My Lord! Chapter 29

“What is it? What were you all gathered here doing?”

 

When I asked, smiles spread across their faces. They couldn’t help the corners of their mouths curving upward as they began to speak one by one.

 

“It’s almost the young master’s birthday.”

 

“His health has improved so much lately, so we thought about throwing a party. Perhaps it could double as his coming-of-age ceremony.”

 

“We could keep it small among ourselves, or we could invite Mr. Ellen’s friends here.”

 

Planning Sedian’s birthday party? I never imagined such a thing.

 

So that’s why they were secretly gathering and talking.

 

Having gone through incidents with the previous chef and Cordelia, I’ve started to reflect on myself whenever something I don’t know about happens in this mansion. 

 

I already felt how much the staff cared for Sedian, yet I still worried. Regardless, if it was a party for Sedian, I was all for it. It would surely lift his spirits.

 

The only concern was…

 

Was this in the original storyline?

 

I searched my memory, but nothing came to mind. That meant it wasn’t part of the original story.

 

Of course, Sedian was merely a supporting male character, so there wasn’t much description about him. Still, since he appeared in the early parts of the story before the curse was lifted, there should have been at least a mention of “the staff commemorating his coming of age.”

 

Has the content changed?

 

That seemed more plausible. After all, even my role as Sedian’s butler didn’t exist in the original story. It made sense for the events to deviate. 

 

Besides, I’d already expelled the spies hidden in the mansion and brought Gilliard’s friends here.

 

Hmm. At this point, I might as well assume the plot has diverged entirely.

 

Even Sedian has been calmer lately.

 

Normally, this would be the time he’d be at his most erratic, but Sedian has been acting nothing but adorable. It’s reached the point where calling him by his nickname, *Cutie*, felt embarrassing.

 

Did Sedian mellow out, making the staff open their hearts to him?

 

Whatever the reason, it felt like a positive change. The more people cared for Sedian, the less lonely he’d feel. 

 

When he fully recovers and recalls the past, I hope he remembers happy moments rather than drowning in negative emotions. 

 

In that sense, a birthday party was a wonderful idea.

 

“Butler?”

 

When I didn’t respond, Daisy prodded me gently. Having concluded my thoughts, I turned to her with a bright smile and nodded.

 

“Yes. I was just thinking about how we should prepare for the party, which is why I didn’t reply right away. A birthday party sounds like a great idea. I’m sure the young master will be delighted.”

 

“Right?”

 

“That’s a relief!”

 

The staff, who seemed to be waiting for my answer, rejoiced and immediately began discussing how to plan the party. When Ellen’s friends came up again, I quickly intervened.

 

“Ah, let’s postpone inviting Ellen’s friends for now.”

 

“What? Why…?”

 

Ellen frowned, confused. I gave him a look as if to ask if he didn’t know the answer himself, but… he didn’t seem to get it. Sighing, I replied.

 

“The young master is shy around strangers.”

 

“Even so…!”

 

“Do you really want to see the young master, uncomfortable and retreating to his room at his own birthday party because strangers he doesn’t know showed up? Let’s save the invitations for later.”

 

“…Strangely detailed.”

 

I know from personal experience. For an introvert, a party with strangers is pure hell. And if you’re the star of the party? Being forced to act happy? The discomfort and embarrassment of that day will haunt you for life. Trust me on this.

 

“Anyway, let’s keep it small among us this time. We can enjoy good food and sing some songs.”

 

“Y-yes!”

 

Lily, who had been quiet all this time, clenched her fists and shouted enthusiastically.

 

“Food…! I’ll prepare it well…! And the cake…!”

 

Having already experienced Lily’s cooking, I wasn’t worried. The other staff began asking her about this or that dish, checking if she could make them.

 

As they continued planning, I figured it would be more efficient if they decided and informed me later. After all, someone experienced in hosting a party would be better at it than someone like me, who was completely out of touch.

 

“Butler!”

 

While I was contentedly watching the staff, Daisy suddenly called out to me.

 

“What gift are you preparing, Butler?”

 

Ah, I’d forgotten about the gift. Pressing my lips together, I furrowed my brow slightly. A gift… What could I give him? 

 

By next spring, the heroine will appear, so this will be my only chance to celebrate Sedian’s birthday and give him a present. I want to give him something that would help with his future.

 

Sedian’s future…

 

Driven by his desire to win over the heroine, he’ll start a war, experiencing alternating losses and victories. Many people will be hurt or killed in the process, and Sedian himself will become devastated.

 

Hmm. I let out a hum and blinked slowly.

 

“…A book?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“Maybe something like a military strategy book?”

 

“Out of nowhere?”

 

True, it was sudden. Giving him such a book might make Sedian think I was mocking him or wonder how he was supposed to read it when his eyesight wasn’t great. Realizing this, I snapped back to reality.

 

“I don’t know. I’ll have to think about it more. You don’t need to worry, Daisy. The young master was already thrilled with the ointment he received.”

 

“Oh, my!”

 

Daisy clasped her hands together and smiled brightly.

 

“I’m glad the young master was happy, but that wasn’t a birthday gift. I’ll still need to prepare something separately.”

 

Another gift? The ointment must’ve been quite expensive already. Seeing my puzzled expression, Daisy grinned knowingly and teased.

 

“The pay here is good, after all.”

 

Now I was curious. 

 

How much were the staff being paid that this came up so often?

 

I should check my salary account too. While I’m not strapped for cash, the more money, the better.

 

“Please think carefully, Butler. I’m sure there’s something only you can give him.”

 

Murmuring to myself about needing to decide on a gift, I wrapped up the conversation.

 

***

 

After returning to my room and taking a light wash, I sprawled out on the bed. It was time to sleep, but I wasn’t sleepy. It seemed like I had too many thoughts.  

 

A gift, huh.  

 

What should I give? What would make Sedian the happiest?  

 

I thought and thought again until I came up with an answer.  

 

But the answer didn’t come right away. If it had been a gift that came to mind instantly, I wouldn’t be agonizing over it like this.  

 

Maybe I should just sleep for now.  

 

I could wake up and casually check with Sedian. Thinking about it now wouldn’t likely lead to a satisfying answer.  

 

As I was sorting out my thoughts and tossing and turning, I heard a knocking sound. But it wasn’t coming from the door. The sound came from the direction of the window.  

 

It’s Ellen.  

 

I had seen him in the kitchen earlier, and now he’s visiting again. Does he miss me that much?  

 

Muttering to myself, I approached the window.  

 

“I’m sure I told you to come in through the door.”  

 

I said to Ellen, who was precariously hanging on the windowsill. Ellen smirked and responded.  

 

“But the stairs are such a hassle. Let me in, won’t you?”  

 

“You idiot.”  

 

Clicking my tongue, I opened the window. Ellen, who slipped into the room with quick movements, rotated his shoulders a few times as if his arms were sore. Then, looking at me, he wrinkled his nose and laughed again.  

 

“This idiot here brought some information, but you don’t seem curious?”  

 

“Oh my, a distinguished guest in a humble place. Please, have a seat. Shall I brew you some tea?”

  

“That sounded backward, don’t you think?”  

 

Ellen chuckled and shook his head.  

 

“I only planned to talk and leave, so no tea for me.”  

 

He plopped onto the sofa, stretching his long legs out and resting them on the table. I slapped his ankle to make him lower his feet and then perched on the edge of the table. What a place to prop your feet up.  

 

“You’re oddly uptight about the strangest things.”

 

“Shut it. Why are you here?”  

 

Ellen withdrew his legs and leaned forward to look up at me. Since the table was higher than the sofa, it was only natural for him to gaze upward.  

 

“You know Lily goes to the market every morning, right?”

 

“She’s the head chef. She goes to buy ingredients for cooking.”

 

“Right. Someone approached her during one of those trips.”  

 

He pulled a sheet of paper from inside his coat. It was a portrait.