TLed by NolepGuy
Chapter 33
An awkward atmosphere lingered at the dining table.
As I prepared dinner with my dazzling skills, I observed the tense atmosphere at the dining table.
“…Uugh.”
“…”
Two women awkwardly facing each other, their eyes meeting hesitantly.
The Young Lady fidgeted with her fingers as she stole glances at Yuria. Yuria, savoring the Cheap Green Tea, stared at the Young Lady with an expressionless gaze.
In the awkward tension between the two, I thought to myself.
‘This feels f*cked….’
Upon hearing about Yuria’s situation, the Young Lady readily allowed her to stay at the estate.
-Yuria became a beggar?
-She said she was robbed by bandits on the street and lost her wallet.
Having lost her wallet after parting ways with Ballack, it wasn’t exactly a lie.
When the Young Lady learned that Yuria was a penniless beggar, she displayed her long-hidden Evil Villainess expression.
-But in exchange, I’ll eat with you.
-What?
-I haven’t eaten. I’m hungry.
-Won’t it be awkward?
-Ricardo. I am the Master of the House. And the Desmond Family doesn’t know the meaning of awkwardness.
-Oh…
Although she spoke boldly, invoking the Family Name, the Young Lady couldn’t say anything in front of Yuria.
Looking like a drenched mouse, the Young Lady seemed very conscious of Yuria. It appeared the Desmond Family was indeed very mindful of others.
As the awkward atmosphere persisted, the Young Lady waved stiffly at Yuria. Her robot-like, rigid movements as she waved side to side suggested she was attempting a greeting.
“U…Uhh..H..H..Hi?”
The Young Lady successfully finished her greeting.
She looked at Yuria with a proud Smile.
“…”
Yuria responded with silence.
“Eek…!”
Clenching her fist tightly, the Young Lady glared at Yuria. It seemed she was annoyed that Yuria hadn’t acknowledged her greeting.
The Young Lady looked at me as if I were a Cat Robot with a 4D Pouch.
“Ricardo!”
“Yes.”
“Help me…”
Meeting the Young Lady’s Bright, Shining Eyes, I chuckled softly and replied.
“Good luck.”
“Damn it…”
Meeting the Young Lady’s resentful gaze, I began plating tonight’s dinner.
A plate from which Moorak-Moorak steam rose.
When the food was placed on the dining table with a clatter, the sullen Young Lady exhaled sharply.
“Oh…!”
Even though I’m an extraordinary Butler, it’s practically impossible to prepare a meal that satisfies everyone’s palate in such a short time. It was late, and there weren’t many ingredients available.
After being away from the house for three days, there wasn’t much Meat left in the fridge either.
So, I made Cheese Tteokbokki.
It’s a dish the Young Lady loves.
And it was Yuria’s favorite during her Academy Days.
Yuria’s eyes widened as she saw the Tteokbokki placed on the desk. It was her first time seeing it since the Academy.
A dish only I could make.
Something neither of you could replicate.
Back during our Academy days, I had made it for Yuria a few times, and it seemed she still remembered the taste.
“It’s been a while since I’ve had this.”
Yuria picked up a Fork, ready to eat.
The Young Lady did the same.
“Looks delicious…”
“Drool is falling.”
Seeing the two women gaze at the plates while drooling, a Satisfied Smile naturally appeared on my face.
-Clap.
I clapped my hands and spoke.
“Let’s eat.”
Before eating, the Young Lady looked around. She scanned the kitchen as if searching for something she had lost, so I asked her, holding a Fork.
“What are you looking for?”
“The Village Chief of Green Algae Village?”
“Ah…”
That’s right.
I left him outside and didn’t bring him in.
I had stepped out briefly to look for the unconscious Ruin.
***
An awkward dining table without Ricardo.
The clattering sound of someone scraping their plate was the only thing filling the awkward silence between the two.
Yuria silently ate the Tteokbokki on her plate, while Olivia nervously watched Yuria’s every move.
-Drip-drip-drip…
Olivia poured a glass of water and handed it to Yuria. She noticed Yuria sweating while making a hissing sound.
“Here, drink this. It’s spicy.”
Yuria pushed the Water Cup back. She shook her head and firmly said.
“I’ll handle it myself. Don’t worry about me.”
“Hiccup….”
Olivia’s shoulders trembled.
Ricardo still hadn’t returned.
Olivia was annoyed at Ricardo, who said he would leave Ruin on the third floor but still hadn’t come back.
However.
Olivia had secretly been anticipating this time alone with Yuria. There was something she wanted to say.
Olivia nervously glanced at Yuria.
Then, she clenched her fist tightly.
Yuria continued to silently eat her Tteokbokki.
Olivia had something to say.
To the most outstanding User of Divine Power she knew, someone who could assess another’s physical condition just by touch.
She wanted to make a single request.
A shameless request coming from the Perpetrator who had once bullied her.
She knew Yuria wouldn’t agree, but she felt she would regret it if she didn’t ask now.
Olivia decided to seize this moment without Ricardo to speak to Yuria.
It was also the fundamental reason she had insisted on attending this uncomfortable meal.
“Um…um…”
“…”
“You see…”
Her trembling Voice struggled to form coherent words.
All she had to say was, ‘Can you do this for me?’ Yet her heart pounded wildly, making it inexplicably difficult.
Olivia felt frustrated with herself.
‘I have to say it before Ricardo comes back.’
She could already imagine the expression of the Foolish Butler if he found out she made such a request. Knowing he’d say it’s fine while wearing a bitter Smile, Olivia felt pressed for time.
“That…. That is.”
While Olivia hesitated, Yuria, having emptied her plate, slammed the Fork onto the dining table.
“Sigh.”
Yuria let out a deep sigh.
It wasn’t a Bright Expression.
Yuria, who looked as if she were about to retreat to her room at any moment, stared at Olivia. Olivia fumbled awkwardly.
“Uh… You see…!”
Olivia reached out to Yuria, asking her not to leave and to listen to her story for a moment.
If she missed this chance, she’d have to write a Letter, and she doubted Yuria would accept her Letter.
Olivia stretched out her hand, trying to grab Yuria.
“Ricardo’s hand is in pain…!”
Yuria interrupted Olivia’s words.
“Olivia.”
Yuria’s Voice echoed through the Dining Table. Yuria firmly called her name. Olivia gulped and swallowed her dry saliva.
Yuria leaned her elbows on the Dining Table.
Like a public servant reluctantly doing an unwanted task, Yuria looked visibly disinterested. Seeing this, Olivia tensed up.
“I heard it from Ricardo.”
“Heard what?”
“Your legs.”
Yuria looked at Olivia’s lifeless legs.
Thin, frail legs.
Legs that had gone limp from not moving for a long time. Yuria stared at them as she spoke.
“I heard from Ricardo that you’re uncomfortable.”
“…”
Olivia lowered her head.
‘Ricardo said that.’
Olivia was always slower than Ricardo. This time, she thought she had been quicker, trying to act like the Master, but now she couldn’t lift her head.
-Creak. Yuria got up from her Chair.
As she slowly walked toward Olivia, she continued to speak.
“I don’t believe it unless I see it myself. Honestly, when I saw Olivia being carried down by Ricardo earlier, I thought you were acting.”
“…”
“You see, I don’t want to get involved with either Olivia or Ricardo. And you don’t want to get involved with me either, right? But… since something like this happened today, I’m a bit concerned… I’ll make an exception just this once.”
Yuria trailed off.
“Thank Ricardo for this.”
-Plod. Yuria, who had approached Olivia, placed her hand on Olivia’s shoulder.
A soft green light began to fill the Kitchen.
The power that the Novel called the force making Yuria a ‘Saintess.’
[Miracle.]
The miraculous power that could cure any illness began to burn warmly through Olivia’s shoulder.
In Yuria’s eyes, Olivia’s physical condition appeared like an anatomical chart.
From indigestion.
To obesity and blood pressure.
Where the body was unwell.
Which part of the body was causing issues and making her unwell—all of these detailed aspects began to flow in slowly through the hand placed on her shoulder.
And.
“…Huh?”
Yuria removed her hand from Olivia’s shoulder.
***
An hour later.
I, who had been hiding in a corner of the Kitchen, saw the Young Lady sitting alone on a Chair.
Slumped Shoulders.
Tearful Eyes glistening softly.
The Young Lady looked listless.
-Slap. I slapped my cheek to bring myself back to focus. I couldn’t show the Young Lady my sullen expression.
Judging by her expression, it seemed the conversation didn’t go well. Unfortunately, it was as expected.
I approached the Young Lady with an awkward Smile.
“Haha… I apologize. The third floor was quite messy. It took me a little longer.”
“Ricardo.”
A Cold Voice cut through the air.
She must have been questioning why I did something she didn’t ask for.
I knew it was presumptuous of me.
But, I felt this might be the last chance.
Even knowing the Young Lady would dislike it if I reached out to Yuria, I clung to a sliver of Hope and made the request.
At first, Yuria refused, but after my persistent pleading, she reluctantly agreed.
-Just this once. Because you saved me earlier. I’ll help you just this one time.
-Thank you.
-But… Are you really okay not getting treatment for the cut on your hand earlier?
-Don’t worry. It’ll heal quickly. I recover fast.
The Young Lady glared at me.
And she spoke briefly.
“Don’t do things like this.”
I replied briefly.
“I refuse.”
“I said don’t.”
“I can’t.”
I didn’t want to give up on this either.
The Young Lady let out a deep sigh.
Then, she reached out her hand to me.
“Carry me upstairs.”
I naturally offered my back to the Young Lady.
***
On the way up to the second floor.
The Young Lady, who was on my back, spoke to me.
“Ricardo. You know, I was kind of hopeful?”
“…”
“That maybe Yuria could heal my legs.”
“…Is that so?”
“Yeah.”
The Young Lady buried her face into my back and didn’t move.
“But, if my legs were healed, I wouldn’t be able to ride on your back anymore. So maybe it’s not entirely bad… I actually like being able to ride on your wide and strong back.”
The Young Lady forced a cheerful tone.
I said this to the Young Lady in response.
“I will find a way to heal you.”
The Young Lady replied briefly.
“Don’t overdo it.”
I nodded at her words.
And so, morning arrived, and Yuria and Ruin had left the Estate.