Volume 1 Chapter 27 The Villainous Guildmaster, Pushing the Limits of Evil II
One day, I wake up as usual.
Getting out of bed in the mansion, I start to get dressed... when I suddenly notice.
"...she's late."
Normally, Maid Frederica comes to greet me right on time every morning.
But today, for some reason, she hasn't come.
After getting dressed and having breakfast in the dining room, she finally appeared.
"Good morning, Master."
Frederica approaches me and bows deeply.
"I apologize for being late."
I gaze at her intently.
"You fool... what were you doing?"
"Master...?"
"Enough. Go home."
"...Excuse me."
She bows her head and wobbles off.
"Uh, um... Master!"
The head chef and the other staff look at me with worried expressions.
"What's wrong with you all?"
"You didn't fire the head maid, did you...?"
"Anyone can be late once in a while, you know!"
"That's right! Just one late arrival shouldn't be a big deal..."
I wonder what these staff members are talking about.
"Fired? Why would it come to that?"
"Because you told her to go home..."
I let out a sigh and say,
"She seems to be unwell."
"Huh...?"
Though she seemed calm, it was obvious she was hiding her illness.
So, I just sent her home.
"I see... that makes sense."
"Our master could never do something so cruel!"
"As expected of our master, so kind!"
I stand up, turn on my heel, and walk out of the dining room.
"Um, Master. What should we do about taking care of Frederica?"
One of the staff asks me.
"Take care of her? Don't be ridiculous. She's not a child; she should manage her own issues."
"But... we're worried."
The staff nods along in agreement.
"Do you all want to slack off that badly?"
"N-no, that's not it at all..."
"Those who can't handle their own work have no right to take care of others."
"...uuh..."
The servants were tongue-tied.
"Frederica's business is your own. That's all I have to say. Get back to work."
I said that and quickly left the mansion.
I headed toward the Gem of Heavenly Gift Guild hall.
"Good morning, Guildmaster!"
"Katrina, you're early."
The receptionist was wiping down the tables in the hall.
"You're awfully early today."
"Yeah, a bit. Also, I'm going to take a day off this afternoon, so please tell the staff to prioritize any paperwork that needs to be approved."
"? Ah, I see."
Katrina nodded as if she understood.
"Understood."
"Don't let me down."
"Guildmaster, may I help you with something?"
"No need."
I retreated to the Guildmaster's room on the second floor.
A little while later.
"Good morning!"
"Yui, good morning."
My apprentice, Yui, came to work.
"Sorry, Yui, but I'm going to ask you to take the rest of the day off."
"Eh, today? But I have plans..."
"Everything's been taken care of. If you have any paperwork, take care of it early. And this afternoon, you'll be training with Katrina on administrative tasks."
"I, I... but, you're taking a sudden day off, aren't you?"
"Do you have a problem with that?"
"N, no... I was just curious."
"It's none of your business."
"S-speaking of which, what about Frederica?"
"It's none of your business. Use your hands, not your mouth."
"I, yes... ouch..."
With Yui's help, I finished up the paperwork.
At 12:00 on the dot, I stood up.
"Yui, I'll go up now."
"Okay. Thank you for your hard work."
Just as Katrina came to pick up the documents that had already been settled.
"Act-sama, please give this to Frederica."
It was a brown paper bag and when I shook it, I heard a rustling noise.
"Tea made from a herb."
"Sorry, it helps."
"No, please tell me that you take good care of me."
I leave Guildmaster Room.
"So, what's up with Ms. Katrina, the Guildmaster?"
"Well, actually, it's like this..."
"!? I see, so that's how it is!"
THUD...!
Yui is chasing after me.
"Uh, hey! Guildmaster! I'M REALLY SORRY ABOUT THAT!"
"What's that all about?"
"Earlier, I thought you were being a bit harsh, Guildmaster... uh, I'M REALLY SORRY!"
Phew, I let out a sigh.
"Is that all you wanted? This is a waste of time. Get back to your work."
"Y-yes! As expected from you, Act-sama... you're so kind. Please tell Frederica to take care!"
I continue down the stairs.
"GUILDMASTER──! THANKS FOR YOUR HARD WORK──! SAY HI TO BIG SIS FOR ME──!"
"TAKING TIME OFF TO CARE FOR SOMEONE, AS EXPECTED OF THE GUILDMASTER, ALWAYS SO KIND──!"
I sigh and tell the Guild Members.
"LISTEN UP, YOU LOT. IF I CATCH ANY OF YOU SLACKING OFF TO VISIT FREDERICA UNDER THE PRETENSE OF CARING FOR HER, YOU'RE ALL FIRED."
"Got it!"
I quickly exit the Guild Hall and head back to my estate.
"Welcome back, Sir."
All the staff are wearing masks and greet me.
"...good grief."
I hand my jacket to a staff member and walk down the hallway.
"Hey, you lot. You haven't gone into Frederica's room, have you?"
The staff members glance away, looking awkward.
"O-of course not!"
"No way we'd be caring for her or anything..."
"I see. That's good then."
The staff let out a sigh of relief.
I point at them and say.
"YOU ALL CAN GO HOME TODAY. NO NEED TO COME TOMORROW. SHOW UP THE DAY AFTER."
"Understood!"
I let out a sigh and turn back.
"...Did he find out about the caring?"
"...maybe."
"...I guess he want us to stay home since we might catch a cold."
"...as expected, Sir, so kind."
I head towards Frederica's room.
"It's me. I'm coming in."
I wait for a response before stepping into the room.
Of course, wearing a mask.
Upon entering, Frederica was lying on the bed.
"Master... I'm sorry for presenting myself in such a wretched state."
"Just sleep."
I take a look at Frederica's condition with my Appraisal Eye.
The fever hasn't gone down yet.
"...I apologize."
"If you have time to apologize, then just sleep."
"Yes..."
I sit down on the chair beside the bed.
Next to her pillow was a basin with ice water and some cut fruit.
It clearly looked like someone had been taking care of her.
"Um... Master, please don't scold them. They were acting out of kindness."
"What are you talking about?"
"Huh...?"
"They haven't been tending to you. My subordinates, even if they are servants, are excellent individuals who don't lie. Which means you must have done this yourself, right?"
"Master... you truly are a compassionate and wonderful person."
I take the towel on her forehead, dip it in the ice water, wring it out, and place it back.
"It's cold, Master."
"Bear with it. ...Really, for the Ice Wolf to catch a cold. How fragile."
"I apologize."
"Well, you should be better by the day after tomorrow. Until then, just get some rest."
"Yes."
"Oh, right. I'm taking a day off tomorrow to enjoy some alone time. You don't have to do any servant work."
"Yes... Master."
"What is it?"
"...I'm a bit anxious. Can you hold my hand?"
"What?"
"I'm sorry. I must be delirious from the cold. Asking such a selfish thing... ah..."
I tightly grip Frederica's right hand.
"Unlike a weakling like you, I don't catch colds."
"...Master."
"What is it?"
"...I love you. Truly, from the bottom of my heart. Do you also love me, my dear?"
"...Don't say such nonsense, just go to sleep."
"...It was a foolish question. Good night, my kind Master."
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Donate me
Support Me with USDC
(ERC20)
Support Me with XLM
(Stellar Lumens)