“It’s the blind maid.”
Before long, I heard a voice informing someone else of who I was.
I hadn't heard the voice often, but I recognized its owner immediately.
It was Benjamin, the Head Butler of the ducal estate.
‘Why did he come all the way here all of a sudden…?’
“Head Butler, what brings you here?”
“Where is the young master? Is he in his room?”
“Yes.”
The moment I answered, another set of footsteps slowly drew near.
They were the steps of heavy boots that radiated sheer dignity and prestige, making me feel as though no one should ever dare stand in his way.
The man came to a stop before me and asked,
“What is Callius doing right now?”
A low, heavy voice. It bore a resemblance to Callius’s, yet it was far more commanding, far more imposing…
I quickly took a step back and bowed deeply, hoping to ease the crushing pressure in the air.
It was the Duke.
“The young master… he is resting in his room at the moment.”
“Lead me to his room.”
The Duke gave the command in a firm tone, and my heart beat as though it might burst from an indescribable dread.
‘Strange…’
In the original story, the Duke had never once come to visit his son in person until Callius finally stepped out of that room… So why this sudden visit?
“I shall guide you to the young master’s room, Head Butler.”
I tried my best to conceal the tremor in my voice.
Even though they were father and son, the air around Callius and the Duke was entirely different.
Callius, strict though he could be, showed flashes of humanity from time to time.
The Duke, however, exuded cold detachment and absolute dominance through his voice alone.
It felt as though a single misstep would cost me my life.
When we reached Callius’s room, I spoke up.
“Excuse me… From here on, it would be best if you straighten your posture, but if you take my arm, I can guide you…”
Before I could finish, a firm hand took hold of my arm.
The Duke had gripped my arm without the slightest hesitation.
“Lead on.”
His voice was cold, as if I were nothing more than a tool to guide him, not a human being.
I felt like a human walking stick.
Hearing Benjamin step back, I opened the door and ushered the Duke into the room.
Then I called out quietly to Callius.
“Young Master.”
From behind the table came the distinct sound of Callius shuffling things around.
The Duke announced his presence.
“His Grace has arrived.”
The next instant, a basket crashed to the floor, and Callius sprang from his chair.
“Father?”
His voice brimmed with disbelief and utter confusion.
“Callius.”
The Duke’s voice resonated quietly through the hushed room.
“It has been a while.”
Following that brief, unenthusiastic greeting, an uncomfortable silence settled between them.
What an awkward, tense silence between a father and son… Just standing there made me feel uneasy.
In the original story, the father and son never grew close; in fact, Callius later had to strip his father of his title.
Compared to such a ruinous future, this moment almost seemed gentle.
Still, staying here any longer felt like it would suffocate me.
“I shall wait outside.”
Even though the Duke couldn’t see a thing, I bowed respectfully and stepped out of the room.
At last, I could breathe a sigh of relief.
I was curious about what would unfold between them, and above all, the reason behind the Duke’s visit.
I pressed closer to lean my ear against the wall, even knowing it was probably pointless.
Yet… I could hear Callius and the Duke speaking with astonishing clarity.
“—”
It sounded as if I were right inside the room with them.
Wait, how could a flimsy wall carry sound so well?
Even as the thought crossed my mind, the Duke’s low voice rang distinctly in my ears.
“A letter arrived from the Academy.”
Ah.
The long-awaited letter seemed to have reached the Duke before Brandon could deliver it.
“It states that your report has passed the evaluation.”
Through the wall, I heard Callius let out a breath laden with astonishment and relief.
“And that as long as the report substitutes for your attendance, there will be no obstacle to your graduation.”
"…"
“How did you submit that report? The Academy employs magic to detect forgery, so any paper written by someone else would have certainly been rejected.”
The Duke sounded thoroughly intrigued.
As Callius went to answer, the Duke cut him off.
“The method does not matter. What matters is that you have shown the resolve to fulfill your duty as successor.”
A faint smile touched the Duke’s voice.
“If you cast aside your weakness and took the initiative yourself, I can overlook whatever unlawful means you used.”
“No, Father. I used no unlawful means.”
Callius answered promptly, denying the assumption.
“Everything submitted to the Academy was written by my own hand.”
“…By your own hand?”
The Duke’s tone was filled with more astonishment than ever before.
“Lizzy helped me find a way to write the report. My personal maid.”
Hearing my name out of nowhere made me jump, and I pulled away from the wall in a hurry.
There was no reason for the Duke to know my name!
Just as I tried to step back into place, I heard a faint whistle from Benjamin as he approached.
“What are you eavesdropping on now?”
I managed an awkward laugh and had no choice but to step away.
“…I see.”
The Duke murmured in a low voice after Callius explained everything.
“If all of that is true, then you no longer need to remain in this dark room. I will have the Head Butler procure the defective mana stones without delay.”
The Duke smiled faintly, as if resolving the matter were the simplest thing in the world.
“And what about Lizzy?”
“What?”
The Duke raised an eyebrow at his son’s question, expecting words of gratitude instead.
“Had it not been for Lizzy, I would never have been able to graduate from the Academy.”
“…Very well. I shall reward the maid and send her home. Once the stones are brought in, there will be no need to have a blind girl attend to you any longer.”
“No, let Lizzy remain here. I still need her.”
Callius spoke firmly.
“We can light the room with the stones, but my illness is not cured. I want her to stay by my side as my personal maid, just in case.”
The Duke’s brow twitched for a moment, then he gave a nod.
“…Fine. The girl seems clever enough. Perhaps she will prove useful elsewhere. I shall allow it.”
In the darkness, the Duke could not see his son’s tightly set lips.
Silence descended once more.
Then the Duke spoke quietly.
“I have not given up on you, Callius.”
"…"
“I am searching for a cure, so hold on a little longer. One day, I will bring you out of this dark room.”
‘One day.’
A mere promise without a set date.
Once, such words might have sparked hope in his chest, but no longer.
Callius knew his father far too well.
‘There is no need to be deceived by false hope.’
With that thought, he focused on her presence beside him.
Her presence gave him far more comfort than any hollow promise of recovery ever could.
“Yes, Father.”
