Chapter 3: With the Servants
3-1 The Servants
It had been nearly three years since I let the orphans keep dogs.
Richard, Louis, Emma, and Alice quickly became friends with the dogs, but the more difficult Isabel and Oscar seemed to resist the idea of keeping dogs at first.
However, even Isabel and the others, though awkward, eventually learned to communicate with the dogs over time. Now it seems they all think of the dogs as family.
Little do they know they’ll have to kill them with their own hands. How truly ridiculous.
(Eventually, the day will come when I can order the orphans to “Kill your dogs!”)
That thought alone has kept me going until today.
They were terrifying opponents. Somehow, they managed to sneak out of their owners’ rooms, infiltrate my room, and even crawl into my bed. One morning, I woke up to find six beasts sleeping with me.
I thought my heart would stop.
I tried to burn them to death with magic right then and there, but when the dogs woke up and started barking at me, my legs gave out.
Taking advantage of this, the beasts did as they pleased – licking me all over, gently biting my arms and legs, and pressing their backsides against me.
I had never experienced such humiliation in my life. I nearly met my eternal rest right there on the bed.
To make matters worse, when the owners realized what happened and hurriedly came to retrieve them, they seemed to be desperately trying to hold back their laughter. So much for my dignity.
But today, that hell comes to an end. By killing the very beings they’ve grown to love with their own hands, they will climb the final step to becoming my servants.
I can’t wait to hear what pitiful cries those hellish beasts will make in their final moments.
I ordered the orphans to bring their dogs to the garden.
After three years, they’ve been properly trained, and the dogs no longer jump on me recklessly like they used to.
…Though I might be imagining it, it feels like the dogs are looking at me with predatory eyes.
The orphan owners seem to sense something about being called together with their dogs, looking a bit tense. They’re quite perceptive, these lot. Just imagining their faces when I order them to “Kill the dogs” makes me smirk.
I was about to give the order with the feeling of a judge pronouncing a death sentence.
Though I’m destined to become this country’s queen consort in the future, surely being a judge would have been my true calling as well. After all, I’m feeling wonderful right now. If I were a judge, all criminals would surely be sentenced to death.
Just as I was about to say “Kill the dogs” with a broad smile, I met the eyes of the six orphans.
Twelve eyes looked at me with complete trust. Eyes that purely cared for me. It wasn’t the first time I’d seen such eyes. I remember seeing them before, surely…
As I hesitated slightly, a voice called from the mansion.
“Lady Selina, your father is calling for you.”
It was one of my father’s attendants. Inwardly clicking my tongue, I replied, “I’ll be right there,” and told the orphans to continue their individual training before returning to the mansion.
“Selina, His Majesty the King wishes to meet with you,”
my father announced with a smile.
It was more of an order than a request, so I had no choice but to go, no matter the inconvenience. However, as far as I could remember, I had never had an audience with the King during this period in my previous life.
“Father, why does His Majesty want to meet me?”
Could it be that they’ve noticed I’m reliving my life? In my previous life, the King who mercilessly sentenced me to execution is the third candidate for elimination if I fail to marry Edward. Eleanor is first on the list, and Edward is second. Perhaps burning down the entire castle would be quicker.
“Well, you see, your efforts in educating orphans as attendants have become quite renowned in the castle. Remember when the director from the orphanage came to visit our house some time ago?”
Of course, I remember. That middle-aged woman. She seemed to have grown even wider, probably due to the stress relief from no longer having to deal with those problem children.
“Yes, I recall.”
When I showed her the results of the candidates’ training, she was so moved she burst into tears.
“I may not have told you, but she’s of noble birth. She’s been praising your skills in educating orphans everywhere. That caught His Majesty’s ear, and now he wishes to meet you.”
“I see. I understand.”
This isn’t particularly good news. I’m training these orphans for revenge, and while I am teaching them etiquette, I’m primarily focusing on combat skills. These are clearly unnecessary for mere attendants. If this comes to light, I’ll have a hard time explaining myself.
“Does that mean the orphans will come along?”
“Of course.”
This is troublesome. I’ve only taught them basic etiquette. Even our own servants don’t know the proper protocol for dealing with the King. I don’t want to waste time on this, but…
Well, it’s all in how you look at it. This person might become a target later on. I should make sure he remembers our faces. While we’re at it, I’ll have the orphans memorize the castle layout. It might come in handy later.
“And he wants you to bring the dogs too.”
“The dogs? Why, Father?”
“There’s no need to hide it. Your education of both the orphans and the dogs simultaneously is remarkable. Those dogs are well-trained. You even sleep with them, don’t you? When I mentioned this to His Majesty, he seemed very interested. He wants to see the dogs as well.”
“What?”
I was stunned. Everything went dark before my eyes, and I felt like I might collapse at any moment.
I don’t coddle them! They just invaded my room on their own! This is a complete misunderstanding.
Moreover, if the King specifically wants to see them, it means they’ll receive his approval. I can’t dispose of them later with excuses like “I had them killed for the mental growth of their owners.”
Worse still, they might become objects of interest for other nobles, and I may need to bring them to social gatherings in the future.
Could this be an elaborate trap set by the King?
Is he trying to prevent me from killing the dogs and turning the orphans into my capable attendants?
Various thoughts raced through my mind, but I simply replied,
“Yes, I understand.”
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM
When I returned to the garden, the orphans were training alongside the dogs.
They were tackling obstacles, practicing sword swings, chanting magic spells, and more, diligently engaged in their training without slacking off. They’ve been well-trained. I thought they might become sufficient forces even without killing the dogs.
(Maybe this is fine.)
I felt a bit resigned. Of course, I haven’t given up on revenge. I’ve just given up on having them kill the dogs.
The orphans noticed my return and immediately lined up. The dogs sat obediently in front of each of them.
Everyone was waiting for me to continue what I had been saying earlier.
“It’s been three years since we started keeping these dogs.”
“Sir, yes sir!”
“And as of today, you are no longer vermin. You are my attendants. You are bound by the bonds of brotherhood. From now until the day you die, wherever you may be, the attendants here are your brothers. You may face difficulties alongside me. Some of you might die. But remember this: attendants die for me. That is your purpose. However, I am eternal! And that means you, as my attendants, are also eternal!”
I’m not even sure what I’m saying, but I remember the butler telling me that this is the kind of thing I should say at the end. He said it works well.
Looking at the faces of the lined-up orphans, all of them except Alice, whose emotions seemed dead, had tears in their eyes. Seriously?
TLNOTE : While waiting, I implore you dear readers to read other masterpiece novels that also written by the same author :
- When the Monster Meat I Ate Led Me to the Throne
- Who killed the Hero?
- The Suspects of Necromancy
- The Exiled Merchant Saves the World with the Power of Gold (translated by my friend meerkat)
Also check out my friend Localizermeerkat for more LN translations!
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