19 End Of Royal Birthday

"I need to talk to Mama. You may leave for a moment," Celastrina said.

"Yes, Milady," I nodded, ready to depart, but a question interrupted my exit.

"Where are you going?" Celastrina asked, her brows tilted in suspicion.

"Leaving somewhere?" I responded, bemused by the sudden inquiry.

"Why are you going toward this pest?" Celastrina's gaze drifted behind me.

Following her line of sight, I noticed Irisdina engaged in conversation with Melvin. The two had quickly formed a bond. Perhaps the game's influence extended even into this world, considering Irisdina's status as a Heroine and Melvin as the Hero.

Turning back to Celastrina, who stood with crossed arms and visible irritation, I reassured her, "Not at all, Milady. I have no intention of speaking with her."

Aware of Celastrina's possessiveness over things she considered 'belonging' to her, I understood her aversion to my proximity to Irisdina, her perceived enemy. Though, truth be told, I had no inclination to forge any friendships with Irisdina either.

"Good," she shot me a glare before striding away towards Vanessa.

With nothing specific to occupy my time, I was preparing to wait quietly in a corner when someone called out to me.

"You're with Vanessa, aren't you?"

Turning my gaze, I spotted Sara Alasmira, Vanessa's older sister, looking at me with a gentle expression.

Placing my hand over my chest, I offered a slight bow. "Indeed, Milady. I serve Lady Celastrina as her butler."

While my knowledge about her was limited, I maintained a respectful demeanor, acknowledging her status as a Countess, despite the apparent tension between her and the Marchioness of the House I served.

"Celastrina's butler? Oh." Sara smiled, casting a glance at Celastrina. However, her expression shifted to one of sorrow when her gaze moved to Vanessa.

"From which house do you hail?" Sara asked after a brief moment.

"I am a commoner, Milady."

At my response, Sara's eyes widened. "A commoner? And Vanessa chose you to be Celastrina's butler?"

"Yes, Milady. I successfully passed all the tests," I explained.

"Oh, that's... good," Sara responded, a hint of nostalgia adorning her face.

"Who is he?"

A cold voice abruptly interjected from behind me. Turning around, I faced a tall, blond, bearded man—Malcolm Rainborn.

"Celastrina's butler, dear," Sara answered with a smile.

Malcolm scrutinized me before addressing his wife. "Get Iris ready, Sara. We may leave in minutes."

"Already?" Sara expressed surprise.

"Yes. We have a lot of work," Malcolm replied, his gaze still fixed on me.

Sara nodded and departed toward Irisdina.

In the ensuing silence, I decided it was time to take my leave. "Milord."

"So, you are my daughter's butler?" Malcolm asked with a cold chuckle.

"Indeed, Milord," I responded, matching his coldness, a fact he didn't overlook.

"A commoner on top of that? What is Vanessa doing? Grooming a substitute for me?" he quipped, glancing at Vanessa.

"You are getting uselessly noisy, commoner Count."

Malcolm's smirk froze, and he turned slowly, his displeased expression directed at me. "What did you say?"

"I said..." A mocking smile twisted on my lips. "That you are noisy. Commoner Count."

As Malcolm approached me, I felt his imposing presence, but I stood my ground.

I had an instant dislike for this man, especially when he spoke disparagingly about Vanessa. She was one of the few individuals in this world whom I genuinely liked. Without her, I would have found myself back on the streets. Moreover, I was well aware of the hardships she had faced.

As Malcolm's mana began to leak out, threatening to buckle my knees, I felt a reassuring pat on my shoulder.

"Well said, boy."

It was Cornelius Alasmira.

With Cornelius's appearance, all the pressure dissipated. Malcolm greeted him with a casual tone, "Father-in-law. It's been awhile."

"Call me like that again, boy, and I swear you won't have any tongue left to utter it," Cornelius retorted with a murderous stare.

"Is that how you treat your daughter's husband? Two daughters on top of that—"

Malcolm's words ceased abruptly when Cornelius seized his shirt. The onlookers halted their activities to witness the confrontation.

"Father, please," Sara intervened, rushing to Cornelius and patting his arm.

Witnessing his daughter's pleading gaze, Cornelius released his grip on Malcolm with a click of his tongue.

"Grandpa!" The tension dissolved as Irisdina leaped into Cornelius's embrace.

"My cute Iris!" Cornelius's stern expression transformed into one of a doting grandfather. "You've grown up so much and so beautifully!"

"Ahah! Right!" Irisdina giggled happily.

Sara observed the scene with a warm smile. Despite Cornelius's animosity toward Malcolm, he could never harbor ill feelings for his daughter and granddaughter. Caught in a delicate balance between Sara and Vanessa, and further between Celastrina and Irisdina, Cornelius found himself unable to choose sides.

"We should leave now," Malcolm interrupted the sweet moment under Cornelius' cold stare, prompting him to reluctantly put down Irisdina.

Observing Malcolm's departure, Sara sighed before tenderly embracing Cornelius. "Take care, father. And... say the same thing to Vanessa."

"I will, daughter, but... you should speak properly to Vanessa. How long has it been since you talked to her?"

"You know, father. Fifteen years. Since that day... I haven't talked to her, and... I'm scared," Sara confessed bitterly.

Her fear of facing her sister was palpable and understandable, given the circumstances that had strained their relationship. However, such considerations should have been weighed before engaging in a relationship with Malcolm.

"Then... see you, father," Sara said with a smile before joining Malcolm.

"Bye, Grandpa!" Irisdina waved before turning her attention to me. With a cheerful smile, she waved in my direction before leaving with her parents.

"This cunning bastard," Cornelius grumbled as he glared at Malcolm's retreating figure. Then, turning his attention to me, he declared, "We are leaving as well."

"The Marchioness?" I asked about the Marchioness's whereabouts, but Vanessa seemed to have vanished, leaving only Celastrina approaching us.

"She had to leave for other matters," Cornelius replied tersely.

There was an air of seriousness that lingered, leaving me puzzled.

Strange.

"You're already leaving, Celastrina?" Princess Louise arrived and inquired.

"Oh, Louise. Yes. I'm quite bored, unfortunately. Best wishes for your birthday, but I'm leaving," Celastrina replied.

Louise, seemingly the only girl of her age with whom Celastrina had a positive relationship, expressed her disappointment. "I see. It's a pity."

Louise then handed a bag to Celastrina. "Here, I've prepared pieces of the cake and some sweets. You might like them."

I stepped forward, graciously accepting the bag, and bowed my head slightly.

"Thanks," I said.

Louise smiled at me and looked at Celastrina, "We shall see you soon, then," before bidding farewell to Celastrina and departing.

"Milady, the Prince?" I asked since she seemed to be leaving without bidding farewells to Arthur.

"Did I ask you?" Celastrina shot me a glare.

"Pardon my rudeness," I retreated.

Shouldn't she be more sad and clingy towards Arthur?

I don't know what to think about that.

But I felt relieved that she wasn't getting any close to Arthur. I don't know if it's because she might avoid being labelled as a traitor in two years or because of more selfish desires…