I Raised the Villain's Daughter Too Well-Chapter 15: Didn’t Know! -
We were the ones who suffered preparing for the party,
and Firnea was the one suffering during the party.
“L-Lady Firnea, truly, sincerely—you are radiant...”
“Ah, yes. Thank you.”
“I-I was wondering, if it’s not too bold of me! Would you care to join me for a walk—?”
“I’m sorry. I’m not feeling well.”
And so, for the twenty-fifth time today, another nobleman walked away in defeat.
I looked at Firnea with a mix of pity and amusement as she calmly sipped her tea from the head seat, smiling gracefully despite her trembling fingers.
...No wonder she hates these kinds of events.
Firnea was currently the most—no, the single greatest bachelorette in the Empire’s history.
First of all, she was beautiful. That’s not an exaggeration—just waking up and rinsing her face was enough to outshine every other noble lady even in full makeup.
And she was the scion of House Seriratus, a family rumored to possess more wealth and connections than the imperial family itself.
Having reached adulthood, she could formally inherit leadership from Maclaine, the acting family head, anytime she wished.
Not to mention her magical ability—she was a prodigy that would be remembered for centuries.
In short, unless you were at least the Crown Prince, there was no point even thinking about courting her.
And in my opinion, not even the Emperor himself would stand a chance.
As I thought this, Firnea blinked at me a few times.
It was our private signal.
It meant: Save me.
I ignored it diligently. She blinked only her left eye.
That meant: I’ll kill you.
...
“My Lady, the tea you requested is ready.”
“Ah, thank you. I’ll go fetch it quickly.”
Firnea smiled brightly as she rose from her seat.
Quickly, my ass—she’d be gone at least twenty minutes, chatting with someone on the way.
And then—
“...Huh?”
Clatter. Someone abruptly stood up.
I turned my gaze and furrowed my brow.
Golden hair blazing under the sun, and at her waist, the symbol of a Hero.
It was Armeria—just as Maclaine had warned me.
She hadn’t said a single word all this time, only devouring the refreshments like a woman possessed—so why now?
Armeria looked between me and Firnea with an expression of disbelief, then slowly approached.
I instinctively stepped back.
She kept advancing, so I thought about just ducking into a hallway to avoid her—
“Excuse me...”
“–!”
I nearly cursed out loud in surprise.
Armeria was already right in front of me. Then—who the hell was that behind me?
I turned around.
There was no one there.
Instead, where someone had stood, there was a shallow pit in the shape of two feet.
...That Hero bloodline’s a bit too strong, don’t you think?
Armeria scanned me up and down, then asked something bizarre.
“I was wondering, um...”
“Yes?”
“...Who are you?”
“...?”
It was something you really shouldn’t ask a descendant of Heroes, but I couldn’t help staring at her with a hint of disdain.
“I’m afraid I don’t understand the nature of your question.”
“Oh—sorry. I’m Armeria, from House Paltis!”
“I know.”
“Huh?”
“My experience may be limited and narrow, but I do know the Hero’s lineage.”
“E-ehehe... right, I am a Hero. Eheh...”
...That wasn’t a compliment.
Armeria giggled unpleasantly and flushed red.
What the hell was this woman?
While I was still trying to figure her out, she asked again.
“Anyway, I was just wondering... what exactly is it that you do?”
“Why do you ask?”
“Uh, um...”
After about thirty seconds of awkward humming, Armeria finally responded.
“I was just curious!”
“Haa...”
I instinctively realized—this was someone impossible to hold a conversation with.
So I just gave her what she wanted.
“I am Serbus Virdem, Lady Firnea’s butler. I oversee the party’s general operations. Was there something you found unsatisfactory?”
“Oh! No, no! It’s a wonderful party! Especially the chocolate cookies—they were so good!”
...Most people usually compliment other things, don’t they?
Still, I wasn’t in a bad mood, so I offered my thanks.
“I’m glad to hear you enjoyed them. I made those cookies myself.”
“Wow! You made them, Virdem? They were amazing! Just like the ones from back home!”
“Home...?”
“Oh, I got off track. So, you’re a butler? I thought Mr. Maclaine was Lady Firnea’s butler?”
“Sir Maclaine is currently acting as family head. He cannot serve in the front lines.”
“Eh? Seriously?”
“Yes.”
“That... doesn’t sound right...”
“I’m sorry, but I still have no idea what you’re trying to say.”
“Well, uh...”
Armeria averted her eyes from my cold stare and muttered softly.
“I just wanted to know...”
“...Yes?”
“...Sorry...”
Armeria shrank back and returned to her seat, arms full of chocolate cookies.
I watched her for a moment and processed the situation.
The descendant of a Hero had approached me.
But she hadn’t asked anything useful.
Suddenly showed interest in me, followed me, and tried to dig up personal information.
Her reason? She “just wanted to know.”
This...
“...Flirting?”
...If this was real, Armeria had absolutely no business trying to date anyone.
****
"You’ve done well, My Lady."
“Haa...”
Firnea sighed deeply as she lay on the bed, a warm wet towel covering her eyes.
Watching her, I frowned.
“My Lady, I know you’re tired, but I must insist—you should shower.”
“Ugh, nooo.”
“If you don’t wash properly, you may fall ill. Come now, please get up.”
“...”
I forcibly helped Firnea up and practically shoved her into the shower before returning.
Maclaine looked at me like he couldn’t believe what he just witnessed.
“How in the world did you change her?”
“...I’m not sure what you mean.”
“I distinctly remember—after Lord Pitus’s death, she became a vengeful demon who thought of nothing but training... and now, within just two years, she’s become a perfectly normal noble lady.”
“I honestly have no idea. She just... changed one day. Though I must say, I prefer this version. She seems healthier.”
“...That doesn’t look like a master-servant relationship anymore.”
“...I apologize.” freewēbnoveℓ.com
“No need.”
Maclaine shook his head at my apology, his tone approving.
“You’re a good man, Virdem. Far better than I ever was... A master’s health must always come before anything else. That’s the right mindset for a future Chief Butler.”
I was about to respond when something strange caught my attention.
“...What do you mean by that?”
Before he could answer, the door opened and someone stepped inside.
“Oh, hello, Onii-sama.”
“..."
It was a maid.
The same maid from the butler exam nine years ago.
There was no mistaking it—she hadn’t aged a day.
I quickly composed myself and greeted her.
“...It’s a pleasure. You're the one whose hand I held back then, correct?”
“My, I didn’t expect you to still remember.”
The maid covered her mouth with her hand and smiled gently, her eyes curving softly.
“Chief Butler, is this the one?”
“Yes. From now on, he’s your new master—Virdem. I see you two have met before.”
“Yes~.”
This time, it was my turn to ask.
“Pardon me... but who exactly is this?”
“Geminos. That is their name.”
“Gemi...nos?”
“I don’t know much more myself. They’re maids who have served «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» the Serbus family for a very long time. The only person authorized to command them is the Chief Butler of House Seriratus. And that—is why all Chief Butlers of Seriratus are feared.”
“I don’t understand. I haven’t seen them at all since the exam.”
“Fufu. But I’ve seen you. Almost every day.”
“...Why didn’t I know?”
“Because Lord Pitus gave a direct order: ‘All Geminos are to protect Firnea.’ Even the use of them in your exam was related to her safety. We needed to make absolutely sure that no suspicious person infiltrated the recruitment process.”
“...Ah.”
“I simply followed his orders to the letter. It was an inexcusable mistake. Even if the Scar of Obedience burst for disobeying... I should have used one to guard Lord Pitus that day...”
As Maclaine muttered in self-reproach, I could do nothing but watch in confusion.
“W-Wait a moment. Are you implying that if these maids had been present, the assassination could have been prevented?”
“Yes. If I had been there, it wouldn’t have happened.”
Geminos answered without hesitation.
“That doesn’t make sense. Lady Firnea was there too.”
Maclaine slowly nodded, as if he understood my disbelief.
“You’ll understand in time, once you begin using Geminos. You’ll come to realize just what they are—and what they’re capable of.”
“...”
I looked at the maid—at the one called Geminos.
She smiled brightly. Like a child. It was... almost cute.
“I look forward to serving you, young new Chief Butler.”
“...I’m not sure I understand anything yet, but... I can already tell this is going to be a huge problem.”
I shook my head.
No, seriously—Maclaine, this old man.
He’s spoiling me like crazy, and now he’s just casually dropping me into this mess?
He thinks I won’t notice, but I know exactly what he’s doing—trying to brush things off with the mood.
Making me Chief Butler?
That’s basically pinning me here forever.
“I have zero intention of becoming Chief Butler.”
“Of course. I fully understand your humility. I didn’t expect you to accept right away.”
“It’s not humility, I really—”
“But this decision is the result of observing, testing, and evaluating you for the past nine years... I’m confident that, unlike me, you wouldn’t make such a foolish mistake.”
“No, really, I absolutely, seriously don’t want—”
“I’m not telling you to do it immediately. Others in the household will likely object, and you probably don’t even know the duties yet. But at least accept the authority to command Geminos. You’ll need to learn how to use them.”
“...”
Maclaine spoke with absolute certainty. And seeing the finality on his face, I gave up. Explaining anything would be like reciting scripture to a cow.
I gave a reluctant nod. Fine—I’ll just leave before the Chief Butler title sticks.
“...If you insist.”
“Wonderful. So, acting Chief Butler—what will your first command be?”
“These are leftover chocolate cookies. Try them.”
“Oh my, thank you~.”
As I watched Geminos nibble on the cookie like a hamster, the door creaked open.
“I’m done washing...”
Firnea had changed into her pajamas and immediately flopped onto the bed.
When I looked to the side, Geminos had already vanished.
...What? Did she just teleport?
