The Crown Prince Who Raises a Side Character

#37 Servant Cedric (3) – Role Reversal

#37 Servant Cedric (3) – Role Reversal

Claudia’s mornings were late.

And the mornings of those servants who attended her, early.

While she lingered, half-conscious, adrift in a hazy slumber, the manor’s maids would enter at the appointed hour to bathe her, arrange her hair and attire.

Claudia, with her face still soft with sleep and eyes half-closed, resembled a masterpiece painted with the utmost devotion by an artist. Yet, the expressions of the maids attending her were anything but soft.

In this state, Claudia was akin to a bomb, ready to detonate with the slightest provocation.

Should her hair become tangled during brushing, or her skin be grazed whilst being dressed, the instant her eyes snapped open…

Her face, which moments before held the allure of a painting, would twist into a visage like a demon’s, and she would immediately ‘punish’ the offending maid.

The most common form of punishment was a slap across the face. At worst, a handful of hair would be ripped out, or she’d be beaten until bruises blossomed on their skin.

And yet, leaving Claudia unattended or rushing through her morning preparations was not an option. For if, upon fully awakening, Claudia found fault with her appearance, that, too, would serve as a pretext for punishment.

Ultimately, all the maids could do was focus every ounce of their concentration on their task, ensuring not a single mistake was made.

“Ummm….”

Claudia’s consciousness began to truly awaken just as these preparations were nearing their completion.

Gazing blankly at her reflection in the mirror, she suddenly frowned.

She had the unsettling sensation of having forgotten something important.

She began to retrace her steps through the currents of her consciousness, sifting through memories of the past.

‘When did I fall asleep? The last memory feels… fuzzy.’

“Scheming, hahaha. If the young lady praises me so, I am beyond humbled.”

“You needn’t be so bashful! This Cedric, his lips are sealed tighter than any vault! The fact that the young lady was utterly engrossed in her meal shall remain buried in my heart until my dying breath!”

“Then, I shall take my leave! Please, do call upon me again should you require anything further!”

A newly hired servant. Cooking. Clear eyes. A cheerful tone.

Claudia, recalling all the events of the previous evening and the fact that she had succumbed to a near-fainting sleep, unable to withstand the overwhelming shock, involuntarily parted her lips and uttered a sound.

“—Ah.”

“Milady?”

“Ah, ah, aaah!?”

“Milady!? What, what is wrong? Lady Claudia!?”

*

The kitchen, more than one might think, is a space steeped in hierarchy.

Perhaps it is because it is a place where dangerous objects such as fire and kitchen knives are handled, or perhaps it is due to the structure where the entire kitchen staff must share the blame if there is even the slightest problem with the food.

Especially if a newcomer like Cedric, who hasn’t been around for very long, suddenly occupies the kitchen alone to prepare a dish for a person of high rank, and receives praise directly from the head chef, bypassing the existing members, it is inevitable that those caught in the middle will have grievances.

Except not.

“Hey, Cedric! Finished peeling those potatoes!”

“Yes, here they are!”

“The onions-“

“All sliced into ribbons!”

“The salad greens –“

“Washed and prepped, all spick and span!”

“Good, excellent!”

It was a truth universally acknowledged: most complaints simply withered in the face of overwhelming results.

All the more so when those results directly eased the burden on one’s own back.

Of course, even with this, had Cedric flaunted himself, strutting about like some peacock, there would still be those who, though they wouldn’t speak it aloud, would look askance at him.

“Wow, you’re a natural. How can you be so quick?”

“Oh, come now, is this some talent of mine alone? It’s all thanks to the senior’s kind guidance, generously sharing every trick of the trade.”

“Ahem, well, yes. I suppose I am rather skilled at teaching.”

“Ah, and as for fetching water, I’ve already seen to it, so you can rest a bit. Consider it my repayment.”

“Oh? No, there was no need to….”

“Doesn’t a bit of luck now and then make the work more pleasant?”

“Hmm, perhaps? Now that I think about it, you’re right. Haha! I like you more and more!”

His honeyed words, honed to a fine point, far surpassing even the most seasoned canary-courter, dissolved even the deepest grievances.

When Cedric’s presence alone made their tasks lighter, and their seniority was respected to a tee, what need was there to bare fangs?

However, such amiable peace in the kitchen was not destined to endure for long.

“–Newcomer!! Where are you!? Get out here, now!?”

The shrill, piercing voice echoed from the heart of the mansion.

A name synonymous with terror amongst the servants, the young “Miss’s” cry turned the faces of the kitchen staff, who had been cheerfully going about their work, to stone.

It was then, as they exchanged anxious glances, that…

“…Cedric. Come with me, this instant.”

The head butler, Bastian.

A man who could be said to be number two in this manor, summoned Cedric, who had been in the kitchen, with a face steeped in gloom.

“Yes, Head Butler.”

Without so much as a question of the reason, Cedric immediately followed in the butler’s wake, heading towards the heart of the estate.

There, a little over ten servants waited, strung with tension, their eyes filled with both pity for Cedric and the fear that the sparks might fly their way at any moment.

And at the center of it all.

Claudia, her eyes glinting with a venomous light, glared daggers at Cedric.

“—So, you’ve arrived.”

Her voice, sharp enough to pierce with icicles, was more akin to the snarl of a beast.

No, it wasn’t simply akin.

Because around Claudia, five misshapen wolves formed of blood and bone, bared their teeth, awaiting only their mistress’ command.

Bastian’s face grew even darker.

Fearing he might truly have a corpse to dispose of, he glanced sidelong at Cedric’s face, and then, he sighed.

In a situation where even begging on his knees was no guarantee, Cedric simply stood there, blinking blankly.

As expected, Claudia’s eyes narrowed further.

“You.”

“Yes, Miss.”

“You have nothing to say to me?”

Everyone waited, taut with anticipation, for Cedric’s reply.

A silence fell, so complete one could almost hear someone swallow, and then he spoke.

“Good morning, Miss! The day is clear at long last; might I suggest a stroll?”

*That’s not it!!*

The unspoken thought echoed amongst the servants present.

-Grrrrrr!

Four of the five Bloodfiends shifted uncomfortably, their growls escalating with displeasure.

-Whimper…

The last Bloodfiend merely averted its eyes from its companions, showing absolutely no inclination to attack Cedric.

Claudia’s eyes twitched at the sight of its fear.

The Bloodfiends, created through a ritual passed down through the Redbell family, were Redbell’s unique familiars, each one a match for a Level 3 martial artist.

What’s more, they could return to Claudia’s body to recover, provided they hadn’t sustained a mortal wound. Therefore, they were known for their daring and courage.

For a Bloodfiend to avoid battle while being aware of its mistress’s displeasure meant it believed the human before it could obliterate it on a whim.

If—just if, a most unlikely scenario—

If this servant truly was such a monster that he could subdue all the attacking Bloodfiends…

And if the other servants were to witness this in real-time…

Would they then think, ‘Hmm, the Lady is not as impressive as I thought’?

Of course, such a possibility was practically nonexistent.

The physical threat posed by the Bloodfiends was merely one of many means to bolster her authority. Her fundamental power derived from the Redbell bloodline, after all.

But the mere *possibility* of losing face in such a way was abhorrent to her.

Claudia wracked her brains, then, in a flash, inspiration struck.

A wicked smile bloomed on her lips as she addressed Cedric.

“So, you truly don’t understand your wrongdoing?”

“Wrongdoing, you say? If perchance I have erred, please, do enlighten me, Miss.”

“Ha! To make your mistress point it out is disqualifying enough. You’re not worth employing, get out of my sight!!”

Claudia’s mind raced.

For reasons unknown, *he* had entered this mansion as a servant.

If someone powerful enough to frighten a Blood Demon sought the position of a mere servant, there was bound to be a fitting purpose.

Being ousted before achieving that purpose would be troublesome, he would surely cling to her, begging and pleading—

“Understood.”

“Huh?”

A dazed sound escaped Claudia’s lips.

Regardless, Cedric’s shoulders slumped, unable to conceal the dejection and frustration on his face, and continued,

“If that is your will, Miss, then I have no recourse. It was an honor to serve you, however briefly.”

With those parting words, Cedric then lowered his head repeatedly to the other servants, bidding them farewell, one by one.

Claudia’s pupils frantically darted about.

“W-wait a moment! What is this, is that all? You’re really okay with being fired!?”

“Well, my employment contract contained no stipulation preventing the mistress from dismissing a servant at her whim. Hmph, I must be more careful next time. Ah, Master Butler, by the way, how will my wages be handled in this case?”

“Oh. Um, well, you see…”

Bastian, likewise, seemed at a loss as to what was unfolding, darting troubled glances at Claudia’s face.

Ordinarily, he would have rebuked Cedric’s words and actions as blasphemy, reinforcing Claudia’s authority. Yet, this time, both Claudia’s and Cedric’s reactions were so far removed from the ‘normal’ that he found himself without a proper course of action.

Meanwhile, Claudia was lost in her own thoughts.

‘If this scoundrel simply quits and walks away… what of my revenge?’

To be so thoroughly toyed with by a mere servant, and then to let that servant walk away unscathed – whether because she was a noble lady or simply due to her own nature – was utterly unacceptable.

And yet, to physically harm him was problematic; Cedric’s power, capable of casually subduing a Blood Mana Beast, was a daunting obstacle.

She could contact the Redbell Main House and request assistance. But how could she phrase such a request?

-My servant mocked me, and I am utterly incapable of punishing him, so please send me a company of knights.

The Marquis of Redbell would surely worry about his daughter’s mental state.

Her hateful siblings would clutch their stomachs and erupt in laughter.

No matter what, she couldn’t let Cedric go like this.

‘Yes, for now, as long as I still employ him, he is still my servant, is he not? Then, there must be countless ways to make his life miserable.’

Quickly gathering her thoughts, Claudia cleared her throat and spoke.

“Well, if you’re truly so regretful, I suppose I could rescind the dismissal.”

At that, Cedric’s melancholic eyes turned toward Claudia.

“No, thank you.”

“Oh? No, thank you, is it?”

“To think I might face such an abrupt dismissal at any moment… I fear I could no longer dedicate myself to my duties as wholeheartedly as before. To come to work with such a mindset would be a great disservice to my colleagues. It seems best, then, that I withdraw.”

” … “

Claudia’s cheeks trembled minutely.

* * *

*Thwack!*

Concealing her lips behind a broadly fanned-out fan, she repeated,

“Rest assured. There won’t be any more abrupt dismissal notices like this one.”

Only then did Cedric’s eyes regain their clarity.

Claudia, too, felt a certain inexplicable fulfillment at the sight of Cedric gazing at her with an expression that seemed, somehow, touched.

Yes, this is as it should be.

Overwhelmed with gratitude even at his mistress’s small mercies; *this* was the correct attitude for a servant!

“Milady.”

“Hmph, spare me the gratitude.”

“No, that’s not it. I was hoping you could include that detail in the contract.”

“…”