Chapter 6
I nodded and clutched the basket as I moved toward the door.
My waist was bent halfway, like a folded wallet.
“I-I’m fine… ugh.”
“I’ll carry the basket for you. Please step down slowly so you don’t get hurt.”
Sir Millard kindly took the basket and even offered me his hand.
Using his firm hand for support, I carefully stepped down from the carriage.
The moment my feet touched the ground, the nausea stopped.
I could finally breathe again.
“Your face is completely pale. Are you really alright?”
“I-I’m fi—”
Urgh.
I grabbed my spinning head and staggered.
Millard hesitated for a moment, then quickly pulled out a small bottle from somewhere and handed it to me.
Inside the tiny glass vial—no bigger than a pinky finger—was a yellow liquid.
“I don’t have proper medicine, but… this is a Trainee Fatigue Recovery Potion (Ⅰ). Would you like to try this for now? It should help a little.”
A trainee fatigue potion…? Is this like an energy drink?
Wait, items like this exist?
More importantly, where did he even get that?
Maybe because he’s a knight-type NPC, he carries items related to training or combat.
It probably doesn’t affect him directly, since he’s not a player.
For a second, I even wondered if shaking him upside down would make more items fall out.
For now, survival comes first.
I nodded.
Millard popped the cap open.
I took the bottle and drank it in one go.
A refreshing sweetness spread through my mouth, and the dizziness disappeared instantly.
Breathing became much easier.
[Your HP is restored by the Trainee Fatigue Recovery Potion (Ⅰ).]
[Tip! Excessive use of potions may have negative effects on your body.]
Wait.
It’s just a fatigue recovery item… but it restores HP too?
My HP, which had dropped to 98, filled back up completely.
This is it.
As soon as I finish this quest, I need to buy these potions first.
I even shook the bottle to get every last drop into my mouth.
It felt like my vision became clearer too.
Trainee Fatigue Recovery Potion (Ⅰ) is amazing.
Millard handed the basket back to me and stood firmly by the carriage instead of going up the stairs.
“I’ll wait here. Please come back once you’re done.”
I looked between him and the entrance, then nodded.
“Yes, I’ll finish quickly! Probably…”
Millard smiled brightly.
“Take your time.”
Holding the basket tightly with both hands, I climbed the stairs.
* * *
“So you’re from the Vicious Marquis family.”
At the entrance, a servant checked my identity once more and guided me into a room connected to the foyer.
“Could you wait here for a moment?”
“Ah, yes.”
I sat down awkwardly.
This really feels like I’m on an errand…
The room was neat but small—probably meant for receiving servants like me.
As expected, it’s not easy for a mere maid to meet a duke.
Still… I felt a little disappointed.
Since there was a quest, I thought I might meet him directly.
Because I met Bianca so easily, I assumed meeting the male lead would be just as simple.
Soon, a man who looked like the head butler entered.
With perfect posture and manners, he greeted me politely.
“I heard you came from the Vicious Marquis family. A pleasure to meet you. I am Sebastian, the head butler in charge here.”
★★★
Sebastian Diol
Gender: Male
Age: 52
Notes: Management-type, butler-type.
Head Butler of the Pendler Duke household.
Affinity: ○○○○○
“Hello.”
Even his name screamed “butler.”
His neatly combed hair, spotless attire, and flawless expression were anything but ordinary.
Sebastian glanced at the basket.
“Is that the item you’ve brought for our master?”
I immediately placed it on the table.
“Yes. Lady Bianca said it’s a reply for the Duke.”
“I see. I will deliver it to my master as soon as he returns. You may leave without concern.”
Wait—no tea? Not even one cup?!
Still unwilling to give up on the quest, I lingered and slowly stepped backward.
“Um… will the Duke be back late?”
“Why do you ask? Ah—do you need a reply?”
I shook my head.
“N-no, it’s not that…”
“Please don’t worry. Since I, Sebastian, have confirmed it, I will deliver it to my master without a single error. You may trust me.”
His voice was as smooth and reassuring as an insurance agent’s.
I took another step back.
…Yeah, this isn’t working.
Time for a tactical retreat.
“Thank you. Then I’ll be going.”
Sebastian smiled politely.
“Please travel safely.”
I turned toward the entrance.
But just as I was about to leave—
A large shadow fell over me.
“…Huh?”
A broad figure blocked my path, casting darkness over me.
I slowly lifted my head.
And instinctively—
I knew.
