Surviving As An Obsessive Servant – Chapter 165 – End of the Main Story

Author: Asternkm

As promised at Dif’s base, today was the day we headed to Edric’s hometown.

Hugging a cushion tightly in my arms, I quietly observed the man reading parchment in front of me.

The bright sunlight unique to the southeast streamed through the window and beautifully illuminated the man who would become the new master of Denkart.

Just like when he was a child, his bangs softly brushed his forehead, and under his long lashes, his pretty green eyes were hard to look away from.

But he couldn’t look at me the way he usually did.

Even though the Duke—no, Father—had prepared both the succession ceremony and the wedding before we even arrived, Edric had been just as busy.

Since both events were happening at the same time, even ten bodies wouldn’t have been enough. Visiting his mother was already pushing the schedule, but he had squeezed it in.

Propping my chin on the cushion, I fell into a strange mood.

‘…Back when I first went to Edric’s hometown, I never thought our relationship would change like this.’

There was something else surprising.

‘…Come to think of it, I told Father I’d challenge him to a duel.’

Just remembering that moment still made me dizzy.

Unlike the calm Edric who casually mentioned the duel plan, I couldn’t hide my shock.

Of course I lost my temper—what kind of ridiculous idea was that?

But when Edric shamelessly asked, ‘Then should I just bury it?’ I was left speechless.

He truly didn’t seem to understand why I was reacting that way… It really was maddening.

Holding the back of my neck, I had tried hard to talk him out of it.

[ Of course not! What if someday… ]

[ …Someday? ]

[ Someday, even if it’s just a tiny chance, we end up having kids—what would they learn from that?! ]

[ ……! ]

Because of my illness, I had given up on building a family or having children.

Even if I got married, I thought I’d only cause my partner pain, and I feared passing on the illness to a child.

But then my illness was miraculously cured, and even more miraculously, I met a man I loved—so of course, I started thinking about having a family.

And of course, I wanted a warm and happy home…!

No way would I leave a record of something like “Dad beat up Grandpa”—what a disgraceful family legacy!!

[ That’s why I’m even trying to call him F-Father now!!! …I’m doing my best… ]

At my example, Edric finally looked like he fully understood.

So I felt a little relieved. That meant he’d listen to me.

But then, with an incredibly excited expression, Edric asked me,

[ So like we said before—one daughter, one son, right? ]

Instead of answering, I bit down hard on the lips that came rushing toward me.

Of course, Edric moaned like he liked that too…

‘But that… still hasn’t healed.’

His lips, with their smooth shape, were still red and swollen.

Thinking he might’ve forgotten, I tried to use my healing power, but Edric flat-out refused.

He looked more desperate than a kid about to have candy taken away, and that face was still vivid in my mind.

‘…Is it really that great?’

Finding it strange, I kept staring intently at his lips—and then suddenly, everything changed.

…Huh?

One moment I had been sitting on the carriage seat watching him, and the next I was lying flat on the carpeted floor.

Above me, Edric—his back to the carriage ceiling—was frowning as he ran a hand through his hair.

His gaze had darkened, his long throat bobbing hard… the feeling in my gut wasn’t good.

Sensing danger on instinct, I tried anything I could to escape the situation.

“I just—oh!”

But before I could finish, my ankle was grabbed and pulled down.

Even with the layers of my dress, he somehow always managed to find and hold onto my thigh and ankle so precisely… it amazed me every time.

But now, I couldn’t even think straight.

I gripped his hair tightly as he pressed into my thighs.

The feeling of it slipping between my fingers was almost unbearably blissful.

“Ah…”

I stared blankly at the fogged-up carriage window, its glass made messy by moisture.

And at some point, even with my eyes open, I couldn’t see a thing.

Only the dazzling whiteness of pleasure filled my entire vision.

****

The village we arrived at wasn’t much different from how I remembered it.

This world changed more slowly than the one I originally lived in—especially rural villages like this, where nobles had little interest.

But there was no sign of the village chief or his son.

I sharpened my hearing and listened to the people nearby, picking up whispers from their conversation.

They say that as soon as they took the money, they left the village… but ended up getting attacked by carriage bandits. No one knows whether they’re alive or dead now. They got what they deserved.

Edric, who was sitting close beside me, must’ve heard that too, but his expression didn’t change.
He didn’t look pleased, nor did he seem bitter.

He simply looked at me, eyes shining beneath slightly messier hair than earlier.

His eyes, always full of love, now overflowed with even more affection.

“…Wh-Why are you looking at me like that?”

Surely… he’s not thinking of doing that again already, right?

I stayed on alert inside, just in case, watching him carefully—but then he slowly turned his gaze toward the window.

…What the heck. Just a moment ago, he was looking at me like he’d eat me alive.

I couldn’t help getting curious, so I began to press him.

“What? What is it?”

“……”

“Edric?”

“Just… thinking about that time again.”

Edric muttered something vague as his cheeks flushed red.

Then he gripped my hand—already interlaced with his—more tightly.

I looked at him, puzzled, and heard him whisper softly. He wondered aloud where all that strength had come from.

Soon, we arrived at his mother’s grave.

We had considered moving her to Denkart, but in the end, Edric shook his head.

He said this was the place his mother would have loved the most.

Though there were many sad memories, there were also plenty of good ones.
That alone, he said, would be enough for her, and he comforted me as I worried.

I walked around the grave, breathing life into the nearby trees and flowers, letting a pleasant fragrance drift through the air.

Near the tombstone, I planted flowers from Dif’s island—the ones she had loved while she was alive.

Since this was where Edric’s mother rested, I wished it would always be full of fragrance and warmth.

“Mother, I came again. Have you been well?”

“……”

“Oh, and… back then, I called you ‘ma’am.’ I should’ve said ‘Mother’ from the start.
I actually liked Edric from back then—he was just so cute.”

I heard Edric chuckle quietly beside me.

Holding his hand a little tighter, I continued.

The things that had made us struggle… and the happiness and joy that far outweighed them…

“And now, we’re getting married.”

“……”

“I want to make Edric happy. Please give us your blessing.”

Just then—whoooosh!—a sudden gust of wind blew through.

Startled, I looked up at Edric.

“Was that you?”

“No.”

“……”

…I think it was.

I narrowed my eyes suspiciously, and Edric looked absolutely wronged.

Of course, Edric isn’t the type to pull something like that, but… still, it was odd.

Either way, it wasn’t the time or place to argue in front of his mother’s grave.

Ahem, I cleared my throat and went on.

“I’ll take it as your blessing. And now, I’m saying this with all my heart and life—there’s only one person in this world who loves Edric more than I do.”

“……”

“Other than you, Mother, I’m the one who loves him most.
So I’ll take full responsibility for his happiness—please don’t worry, and rest peacefully.”

The flowers I planted and the purified plants around the grave would never wither here—they would forever fill the air with fragrance.

And Edric’s love would last even longer than that.
Because I’ll make sure of it, always by his side.

****

“When you’re ready to remarry, marry me.”

There are all sorts of people in this world, but Manellano was truly one of a kind.

I stared at him with cold, unimpressed eyes.

You could probably dig through all of the continent’s history and still not find anyone else who’s told a bride-to-be to remarry on her wedding day… other than that guy.

At least the outside of the bride’s waiting room was noisy, and inside, it was just the two of us.

The ladies who had been helping me get ready—Tilly unnie included—had quietly slipped out, intimidated by Manellano’s presence.

‘I mean… thanks for showing up, I guess.’

Truthfully, the issue had started even before he arrived.

I’d already told him clearly how I felt, but it didn’t seem to sink in, so I’d taken the time to speak with him in private.

Back then, he’d asked:

[ …Is it because you don’t like me? ]

His sad eyes reminded me of a wounded wolf, cast out from its pack.

I couldn’t bear to twist the knife on someone already heartbroken.

And honestly, I felt guilty too—for the way he’d gotten caught up in that whole mess with Heath Rezendar because of me…

[ It’s not that I dislike you… It’s just that I love Edric. I’m sorry, Lord Manell. ]

I thought that was a clean, firm rejection.

But when his eyes lit up as he said, “So you don’t hate me,” I had a very bad feeling.

Turned out, that feeling was absolutely correct.

From that point on, Manellano had been relentlessly trying to send gifts—despite knowing full well that Denkart had politely declined all guest offerings.

Thanks to him, Edric—already on edge—was sharpening his sword daily, and poor Wayne was suffering in silence.

Now, misreading my look again, Manellano smirked and said,

“Why stop at one marriage? Play around all you want—come back when you’re ready. I’ll wait forever if I have to.”

“I didn’t expect to make my wedding vows to you before reciting them to the High Priest.”

I raised a hand into the air, solemn like I was making a formal promise.

“I, Lobelia Denkart, on the first day of the Autumn Moon, Year 471 of the Terua Empire, solemnly swear to love only Edric Denkart for the rest of my life.”

“But you never know what the future holds.”

At that moment, a gloved hand pulled back the tent flap.

I wondered who’d come in—since they could definitely hear voices from outside—and then I saw Evo.

The moment we made eye contact, he smiled warmly at me. It was the kind of smile that made everything feel okay.

All my worries about whether he’d be upset or disappointed—completely pointless. Evo didn’t seem bothered at all.

Later, I found out he’d quietly suspected I was a woman for years.

Of course, Manellano kept talking, oblivious to everything.

“Who would’ve guessed the young lord would recover? And who’s to say he won’t fall ill again? There’s no guarantee he’ll always be around.”

“…Are you trying to compliment him or curse him? Pick one.”

“Neither. Just stating facts.”

“You do know how big of an honor it is to gain a noble title, right? From Lobelia Flor to Lobelia Denkart. Next up: Lobelia Stell?”

“…Haa.”

I couldn’t just kick out a guest on my wedding day, so I simply waved him off.

Even then, he stood his ground, completely unfazed.

…At this point, I wasn’t even sure if he liked me or just enjoyed bothering me.

“You look beautiful.”

“Well, I always have—but yes, my father-in-law has excellent taste.”

“No. You do.”

“……”

I gave a slightly awkward smile at the direct compliment. It was… a little embarrassing.

I’d only worn makeup twice in my life—once for Edric’s formal dance, and now for the wedding.

Thinking about it, there were so many things Edric and I were doing for the first time together—where we went, what we ate, even how we celebrated.

I smiled to myself at the thought.

Just then, Evo came closer, gently took my hand with his gloved one, and pressed a soft kiss to the back of it.

It only lasted a moment, but there was a certain tenderness in his eyes.

“Take care. Be happy.”

…Take care?

His words caught me off guard, and right then, the music for the succession and wedding ceremony began.

We’d rehearsed it for days, and it had become so familiar I could hum it without thinking—yet my heart raced at the sound.

“Duchess.”

At that call, I stood, and the tent flap opened.

The lush greenery outside shimmered brilliantly, breathtakingly beautiful.

I’d heard the guests were in awe—and I couldn’t help but feel a little proud.

It was my handiwork.

I’d wanted to recreate the paradise of southern Denkart, so I’d gone all around the estate, using my powers to bring it to life.

I wanted our guests to leave with the best possible memory.

‘…I’m getting nervous.’

Holding my father’s hand, I looked straight ahead at the pure white wedding path.

The path led to the very garden where Edric once held his first poetry reading.

The wedding road was lined with tall trees on both sides. At the end were the guest seats, filled with people.

I took a deep breath and stepped forward, the leaf-patterned carpet shimmering beneath my feet.

Wearing the wedding shoes Edric had helped me put on… walking toward him in them felt surreal.

There are moments when—even though I know better—I can’t help but wonder…
What if this is all a dream?

What if the tall figure waiting at the end, and every step I take toward him… isn’t real?

‘……’

I knew it was silly, but I couldn’t shake the unease.

Because I was… too happy. So happy, it scared me.

But then, through the clarity gifted by Dif’s power, I saw Edric smile—

And just like that, every fear melted away.

I walked the long wedding road, which felt like a lifetime, and finally stood by his side.

Receiving my hand from my father, Edric began the sacred vow of Terua’s nobility.

“I, Edric Denkart, a faithful servant of Terua, on the first day of the Autumn Moon, Year 471, make this vow.”

His steady voice sent a flutter through my chest.

It was low and rich—warm.

I remembered… this was where he had once recited poetry as a small boy.

Now, that boy was the heir to his house, making a vow of marriage… to me.

“In the name of Denkart, I pledge my loyalty to Terua’s brilliant future and eternal glory.
With the Black Chain, I will guard its honor and borders.”

My vision blurred with tears. I steadied myself and began my part of the vow.

Lobelia.

Even though I hadn’t cried, Edric seemed to sense it.
He gently squeezed my hand, reassuring me.

That warmth brought out a bittersweet smile—half tears, half laughter—as I recited my vows.

And through it all, I made sure to memorize every single moment.

So that someday, when I close my eyes for the last time…
I can remember this day vividly.

On that day, I know…
I will be smiling.

***

After the wedding, on the carriage ride toward the Denkart estate, I sat deep in thought.

Then, as he gently removed my hair ornaments one by one, I suddenly asked him,

“Young master. Duke. Edric. Honey. Darling. Babe… There are so many titles I could use. What should I call you from now on?”

“…Hmm.”