My Lord Chapter 13

I made eye contact with each of the bewildered servants.

 

I was checking to see if anyone might lose control of their expression and reveal their true identity.

 

Unfortunately, it seemed the spy was someone who maintained a poker face. No one showed a suspicious expression. Tsk.

 

“I don’t know how the previous butler managed you all. However, it’s not realistic for me to hold one-on-one interviews with each of you to understand the work while you’re all so busy, is it?”

 

Clapping my hands together, I continued:

 

“So, I would like to request work journals.”

 

I then displayed the bundle of notebooks I had brought.

 

“From today onward, there will be no morning roll calls, and announcements will be made through Miss Daisy. Instead, I ask you to write down your wake-up time and daily schedule in these notebooks and submit a page to me every night before going to bed.”

 

The servants murmured. Looking around, their expressions were far from pleased.

 

It seemed they considered this an annoying task.

 

Managing the mansion with a small staff was already challenging, and now they were being asked to take on additional chores.

 

But I had my reasons.

 

“If I find any false entries or exaggerated reports after reviewing your daily records, there will be a pay cut. On the other hand, those who work hard or record diligently for over a week will receive bonuses.”

 

Where there’s a stick, there must also be a carrot.

 

When I mentioned the incentives, everyone’s eyes sparkled.

 

Who would say no to extra pay just for jotting down notes throughout the day? Still observing the servants closely, I asked:

 

“Any questions so far?”

 

No one raised their hand. It seemed the carrot-and-stick method had worked effectively.

 

“Alright then. Please each take a notebook and start recording from today.”

 

After distributing the notebooks, I told them to go back to their tasks, but I called Daisy aside.

 

“Daisy, may I have a word?”

 

Daisy blinked her large eyes before trailing after me.

 

Once inside my room, I closed the door tightly and turned to face her. Daisy still wore a puzzled expression.

 

“Last night.”

 

I started.

 

“The young master was unwell.”

 

“What?!”

 

Daisy, startled, dropped the notebook she had been holding in her arms.

 

“What do you mean, unwell? He seemed fine over the past few days!”

 

From her trembling, it seemed she truly didn’t know anything. But I wouldn’t dismiss my suspicions entirely. You can never be too sure.

 

“And now? Is he okay now? Should we call a physician? Or perhaps a priest…?”

 

“He’s fine now. I saw him earlier; he’s still sleeping. His complexion and temperature are both normal. There’s no need to worry.”

 

I picked up the notebook she had dropped and handed it back to her.

 

“Why, why would he suddenly fall ill? No, I mean, he’s had sudden seizures before, but he seemed fine for the past few days…”

 

“He said he couldn’t consume holy water.”

 

“What?”

 

“He mentioned that the supply of holy water had run out, so he couldn’t have any. Were you aware of this?”

 

Daisy hurriedly shook her head.

 

“No. I told you earlier—we recently restocked the holy water. It wasn’t a lot, but it should have been enough to last until the next delivery. How could it be gone already? That makes no sense.”

 

Daisy’s firm stance reassured me that I wasn’t misremembering. A headache crept in.

 

“Where is the holy water stored?”

 

“In the underground storage. It’s originally a wine cellar, so the temperature and humidity are ideal.”

 

“And who has access to it?”

 

“Everyone… Wait, butler, are you suspecting one of the staff?”

 

I didn’t respond, but Daisy seemed to find her answer in my silence. She bit her lower lip and alternated between clenching and releasing the notebook in her hands.

 

“It could be… possible. Only the household staff can access the storage.”

 

“Indeed.”

 

“But even so, we shouldn’t jump to conclusions. I’ll check the holy water stock myself first. There might have been a mistake during the initial delivery.”

 

Unlike me, who immediately suspected others, Daisy prioritized the possibility of their innocence.

 

A principle of presuming innocence, better upheld by Daisy than someone who had lived in South Korea. Impressive.

 

“But even so… if there wasn’t a mistake…”

 

What happens then? Daisy’s expression seemed to ask that question.

 

Sighing, I replied:

 

“Then one of the household staff must be the culprit.”

 

“…I can’t believe it.”

 

Daisy tightly shut her eyes. Her hands trembled violently, almost spasmodically.

 

“Really, it’s true. All of us are concerned about the young master. We all just want him to get better. But stealing the holy water… that would knowingly make him sick!”

 

Her words gave me pause.

 

Everyone is worried about Sedian?

 

This household’s staff are paid nearly double compared to others because no one willingly applies to serve the “cursed young master.”

 

And yet “everyone” is worried about him?

 

Most of them likely took the job for the money. There’s no way they could all care.

 

Even if Daisy is kind-hearted and naive, she should be aware of this.

 

If she genuinely believes that, then there must be a reason.

 

Something was definitely odd.

 

I asked Daisy again:

 

“Is there anyone among the staff who’s especially sensitive to the young master’s health?”

 

“Me.”

 

Her immediate response caught me off guard, but I continued without showing it.

 

“Aside from you?”

 

“Then… Sena, Avi, and Cordelie. Those three are so loyal to the young master that they’d jump out of bed in the middle of the night for him.”

 

Having memorized their names and faces during the earlier gathering, I quickly recalled who they were.

 

Sena, Avi, Cordelie.

 

I made a mental note of their names before lightly tapping Daisy on the shoulder.

 

“Understood. Please check the holy water storage and report back.”

 

“…Alright. I’ll do that.”

 

Daisy sighed softly and muttered under her breath:

 

“I hope the culprit is caught quickly.”

 

They will be.

 

I’ll make sure of it.

 

The notebooks I handed out earlier are imbued with a tracking spell.

 

Simply carrying the notebook would reveal the holder’s movements.

 

And if they choose not to carry it?

 

“That would be even more suspicious.”

 

After all, who would intentionally leave the notebook behind when there’s extra pay involved?

 

I was confident.

 

“In a week.”

 

I would catch the spy within that time.

 

***

 

Sedian woke up late in the afternoon.

 

Fortunately, the ingredients hadn’t spoiled today, so I brought a meal personally prepared by the head chef to Sedian. Standing by his side as he ate, I observed his condition.

 

He doesn’t seem to be in serious pain.

 

Was it because I overexerted myself yesterday infusing him with magic? His complexion looked much better than before. Even the raw flesh on his right arm, which had been completely exposed, appeared to have calmed down considerably.

 

At this rate, I should be able to fully heal him in less than a year.

 

Feeling relieved, I refilled Sedian’s empty glass with water.

 

“Hey.”

 

That’s when Sedian spoke.

 

“Why do you keep staring at me like that?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“You’ve been staring at me this whole time, making it hard to focus on my meal. What’s your deal?”

 

I tilted my head in confusion.

 

“No… I was just looking. It’s my job to keep an eye on you, my lord.”

 

“Stop it. Look somewhere else.”

 

“……”

 

Why was he so prickly today? We were getting along fine yesterday—talking and even me helping him sleep. What’s with the sudden shift? Oh, wait—

 

“My lord.”

 

I grinned slyly and stepped closer to Sedian.

 

“Are you… embarrassed?”

 

“…What?”

 

“Thinking about yesterday must be making you shy and flustered, right? Oh, you don’t have to feel that way. It’s perfectly natural given how unwell you were…”

 

“You… you…!”

 

Sedian’s face instantly turned crimson as he gripped his fork tightly.

 

“Get out.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“I said, get out!”

 

Clang! Sedian threw the fork down and began shouting at the top of his lungs.

 

“Why do you keep telling me to leave? If I leave, you’ll be alone. Are you sure you’ll be—”

 

“I told you three times! Get out! Out, now!”

 

It looked like he was about to throw a knife next, so I quickly fled the room. Why was he so cranky? All I did was tease him a little because he was cute.

 

“Butler.”

 

As soon as I stepped out, I heard a voice calling me. I turned to see Daisy. Her expression… how should I put this? It wasn’t just annoyed—it was filled with contempt. What’s your problem now?

 

“Do you ever think of keeping your mouth shut, considering how often you get kicked out?”

 

Nope, not really.