.
“I know, right? To have a trauma about that form. Even as a woman, I can see she’s beautiful. If she weren’t, there’s no way this playboy would have jumped at the chance, no matter how pitiful her circumstances.”
And as Sara chimed in, she subtly… no, she blatantly dissed me.
“Hey, calling me a playboy is a bit much, don’t you think?”
“Are you saying you’re not?”
“…You’re right. My apologies.”
I’d only retorted out of reflex, but thinking about it, there was no way for me to deny it in this situation.
Vanessa may have refused in the end, but I was trying to add another concubine to the list.
“A-anyway, so everyone noticed Vanessa’s Dragonian form?”
“Of course we noticed. How could we not when she transformed so openly?”
Matilda said this with a ‘what are you talking about’ look on her face, as if relieved that a topic she could finally speak on had come up.
It seemed she’d been quite frustrated just watching the situation unfold in silence.
Honestly, I don’t think it would’ve mattered if she’d chimed in. Matilda and Silvia are my women too, so they have every right to speak.
“No, it’s just that none of you mentioned it. I was just wondering.”
“Heh?! U-hyat?!”
As I said that, I pulled Silvia, who was sitting stiffly next to Matilda with a nervous expression, into a tight hug.
Haaah… so healing. I’ve spent almost the entire day just lying in bed, but I feel completely drained from everything that’s happened in just the last few hours.
And to top it off, this conversation isn’t even over yet.
“We heard that Vanessa has a trauma associated with that form. We thought it would be best to act naturally and not say anything.”
I see. So that’s how it was.
Well, I’d guessed as much from our earlier conversation, but it seems the girls were fully aware that Vanessa had a trauma about her form.
No, they probably know the situation even better than I do. I was just guessing based on Vanessa’s actions, but they must have heard the details directly from Diana.
“Yeah. You did the right thing. Her trauma seems to be quite severe.”
“And as of now, you are the only one who can help Vanessa overcome her trauma. Though it appears things didn’t go as well as you’d hoped.”
Just as I said that, Diana sighed and muttered her words. The timing was so perfect it almost felt like she was stopping me from saying anything more.
In any case, it was only after hearing Diana’s words that I began to grasp the situation.
The reason my girls agreed to accept Vanessa just by hearing Diana’s explanation.
And the reason Diana supported my relationship with Vanessa in the first place.
Could it all have been because of Vanessa’s trauma about her Dragonian form?
If I think of it that way, it all makes sense.
Just like Silvia and Matilda, Vanessa also had a reason she needed to be in a relationship with me.
Of course, unlike with those two, the ‘relationship’ I’m talking about here isn’t sex, but a literal connection between two people.
To overcome her trauma, we don’t necessarily have to have sex.
No… to support her and help her overcome her trauma, we need to maintain a deep relationship. And from that perspective, I guess having sex isn’t entirely out of the question.
“Everyone. I’m sorry, but could you give us a moment? There is something I need to discuss with this man alone.”
“Okay. We understand.”
“Guwon. See you later.”
When Diana said that, pressing a hand to her forehead with a tired look, everyone nodded and began to leave the room.
“Why? Can’t you just say it in front of them?”
“I had to explain her circumstances to get your consent to accept Vanessa, but this is still her private matter. It is not in my nature to gossip. And more importantly…”
“Hm? More importantly?”
“You just want to keep hugging Miss Silvia, don’t you?”
Tch. Busted. Can’t be helped. Holding her like this calms my mind and helps me think more clearly.
I had no choice but to release Silvia from my arms.
“Hhyaaa…”
She’s already this dazed. C’mon, Silvia.
Did the effect wear off while you were sleeping? You even endured the Apostle Appointment. Let’s try to hold out a little longer.
“So, what did you want to talk about?”
Anyway, my girls left the room, and I was left alone to talk with Diana.
“Right. It would be best to start with the circumstances. Yes. First, how much do you know? From the way you were talking, it seems you have a rough idea about Vanessa’s trauma.”
“Hm? Just that she thinks her Dragonian form is ugly?”
“Hoo… I thought so. There was no way that child, Vanessa, would have explained in detail. I suppose I should be glad you at least noticed the trauma at all.”
“What do you mean?”
“I lied to the others, telling them you had decided to enter a relationship with Vanessa to save her, fully understanding her situation. Do you have any idea how nervous I was that you might let it slip?”
“Whaat? So that’s why you sent the others out?”
“It wasn’t a lie that I didn’t want to expose Vanessa’s private matters to others, either.”
With that, Diana sat at the tea table and took another sip of the already completely cold tea, as if to wet her dry throat.
“So. What exactly are these circumstances? Judging by the mood, it doesn’t seem like a simple issue with her appearance.”
“Mm. Indeed. This will be quite a long story.”
The story that followed her opening words was, just as Diana had said, quite long.
And the more I listened, the more I realized that Vanessa’s trauma was not the simple problem I had imagined.
A fear that had been passed down through several generations, taking root in her mind as if she’d been brainwashed.
Seeing Vanessa’s reaction, I had expected it wouldn’t be an easy problem, but this was far beyond anything I could have anticipated.
This wasn’t about her looks; I had to help her overcome the fear of being a Dragonian that was deeply ingrained in her heart.
“So, you think I can heal that trauma?”
“Mm. If not, why would I go so far as to persuade the others to support your relationship with Vanessa?”
“But that’s…”
“I know. It is not a problem that can be solved so easily. But you are the Saint, are you not?”
“Hey. Just so we’re clear, my ‘Saint’ isn’t that kind of saint.”
…Although lately, it’s become harder to say I’m not that kind of saint, either.
“Above all, you are my love, are you not? I believe in you. Or what? Do you lack the confidence to win Vanessa’s heart?”
“Hey, what kind of question is that? I’m the Saint! The Saint!”
“Mm. I am aware.”
Ah, I took the bait.
The thought crossed my mind for a moment, but I soon decided it didn’t matter.
After all, I’d already decided to make Vanessa my woman. Nothing changes now.
“So, Diana, what do you think I should do from now on?”
“Mm. Indeed. First, it seems you need to make Vanessa fall for you more deeply. From the looks of it, her love for you has not yet surpassed her loyalty to me. Otherwise, her attitude just now would make no sense. Therefore. First, make Vanessa love you more than she reveres me. To the point where she would defy my words for the sake of her love for you.”
“Hey, you say ‘first,’ but isn’t that an incredibly difficult order to start with?”
“Do you think I want to say such a thing? But if it’s not to that extent, Vanessa will never overcome her trauma. Rather than maintaining this ambiguous relationship, you must first properly make her your concubine. Only then can we even hope for a chance to overcome her trauma, no?”
“Well…”
She certainly had a point.
The relationship Vanessa asked for is far too half-baked.
To live as a butler, while occasionally sharing love. What even is that?
Besides, if things continue like this, even that might not happen.
Vanessa may seem to have an iron mask, but that doesn’t mean she’s emotionless.
Even what she said just now was likely spoken in a state of excitement, since it hasn’t been long since we became intimate.
If that’s what she says when she’s excited, what happens when that excitement fades and she calms down?
What if she reverts to her usual self, and her guilt towards Diana grows even stronger?
Far from occasionally sharing love, there’s a chance she might grow even more distant.
Just as Diana said, I first need to firmly establish her as my concubine. That will make it easier to approach her in any way later on.
“So, I am asking you. From now on, whenever you have a chance, whisper words of love to Vanessa and make her crave your affection. Do you understand?”
“I understand.”
Frowning with an utterly solemn expression, Diana spoke. I reached out a finger to smooth the crease between her brows, and as I answered, I leaned in and kissed her on the lips.
“W-what are you doing all of a sudden! I wasn’t telling you to make me crave your affection!”
“I know. Because you’ve already fallen for me as much as you possibly can. I can’t make you crave my affection any more than you already do, can I?”
“Ugh…!”
“It’s just because you’re so beautiful. I know it can’t be easy for you to push me toward another woman.”
“That child, Vanessa, is not a stranger to me. It is certainly a strange feeling, pushing her together with my love… but it is fine. After all, you are completely smitten with me. Your affection for me won’t diminish just because one more person is added to the list, will it?”
“Of course not. How could my affection for you possibly diminish? Even if your love for me were to fade, I would love you forever.”
Saying that, I tried to kiss Diana’s lips once more, but this time, my attempt failed.
An object blocked my lips before they could reach hers.
It was Diana’s hand.
Well, not that her hand isn’t also soft.
“Hyat! W-what are you licking?! A-ahem! In any case, you are making another absurd assumption. It is possible the reverse might happen, but my love will never fade first. For I love you more than you love me.”
The moment Diana said that, I instinctively felt a battle begin.
A battle I absolutely could not lose!
“Hey, wait a minute. I don’t think so. I love you more.”
“What are you talking about? I love you more.”
“I…!”
“Because I only have eyes for you.”
The battle I absolutely could not lose ended in my instant defeat.
Hey, isn’t that a cheap shot at a time like this? Especially when you were the one just telling me to seduce another woman.
Of course, even considering that, it’s a topic where I have absolutely nothing to say for myself.
“Hmph. If you understand, then treat me even better from now on.”
“Yes, yes. As you wish.”
“And to Vanessa, as well. I’m counting on you.”
Seeing me answer in a slightly sulky tone, Diana stroked my head with a look that said she found me unbearably cute, and once again asked me to take care of Vanessa in a serious tone.
Don’t give me that look. Whether subjectively or objectively, you’re way cuter than I am.
“Leave it to me. I’ll make her so she can’t live without me.”
The moment I answered, Diana’s hand, which had been stroking my head, gave me a light bonk.
Hey, what do you want from me?