Chapter 3 The Transformation Of The Wicked Noble Lady
For 4 months, the butler Kaine had quietly served Rhiannon like air, but after the matchmaking incident, he drastically changed his attitude.
He started to thoroughly criticize Rhiannon's personality and lifestyle.
At first, the maids and servants were surprised by Kaine's sudden transformation from being so docile, and they anxiously watched, wondering when Rhiannon's temper would explode.
"Let's bet on when that butler will get fired."
Some mischievous ones whispered, placing their bets.
However, as days went by, they would gradually be astonished.
Surprisingly, Rhiannon, despite her complaints, began to obediently follow Kaine's instructions.
The maids were wide-eyed, and the servants were in a panic.
"Tomorrow it will rain, no, it might even pour spears!"
"This summer, instead of snow, stars will fall!"
"No, a legendary dragon will surely come down from the mountains!!"
In any case, ominous rumors swept through the castle, causing quite a commotion for a while.
──Meanwhile, unaware that the servants and maids were anxious due to her changed lifestyle, Rhiannon was overwhelmed every day.
Until now, everyone had spoiled her.
She could eat as many sweets as she wanted, read romance novels whenever she pleased, and the maids praised her no matter what she did.
However, recently, her life had completely changed because of Kaine.
Now, her daily routine consisted of regular meals, studying, and moderate exercise.
Of course, the embodiment of sloth, Rhiannon fiercely resisted this.
"If this keeps up, I'll go crazy from studying too much!"
She would say this and find ways to escape from her hated studies and lessons.
And Kaine would always track down the escaped Rhiannon, no matter where she tried to hide.
However, undeterred, Rhiannon always looked for opportunities to slack off.
Today, once again tired of studying, Rhiannon held her breath and hid in her secret spot.
It was behind the cluttered costume room's closet.
But, hidden behind the closet, Rhiannon was discovered by Kaine in just 5 minutes.
"Lady Rhiannon, slacking off here? What happened to your studies! You misspelled your homework for literature class. And what's with this messy handwriting! Are you even trying!?"
"Ugh, you're so annoying! I'll tell Father and get you fired!"
"Oh dear, is that so? Without me, you're headed straight for doom..."
"Whoaaaa, I don't want that!!"
Rhiannon crawls out from behind the closet, her eyes teary.
"How did you find this place?"
"I told you, I'm reincarnated person, so I know all the hiding spots of every lady in the present, past, and future. Now, if you want to avoid that doom flag, let's get to studying every day, okay?"
Kaine effortlessly picks up the reluctant Rhiannon and drags her to the library.
She puts up some resistance, but eventually realizes it's pointless and pouts.
"I'll ask just in case, but if I study, will I really avoid the doom flag?"
"Yes, of course. Fools meet their end quickly."
"That blunt way of saying it is rude! You mean to call me foolish, don't you!?"
"As expected of a lady. You understood exactly what I meant. It's important to be aware of your foolishness."
"Ugh, that's so infuriating! I'll find a way to get you fired!!"
Even as she says that, Rhiannon can't bring herself to defy Kaine, who keeps hinting at the doom flag.
Desperate not to meet her doom, Rhiannon has no choice but to follow Kaine's orders.
When they arrive at the library, Rhiannon is overwhelmed by a mountain of reference books that Kaine had apparently prepared in advance, making her dizzy.
Her brain just can't handle anything other than romance novels.
"Alright, let's get today's work done quickly."
"Please, can't we at least do half?"
"Of course, it's all of it. Don't worry, I'll cover everything for you."
Seeing Kaine's suspiciously refreshing smile on his well-defined face, Rhiannon slumped down.
That smile was serious.
Kaine is an excellent teacher and is respected by the tutors as well.
──I mean, in every way, Kaine was outstanding.
With a gentle demeanor and a good reputation, he was completely relied upon by his attendants.
As he quietly slid his pen across the paper, taking notes, Rhiannon glanced at Kaine, who was sitting next to her with his long legs crossed.
Since he was completely still, Rhiannon hoped he might be dozing off, but as soon as Kaine noticed Rhiannon's gaze, he looked up and smiled.
Rhiannon hurriedly returned his gaze to his notebook.
(If only he had a little more of an opening, I could fight back...!)
Kaine was perfect in his duties as a butler.
He handled Rhiannon's unreasonable requests with ease and even anticipated tasks before they were asked.
With Kaine around, Rhiannon's usual "bullying the weak" and "snarky comments at the right moment" didn't come into play at all.
──Although, even if Rhiannon tried to bully Kaine, he would probably just respond with a big smile and say, "Please insult me more".
Looking back, Kaine had been flawless from the day he was hired.
If Rhiannon said, "Hey," he would offer iced tea, and if Rhiannon gave a quick glance, he would immediately start massaging his shoulders.
It was almost unnervingly perfect.
(It feels like he's reading my mind, which is kind of annoying. Well, he says he knows all about me because he was reincarnated or something.)
Rhiannon let out a quiet sigh, but Kaine quickly picked up on it.
"Lady Rhiannon, it seems your concentration is slipping. Are you thinking about something else?"
"...Ah, haha..."
"Trying to laugh it off won't work."
"Hey, Kaine, you were reincarnated, right? Were you my butler in your previous life too?"
At Rhiannon's sudden question, Kaine looked a bit surprised for a moment but then smiled and nodded.
"Yes. In my previous life, I also served you, my lady. What of it?"
"Really? But you say you were reincarnated, yet you never talk about your past. You even tell everyone around you to keep quiet about it."
"The silence is to avoid troublesome matters... So, you suspect that I am lying, my lady?"
"To put it simply, yeah."
Rhiannon nodded.
"Hmm," Kaine said, resting his chin on his hand and thinking for a moment.
"That's true. At this stage, it's extremely difficult to prove that I've been reincarnated. However, a year from now, when you go to the capital, it will definitely become clear."
"In the capital?"
Rhiannon tilted her head.
In this country, it's customary for noble children to move to the capital, Bärend, when they turn 16, starting to live there under the guise of "social studies." The duration lasts until they find a marriage partner.
Once they find a partner, it's customary for the nobles to return to their respective territories.
Fifteen-year-old Rhiannon is no exception and is also scheduled to go to the capital in a year.
Kaine spoke in a calm, instructive tone.
"In the capital, you will meet a certain woman. That woman will make you her target and will plot to make you thoroughly unhappy. I was reincarnated to protect you from her."
"Who is this certain woman?"
"Sarah Belts. She's such a wicked woman that even saying her name is disgusting."
"Between that Sarah and me, who has the worse personality?"
For a moment, Kaine hesitated.
"...To be honest, if you think about it calmly, the levels of bad personality are pretty much equal."
"What does that even mean?!"
"Anyway, please be careful of Sarah Belts. That's about all I can say for now. Now, please get back to your studies."
"Wait, let me ask one last question! I've been wondering, how did my previous life end in ruin?"
"That is..."
For a moment, a deep, indescribable sadness flickered in Kaine's golden eyes.
"...I can't say it out loud. But, you were trapped in a scheme by Sarah Belts."
"Trapped?"
"Yes, that's right. ...Now, let's end this conversation. It should be about time for you to want some tea, so I'll go get some."
With that, Kaine stood up and started to leave the room with long strides.
However, as if remembering something, he stopped midway and turned back.
"Whether you ultimately believe what I'm saying or not is up to you. However, please don't doubt my loyalty to you, Lady Rhiannon."
"...I know."
Rhiannon nodded for now.
With a satisfied smile, Kaine bowed and turned on her heel.
"Sarah Belts, huh..."
Left alone in the room, Rhiannon muttered to herself.
It was a name she had never heard before.
However, according to Kaine, Sarah Belts was said to have a personality as bad as Rhiannon's.
"It's annoying to admit, but if she's as bad as me, that's pretty serious. I definitely need to stay away from her."
Saying that, Rhiannon quickly stood up and stretched widely.
"Alright, time to make a run for it! Seriously, Kaine is such a fool. Of course, I'm going to escape if he leaves me alone."
There was no way Rhiannon, the master of skipping out, would miss such a perfect opportunity.
She hurriedly left the library and, undeterred, headed to another hiding spot.
The next hiding place was the library, which should be unused by anyone.
It was her special hiding spot at the dimly lit end of the north wing.
To avoid being seen, she tiptoed toward the library and opened the heavy door.
And then, a split second later, she let out a high-pitched scream that echoed throughout the castle.
"W-why is Kaine here in the library!?"
Rhiannon was shocked to find Kaine had somehow gotten there before her, and she nearly collapsed in surprise.
Kaine didn't answer Rhiannon's question, just smiled and said, "You're such a fool," before leading her back to the library again.
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