‘Has the day grown longer already...’
Count Frozenheart gazed out the window, a teacup in his hand. Beyond the window, the sun hung over the mountain ridge, squeezing out its last strength to dye the world in its color.
It was a truly beautiful sight, yet he could not bring himself to smile. Not long ago, the northern barbarians had raided the border.
Miraculously, there had been no deaths, but many were injured. Among them was Crom, Commander of the 1st Knight Order, and some had been hurt badly enough that they would have to retire immediately.
‘Just when will this tiresome mess end...’
Just as the Count was thinking this, about to let out a long sigh.
Suddenly, a knock came, followed by a voice.
"It’s Elena."
"Come in."
The Count answered calmly, but inwardly he was bewildered. Since taking a new wife, Elena had never once come to his office.
‘It feels like just yesterday she toddled over asking for a fairytale to be read to her...’
That happy life had already become a relic of the past.
Worried he might look strange, he hurriedly tidied his surroundings. Just then, the door opened quietly and Elena entered.
"Yes, daughter. What is it?"
"Th-that is..."
Elena could not speak easily and fidgeted with her fingers.
What could she possibly want to talk about?
The Count was curious but did not urge her. He merely waited until she was ready to speak.
Before long, Elena opened her mouth.
"I-I want to learn magic..."
"Magic, you say...?"
"Yes... Actually, today I went to the training grounds with Luke..."
"Is that so? Tell me. No, let us not stand like this—come sit over there and speak comfortably."
The Count sat facing Elena and began to listen.
From going to the training grounds and receiving sword training from the 1st Knight Commander, to how swinging a sword was difficult and hard, and finally...
"He said that if I become a great mage, I can protect people like the Knight Commander."
"Yes, that is correct. If you become a great mage, you can protect many people."
"So, so I wanted to learn magic..."
A great mage who could protect people.
It was good that Elena had found a goal, and it was good that it was a positive one.
However, reality was not something one could live on ideals alone. Just as the knights on the front lines dreamed of becoming heroes but ultimately died without ever becoming one.
‘If only she had said knight, it would have been a little better...’
Talent was often hereditary. A knight’s child was highly likely to inherit a knight’s talent, and a mage’s child was likely to be born with a mage’s talent.
In that case, Elena must have inherited a great deal of knight’s talent. He himself had once been a renowned knight, and his late first wife had also come from a knightly household.
In contrast, what of mage talent?
It was a complete unknown. There was a possibility that Elena could become a great mage as she wished, and at the same time, there was a possibility she had no talent at all.
A path with a high chance of success, and the path his daughter wished for.
As a parent, which choice was the right one?
After a brief deliberation, the Count made his decision.
"I shall find a magic teacher. Let us try together."
"Really?!"
"Yes. However, you must not give up and must work hard."
"I’ll work hard...!"
Elena gave a bright smile.
It was his daughter’s smile, seen for the first time in about two years since the Count’s first wife had passed away.
The Count felt a surge of emotion for a moment but forced it down and smiled.
Ever since meeting Luke, that little servant boy, many things had been changing.
* * * * *
Elena, who had left the office, smiled brightly.
"Father said he’ll find a magic teacher...!"
"Congratulations. Now all that remains is for you to become a great mage."
"Will I be able to make a fire this big too?"
"Yes, you will surely be able to."
Though in the original story she had never once used magic, her talent alone was said to be comparable to the Tower Master’s.
A huge fireball, and if she put her mind to it, she could probably drop a meteor too.
‘Still, I hadn’t expected the Count to permit it so easily...’
House Frozenheart had produced great knights for generations, so naturally he had expected the Count to oppose Elena becoming a mage.
Who would have thought the matter would be resolved so easily.
Thanks to that, the "151 Ways to Persuade the Count" I had planned ended up straight in the trash, but...
It didn’t really matter. If it’s good, it’s good.
"Then let’s go back!"
"Yes, my lady."
Elena began striding down the hallway, and I followed her.
How much time had passed since then?
"I’ll be off then, my lady."
"Mm, go on."
I bade farewell to Elena and slipped out of the mansion.
My destination was none other than the dining hall.
This too was all to earn a living, so I couldn’t skip meals. Especially since I was currently in my growth period.
‘There are a lot of people...’
The dining hall I soon arrived at was crowded with servants in maid uniforms. It had been completely empty at lunch because the timing hadn’t worked out, but it seemed I had come at the right time this go.
As I began to step forward, gazes gathered one by one.
Well, how often would a 9-year-old brat come to the dining hall used by knights and servants? It was only natural for them to be curious.
I did my best to ignore their gazes as I took bread, salad, and soup from the serving counter.
Now, where should I sit...
As I looked around for a suitable spot, I suddenly saw a familiar face.
Sein, the kind servant who had escorted me all the way to the office.
Thankfully, the seat next to her was empty, so I headed straight there.
While the ominous smile she had shown me still remained in my memory, it seemed better than sitting next to someone I didn’t know.
As I set my plate on the table, Sein’s gaze naturally turned to me.
"Your name is certainly..."
"I’m Luke. Luke Nineheart."
"You are Lady Elena’s exclusive servant?"
"That is correct."
"How old are you?"
"...I’m 9 years old, but I would like to eat now. The lady is waiting for me."
She was bombarding me with questions so much that I couldn’t eat. Not that I could answer with food in my mouth anyway.
Who could have known? This was only the beginning.
At least as I chewed on bread, I had no idea.
"Wow, your cheeks are so squishy."
"Please don’t touch..."
"Is your way of speaking meant to imitate adults?"
"It’s not imitating adults. Simply, as the lady’s exclusive servant, I must maintain dignity..."
"Kyaa, so cute."
I finished my meal safely, but I couldn’t move because of the servants who had crowded around.
To make matters worse, slender fingers were stroking my cheeks and hands, making me want to go mad and jump up and down.
At this rate, my dignity as a servant...!
It was then.
"What are you all huddled together doing...! I told you that you must possess the awareness of being a servant of House Frozenheart...!"
A voice like thunder rang out from the entrance of the dining hall.
At the same time, the servants scattered in all directions as quickly as herbivores facing a predator.
I was glad to be freed, but on the other hand, I was curious.
Just who was it that made the servants react this way?
That curiosity was resolved after only a brief moment.
"I see a face I haven’t seen before...?"
A middle-aged woman with white hair growing here and there tilted her head.
A monocle over one eye and an even more luxurious maid uniform were proof that she was no ordinary servant.
I did not know exactly who she was, but it seemed there would be no harm in being polite.
"I am Luke Nineheart, Lady Elena’s exclusive servant. I apologize for causing a disturbance."
"I had heard the news, but this is the first time seeing you. I am the Head Maid, Glaia."
She returned the greeting with equal courtesy. As if to prove she was the Head Maid, her posture was dignified yet graceful.
"The servants seem to have briefly taken an interest in you. Most have reached marriageable age yet remain unmarried, so please understand generously."
"Yes, it is fine. Nothing serious happened."
I answered thus, but I was puzzled.
Isn’t the Head Maid essentially the queen of the servants? That such a person would apologize courteously to a mere servant made no logical sense.
Come to think of it, Yulia and Sein also treated me courteously, didn’t they...?
‘And I thought everyone was young, but here they’re already women who have missed their marriageable age....’
Well, my father and mother were quite young despite having several children.
I was once again reminded of this world’s common sense.
"This may be a poor substitute for an apology, but would you accept this?"
What Glaia offered was none other than a cookie. The golden-baked treat looked sweet and crunchy.
I definitely had not had much of a sweet tooth in my previous life, so why did it look so delicious now...
"Then I shall accept it gratefully..."
I answered as quietly as a mouse and took the cookie.
I’ll split this with Elena later. She’ll surely like it?
It was a little while after that I realized being an exclusive servant was a more important position than I had thought.
Unlike ordinary servants, one held an independent position, and the only one who could give orders was the master they served, or so I heard.
* * * * *
It was a day some time after that.
During House Frozenheart’s traditional breakfast, the Count suddenly spoke.
"Elena, a magic teacher is coming this afternoon."
"Yes...! I’ll prepare...!"
The day had finally come for Elena’s talent to bloom.