Surviving As An Obsessive Servant Chapter 151

After that, Edric was the one to continue the conversation first.

From trivial matters in the mansion to discussions about the succession ceremony.

Lobel tilted her head, wondering, “Was my lover always this sociable?”

Thanks to that, even the surprised family members gradually began to adapt.

Though they had grown tired of meeting new people over the years, they all listened attentively to Edric’s words.

Setting aside the fact that Lobelia was his first-ever romantic partner, his stories were quite intriguing.

It was as if he had thought in advance about what would interest them.

“Would you like to hear my harp performance next time?”

“…A harp performance?”

“Ah, yes. A harp performance. Our young master plays the harp quite well.”

“Hey. No one asked you.”

At her mother’s scolding, Lobel innocently continued eating her fruit as if saying, “What did I do?”

Meanwhile, Lobel’s father wore a dreamy expression.

“Our ancestor was very fond of harp performances as well. But they said all the great harpists were men. Apparently, he fell in love at first sight just by watching a certain man pluck a single string… I’m quite looking forward to your performance as well.”

Edric’s expression was one of curiosity.

Harp performances were a privilege reserved for the highest-ranking nobles.

Not only was a harp expensive, but skilled harpists were also incredibly rare.

Seeing his reaction, Lobel gave an embarrassed look and whispered just loud enough for him to hear, “It’s probably because we’re from a merchant family, but our ancestors tended to exaggerate a lot.”

However, Edric neither questioned nor blamed her for the remark.

As he listened to her father speak, a brief silence followed. Then, in a soft yet firm voice, he spoke again.

“Currently, thirty personal physicians are treating Lobelia’s illness. In addition, the cure for the illness I suffered from is being developed with the sponsorship of one of my merchant groups, Elcatan.”

“….”

They had already heard from Lobel about the examinations, but they hadn’t known about the cure.

And Elcatan, of all places…

Was that merchant group really under Denkart?

When her mother asked in shock, Lobel nodded vigorously.

“I want to take full responsibility and stay by Lobelia’s side to ensure her condition does not worsen. Please grant me your permission.”

“…We would be grateful.”

It was their greatest concern.

While they feared their daughter might suffer in a noble family and face severe punishment if discovered, their biggest fear was her health.

Just how dangerous was the illness…

How dire must it have been for their child to leave home and take such risks?

Lobel’s father, fully understanding that fear, wiped his reddened eyes and repeatedly thanked Edric. Even after saying it several times, it still wasn’t enough to express his gratitude.

Lobel’s mother gently consoled him. Meanwhile, Edric lowered his head slightly, avoiding their gazes.

After a long moment, when the tears had finally subsided, Edric politely asked,

“Would the three of you be willing to attend my succession ceremony?”

“By then, you’ll officially become a duke.”

“Still… could you continue treating me as you do now?”

His voice had turned more formal than before, but it was not out of resentment—it was out of nervousness.

Lobel’s mother smiled slyly.

She could say this with all her merchant experience on the line.

This young man was the most naive person she had ever met.

But at the same time, when it came to Lobel, he was sincere.

“Of course, we’ll go. We must go. So, young man, when do you plan to set the date?”

As sunlight poured in like a midsummer’s day, Edric’s face brightened.

Lobel, flustered, asked,

“…What date?”

At that, the entire family suddenly responded in unison.

“You need to set the date first if you’re going to have a wedding.”

“After all this, are you saying you’re not going to get married?”

“The date… let’s see. Rimson, bring the calendar.”

“Yes, sir!”

“…We should at least spend some time together first! How can we decide on a wedding date when we’ve been dating for less than a week?!”

The moment Lobel finished speaking, she saw Edric’s utterly shocked expression.

It was the face of someone who had just been betrayed by the one they trusted most in the world.

But Lobel couldn’t easily take back her words.

It had only been a week—talking about marriage now was reckless.

No, even a year… at the very least, they should spend an entire season together first!

Lobel’s father, bitter at his daughter’s reaction, filled Edric’s glass. Edric accepted it with a similarly bitter expression.

Watching him disapprovingly, Lobel couldn’t hold back any longer.

“Stop drinking. Just drink some water instead.”

Edric blinked obediently and reached out his hand.

But the next moment, his large frame suddenly tilted toward the floor.

“Ah, ah!”

Startled, Lobel grabbed his arm, and Limson rushed over to support him.

“A-Are you okay?”

Edric said he was fine and steadied himself.

However, the alcohol had flushed his skin red from head to toe. Not only his face but his neck and hands were also bright red.

Watching him quietly, Lobel’s father solemnly declared,

“Stay the night.”

It was an uncharacteristic decision for her father.

As Lobel stared at him in disbelief, her mother, barely holding back her laughter, nudged her in the ribs.

“Lobelia, dear. Your father did the same thing the first time he came to visit our house—he drank too much and ended up like that.”

 

 

****

 

 

 

“I’m sorry.”

As soon as Edric entered Lobel’s room, he apologized.

At the same time, he made sure to imprint the image of the room he had dreamed of seeing into his memory.

It was as neat as his room in Denkart, but surprisingly, there were many cute trinkets.

A worn-out teddy bear, a mirror…

“You pushed yourself too hard. Drinking well doesn’t always make a good impression. And also…”

As Lobel spoke, she realized that for the first time, she was allowing a man—other than her family—to sit on her bed.

The feeling was strange. She awkwardly smiled, then wrapped both arms tightly around his neck.

“Thank you for coming today, just as you promised. It must have been difficult and uncomfortable, but you spoke so well.”

“No, I liked it.”

Despite the flush on his face from the alcohol, Edric eagerly expressed his thoughts.

“I really liked it. Now I know why you’re such a good person. Everyone was wonderful.”

Lobel laid her slurring, rambling young lover down on the bed.

As she gazed at him lying there properly, she leaned on her side and slowly kissed him.

Edric slightly parted his lips, welcoming her, but his eyes darted nervously toward the door.

If… if he couldn’t use his strength here and the door was tightly shut, Lobel’s parents would misunderstand.

“If your parents come in…”

“They absolutely won’t. My parents are the ones who raised me, after all. Their sense is impeccable.”

It was a cliché statement, but to Edric, it truly felt like he was lying in heaven.

The room was filled with a pleasant scent from every direction.

What would it feel like to live in a place like this?

Edric found himself thinking that he wanted to build his married life here rather than in Denkart.

Just imagining it made him smile. But if Lobel heard, she’d probably scold him for being ridiculous, so he kept the thought to himself.

Unaware of his thoughts, Lobel stroked his heated cheek and said,

“Next time, let’s go visit your mother.”

“…Yeah.”

“Do you have any other family?”

Edric slowly nodded.

His mother had told him that both her parents and other relatives had passed away early.

That was why she always said she wanted to create a happy family of her own. She had called it her only childhood dream, repeating it over and over.

Even though Edric had been more talkative with his mother than with anyone else, he never responded to that statement. He had only listened.

But now, he felt like he understood that desire a little more.

…I want to give her a ring.

Edric became conscious of the ring box in his pants pocket.

But… he couldn’t propose like this.

Even when sober, it would be a difficult thing to say—doing it while reeking of alcohol was unthinkable.

More than anything, he’d probably just end up giving her his cold.

Still focused on the ring box in his pocket, Edric pulled the blanket up to his nose and slowly inched toward the wall.

Lobel, who had been watching him intently, inched closer as well.

“You’ll catch my cold! Go away, Lobel.”

“They say you have to pass on a fever for it to go away.”

Lobel wasn’t the type to believe in superstitions.

But just this once, she acted like a firm believer.

Before Edric could say anything, she was already kissing him.

“Mm… Your body’s really hot. Are you sure you’re okay?”

“…I’m not okay.”

Lobel’s eyes widened in concern.

A moment ago, she had been sitting on Edric’s thigh—but now, their positions had completely changed.

Any embarrassment she felt, however, vanished completely at the sensation pressing against the inside of her thigh.

Lobel twisted her hips several times before finally covering her mouth with both hands.

But even then, her ragged breaths escaped.

He was just worried about me a moment ago…!

Glaring up at Edric with resentment, Lobel barely managed to speak.

“S-Sound…”

“….”

“Keep me quiet.”

“I already have.”

At those words, the moan she had been holding back burst out like a scream.

Lobel shuddered.

The familiar yet foreign texture of the sheets against her back sent a strange sensation through her body.

Looking up at Edric, whose forehead was deeply furrowed in concentration, made her heart race wildly.

But she was truly at her limit.

“S-Stop…”

She trembled, trying to push at his shoulders, but she had no strength in her arms.

With no other choice, she simply let her head drop.

Staring blankly at the wrinkled, damp sheets and pillowcase, she murmured in a whiny tone,

“Hurry up and clean me up. I’m too tired today… I just want to cuddle and sleep…”

“Huh?”

Something strange happened.

As soon as she spoke, a whoosh sensation swept over her, and her whole body felt fresh and clean.

“…Huh?”

Lobel and Edric stared at each other in shock.

“Did you do that?”

“Did you, Young Master?”