Chapter 28
Just as Lilia was muttering to herself in frustration, Head Maid Anna returned from the entrance of the hall, bringing along an unfamiliar young man.
“Miss Lilia, today I have someone to introduce to you.”
“Huh? Who is it?”
“He is Reiman, the head butler in charge of House Roberk. He had briefly gone home, so we are only introducing him now.”
Head Butler Reiman was a young man with sky-blue hair. He didn’t look older than thirty at most.
For some reason, Head Maid Anna’s eyes looked warm as she gazed at him.
“I am Reiman Victor, overseeing the main estate. It is an honor to serve you, Miss Lilia.”
Victor.
The name felt strangely familiar, but Lilia simply let it pass.
But this man, Reiman.
For someone who was “just a butler,” his appearance was striking.
The elegant vest he wore suited him perfectly.
With his long sky-blue bangs swept to the side, one could easily believe he was the heir of some powerful noble family.
Looking down at Lilia, Reiman smiled softly.
“You are the youngest among the third-generation heirs who enter the main estate. That is truly impressive.”
Lilia fidgeted with her hands as she answered.
“No, not at all. There are many much more amazing older brothers and sisters in Roberk.”
When praised, respond with humility. Always humility.
‘But seriously, can a butler really be this young and handsome?’
While she was admiring his face, Reiman spoke again.
“Miss Lilia, if there is anything you need, please tell me. I will prepare anything for our adorable young lady.”
“Um, there’s nothing I need right now. Oh, but I am curious about something. Are you two acquainted?”
Lilia looked up at Reiman and Anna in turn as she asked.
“Ah, Head Maid Anna is my maternal grandmother.”
“Wow, really? I knew it!”
“Oh my. However did you figure that out?”
Head Maid Anna cleared her throat awkwardly. She seemed proud of her grandson.
“You can just tell at a glance.”
The eyes of someone who loves their family always carry warmth.
Lilia felt envious of them.
In her current life and even in her past life, she had never truly had what could be called an ordinary family.
In her past life, she had even wished she had no family at all.
Things were better now.
Even so, her only family member, Clasid, was bedridden with an incurable illness, and it was difficult to expect normal familial affection from her grandfather.
Then again, hoping for an ordinary family inside the powerful fortress that was the Roberk Ducal House was rather laughable.
Head Maid Anna smacked Reiman lightly on the back.
Even that gesture was elegant and refined.
“You rascal! I mean, Head Butler Reiman. Ahem! Now then, don’t just stand there. Please show Miss Lilia around the main estate.”
“Ow, Grandma. Alright. Miss, shall we go this way?”
“Ah, a tour of the main estate?”
It was unexpected, but learning the structure of the estate would surely be useful.
Most of all, from now on she would have to visit the main estate often and win over her grandfather’s heart!
Reiman was as kind and gentle as his face suggested.
He had a very friendly personality and, without tiring, guided her through various parts of the estate while explaining the history of Roberk and the stories connected to it.
“This is the music room. The Head of the House visits here often. Sometimes he even uses magic to play the piano or trumpet.”
“Grandfather does?”
To think that her grandfather—cold as a snow-covered mountain—had such a soft hobby. She needed to remember that at once.
“And also, are there other places Grandfather often visits? His closest companion is—ah!”
She quickly covered her mouth.
From any angle, that sounded like she was digging into his background.
He might find it suspicious.
“You seem very interested in the Head of the House.”
“Hehehe… I-I just thought it would be nice if I could become close to Grandfather.”
Fiddling with the hem of her dress, Lilia managed to get through the moment safely.
“Haha. If the Head of the House heard that, he would surely be pleased. Now then, shall we move to the next room?”
“Are there still many places left?”
Her small and fragile body was already out of breath. After walking all around the vast castle, even the soft soles of her feet hurt.
“Yes, but you may visit the other places whenever you wish. For today, I shall escort you to the annex by carriage.”
“Wow, Butler Reiman, you’ll become a very, very kind husband and father one day.”
“Pardon? I am only kind to adorable people.”
Reiman smiled brightly and immediately prepared a carriage to take her to the annex.
Inside the carriage was even a basket carefully filled with snacks baked by the head chef of the main estate.
She had only experienced this luxury for a few days, but Conrad had been enjoying it all by himself until now.
As expected, power is sweet.
It was the muttering of a six-year-old who had already understood life.
As soon as she returned to the palace, Lilia was greeted by maids who were completely different from before.
“Welcome back, Miss Lilia.”
“Allow me to remove your coat. Would you like some tea?”
The excessive etiquette and overly formal speech, filled with distance, made Lilia frown.
“What’s with that? Just act like you used to.”
“…Actually, today Head Maid Anna gave us lessons in etiquette. We were told that since you have proven your abilities, you must now receive proper respect and treatment.”
“We will serve you properly, Miss!”
Following Marit, Yupi also bowed at a perfect ninety degrees.
“I can’t get used to this.”
“But for the sake of your future, Miss Lilia, we want to make an effort too.”
“Marit is right. You have entered the main estate, but this is only the beginning, Miss. The servants of Young Master Conrad are no ordinary people!”
Seeing the maids clench their fists, determined to help her, made Lilia feel reassured. Still, she preferred the old familiarity.
“Still, when it’s just us, can’t we be comfortable? There are many other ways you can help me.”
“Other ways to help you? Just tell us anything!”
“I’ll explain gradually. For now, in this palace, treat me warmly like before, okay? You two are like family to me.”
“Alright. Sniff… Our Miss Lilia is like a younger sister to me too.”
“That’s right. Small and precious.”
The three of them embraced one another.
“Miss, by the way, you wanted to visit the temple. What shall we do, since you couldn’t go in the end?”
Marit gently stroked Lilia’s soft hair, worried for her.
“It’s okay. I was being short-sighted. Grandfather dislikes the temple. I don’t want to act like a child and beg for what I want.”
“Sniff… Our Miss is too mature.”
“Yupi, could you do me a favor?”
“Yes, Miss.”
“That gardener we met last time.”
“Ah, you mean Gardener Melissa?”
“Yes. I want to meet Melissa again.”
Lilia rolled her eyes thoughtfully, looking determined.
Since she could not go to the temple, Melissa—the former saintess—was her only hope.
The magic book had said to visit a sacred place, but it did not specifically state that it had to be a temple.
Perhaps Melissa might know of another sacred place.
And there was something Lilia wanted to ask her.
Did she know the heroine, Tiana?
Tiana had grown up in the temple, bullied by the Great Saintess and having her divine power drained away.
If that were true, maybe Lilia could help her.
Even if her suffering was not as great as that of the male lead, Adrian.
She could not simply stand by and watch a child suffer and be hurt.
