Chapter 76
I leaned against the young master, holding Sparrow. Suddenly, Head Butler Godora shouted, “Young Masteeeeer!” and then fainted.
“Godora!”
“Head Butler!”
“Chirp!”
He was carried outside by the Captain of the Guard. He would be fine after resting in his room.
“Does the head butler have a health condition?”
The young master put his arm around my shoulder and headed towards the workshop.
“Estella, I might have to thank you.”
“What? Why?”
“Thanks to you, I can escape Godora’s nagging. Although I feel bad for him.”
“Did I do something wrong?”
“No. You did well.”
There was a small kitchen in a corner of the young master’s workshop. I decided to cook while he unpacked.
It had been a while since I used the workshop kitchen. This was the best place to cater to his unique taste! The pantry was stocked with fresh, high-quality ingredients, all thanks to Head Butler Godora, who meticulously managed it every day, waiting for the young master’s return.
To repay his dedication, I, Estella, would make the best lunch ever!
I rolled up my sleeves and examined the pantry. What should I make? Just then, the young master approached me, dressed in casual clothes.
“Are you making lunch?”
“Yes! Is there anything you want to eat?”
“There are leftovers from what Irang gave us…”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I starved you so you could eat a proper meal.”
“Don’t you think starving me is a problem in itself?”
“It’s part of my perfect work ethic.”
Well, the important thing was that I was making him a delicious meal! I quickly started preparing lunch. I put the pre-made bread dough in the oven and started chopping vegetables for the stew.
He watched me cook, arms crossed.
“Aren’t you busy? Are you watching me because you’re afraid I’ll make something terrible?”
“I’m just… curious.”
He reached out and brushed his thumb against my cheek.
“Is there something on my face?”
“…Yes.”
He suddenly frowned and said,
“I’m watching you because I’m worried you’ll cause another accident.”
“I’m confident in my cooking! Trust me.”
Just then, the knife I was using split the cutting board in two and got stuck in the table. Right, I was Estella now, and I was strong…
“Th-this is also part of the cooking process.”
He stared at the broken cutting board, then looked up at me. He wouldn’t kick me out of the kitchen, would he? Please don’t!
“I can do it! Don’t kick me out of the kitchen!”
“I forgot.”
“What?”
“Your apron.”
He walked back into the workshop. I struggled to pull the knife out of the table, accidentally splitting the table in two as well. There was no way to hide this.
He returned with a piece of cloth draped over his arm.
“Estella, this apron…”
He stopped mid-sentence, staring at the broken table. He slowly raised his gaze and met my eyes. I hid the knife behind my back and shrugged.
“I think the table was just too old. Let’s get a new one.”
“…”
He sighed and beckoned me with his hand. I hesitantly approached him, and he stopped me with his hand.
“Put the knife down. It’s dangerous.”
“I won’t get hurt.”
“Not you, me. I feel like I’ll get hurt.”
“You don’t trust me.”
“Can you blame me?”
I put down the knife and faced him. He grabbed my shoulders and turned me around.
“What are you doing? Is there something on my back?”
The apron was draped over me, then tied around my waist.
“I’m not sure if an apron means anything to you, but…”
“Of course it means something! Everything you do means something!”
“I’m glad you think so.”
I turned around, and he was staring at me.
“What?”
“Just…”
He said casually and walked over to the table, sat down, rested his chin on his hand, and beckoned me over.
“Come here and continue. The cooking table is broken, so there’s nowhere else to do it.”
“Then excuse me.”
I carried the cooking utensils and ingredients to the table, except for the knife.
“I don’t think I’m suited for dishes that require knives.”
He chuckled and then watched me cook leisurely. When I was preparing the marinated meat, I cut a small piece and offered it to him. It was delicious even on its own.
He opened his mouth like a baby bird, ate the meat, and then asked for more.
“No more than two pieces. It’s too salty.”
“That’s mean.”
“It’s not mean.”
Sparrow, who had been dozing by the window, chirped. It must have smelled the bread! I took the bread out of the oven. The aroma filled the workshop. Even the young master’s usually indifferent eyes seemed to sparkle.
“It’ll be ready soon!”
His gaze was fixed on me.
“Why are you staring at me? It’s unnerving. If you have something to say, just say it.”
Instead of scolding me, he sat up and gestured for me to come closer. Was he going to scold me after all? I braced myself and approached him. His face was suddenly very close.
“…I’ve been wanting to do this.”
He kissed me quickly, then stood up and walked back to the workshop without a word. I was dumbfounded.
“Y-y-Young Master!”
“Bring lunch to the workshop. And while you’re at it, let’s check for any damage.”
My heart was the one that was damaged!
As I watched him walk away, I took deep breaths, holding in the air. As a doll, I didn’t need to exhale. I was going to inhale all the air he had just shared with me!
“I have to mark this day as an anniversary!”
I couldn’t understand what he was thinking. When I brought him his lunch, he didn’t seem interested in the food, despite having complained about being hungry earlier. He had changed his mind.
He was busy writing equations on a large board, sipping water, and shuffling through papers. Sparrow followed me and tried to steal his food.
I picked up Sparrow and approached him.
“Young Master, I don’t want to interrupt you while you’re busy, but please eat first. The food I meticulously prepared is getting cold. It would have been more delicious if you had eaten it earlier. Eat before I have to force-feed you. I’m worried.”
“You don’t sound worried.”
“That’s because I’m a doll.”
He ignored me and continued working, then beckoned me over with his finger. How arrogant.
But he was my master, so he was allowed to be arrogant. I moved closer.
“What am I missing?”
“Huh? Probably… feeling full? I told you to eat.”
“I have the phoenix feathers and eggshells. The ingredients are perfect. But the formula isn’t right. Something’s missing. Should I compensate with my own magic? It’s risky…”
He muttered to himself, lost in thought.
“I can’t help you with magic formulas.”
“I know.”
“Well… there is someone who can help you.”
“Who?”
I brought the plate of food and held it up to his nose.
“I’ll tell you after you eat!”
There weren’t many mages who could help Count Lupin Zepetto, coveted by all mages. And I, a humble (though not so ordinary) maid, didn’t have any mage connections.
But what if I knew a mage who was even greater than the young master?
“It’s the previous Count Lehman Zepetto, of course!”
I led him to the previous Count’s workshop.
“My father’s… laboratory?”
He looked at me skeptically. I pulled a piece of wire from my maid uniform pocket and inserted it into the keyhole.
“This is the secret laboratory, locked and inaccessible to everyone. I’ll open it for you.”
“You think my father’s laboratory can be opened with a piece of wire? And I have the key…”
Click. The door unlocked before he could finish his sentence.
“How…?”
Ahem. I turned the doorknob and looked at him. Lock picking was child’s play for the Count’s maid.
“You’re researching the elixir, right? There might be some clues in the previous Count’s research.”
“…”
He hesitated, then placed his hand over mine.
“You know what I want to do with the elixir.”
“But I’m not going to let you.”
I flung the door open and pushed him inside.
“Now! Go make the forbidden elixir! Become the greatest mage in the world and turn Estella into a human!”
He chuckled, then pulled me inside. I placed my hands on his chest and tried to give him my prettiest smile. I was beautiful, so a smile like this should earn me some points, right?
“Don’t smile like that. Let’s see who wins.”
“Hmm, I’m pretty sure I’ll win.”
His face was close again. I could clearly see the faint blush on his cheeks.
“So you like this type, Young Master? I’ll keep that in mind.”
Just as our lips were about to meet, something jumped out and tackled us.
No! We were about to kiss!