Villain Family’s Strongest Butler

Leaving the Grand Duke’s office, I found Sir Norbert waiting for me.

“…Nothing serious happened, I hope?”

“The lower floor.”

“….”

“You said it was His Grace’s private training hall, right?”

“So he told you.”

“Yes…”

Strangely enough, the brief time I’d spent with the Grand Duke felt more exhausting than my entire day of learning housekeeping chores around the estate. It felt like all the energy I had was drained away.

‘It must be that we’re just not compatible.’

Even though he was an enemy, there was a time I’d briefly seen him as a partner with whom I could purely exchange sword strikes. But a foe is still a foe.

‘I swear, I’ll deliver his head to Serhin someday.’

I renewed my determination. Then, trudging after Sir Norbert, I found myself feeling curious.

“Master, why haven’t you tested me on the books I supposedly memorized?”

Norbert merely shrugged.

“I saw it with my own eyes. That’s enough for now.”

“Isn’t that too careless?”

“I’ll check you thoroughly later on. Not your concern.”

“Oh, right.”

Well, I got what I wanted—a private training hall—so I had nothing to complain about.

‘Ah, the private training hall…’

Remembering that I’d have to share it with the Grand Duke made my head throb, far more than facing him on the battlefield ever did.

Just then, Sir Norbert pulled something from the pocket on his chest and tossed it to me.

“Here, catch.”

“Huh?”

I grabbed it with both hands. It made a slight metal clink as I caught it.

“It’s the key to His Grace’s private training hall.”

“…!”

My eyebrows shot up as I looked at Sir Norbert. He explained further.

“Behind the knights’ quarters stands a tower called the Tower of Verdan, the tallest building on the estate. You’ll recognize it at once.”

Oh, right. I recalled glimpsing that old, towering structure when we’d done a tour of the estate. Sir Norbert had introduced every building except that one.

‘So that’s where Sir Norbert’s office and the Grand Duke’s private training hall are located.’

I pictured the building, then lowered my gaze to the key in my hand. Sir Norbert continued.

“My office is on the fourth floor. Below it, on the third floor, is His Grace’s private training hall—and also yours to use now.”

“….”

I nodded weakly.

After a moment’s pause, Sir Norbert chose his words carefully.

“Don’t go snooping around the other floors, and don’t even think about entering them. They belong to other members of the household staff.”

“Yes, sir. I wasn’t really interested in the other floors to begin with.”

Even at my firm reply, Sir Norbert looked unconvinced. He gave one more stern warning:

“I’m letting you in because of our agreement, but remember, someone of your rank normally wouldn’t have permission to enter that tower. Use it quietly. Don’t draw attention.”

“Don’t worry, Master.”

“….”

I nodded and then asked,

“May I start using it right away?”

“If I sense it’s interfering with your duties, I’ll take that key back at once.”

“You needn’t worry. May I go now?”

“…Fine.”

I bowed politely to Sir Norbert.

“Then I’ll be on my way.”

I went straight to my room and changed into some practice clothes I’d requested from him earlier, then left the living quarters again. By then, the lamps were off in most parts of the main building, except around the Grand Duke’s office and a few work areas. The place looked somewhat eerie.

‘I should hurry.’

Starting now, I had two years. If I wanted to regain my former abilities within two years, I’d have to cut back on sleep and increase my training time.

I made my way around the knights’ quarters until I arrived at a tall tower, just as Sir Norbert had described.

Thump, thump, thump…

My heart pounded for some reason. Even in many battlefields, it had stayed calm, but now it beat faster the closer I got to the tower.

‘This is it.’

After all, ‘Sia’ also started with nothing and climbed her way up in the past. The beginning is always tough, but the second time is easier. I was about to take on that second challenge—and I would definitely succeed.

Two years later…

Thick layers of snow had piled up over the Grand Duke’s vast garden. This northern land had brief springs, summers, and autumns, and then a very long winter would arrive. Even so, the Vallot estate was bustling, as always.

“Who left these sprouted potatoes here?! Are you all out of your minds?! Didn’t you see them before bringing them in? Where are your eyes?!”

Head Chef Rend’s loud voice echoed through the kitchen.

“You planning to put these on His Grace’s plate?! Huh?!”

His kitchen crew dashed about to get rid of the potatoes. Once that commotion settled, Rend patted the slabs of meat on the counter.

“Alright, today we’ll use the fresh lamb that came in yesterday. Michel, you handle the salad. Alto, prepare the vegetables for the garnish. And—”

He rattled off assignments to everyone, then began trimming the meat. Anna, who was rinsing vegetables a few counters away, murmured quietly:

“The head chef sure is fired up today.”

Riel let out a little laugh.

“Well, of course. His Grace is coming back today, isn’t he?”

“Oh, right!” Anna said excitedly, giving Riel a playful nudge.

It had been a year since Cardian left for the battlefield. This was his first deployment since those black sorcerers appeared in the Remart Conflict Zone, and he had returned triumphant, as if that year away meant nothing. For the first time in twelve months, he’d be coming home.

“Oh, there’s Freya!”

Anna, glancing out the window, spotted Freya walking through the garden. Following her were Celly, the youngest maid of the estate, and Celly’s older brother John.

“You’re right.”

“She looks so busy again.”

“Yeah.”

“I doubt she has time to hang out with us.”

Riel watched Freya’s figure with a slight hint of longing.

‘It feels like just yesterday we were peeling potatoes side by side…’

Six months ago, Freya became the estate’s official butler. A butler manages the family’s affairs while upholding honor, tradition, discipline, and dignity—truly the beating heart of the household. It was traditionally a man’s job, but now Freya had taken that position.

“Wow, she sure wears that uniform well,” Anna said in a joking tone.

Riel giggled softly. Freya’s butler uniform was different from the usual butler attire in other noble families. On Sir Norbert’s orders, it had been custom-made especially for her.

When a small commotion arose about whether she should wear a dress or pants as the first female butler, Freya chose pants without hesitation, preferring easier movement.

The simple combination of black trousers and a white top actually emphasized her striking looks. Delicate lace and frills decorated the blouse, neither too fancy nor too plain, exuding a dignified, professional elegance.

‘Butler attire really suits her…’

She looked so regal—almost like a handsome noble at a grand party. It was hard to believe that she was once a maid who collapsed now and then because she had more knowledge than stamina. She was a whole different person.

While Riel and Anna were gazing at Freya with admiration, a thunderous shout boomed behind them like a beast’s roar:

“Hey, you two! Quit chatting! Riel, Anna, get the herbs and spices ready. Move it!”

“Y-Yes, Chef!”

“Right away!”

With lingering regret, they set aside their curiosity about Freya and rushed back to work.

“This is the poisonous weed, right?”

I accepted the glass container of toxic plant samples from Patrick, the head gardener. This poisonous weed had started appearing all across the Kadea Empire.

‘It just looks like any regular grass…’

Cradling the container in my arms, I nodded.

“I’ll see that this is sent to the Mage Tower. If you find any more, please let me know.”

“Alright, got it.”

I watched Patrick walk away, then glanced up at the sky. Clouds filled with winter’s chill drifted by. A breeze brushed my skin, and my honed senses prickled in response.

A faint trembling. A sound.

He was coming. The Grand Duke.

I could sense it, as though I could envision him leading his army in a rolling wave toward this place. My gaze traveled to the snow-covered Hertia Mountains in the distance—the highest peaks in the Kadea Empire, where the legendary World Tree was said to lie dormant, protecting the continent.

Swoosh—the wind stirred, making the faraway, frozen forest tremble in turn.

It might be an exaggeration, but it felt like, if I just focused a bit more, I could meet the Grand Duke’s eyes from here.

I couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at my lips. At the same time, I clenched my fists gently.

‘Hurry and come, Your Grace.’

Come back and see—

-‘Learn from Norbert well. Who knows? If you prove yourself indispensable to me, maybe I’ll share the secrets you’re so eager to know.’

Let’s see how far I’ve grown. Let’s see if I’ve become someone you truly need.

‘And if so… will you finally tell me all those secrets you’ve been hiding?’

Two hours left. I spun around to do one last check before the final moment arrived.