Chapter 43

[To: Miss Lilith Rosewood | From: Sir Blacksong]

“…..”

As soon as I confirmed that I was the recipient of the letter that suddenly came from someone, I momentarily felt dazed.

Sir Blacksong… he’s gotta be the chief of security or something of the Blackwood Estate Guards.

It was the first name I saw in the letter when I woke up in the church after being hit by the Hooked Tusk’s attack and falling, so I could vaguely remember it.

…and it’s not in my nature to easily forget someone who has done me a favor.@@novelbin@@

The fact that I could safely recover at the church after being hit by the monster, that perhaps someone else like Isabel or Catherine didn’t have to bear the burden of the church’s recovery fees, which were paid for me, and, of course, that I received payment for the Hooked Tusk loot that I should have given up on – all of that was thanks to this person.

…and what I had said to this captain before losing consciousness was…

“…..”

The more I recalled it, the more embarrassed I felt about my shameless behavior back then.

Come to think of it, this Sir Blacksong was just doing his duty as a member of the estate guards.

He tried to rescue a helpless maid only to get cursed at in return and then had to deal with the aftermath – how exasperated he must have felt then.

To be honest, considering my transgression, it wouldn’t have been strange if the paper beside me when I woke up in the church that day was a letter of protest instead of a letter of courtesy.

…In that sense, I started to feel an odd sense of burden about opening this letter carelessly.

For some reason, I had the premonition that the moment I opened this letter, this Sir Blacksong would mention that day’s incident and rebuke me.

‘…Well, it was my own doing. If he gives me some warning about that incident, I should humbly accept it.’

It was a bit puzzling why he sent a letter of protest about an incident that happened almost a year ago, but regardless, he had risen to the position of Captain of the Blackwood Estate Guards.

From Lilith’s perspective, he was naturally someone of a high rank that she could not defy.

If I ignored this person’s letter, who knows what kind of problem could arise later?

I tensely opened the envelope and carefully unfolded the letter to read its contents.

『To Miss Lilith Rosewood,

Regarding your defeat of the Hooked Tusk that appeared in the commercial district of the Blackwood estate on the 15th day of the 5th month last year, I write again to express my gratitude. And in relation to that, I shamelessly have a request to make of you.

If you have time, I would appreciate it if you could visit the security division office of the Blackwood estate guards sometime this month, whenever it is convenient for Miss Rosewood.

It should not take too much of your time, and if you could inform me of the exact date in a letter, I will arrange to have a carriage and escort come to the Blackwood manor to bring you.

Sir Blacksong, Captain of the Blackwood Estate Guards』

Hmm…

I still don’t quite understand.

Judging from the opening, as he expressed gratitude for defeating the Hooked Tusk, it doesn’t seem to be about reprimanding me over that incident, thankfully.

Rather than that, it feels like a simple letter requesting something else from me, only stating the matter briefly.

And the fact that he’s even offering to send a carriage and escort makes it seem like there’s something he needs me for.

If it’s something the Lilith me could be summoned to the estate guards for, could it be…

‘To do a morale performance by dancing and singing in front of the guards?’

If it were a request like that, then my answer would obviously be a firm NO. As if I’d ever do something so outrageous as performing in front of a bunch of men.

While I can’t help if they sneak glances at my chest, there’s no way I’d willingly become eye candy for other men – I’d refuse even if it killed me.

The problem was that from just reading this letter, I couldn’t tell if this Blacksong was calling me to make such an outrageous request or if he wanted me to visit for some other reason.

All I could do was stand there quietly, letter in hand, lost in thought.

“What contents have you so deep in contemplation, Miss Lilith Rosewood?”

‘Shit, you startled me.’

Dittmeyer was still around, huh.

Apparently, my standing there pondering the letter looked odd, as the head butler tilted his head inquiringly at me.

After briefly debating whether to disclose the letter’s contents, I gave him a vague response.

“Sir Blacksong, the Captain of the Blackwood Estate Guards, has summoned me to the security division office.“

“Sir Blacksong has summoned Miss Lilith Rosewood?”

“Yes.”

“Could it be related to the monster subjugation incident from last year?“

“I’m not sure. The exact purpose isn’t stated. But it does seem likely related to that.”

That’s because, in the original work, Lilith had never visited places like the estate guards’ security division before.

There was a mention in Luminor Academy that the coven always kept Lilith within reach, so they likely never let her go outside the manor unnecessarily.

Especially considering the estate guards’ offices were quite far from the manor – the probability of that happening was essentially zero.

Even in “Lilith’s memories“ rather than my “previous life’s memories,“ my only recollection of meeting Sir Blacksong was from that incident last May.

So, there’s a 99% chance he’s summoning me regarding that same incident.

He did seem like a decent gentleman at first impression, so I had a hunch he wouldn’t blatantly summon someone just to be a sideshow for the soldiers.

Of course, that’s something I can’t know for sure until meeting him directly.

‘I have received quite a few favors from him, so I suppose I’ll have to repay him at some point…’

Part of me wanted to visit the estate guards when I had time, but the problem was that Lilith’s status was still that of an indebted maid.

Even as Ethan’s exclusive maid, I couldn’t respond to the summons as I pleased.

I would need permission from Head Maid Melissa for an outing, then get Ethan’s approval for a day off, and only after the date was set could I send a letter to the Blackwood guards.

It was a fresh reminder of how cumbersome it was for Lilith to go out even once.

…Of course, the biggest reason was the incident last year where I recklessly faced a Level 10 monster and nearly died.

‘If I wasn’t an indebted maid, I could have just replied that I’d come on my next day off.’

This damned status really prevents me from doing what I want properly.

It was lamentable that I couldn’t freely pay a courtesy call or return a favor to someone I was indebted to.

“Do you intend to respond to the summons, Miss Lilith Rosewood?“

“As you know my status, Butler Dittmeyer, I’m not in a position to respond as I please.“

“But with your good work attitude, couldn’t you get the head maid’s permission to go out if you set your mind to it?“

“After the holiday outing where I nearly died to the Hooked Tusk, I doubt the head maid would ever approve an outing.“

“…Is that so?“

“Yes. And, of course, I’d need to request time off from the young master as well, so matching schedules seems near impossible.“

“If you could match the schedule, would the maid intend to respond to the captain’s summons?“

“Part of me wants to give a positive reply. I am indebted to Sir Blacksong from the Hooked Tusk incident, and even without this letter, I intended to apologize and express gratitude eventually…“

“…Hmm, so the maid thinks that way.”

…Huh?

At some point, Dittmeyer’s tone seemed to change, sending a chill down my spine.

And I realized that it wasn’t my imagination right after.

“The chief of security for the estate guards, Sir Blacksong… I didn’t know the maid had ties to such a person.“

“…Young Master Ethan? Are you finished with your swordsmanship training?“

“Just finished, maid. As expected, learning directly from Father is no easy feat.”

Ethan was drenched in sweat as if he had crammed a lifetime’s worth of training, his whole body glistening.

I didn’t know how many days it had been, but it seemed that Ethan could still endure Harold’s training.

Based on Ethan’s personality from Luminor Academy, there was no telling how long his antics would continue.

“So, maid.“

“Yes?“

“How do you know Sir Blacksong, the chief of security?“

“A long while ago, I had a brief encounter with my colleagues when I went to the commercial district on holiday. It was the incident where a monster binding scroll was undone in the middle of the commercial district…”

There was no particular need to hide it, and even if I didn’t, it seemed Dittmeyer, standing beside me, would have anyway.

So, without much hesitation, I explained the subjugation of the Hooked Tusk last year to Ethan.

“…Such an incident occurred?“

“Yes.“

“How-how dangerous! It’s fortunate you came through it unscathed, but what if something had gone wrong…!“

“It’s been over a year, Young Master Ethan. Is it really necessary to worry over something that’s passed?“

“Still, Lilith is my exclusive maid.“

“At that time, I was just an ordinary low-ranking indebted maid, not your exclusive maid, young master.“

“…Yes, you’re right.”

After an awkward look, Ethan glanced at the letter I was holding.

He seemed to ponder something, then asked with a slightly tense expression, as if making a proposal:

“So, are you going?“

“…While I would like to pay a visit if circumstances allow, as your exclusive maid, my duties make it difficult. I intended to send a refusal letter.“

“It’s fine. This works out perfectly, in fact.“

“Pardon?”

Unable to understand what he meant by “works out,“ I tilted my head, and Ethan gave an inscrutable reply.

“As the heir to the Blackwood family, estate patrols are important, so I should pay a visit to the estate guards soon. I haven’t been able to properly act as the heir while bedridden.“

“…Are you saying you will personally visit the estate guards, Young Master Ethan?“

“Something like that.”

Nonchalantly answering Head Butler Dittmeyer’s query, Ethan then fixed his gaze on me.

He looked me in the eye and reminded me of one of the regulations for being his exclusive maid that I had recently forgotten while staying in the manor.

“As my exclusive maid, Lilith, you have to accompany me when I go out for external activities, you know?“

“…Yes, I understand.“

“We’ll depart in three days, so send the letter, maid. Include that we won’t need a carriage or escort.“

“…Understood.“

“Right, then we can take care of the maid’s business while visiting on that day as well.“

Leaving those final words, Ethan left me and Dittmeyer behind as he headed to the bathroom.

Confused by his uncharacteristically odd behavior, I didn’t know how to respond.

But in any case, the contents of the reply letter to Sir Blacksong were now decided.