Surviving As An Obsessive Servant Chapter 176 - Side Story Chapter 11

No, what did I even do?

Rimson, who suddenly became the target of Edric’s anger, looked like he was about to cry.

Then Arif, who had been quietly watching from behind, asked,

“Are you talking about the gift, by any chance?”

At least this one had gotten better at picking up on things.

Arif hadn’t missed the fact that Edric had been showing off his earring all day, even going so far as to tuck his hair behind his ear.

Since he usually hated anything that got in the way, there must’ve been a good reason for that behavior.

And based on the mood, Arif figured the earring probably had something to do with the question he’d just asked.

“Isn’t it?”

“…Yeah. It’s about the gift.”

When Edric admitted it with an uncomfortable expression, Arif, who had been deep in thought, began to speak.

“Necklaces and earrings are gifts you give to people you’re close to. But necklaces can be lighthearted too—like those candy ones kids make. It feels like they carry a slightly lighter meaning than earrings.”

“…”

“But earrings aren’t something you give just because you’re close, right? I think, whatever the reason, earrings are more special.”

Edric’s expression softened a little as he heard that.

His curiosity and irritation weren’t completely gone, but what Arif said made sense.

Right, kids give each other necklaces all the time, but earrings—not so much.

Sure, Edric knew that even kids sometimes gave earrings to each other, but just this once, he decided to ignore that fact.

Uh… wait a second. So he means I should take the earring as a good sign?

Meanwhile, Rimson, who had been listening quietly and rolling his eyes, suddenly agreed loudly.

“…Right! I’ve heard of candy necklaces, but never candy earrings!! Earrings beat necklaces, for sure.”

Rimson suddenly jumping in made Arif’s words seem a little less credible, but Edric didn’t feel too bad about it.

Yeah. Earrings over necklaces. Even by number—one necklace, two earrings.

There had to be a good reason Lobel gave him those earrings.

Just then, Tilly, who had come to collect her husband’s clothes and overheard the commotion, walked over to join in.

“Your Grace. Have you looked at the back of the earrings?”

Edric blinked.

He’d worn the earrings even while washing, so he hadn’t really looked at the back.

But Tilly’s tone was odd. Like she knew something was hidden.

Tilly was one of the people who knew Lobel best, so Edric couldn’t just ignore it.

He quickly took off the earrings—and his eyes went wide.

“…!”

 

 

E♥L

Edric’s slightly parted lips trembled, then opened wide and curved into a smile.

Watching his face gradually turn bright red, Rimson decided he would have boiled octopus as a side dish today.

“I’m going home for today.”

“Huh? What do you mean, you’re already leavi—”

Before Rimson could even finish his sentence, Edric hurriedly mounted his horse. And he practically dashed back to Denkart.

Though he usually held back his elemental powers to avoid attracting attention, today it was hard to restrain himself.

He wanted to see Lobel.

Even one second sooner might calm this burning heart.

When he finally arrived, Lobel was already in the garden, as if she had sensed his presence from afar.

And as soon as their eyes met, she didn’t look away and began plucking petals from the flower in her hand.

“Edric kisses me once, kisses me twice, three times, four times…”

When about eight petals had fallen to the ground, Edric strode up and spoke.

“Why’d you stop there? That’s not enough—keep going.”

“Oh? Think I won’t if you say that?”

Lobel laughed playfully and picked up more fallen flowers from the garden.

Nine, ten, eleven, twelve kisses…

Edric kissed her just as many times as she counted.

And the whole time, smiles never left their lips.

It was strange. Such a simple act, yet it never felt dull—only joyful.

“Darling.”

At her soft call, Edric, who had been straightening her clothes, lifted his head.

Then she pinched his cheek and asked,

“Why are you so excited today?”

Once again, Edric thought, I can never hide anything from my wife.

Strangely enough, today Lobel seemed excited too.

‘…Maybe it’s because I came home at this hour for the first time.’

As he reflected on not checking the back of the earrings and not leaving work early, he remembered something.

A perfect excuse to make her happy.

She’d always wanted to see the silver deer, and the winner of this year’s hunting festival would also get a dagger.

Lobel would like that, Edric thought hopefully.

“Because of the hunting festival.”

But unlike Edric expected, Lobel didn’t recall the passing comment she’d made long ago.

The silver deer had never been that important to her anyway. What mattered most in her life was always Edric.

Still, seeing her husband so excited made her think,

‘…Is it really that great?’

Despite his mature eyes, his cheeks were still soft like a boy’s—and now, even blushing.

She thought he must have felt it wasn’t enough even after achieving something everyone envied.

Edric had a way of reminding her of their youth, and Lobel loved seeing that side of him.

It made her feel like she alone possessed the world’s most precious, most beloved treasure.

So she kept staring, and Edric, face glowing with heat, said,

“Just wait.”

But in saying so, Edric failed to notice Lobel parting her lips, as if she had something to say.

That was a mistake he would regret for the rest of his life.

Unaware of it, Edric threw himself into preparing for the hunting festival.

Because of that, his aides and others thought he was aiming to bring honor to Denkart as its head—and they were pleased.

But only Rimson knew the truth.

‘…So the winner gets a dagger again this year. He must want to give it to Lobel.’

Rimson was chosen to accompany him as his attendant for this hunting festival.

Originally, someone else should have gone, but because of an incident where Lobel was hurt after having the duty pushed onto her, Rimson took the spot.

Still, the situation left a bitter taste in Rimson’s mouth.

‘…I mean, I kinda hoped the Imperial Court would say no since I’m the Duke’s aide and all.’

He was going to use that excuse to decline the servant role and look cool doing it, but no such rejection came.

And so, with Rimson’s bitter smile, the day of the hunting festival arrived.

The weather was especially bright and clear, and everyone expected the Duke of Denkart to perform best.

“Yeah. Okay.”

Lobel stood among the cheering staff, smiling brightly.

But when Rimson spotted her, he tilted his head in confusion.

‘Hmm? Why is Lobel wearing such a thick dress?’

Well, it was something she said only in private, but lately Lobel had been complaining about how stifling dresses were—and sometimes looked at Rimson with envy.

Back when she was an attendant, she’d always worn just a shirt, vest, and pants, and had grumbled about how corsets and all the extras were a pain.

‘So why…?’

The hunting festival didn’t require formal dress, so Rimson found it odd.

‘…Is she cold?’

He worried she might be sick, but her complexion was bright, so he relaxed.

Still, in the festival forest, Rimson had no choice but to be wary.

Count Manellano Stell kept tagging along—as if following them intentionally.

Edric must have noticed too, because he shot him a chilly look. But he didn’t drive him off or resort to force.

‘…I can’t tell if they’re on good terms or not.’

Even so, Manellano kept provoking Edric, shooting arrows and hitting target after target.

His title as the greatest warrior from the Stell family didn’t seem exaggerated—hit after hit after hit.

Edric tried to ignore it, but he still looked uneasy.

That made Rimson feel something was off.

‘…Do these two smell the same?’

Was it the nasty herbs Edric made him prepare today?

Rimson felt like both men gave off the same bitter herbal scent.

Then, Manellano ordered his attendant to open a sack and began scattering something on the ground.

‘…Wait, isn’t that the same stuff I picked with the weasel?’

Edric’s expression turned grim as he watched.

“Rimson. Open the sack we prepared.”

“…Huh? Oh, yes!”

Late to react, Rimson scattered the herbs Edric had brought.

The plants scattered over the short grass were the same as those from Stell’s side, and Rimson was quietly shocked.

‘…Bait for the game?’

That guess turned out to be completely correct.

As they stood frowning at each other across the field, a sleek, elegant deer with shimmering silver fur approached.

While Rimson was stunned to see a living silver deer for the first time, Manellano looked like he had expected it.

“There it is.”

With a crooked smile, Manellano raised his bow.

Or rather, he tried to—if the deer hadn’t suddenly sprinted toward Edric and Rimson, as if shoved from behind.

The silver deer rushed in so fast it looked like it might crash into them.

And Rimson, caught like a deer in headlights, couldn’t move—eyes wide like he was about to be hit by a runaway carriage.

‘…Huh?’

He wasn’t the only one surprised. From a distance, Manellano shouted a curse.

“That filthy cheat!”

And in that moment, Edric loosed his bowstring.

As Rimson looked at the slight curve of Edric’s smirking lips, he couldn’t help but agree deeply with Manellano’s words.