OLOTV 16

Chapter 16

“Are you feeling better now?”

His tone was so gentle that I felt silly for having been tense. I’d been bracing for another sharp remark, but the steward’s attitude was completely different from what I’d imagined, leaving me momentarily speechless.

“…Yes. I’m perfectly fine now.”

I answered with a smile, trying my best to act nonchalant.

In response to my words, the steward even chuckled.

Keris was watching the steward with a slightly surprised expression. I was already shocked by the steward’s demeanor, so I could only imagine how Keris must have felt. I knew I’d earned the steward’s favor thanks to yesterday’s events, but I hadn’t expected such a drastic change.

“That’s a relief. I shall have a meal prepared with foods that are gentle on your constitution and easy to eat. Please rest comfortably.”

After saying that, he bowed politely to me, turned, and disappeared from view. Keris watched the direction he left for a moment before commenting offhandedly to me.

“Was the steward always that friendly towards you?”

“Well… Perhaps it’s because I found something he lost yesterday?”

“That kind of demeanor… I haven’t seen it since I was very young.”

“……”

Keris left the room, saying he would go change his clothes as well. Alone in the room, I started rummaging through the clothes I had bought last time. I still wasn’t used to being attended to by maids. I thought I’d try changing my clothes myself before they arrived.

After pulling out a few outfits, I found myself in a predicament. It seemed the clothes I’d worn until now were relatively simple. The dresses in the wardrobe were of such complex designs that it seemed impossible to put them on alone.

I was sighing when the maids opened the door and streamed in. Facing them, I obediently followed their guidance as they helped me change. Their attitude towards me was noticeably different from before. They didn’t forget to compliment me while dressing me.

“How can your body be so flawless and perfect? It’s like looking at a living doll.”

“That’s right. You are so beautiful.”

Whether it was because the steward had become friendly towards me, I could feel the other servants being noticeably more favorable as well. Uncomfortable with such excessive praise, I forced a smile and thanked them. I wasn’t particularly used to receiving compliments to begin with, which made it even more awkward.

The dress I wore today was a blue one with frills that suited Sarina’s appearance well. Once fully dressed, I was guided by a maid to the dining room. As soon as the door opened, the first thing I saw was a huge, gleaming table. It looked large enough to seat at least ten people. Keris was sitting at the far end.

The food was laid out centered around where Keris sat. I approached where Keris was sitting and took a seat in the chair. As soon as I sat down, servants brought forks, napkins, and other items, saying,

“Our mansion’s head chef is truly skilled at cooking! I hope the food is to your liking, Miss!”

“It already looks delicious just from a glance, and hearing that makes me anticipate it even more.”

“I knew it!”

When I responded, the maid beamed with joy. It felt like I had become the mansion’s overnight celebrity. After completing the setup, all the servants left the room. Was it so as not to disturb our meal? Even so, I thought they might need to come back if something was needed or if there were instructions, but it seemed they had gone elsewhere entirely.

Watching Keris pick up his spoon first, I asked.

“Aren’t the other servants supposed to be here with us?”

At my question, Keris stopped just as he was about to eat, looked back at me, and answered.

“We used to do it that way originally.”

“Why don’t you now?”

“…There’s no particular reason we have to. It’s also uncomfortable to eat in front of others.”

I was dumbfounded hearing that. One might find it strange that he’d want to eat alone over something as simple as a meal, but considering the treatment Keris usually receives, his behavior wasn’t entirely unreasonable. Now that I thought about it, the clothes Keris always wore, while made of expensive materials, were also easy to put on by himself. It seemed he tried to avoid encounters with the servants whenever possible.

While I was lost in these thoughts about Keris, he had started eating again. I followed his lead and took a bite of the meal set before me. Just as the maid had said, I could taste a flavor I’d never experienced before.

‘So this is the kind of food people living in mansions like this eat all the time…’

Marveling at this, I suddenly looked at Keris. Even while eating such delicious food, Keris remained expressionless. Watching him, my thoughts naturally drifted back to him.

I knew that for a very long time, Keris had been treated worse than a beast by the territory’s residents. They had behaved towards me in a manner not unlike how they treated him. Their attitude changed after I found the steward’s pocket watch. Seeing that, it seemed the people of this territory weren’t entirely closed-off after all.

But for Keris, perhaps too much time had passed for things to be the same.

However, it was clear that at least part of the reason the people’s misunderstanding had grown was because Keris had taken no action to address it.

‘And besides…’

I recalled Keris nursing me through the night. The Keris I saw was definitely not the ‘Dark Lord’ from the rumors spread by the territory’s residents. I wished others could see the good side of Keris that I knew. It would be nice if Keris could live well in his own territory.

I cautiously broached the subject with him.

“Keris, are you uncomfortable dealing with the mansion’s servants?”

As if surprised I’d ask such a thing, Keris stopped eating and looked at my face.

“I’m not sure if ‘uncomfortable’ is the right word, but you could say that. It’s how I’ve lived for a very long time.”

He then hesitated for a moment, as if about to say more.

Finally, he spoke again, with his voice low.

“Now that you mention it, compared to how you treat me since becoming human…’Uncomfortable’ might indeed be the right expression.”

Hearing that, I blurted out.

“If your relationship with the mansion staff improves, wouldn’t your reputation within the territory get better too? Living here would become more comfortable. I’ll help make that happen!”

“That’s impossible.”

“There must be a way. Look at me! Unlike before, I’m getting along well with the people in the mansion now, aren’t I? Interpersonal relationships aren’t that difficult. It’s just that you don’t take the initiative, so things stay this way.”

At my words, Keris replied immediately, almost flustered.

It was the first time I’d seen him react to my words so urgently.

“Sarina, I don’t know how much you remember about me, but the people of this territory have a reason for disliking me. Unless that reason disappears, they will probably never view me favorably.”

“Why decide that without even trying? I’ll help you. It also feels wrong to just be a burden in this house without contributing.”

Seeing me so insistent, Keris seemed to relent, though he still didn’t seem to believe he could get along with the territory’s people.

After finishing the meal, Keris prepared to go out. He was wearing cheap, shabby clothes unlike his usual attire, with a hood covering his face. He’d said today was a day off from the imperial palace, so he couldn’t be going there. Besides, there was no way he’d head to the imperial palace dressed so poorly.

I asked the completely disguised Keris.

“Keris, where are you going? Didn’t you say you didn’t have to go to the imperial palace today?”

“Since I’m not going to the palace, I thought I’d inspect the territory. As the lord, I need to manage it too.”

My ears perked up at his words.

An opportunity had arrived to take the first step in my self-appointed ‘Keris Layton Favorability Increase Project.’ If he was inspecting the territory, he’d meet various people, and in the process, there might be a chance to improve the territory residents’ perception and favorability towards Keris. I had initially planned to tackle the mansion staff first, but taking on the territory people now didn’t seem like a bad idea either.

Mentally adjusting the plan for my ‘Increase Keris’s Favorability Operation,’ I suddenly said to him.

“Can I come with you?”

“You were sick just until dawn. Are you sure it’s okay to be moving around like this already?”

My physical condition was surprisingly good. I had even forgotten I’d been ill the previous day until he mentioned it.

“I’m fine! Really, I feel completely normal. Don’t I look fine to you, Keris?”

Keris stared intently at my face.

Apparently, my condition seemed acceptable to him too, as he responded.

“Tell me immediately if you feel even the slightest bit unwell. I’ll take you back to the mansion.”

“Okay.”

I wasn’t actually sick, so that wouldn’t happen, but I agreed quickly, thinking it would make him more likely to permit me to accompany him.