Episode 44
Could it really work this fast?!
Grey was so overjoyed that he completely forgot about keeping up appearances and ended up making a scene for a while.
After finally calming himself down, he dropped to his knees in front of the duchess.
“My lady, to bestow such an undeserved gift upon me—I don’t even know how I can ever repay this kindness. I am truly grateful.”
“Get up. It’s not undeserved at all. You are absolutely essential to this household. So please, continue to support Baluar as the chief butler. That’s all I ask. Ah, and…”
The duchess cleared her throat, slightly embarrassed.
“Give your thanks not to me, but to Miela. Ahem.”
“Yes, understood. Thank you again, my lady!”
“Hey, I said thank Miela instead.”
* * *
The next day, Miela received two unexpected visitors.
“Young miss, may we come in?”
“Of course! Oh—both of you came together?”
Miela tilted her head in curiosity. Grey and Dason bowed simultaneously in greeting.
“Yes. We both came to express our gratitude to you.”
“Gratitude? Oh! Is it about the Srellose flowers?”
Miela’s eyes widened. She had already heard that Grey had seen results almost immediately after drinking the flower tea.
But why had Dason come along too?
“That’s right. Thanks to you, not just me, but Dason and our whole family have benefited greatly.”
Her question was quickly answered by Grey’s words.
Rapid aging was something all descendants of superhumans had to face. And thanks to a few of Miela’s suggestions, they had found a solution.
I only meant to help Butler Grey, but this ended up being bigger than I thought…
Miela broke into a nervous sweat. She had simply wanted to help him avoid a lonely retirement. After all, Grey had once helped her too.
When I first came to the villa, he welcomed me so kindly. And he even helped me when I was in a tough spot because of Meria and Jerome.
So now it was her turn to return the favor. She had learned that good deeds should be repaid with good deeds.
Anyway, I’m just relieved he’s recovered so well!
Just days ago, his complexion had been dull and dry, but now it was full of life again.
Miela glanced at Grey and Dason.
Maybe it’s because they’re brothers? They really do look alike standing side by side like that.
Dason, also moved to tears, dropped to his knees before her.
“I don’t know how I can ever repay your kindness. If there’s anything you wish, please say the word. Whatever it is, I swear on my honor as a superhuman to fulfill it.”
“Kindness? I didn’t really do anything. I just… hope that both of you stay healthy and with us here in Baluar for a long time.”
Miela mumbled shyly. In response, Grey and Dason answered in unison:
“Understood. In return for your kindness, we’ll continue to devote ourselves as butlers and contribute even more to the Baluar household!”
* * *
News of Grey’s miraculous return to his post as chief butler, thanks to Miela, spread like wildfire throughout the mansion. Every servant knew the story.
“Did you hear? The young miss…”
“Of course I did! Lady Miela has such a kind heart. She never turns a blind eye to others’ troubles.”
“Yeah. Didn’t she return that book you lost the other day?”
“Oh hush! I told you to keep that a secret!”
Before, Miela was simply seen as “so cute!” or “the fiancée who melted the icy young master.” But now, her standing within House Baluar had risen considerably.
Some even whispered she might have inherited the blood of a prophet, calling her “extraordinary.”
“Miela, what are you doing here?”
Having searched the mansion thoroughly for her, Eastin finally found Miela in the library, immersed in a book.
It had been about two months since she started studying, and by now, Miela could easily enjoy not just fairy tales but even full-fledged novels. Her progress was astonishing.
“Hmm? I was reading! But things seem a little noisy outside. Did something happen?”
Miela looked up, puzzled. She genuinely had no clue, which made Eastin sigh instead of scolding her.
“Sigh… You’re asking what happened? Today is our engagement ceremony. I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
“O-oh right! That’s today, huh? I only meant to read for a bit before getting ready… Hehe, I totally forgot.”
Miela scratched her cheek in embarrassment. Eastin offered her his hand.
“Let’s go. Everything else is ready. We’re just waiting on you now.”
“Okay!”
He led her to none other than the back garden of the mansion. The large area used for banquets and tea parties had been beautifully decorated with flower vines and ribbons.
Even without inviting any outside guests, the duke and duchess had insisted that a proper engagement ceremony be held.
“Here, Miela. This is the engagement oath. Once we sign this, we’re officially engaged.”
“Hearing it called ‘official’ makes it feel a bit strange. So I just write my name here?”
“Yeah, right there.”
As Eastin nodded, Miela picked up the pen and wrote her name with great care to avoid any mistakes.
It felt oddly incomplete writing only her name without a family name or title. For a moment, she considered drawing a little heart next to it but decided against it. A wise choice.
“And these are the engagement rings. One for you, one for me. We wear them like this.”
“Wow, it’s so pretty!”
Miela’s eyes sparkled as brightly as the gem in the ring. As she played with it on her finger, a thought popped into her head.
“But what if I lose it?”
“Don’t worry. These rings can tell us each other’s location if we want them to.”
She blinked in surprise.
“Really? They can do that?”
“Of course. Hopefully, it never comes to that, but if you’re ever in danger, I’ll come running to you no matter where you are.”
Eastin said it with such conviction that Miela grinned and nodded.
“Okay, Titi! I believe you. And if you’re ever in trouble, I’ll come save you too. Promise!”
“Promise.”
Just then, a few maids called out to her.
“Lady Miela, over here! We’ll help you change.”
In a nearby dressing room, Miela changed into her new dress. The soft pink gown was adorned with white frills, enhancing her sweet charm.
Her silky hair was styled into two pigtails, tied with ribbons that matched the dress.
“Oh my, you look so adorable!”
The maids let out excited squeals. Even among the blooming flower trees, Miela stood out like a fairy.
“Titi, how do I look? Do I look okay?”
Back in the garden, Miela twirled in front of Eastin. Her dress fluttered like a fairy’s dance.
“…You’re beautiful.”
He was so mesmerized he couldn’t speak right away. Miela’s face drooped at his silence, but as soon as he said she was pretty, her mood brightened instantly.
“Really? That’s a relief. Honestly, this is the first time I’ve ever dressed up like this, so I felt a little awkward.”
There were no guests, but Miela had gone all out with her outfit for a reason: they were getting their official engagement portrait painted.
“Hey, Titi, I’ve always wondered something. Why do people always look so serious in portraits?”
