Chapter 36 The Unsettling Butler
The story goes back a bit to when Rhiannon met Prince Werner at the party venue.
"...All clear."
Kaine Ricciardi, disguised as the fictional noble Viscount Straeten Garbinder, murmured this from a corner of the spacious party hall.
His master, Rhiannon, was surrounded by nobles once again.
Since she was with Halesia, who was well aware of the situation, Kaine deliberately kept his distance.
(If I'm always with Lady Rhiannon, I might end up saying something unnecessary.)
Lately, he had been feeling off.
Every time he noticed the envious gazes of men directed at Rhiannon, a sharp pain pricked at his chest.
Moreover, whenever a nobleman approached Rhiannon, trying to get close, Kaine found himself blocking them with various excuses.
(At this rate, it might end up being my fault that Lady Rhiannon can't find a suitable fiancé...)
Feeling anxious about the current situation, Kaine decided to keep his distance from Rhiannon for tonight.
Well, with Halesia around, she would likely cover for Rhiannon if she accidentally said something inappropriate.
While pretending to enjoy the party like the other nobles, Kaine leisurely scanned the venue.
(I must not let my guard down. I absolutely have to avoid a situation where Sarah Belts and the young lady run into each other here.)
Of course, Kaine had taken various measures to ensure that Sarah Belts wouldn't come to this venue.
However, there was always a chance of something unexpected happening.
He glanced back at Rhiannon, sighed at her dazzling beauty even from afar, and then quietly slipped away, heading to the deserted garden.
He had no idea where Sarah Belts might be hiding.
As he patrolled the garden, Kaine lightly tied up a couple of thieves who had sneaked into the palace, but otherwise, there were no particular abnormalities.
"There's nothing unusual. I just hope the party ends peacefully like this..."
Kaine muttered again, turned on his heel, and started back the way he came.
However, on his way to the party venue, he suddenly stopped and hid behind a nearby bush.
He could hear a group of noblemen smoking cigarettes in the garden talking about Rhiannon.
"Wow, Lady Rhiannon is really cute... She's like an angel that just appeared out of nowhere. I want to get closer to her..."
"Isn't she the only daughter of the Clahsen family? You should stop dreaming big. You won't stand a chance."
The shorter man laughed while puffing on his cigarette.
(Those 2 are definitely... the second son of the Viscount Woodlson family and the third son of Baron Tyson...)
Kaine had a perfect database of potential suitors for Rhiannon in his head.
He made a mental note that "the second son of the Viscount Woodlson is in love with Rhiannon." This guy would need further research later.
(The second son of the Viscount Woodlson was supposed to be a candidate for the official position, but there's no other data. However, smoking is a major demerit. What if the young lady inhales smoke and it harms her health? ...Is this the kind of thing that's a problem?)
With a sigh, Kaine shook his head and crouched down to leave.
At that moment, he caught the tail end of a whisper from the third son of Baron Tyson, who was about to light a second cigarette.
"By the way, I saw Lady Sarah in the hallway earlier. It was unusual not to see the prince with him today──."
Hearing the name Sarah Belts made Kaine stand up reflexively.
The two men were startled by the sudden appearance of someone from the bushes and let out a small scream.
"W-Who are you! Guard, guard──."
"Excuse me, I was just drunk and collapsed."
"Is that really okay?!"
"Please don't worry about me. More importantly, I heard you saw Sarah Belts. Could you tell me exactly where she was?"
The Tyson family's youngest son was overwhelmed by the sudden appearance of the suspicious Kaine, who emerged from behind a tree.
"What's up? Are you also after Lady Sarah? If it's Lady Sarah, she was running up the stairs just past the East Hall. Well, she looked busy and for some reason, she seemed all messed up, so I didn't talk to her."
"Is it definitely Sarah Belts?"
"That pink-brown hair can only belong to Lady Sarah. I've been in love with Lady Sarah for a long time. There's no way I'd mistake her."
"That's a terrible taste──... no, never mind. I see. Thanks for the info."
"Didn't you just almost say something rude!?"
"It's just your imagination. Well then, have a good night."
As soon as he said that, Kaine quickly left the scene.
(Sarah Belts is at this venue!? Even after all that interference, was it not enough?)
Kaine clenched his jaw tightly.
Something unexpected had happened.
His interference had been perfect.
Sarah Belts should have slipped on horse manure, fallen, torn her dress on some debris, broken her heel, and even been hit by water balloons thrown by passing kids on her way to the party.
Normally, with that many accidents happening in a row, she would have turned back.
However, the fact that Sarah Belts was here at this time meant she had somehow made it to the party in her battered state, driven by sheer determination.
"Sarah Belts is probably really upset right now. But the fact that she came here means she really wants to make the girl bad... Maybe even obsessed about it."
Kaine muttered to himself to calm down as he crossed the wide garden, heading towards the stairs near the East Hall where Sarah Belts had been spotted.
That was a staircase next to the kitchen, a place used only by the servants.
Kaine hurried up the stairs with long strides.
The second floor looked like a storage room, a bit dusty.
There were no signs of people around.
Even the guard seemed to have not come this far for a patrol.
From the second floor, he could see the party venue on the first floor.
Kaine paused for a moment to take a quick look at the party.
(Is Lady Rhiannon safe? ...Good. She seems to be fine.)
Kaine confirmed Rhiannon was chatting with someone and let out a sigh of relief, but then his eyes widened when he saw the person next to her.
"W-What, Your Majesty the King!?"
To his surprise, Rhiannon was confidently conversing with the King right in the middle of the party venue.
Moreover, the trusted Halesia was absent.
Kaine was bewildered.
He couldn't understand the situation at all.
Kaine strained his eyes and focused on the King's lips as he spoke to Rhiannon.
As an excellent butler, he was skilled enough in lip-reading.
'However, you are indeed the daughter of my old friend Fellui. Your family background and character are solid, and your manners and behavior are impeccable. Moreover, I've heard you've been putting effort into charity work lately. That's quite commendable for someone so young.'
From what he could read, the King was praising Rhiannon.
(Did the rumors about the young lady reach the ears of His Majesty the King?)
A sense of pride slowly spread within Kaine.
He was genuinely happy that the master he served was being praised by the King.
Although he could only see Rhiannon's back, he couldn't tell how she responded, but the King smiled more deeply after hearing her reply and spoke again.
'Once again, it's a shame about that broken engagement. It's difficult to say since it was Werner who ended it, but if you're willing, I would still like you to consider re-engaging with Werner...'
Kaine read the King's lips and gasped for a moment.
(Engaged to Prince Werner again!?)
Shaken, Kaine stumbled back 2 or 3 steps.
The engagement with Prince Werner should have been completely forgotten due to Rhiannon's big blunder.
However, at this point, the topic has resurfaced again.
Moreover, it's the king's proposal.
Being directly named as the prince's fiancée by the king is an unparalleled honor for a noble lady.
Even though the partner is the worst possible choice, Prince Werner, the king's endorsement changes everything.
With both the Clahsen family, Rhiannon's home, and the king backing her, even the arrogant Prince Werner would have to change his usual attitude.
(This engagement is an incredibly favorable condition!)
Any ordinary noble lady would jump at the chance without hesitation.
Rhiannon should understand this well.
Unfortunately, since only her back is visible, reading her lips isn't possible, but it's clear what her response will be.
The answer can only be, "Yes, gladly".
(──That's obvious.)
From now on, Rhiannon will have the king's support and will re-enter an engagement with Werner.
This time, Rhiannon will become Werner's official fiancée and join the royal family.
Once she overcomes Sarah Belts, a life of comfort is guaranteed.
Rhiannon will be happy.
Everything should proceed as Kaine wished.
So why is his heart so tumultuous?
(Rejoice, rejoice, Kaine Ricciardi! After countless reincarnations, you've finally made it this far! Your long-desired wish is finally coming true!!)
No matter how many times he tells himself that, the flames of jealousy burn within him, and a bitter sigh escapes his lips.
His vision wavers, and an endless dizziness overwhelms him.
Unbeknownst to him, Kaine had turned her gaze away from Rhiannon.
"Well, well, who do we have over there?"
Suddenly, a voice like rolling bells echoed from the darkness.
Kaine snapped her head up.
There stood a beautiful girl with pink-brown hair styled in twin tails, looking up at her with wide eyes.
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