Surviving As An Obsessive Servant

Evo wasn’t the type to lecture or take an interest in others.Like the young master, he was usually indifferent, so his question caught me off guard.But I saw this as an opportunity.“I’m not sure exactly… but I’ll leave eventually. Actually, I have a dream of my own.”Sponsorship for the orphanage or working as a low-ranking member of the merchant guild might seem like a good deal to Evo right now.However, in the long run, being content with the present could have side effects, like him not aspiring to become a merchant guild leader as in the original story.I wanted Evo to achieve his dreams rather than settle for the role of a secondary character, so I spoke seriously.Hoping he’d be inspired to set his sights higher.At that, Evo , who had looked oddly relieved, suddenly clasped my hands tightly.“I have a dream too. I won’t stay as a low-ranking member of Denkart. One day, I’ll create my own merchant guild.”Wow… now that’s the ambition of a protagonist.But why does he look… a bit angry? Did someone give him a hard time when I wasn’t looking?Anyway, starting his own merchant guild was obvious, and his rise to becoming a legendary guild leader was practically guaranteed.When I nodded enthusiastically, he added seriously,“Hornet Merchant Guild belongs to my father. I stole a secret document from Hornet and ran away.”The more I heard, the stranger it felt… Why is he telling me something so important here, of all places?“If I return with it… I can take the heir’s position.”As I blinked in confusion, trying to process this, he spoke in a determined voice.“Did you know? Even a guild leader can have an attendant.”“Uh… yes, that’s true.”He’s not the type to flaunt, unlike someone like Manellano… so why is he saying such strange things?Could it be a message for me to pass on to the young master? Like, look how much potential I have?I was still puzzling over it when he dropped an unexpected bombshell.“I’m taking you with me.”“…What?”“When I become a guild leader, I’ll make sure to bring you with me.”And just like that, Evo promised me a bright future by his side.Thanks to being close to the protagonist, I’d formed meaningful connections with other key characters.…And it seemed, as a proper merchant leader, he had also recognized my potential. He has a good eye, as expected.‘Even if it’s just words, I’m grateful. It feels nice.’I didn’t know when Evo would return to his hometown, but his determination made me happy.For someone like me, who once worried about ruining his future, it was a relief.But…‘What a shame… By the time Evo becomes a guild leader… we won’t see each other again.’Since everything about me, apart from my age, was a lie, he’d never be able to find me.Even so, I couldn’t bring myself to say that.When I nodded, Evo left with a resolute expression, leaving me with kind words about protecting me in the future.Not long after, I heard that Evo had quit his job at the Denkart guild.Once he’d made up his mind, he wasted no time working toward starting his own guild.‘As expected of a future guild leader… His decisiveness is amazing.’I wondered if something about meeting the young master had triggered memories from his childhood or motivated him.After all, even a merchant leader wouldn’t have had access to the luxury goods of Denkart.Seeing such extravagance might have sparked a desire to enjoy a life like this someday. He’s still young, after all.‘So, how far will Evo go? What kind of person will he become?’Having read the original story, I couldn’t help but be curious.“Lobel, what are you thinking about?”“…I just nodded off for a moment.”I closed the book I’d been reading and steered the conversation elsewhere.In the original story, the young master didn’t take much interest in Evo.Maybe it was because Evo had rejected his goodwill, but now he seemed to view him unfavorably.“It’s still so warm…”I fanned myself and made a tired face.As the young master’s studies progressed, so did the seasons, and it was now early autumn.This place had extreme temperature shifts. Mornings and nights were fine, but the midday heat was unbearable.I was always sensitive to heat, and wearing a tight servant’s uniform over a shirt and vest, plus tightly wrapped bandages, made my skin feel raw.Even so, I was getting used to life here. Sometimes I thought, if not for these bandages, I wouldn’t mind continuing to work here.Beyond the generous pay, the young master himself was becoming more endearing. The more I spent time with him, the more I enjoyed it. Talking with him was engaging and insightful…If I were truly a man, this job would’ve suited me perfectly.‘…But no, it’s not possible.’That was something I could only allow myself to think about.The moment it was revealed that I was a woman, my entire family would face severe punishment for the crime of mocking nobility…As soon as I fully recovered, I had to leave this place. No matter how reluctant, it was the only right choice.Unaware of my inner turmoil, our young master kept trying to look after me.“Do you need anything?”“No, nothing.”I was already planning to leave behind the belongings I had; there was no way I could afford to take on more.Besides, just recovering from my illness was already a debt I couldn’t repay in a lifetime. I felt too guilty to accept anything more.So, even though I was grateful for his concern, I declined. At my refusal, the young master’s lips parted slightly, as if disappointed.Rimson, who had been watching silently, chimed in.“Think it over. There’s got to be at least one thing you want.”“There really isn’t. Besides, the young master takes care of everything before I even realize I need anything.”When I turned him down firmly, Rimson frowned, his expression darkening. The young master’s face also grew slightly shadowed.Was there some sort of event coming up?I couldn’t figure out why the two of them were so insistent on giving me something, but the reason became clear a few days later.Bang!“Congratulations, Lobel!”At dawn, as I woke early out of habit to wash up, I was startled by the sudden sound of something exploding.Following that, I heard a chorus of congratulations. My sleepiness vanished instantly as I blinked in shock.In the dimly lit, bluish hallway, I saw familiar faces—at least six or more—including the young master, Rimson, and Arif.The young master held a cake stand in his hands. Even in the dim light, I could see his hands stiff with tension.However, despite his rigid demeanor, his voice was soft as he spoke.“Happy birthday.”For a moment, I stood there, blinking blankly.‘My birthday… was ages ago.’Is this a dream?I blinked a few more times, and Rimson gave me a pitying look.“Still half asleep, huh?”That’s when it hit me.…The forged identification card listed my birthday in the fall.“Thank you. I’d forgotten all about it myself.”The young master looked guilty, as if he thought I’d been too busy to even notice my own birthday.Feeling strangely sentimental, I stared at the cake.Whatever the reason, this was the fourth time I’d been wished a happy 13th birthday.But could I really accept this?I was well aware of the young master’s hectic schedule. He barely had time to sleep, yet he went out of his way to prepare this…Feeling a pang of guilt, I hesitated to accept it or blow out the candles, instead lowering my head.“Can’t you see the wax is melting? Blow out the candles already.”“Lobel, make a wish.”…It would be better to end this quickly.Unable to delay any longer, I clasped my hands together as if in prayer and closed my eyes.After a brief moment, I opened my eyes and blew out the candles. Everyone stared at me with sparkling eyes, including Arif, which was a surprise.“What did you wish for?”The young master asked as if ready to personally grant any wish I had.The others also seemed eager to hear my answer.I hesitated, glancing at the people who had gathered at this early hour for me. At least this once, I didn’t want to lie.So I gave them an honest answer.“I wished for a world where no one has to suffer anymore.”  *****  Count Clant had long been loyal to Denkart, but there was always something he found lacking.Neither Alexis nor the previous Duke of Denkart harbored any ambition; they acted solely in service of the imperial family.A true head of a noble house should aspire to grow their power and expand their influence…Such was the expectation of the retainers, yet it was a trait absent in the Denkart dukedom.No matter how often they implored them to reconsider, nothing changed, leaving the retainers feeling endlessly frustrated.But Edric Denkart was different.He dares to visit the capital himself, explore the Grand Market, and even aspire to establish a merchant guild.It was as if a divine messenger had come to fulfill their long-held desires.Edric was now walking without difficulty and had even secretly been practicing swordsmanship—an accomplishment that earned widespread admiration.Those who had once expressed concern about his upbringing as a commoner were now unanimously silent.However, Count Clant had a couple of lingering concerns.The first was Arif.While others dismissed it as needless worry, Clant was well aware of the Duchess’s displeasure toward Edric and couldn’t ignore Arif’s connection to her.The benevolence the Duchess had shown him was known to everyone who had been in the ducal household at the time.Thus, Clant had increased Edric’s personal guard by three and significantly reduced Arif’s time as his escort.Yet, there was something even more concerning.…That personal attendant.Lobel, the servant whom Edric placed extraordinary trust in.Clant had observed the boy sneaking glances at study materials he wasn’t meant to see or eavesdropping on conversations he should have pretended not to hear.He seemed clever, but there was an air of audacity about him that was hard to ignore. Above all, the boy was suspicious.As part of his efforts to assess Edric’s qualifications as an heir, Count Clant had scrutinized everyone in his circle.Given that Edric had grown up as an orphan with no ties to anyone, this should have been a relief.Yet, the one glaring exception was that boy, Lobel.Every time Clant saw him, an instinctive unease tugged at him—a sense that something was off.And that instinct… was not wrong.