The Villain Family’s Strongest Butler
Chapter 19
The carriage sped along at a tremendous pace.
Even while rolling over the bumpy dirt road, it barely rattled.
Apparently, magic stones had been installed throughout to enhance stability, or something like that.
Magic stones were rocks imbued with mana. Since they were as pretty as gems, they were also used to make jewelry.
‘Like my dog collar.’
Once the mana dwelling within was depleted, they lost their luster and color, becoming unsightly. The price of a magic stone was said to depend on how long it could maintain that luster and color.
‘In that sense, the magic stone in my dog collar must be of the highest grade.’
Considering it has held up well for two years now.
A soft jolt shook the carriage as it bounced slightly.
‘Of course.’
Yet the carriage’s interior remained unbothered and peaceful.
Feeling the sheer power of wealth anew, I pulled back the curtain draped over the carriage window.
We had been riding for an hour. Outside, morning had fully arrived.
‘The kitchen staff must be awake by now.’
The savory aroma of freshly baked bread from the oven and the rich scent of thick stew bubbling in a giant pot would be whetting everyone’s appetite.
These were the sights and smells of the kitchen that had been engraved into my habits while living at the Grand Duke’s Residence.
Because of that, even without seeing or smelling it firsthand, the kitchen scene painted itself vividly in my mind as if I were standing right there.
As did how breathtakingly tempting that food smelled and tasted.
Saliva pooled beneath my tongue.
‘Ah, come to think of it, I didn’t even get to eat breakfast.’
I had been juggling my butler duties and training, splitting every spare second, even sacrificing sleep.
Yet the one thing I could never compromise on was eating.
I had always eaten well, ever since I was Sia.
I wouldn’t call it gluttony.
Using my body heavily and undergoing intensive aura training naturally made my body demand plenty of nutrients.
Besides, my growth rate right now was far faster than it had been when I was Sia. It was only natural that my body needed more food.
Growwwl—!
Right on cue, my stomach signaled its hunger.
‘Ah, damn it.’
I must have gotten too lost in visions of the kitchen at the Grand Duke’s Residence, seeing how instantly my body reacted.
Still, why did it have to happen in front of the Grand Duke, of all people, and inside this cramped carriage?
Somehow, my plans to pursue perfection in front of the Grand Duke always seemed to go slightly awry.
‘This is all that Grand Duke’s fault.’
I secretly glared at the Grand Duke, who had his eyes closed.
‘If he had let me eat on time, this wouldn’t have happened.’
Perhaps because I had become acutely aware of skipping a meal, I grew rapidly irritable and cranky.
Just then, the Grand Duke slowly opened his eyes. I quickly masked the emotions in my gaze.
Opening his eyes, the Grand Duke studied my face for a moment. Soon, his infuriating lips twitched.
‘No. Don’t do it. Just don’t say a word!’
Contrary to my wish, the Grand Duke’s voice echoed in the narrow carriage.
“I’ve heard that you eat often and in large amounts.”
“……”
…Seriously, they reported everything.
For a moment, it felt as though the aide Ed’s annoying chuckle rang in my ears and faded away.
In any case, his whole point in bringing it up was to enjoy watching me get flustered.
I’m not going to play along so easily, Grand Duke.
I put on a smile and said,
“I am merely grateful for the Grand Duchy’s generous welfare.”
In other words, I’ve been putting your pantry to good use.
As I have so far, and as I will continue to do, forever and ever.
With that, I bowed slightly and offered my sincere thanks.
After all, I had to respect the Grand Duke’s generosity when it came to sparing no expense on food, clothing, and shelter.
At that, a stifled snort slipped from across the carriage.
Did he just laugh?
I snapped my head up.
Yet the Grand Duke’s expression was as completely impassive as before, without the slightest change.
That was definitely a laugh. The sound of someone holding in laughter until it leaked past their teeth involuntarily.
Or was it not?
‘Did I hear wrong?’
Tilting my head slightly, I scrutinized the Grand Duke. A moment later, he uncrossed his arms and slid open the window connecting to the coachman’s seat. Then he commanded the driver:
“To Esmenta.”
“Yes, Your Grace!”
The carriage picked up speed.
The village of Esmenta.
‘I remember.’
It was a village I had learned about while memorizing the geography of the Cadea Empire.
‘So that village was…’
Famous for its whole roasted pig.
Slurp. I hastily brought up a hand and wiped the corner of my mouth.
How embarrassing. To start salivating at the mere mention of a village’s name.
Contrary to my predicament, a giant pig was already spinning over a wood fire in my imagination.
‘That sounds so good.’
Crispy, crackling skin, tender meat packed with smoky flavor and juices.
And all those specialty cuts popped into my head automatically.
Then my eyes met the Grand Duke’s. I saw the corner of his mouth tilt upward slightly.
‘Ack! No way!’
I quickly rearranged my slip of an expression and dabbed the corners of my mouth with my fingertips.
‘Scared me. I thought I actually drooled.’
Maybe because I’m so hungry, my guard keeps dropping.
‘No. Absolutely not.’
At least not in front of the Grand Duke.
Ahem. Clearing my throat, I asked with feigned composure,
“Weren’t they expecting you at the Imperial Palace?”
The Grand Duke replied nonchalantly,
“We only need to arrive sometime today. I merely set out early to avoid drawing unwanted attention.”
Ah. I see. I nodded. The Grand Duke continued,
“And it’s hardly important enough to justify starving my butler along the way.”
“……”
Grand Duke… I looked at him with touched eyes.
‘He’s even looking out for the state of my stomach…’
Though it was just a passing remark, it was more touching than anything else he had ever said.
Grumble. My tactless stomach growled once again.
I stealthily placed a hand over my stomach and offered a faint smile.
Just wait a little longer. I’ll feed you meat soon.
Straightening my expression, I said to the Grand Duke earnestly,
“Then, as soon as we arrive in the village, I shall find a restaurant.”
As it turned out, there was no need for me to search for a restaurant.
For in the village of Esmenta, there was an eatery run by a vassal of the Valot Grand Duchy.
Not long after the Grand Duke and I stepped inside, a sign reading “Closed” was hung at the restaurant’s entrance.
It meant they would accept no more customers for the day.
The only people dining in this restaurant were the Grand Duke and me, just the two of us.
‘If it’s this kind of abuse of power, I’ll welcome it anytime.’
Thanks to that, the whole roasted pig, which had supposedly been roasting since dawn, was brought entirely onto our table.
I had only intended to appease my hunger with a plate of each cut, but this unexpected windfall made my head spin with excitement.
The whole pig, roasted to a gorgeous caramel brown, was overwhelmingly tempting.
Haa, haa. For some reason, my breathing grew shallow.
I hastily picked up a carving knife. Composing myself with solemn reverence, I set the blade against the crispy, caramel-colored skin.
The finely sharpened knife sliced effortlessly through crackling skin and tender meat.
I portioned a bit of each cut onto a plate and offered it to the Grand Duke.
“Please eat, Your Grace.”
“Butler first.”
Ah, checking for poison, are we?
I transferred small portions of meat onto my own plate and speared a piece with my fork.
“Then, I shall partake first.”
And I stuffed a generous bite into my mouth.
Hah…! An inward exclamation burst from me.
I felt as though I hadn’t tasted anything this delicious since Chef Lend’s lamb steak.
It was the kind of taste where the savory rush of juices with every chew made you feel like you could drown in bliss.
The Grand Duke asked me,
“How is it, Butler?”
Swallowing the rest of the meat I was chewing, I said,
“There is no poison, Your Grace.”
“…Poison?”
The Grand Duke tilted his head. I sliced fresh pieces from each cut onto a new plate.
“Yes. So you may eat with peace of mind.”
Neatly arranging the accompanying vegetables beside the meat, I presented the plate to the Grand Duke.
‘Try it, Grand Duke. If there’s one thing I excel at, it’s carving meat.’
I know how to cut skin, fat, and meat into a heavenly ratio.
I wore a confident expression.
The Grand Duke picked up his fork and knife, bringing a piece of meat to his mouth. After seeing that, I sat back down and resumed eating.
For a while, a ferocious feast ensued.
Of course, it was a battle fought by me alone.
The Grand Duke, true to his stature, continued his meal with elegance and grace.
It didn’t take very long to demolish the whole pig.
Having cleanly stripped the meat from the remaining hind leg and devoured it, only then did I set down my fork with a thoroughly satisfied expression.
“You really do eat well.”
The Grand Duke uttered in genuine admiration.
Haha. I merely chuckled.
I tended to become generous about everything when full, so even if the Grand Duke chattered a few more words, I felt like I could listen pleasantly.
Just then, the Grand Duke, who had been quietly watching me, asked:
“Was it good?”
I answered without hesitation.
“Yes, Your Grace. With all due apologies to Chef Lend, when it comes to whole roasted pig, this restaurant seems to be the absolute best.”
At that, the Grand Duke gave a quiet chuckle.
He must have been thinking something similar.
And a moment later, another question followed from the Grand Duke.
“Nothing comes to mind?”
“Pardon…?”
