5. but crisis strikes like hardship

The day after that incident, Lysith glanced at Penchev, but he wore the same expression as usual, as if nothing happened the previous evening.

It was a bit unsettling and concerning, but she assumed he had either resolved his worries or decided not to share them with her and went about her usual routine.

…And it was three days later, late at night, when Penchev came to see her.

It must have been around 10 PM. After bathing, she was combing her long, cumbersome hair. She had considered cutting it, but Eve made such a sad face that she gave up on the idea, which she now regretted a bit.

After braiding her hair to one side, she was ready for bed as usual. Normally, Eve would have done this for her, but since she could manage this much herself, she had sent Eve off to rest, leaving Lysith alone in the room.

Feeling it was a bit early to sleep, she thought of reading a book. She had just opened a book on the table and started tapping her toes when a thought crossed her mind, making her frown.

She had been told that if a quest was deemed impossible to complete, it would automatically fail. This meant that even if an unforeseen event occurred that complicated the situation, it would still result in failure.
In that sense, the most dangerous factor was the Emperor. If he took an Empress, it would make the conquest impossible.

‘Surely, it wouldn’t encourage adultery…’

She shuddered at the thought, but then there was a heavy footstep outside the door, followed by a light knock.

The only ones likely to come at this hour were Serena or Eve, but the footsteps were too heavy to be either of them. Moreover, the only male indoor servant in the mansion was the butler.

Closing the book and draping a shawl over her shoulders, she called out for the person to enter. As expected, Penchev stepped into her room with a somber expression.

Seeing his face, Lysith tensed up unconsciously. What could he want to say at this hour with such an expression? Swallowing dryly, she forced a smile.

“What’s the matter?”

From her observations, there had been no friction between Penchev and the maids. They had quickly adapted to each other.

Still, she couldn’t ignore that expression. As she looked at him seriously, Penchev opened and closed his mouth several times before finally approaching her, kneeling on both knees, and speaking as if he couldn’t hold it in any longer.

“I…”

“Why all of a sudden…”

“If I said I have feelings for you, Miss…”

At this point, Lysith realized she had completely misunderstood. It wasn’t about the mansion; it was about her.

Feeling a headache coming on, she hurriedly stopped him.

“Wait, wait.”

“……”

“So, you’re saying you already like me?”

“…Yes.”

Why? How? So suddenly? Unlike Ashites or the Grand Duke, there hadn’t been any significant events between Penchev and her. They were supposed to have a comfortable master-servant relationship.

As Lysith was lost in confusion, Penchev, who had been staring at the floor, looked up and spoke softly.

“If you wish to dismiss me, I came to ask you to do so.”

“What?”

“……”

“No, wait. I don’t understand… This is so sudden.”

The butler was always expressionless, which made it hard to read his emotions. Unlike Ashites, who wore his emotions on his sleeve, Penchev was the exact opposite.

Understanding her confusion, Penchev answered calmly, though his emotions were far from calm.

“People often say falling in love is nothing special. I used to think that if someone looked at me without any reservations, I might feel that way. But I never really believed it.”

“……”

“It’s understandable that you’re surprised, Miss. I didn’t show it. But every time you looked into my repulsive eyes or smiled at me, I felt saved. Even if it meant nothing to you.”

His words were tinged with self-loathing. Lysith had never experienced the fear others felt towards him, but living a life that instilled fear in others would certainly erode one’s self-esteem.

When he met her blue eyes amidst his deep-seated hatred, he was helplessly captivated. Though he didn’t show it, as she was his master and a renowned lady.

He realized that falling in love happens in an instant.

And realizing it also happens in mundane moments.

Her face as she tried to stifle a yawn during tea time, or the tears that naturally followed. His heart reacted to every little thing he did while serving her.

He was content to serve her… until recently.

It was during the Master of the Magic Tower’s visit that he felt a sense of crisis. He thought that living in the same mansion, looking into her eyes, and being by her side might last forever.

But when that man took her away from the mansion, he realized his wish was not eternal.

She could leave him at any time.

She didn’t need him to be okay.

“Uh, um…”

Lysith let out a groan in her confusion.

When conquering characters in visual novels, there are usually challenges, but one man had fallen for her without her doing anything.

It felt strange, but she couldn’t ignore the man in front of her.

“So, the other day, was I right about what I thought?”

“Yes.”

Feeling relieved after confessing his feelings, Penchev looked much better and answered clearly.

He had held back for so long, but Ashites had triggered his confession. While serving as a butler, she had disappeared from the mansion with Ashites. He didn’t know what exactly triggered his emotions, but it was clear.

Without knowing Lysith’s confusion, Penchev spoke again.

“I thought if I had gone out, the Master of the Magic Tower might have told me to get lost.”

“……”

It seemed she had hired the wrong butler.

‘Besides, I doubt Ashites would have left.’

Realizing that even the man she thought was sane wasn’t, Lysith felt like fainting. If she could see affection levels, it wouldn’t have felt so sudden, but she couldn’t, and she had to rely on reading expressions and actions.

“So… what do you want to do?”

“……”

Once again, he didn’t answer her question.

From his heavy silence, she found her answer. He had been one of the three servants who greeted her the day after the banquet when she had slept with Ashites. And crucially, this game was for adults.

His gray eyes met hers, confirming her thoughts.

Penchev, supporting himself with one hand beside her, quickly leaned in and kissed her. When she didn’t push him away, he took it as permission and tilted his head, deepening the kiss.

Just moments ago, she doubted whether this was really a game, but his actions confirmed it. Such reckless behavior couldn’t happen in reality.

‘Ah. He’s not sane either…’

Realizing that even the man she thought was normal wasn’t, she concluded that the game developers were crazy.

Still, it was to her advantage, so she didn’t push him away.

Meanwhile, Penchev, who was deeply exploring her mouth, soon pulled away and buried his face in her delicate neck, inhaling deeply. It was as if he had found a lifeline.

“If you’re uncomfortable, please push me away at any time.”

With eyes that seemed to be missing a screw, he left those words and lowered his body, grabbing her slender ankle with his bare hand. After caressing her ankle for a moment, he slid his hand up her leg, under her skirt.

As her skirt naturally rolled up, Lysith bit her lip and squirmed. Penchev gently stroked her thigh as if to calm her, then held her knees with both hands, spreading her legs.

Carefully removing her underwear, he leaned in close, and Lysith, her face flushed, lightly blocked his forehead.

“Th-this is…”

“Seems that guy didn’t do this for you.”