~Chaptr 23~
“His Excellency said the child is still young and might not know what she needs, so I should use my judgment.”
Originally, Silonia wouldn’t have done this kind of task herself.
After all, who was she?
She owned the hottest boutique in high society—people paid a fortune for her designs. Even noblewomen waited years to buy from her.
She also designed buildings, so even her staff rarely saw her.
The only reason she came herself was that she owed Kaelos a favor—and was curious about the daughter he had so coldly abandoned.
As expected, the child’s room was a disaster.
It barely looked livable.
Cold, empty, with almost no sign of life. Just a blanket and a pillow.
There wasn’t even a table. Crumbs on the tiny bedside cabinet suggested she ate there too.
She didn’t expect much from meeting the child.
She imagined someone small, timid, and constantly watching others’ reactions.
She did feel sorry for her. So she came with the intent to do the job properly.
But then—
“So I can say whatever I want?”
The girl was nothing like what she’d expected. She was confident.
She gave orders casually, as if used to being in charge.
“…Ah, yes. Please speak.”
Silonia answered with a polite smile, not expecting much.
“Then I want a huge bed and desk, a big wardrobe too. Replace the windows with better ones. I need ten dresses and ten pajamas. And clothes I can sneak out in. Shiphon needs clothes too.”
“Miss?”
Shiphon’s eyes widened.
“Shiphon doesn’t have any nice clothes.”
Esther had noticed her maid always wore the same outfit. Probably because of her status and being bullied.
“…Um…”
“Also, I need a big fancy box full of jewels, decorations here, and lots of snacks.”
Esther ran to a wall and pointed at it.
Silonia, realizing she needed to start taking notes, quickly pulled out a pen and notebook.
“Got it. Anything else?”
She hesitated. Something felt off.
“Then—lights! Not candles. Use magic stones.”
“Ah… that’ll be expensive.”
“Yeah, but my dad’s rich.”
Silonia shut her mouth. There was something strange about this girl.
“Anything else?”
“Kyuu! Kyuuu!”
Ros bounced on her shoulder, holding an acorn, then ran around and mimed putting it in a box. He held it to his chest, smiling.
Then he cried again and danced.
“….”
Who would think that thing is a divine beast?
“Miss?”
“Ah, um. Can you make an acorn storage box?”
“Sure. What shape?”
“Hmm… you decide. Make it special.”
She didn’t really care. It wasn’t her money.
“Anything else?”
“A place to keep books.”
“Like a study? Understood.”
“The floor should be soft, and the blankets too.”
“Got it.”
“Aside from that, do whatever you want!”
Esther nodded, satisfied.
If you help people, good things will come back to you.
“Construction will take about a month. You’ll need to stay elsewhere.”
“Ah…”
She had nowhere to go. It’d be awkward to ask the duke after he made it clear she wasn’t his grandchild.
There’s an empty warehouse in the back annex. I’ll go there.
“Okay.”
“And anything else you need—”
“Miss! You forgot about my tailcoat! It breaks my heart! Please, my clothes and gloves too.”
A familiar voice chimed in with a chuckle. Turning around, she saw that man from Rio’s guild.
“Who are you?”
She opened her mouth in surprise, and he answered smoothly.
“I’m Denver Vallos, newly assigned as your personal butler.”
What do you mean, Denver Vallos?
You were just “Rotten” before! Why are you here?
“When did you…”
As she started to speak, he cut her off cheerfully.
“We should take your measurements. It’s nearly dinner time for you.”
Thanks to that, everyone scattered to get to work.
By the time her measurements were done, he had vanished to prepare dinner.
…What’s going on? Why is he calling himself a butler?
“Anything else, Miss?”
Esther decided to focus on urgent things.
“Yup.”
“Go ahead.”
Esther grinned wide.
“Everything has to be the most luxurious. The most expensive.”
Silonia’s jaw dropped.
“The child may not know the value of things. She seemed mature, so she might refuse or feel awkward, but don’t worry about money—just give her the best of everything.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Kaelos had clearly misunderstood something.
The child neither hesitated nor felt awkward.
In fact, she boldly demanded the finest things possible.
No one in this room cared less about money than Esther.
“We’ll begin construction tomorrow. I’ll take my leave now.”
“Okay!”
After the surprise visit, Esther plopped onto her hard bed.
“We’re moving.”
“Moving?”
Shiphon blinked in surprise.
“Just for a month! We don’t have anywhere else.”
“Ah…”
Shiphon clenched her fists—maybe she felt upset.
“Where are you going?”
At that moment, he returned—quietly, but with his hands full.
“Moving.”
Esther chewed on some savory meat and answered casually.
“Here’s your juice.”
He handed her a drink with a wooden straw.
She sipped automatically—then froze.
“What am I doing, the great me?”
Letting her guard down just for some food? She jumped to her feet.
“You! What’s going on?!”
“As I said, I’ve been hired as your butler.”
He answered shamelessly.
“Me?!”
“Yes. Not by the duke—but by you, personally.”
She never agreed to that.
“I heard direct descendants can hire personal staff.”
Esther frowned. He was seriously mistaken.
“I’m not a direct descendant.”
“I’m illegitimate! I don’t even have a family name.”
“…Oh my.”
He muttered and closed his mouth.
“I don’t have money either.”
So if he expected any payment—he was out of luck.
She packed her things with a large cloth.
“Shiphon, Ros—we’re leaving!”
“And you won’t call me? My heart hurts.”
Shiphon carefully tied the bundle to Esther’s back.
Seeing her look so cute, Shiphon quickly covered her mouth and pretended not to react.
Esther turned to Denver.
“Why are you here? I have no money.”
“It’s fine. I have plenty.”
Oh? Another unexpected money source?
My subordinate’s money is my money.
“Okay, then you’re number 4. Got it?”
If he wanted to come, she wouldn’t stop him. Free labor and money? Who’d say no?
He even seems skilled.
Not sure how much, but still.
“Too bad I’m not the first, but fine.”
“Yup.”
And with that, Esther set off toward her new home—with two people and a squirrel by her side.
