Surviving As An Obsessive Servant Chapter 200 - Special Side Story Chapter 1

Ethan resembled Lobel.

Well, if you looked only at appearance, anyone could tell he was Edric’s son — the resemblance was undeniable. But that was just on the outside. In temperament, he was all Lobel — through and through.

His cheerful charm, his endless curiosity — all of it.

“Father, what’s regret?”

Ethan had come to see Edric just as he finished his work, blurting out the question.

He had an excellent tutor, of course, but whenever he was curious about something, he always came to his father.
And today was no exception.

Looking down at those bright, shining eyes staring up at him, Edric felt an odd sort of emotion stir.

When he was young, he had never been so curious, nor so affectionate toward his own mother. It made him wonder — just how lovable must little Lobel have been as a child?

With that thought, Edric answered his son’s curiosity gently.

“Ethan, do you remember three days ago — when you were exploring your grandfather’s study and broke the ink bottle?”

“…Uh.”

Ethan’s lips clamped shut as his eyes darted nervously.

He had promised to keep that a secret from his grandfather — how did Father know?

Edric hid a laugh.

Of course he knew — his Dif power had long since recovered, sharpening his hearing far beyond that of ordinary humans. But Ethan didn’t know that yet.

He and Lobel had agreed that if their son showed no signs of inheriting Dif power, they would keep it secret from him — for his safety. Above all, they wanted Ethan to grow up healthy and ordinary, untouched by the pain they had endured.

And because he knew nothing, Ethan looked all the more adorable.

Suppressing a smile, Edric continued.

“When you broke that bottle, what did you think?”

“…That I shouldn’t have run around like Grandpa said.”

“Exactly. That feeling — that’s regret.”

“Oh!”

Ethan let out a small exclamation and nodded several times, as though he’d just learned a great secret.

As they stood and began heading upstairs together, Ethan suddenly said,

“But Father, Evo said he regrets things a lot too.”

Hearing Evo Martin’s name, Ethan’s voice lifted with excitement.

For some reason, he had taken to Evo Martin from the very first time they met.

And that — that was what really got to Edric.

Both Lobel and Ethan liked that two-faced man far too much for his liking.

“…No one lives without regrets,” Edric said evenly.

Ethan, not noticing his father’s change in tone, scooted closer and asked eagerly,

“Then you have regrets too, Father?”

Edric smiled faintly, placing a hand on his son’s head.

“Of course I do.”

There were plenty of moments he regretted — especially after leaving the capital and staying here, in the home of his childhood.

The scratches in the wooden bedframe, the faint stains on the wall — each one stirred a sigh.

…That was when I treated Lobel so terribly.

Even now, the memory made his chest tighten.

If he could return to that time, he would never do such things again.

He would treasure her — apologize, even. And he would’ve taken fewer of those wretched drugs.

As if sensing his thoughts, Ethan smiled — that same gentle smile that so resembled his mother’s.

“Father, I’ll tell you a secret. If you make a wish to the World Tree with all your heart, it’ll come true.”

With the emperor’s permission, Ethan had recently visited the Dif’s sacred grounds. Since then, he often spoke about the World Tree.

It wasn’t surprising — the sight of such a vast, glowing tree was something few humans ever witnessed.

Edric and Lobel usually humored him when he talked about it.

“Did your mother tell you that?”

He asked with a smile, but Ethan hesitated, not answering right away.

That was strange.

Then who had told him?

Only a handful of people even knew the World Tree existed.

Since Edric had accompanied the emperor every time, that left only Evo Martin… or Manellano.

…

Edric’s expression darkened.

He hadn’t thought about those two in a while — but now that they were mentioned, his mood soured.

His irritation toward Evo Martin, always lingering, had lately grown sharper.

What on earth is that man doing now?

He had left most of his work to his deputy and rarely showed his face these days.

Edric couldn’t decide whether he liked that or not — it pleased him not to see Evo, yet somehow it didn’t.

“Very sincere wishes always come true,” Ethan added earnestly.

Apparently, Evo Martin had said that — a strangely innocent piece of advice, coming from him.

It didn’t suit him at all.

Still, Edric didn’t spoil his son’s bright belief.

“I see.”

“Yes! That’s why Mother said she’s going to give me a sibling soon! She said she’s working hard every day. And I wished for it too!”

…Lobel, honestly.

Her honesty was one of her best charms — but sometimes, she really said the most unexpected things.

Edric sighed softly, cheeks reddening, and nodded.

The truth was, Lobel was already pregnant — but she’d planned to announce it on their anniversary.

Everyone had been keeping the secret, hoping to make it a surprise.

Still, if you looked at how things turned out, it almost seemed as if the World Tree really did grant wishes.

At that moment, Ethan — who had been sitting on his father’s lap — suddenly hopped down.

“Father, I’m going to greet Grandfather!”

“Don’t run.”

“Don’t worry! I’m going to be a proper, grown-up eldest son now!”

Once Ethan’s confident little footsteps faded away, Edric rose and headed toward the bedroom.

But as soon as he crossed the threshold, his expression darkened.

Maybe it was because of the conversation he’d just had with Ethan, but the small, familiar marks and scratches that usually caught his eye felt even heavier today.

No matter how well the servants cared for the place, there was nothing they could do about the dents on the old Dennkart heirloom furniture.

…All of this was my doing.

Suppressing a sigh of guilt, he pressed his palms hard against his eyes.

The exhaustion from all his recent business trips seemed to sink deeper into his bones.

…Maybe I’ll just rest my eyes a bit before Lobelia returns from her outing.

That way, he could be fully attentive when she got back.

But even as he decided that, he didn’t lie on the bed.

He wanted to look good for Lobel — he didn’t want her to see him with wrinkled clothes. He wanted to appear neat, composed… handsome.

So Edric sank deep into the single sofa, crossing his arms.

His head tilted slightly, and clink — his earring swayed softly.

That sound was the last thing he heard before closing his eyes.

And some time later, a faint voice called out to him.

“…Young master?”

…A joke?

Even half-asleep, Edric smiled faintly.

Lobelia sometimes used that old title as a tease.

He opened his mouth to greet her.

But right before he spoke, something slid down his throat.

…?

And then, other sensations followed.

Edric froze.

Before him was a meal tray — and the aroma, the taste, were so vivid.

It was unmistakably the work of Dennkart’s head chef.

He could even hear several quiet breaths around him.

Turning his head, he saw nervous servants — and Lobel.

…Lobel?

Her face — it was her younger face, from when they first met.

In his shock, he dropped the spoon.

Immediately, Lobel fetched another and pressed it into his hand — her fingers brushing gently over his bony knuckles.

“If you need anything else, please tell me.”

…What in the world is going on?

Still dazed, Edric swallowed the bite stuck in his throat and looked around.

It was more vivid than reality… so real that he felt a bead of cold sweat form.

Then Lobel suddenly exclaimed, “Ah!” — a small, awkward sound.

She covered his hand with hers.

“Haha, it was about to slip.”

His swirling thoughts suddenly cleared.

…That’s right. Lobel used to be like this.

Back then, he had just thought some strange girl was being overly familiar — but there had been a reason.

…She had to touch me to heal herself, didn’t she?

Even while he was lost in thought, the illusionary Lobel went on as if everything were normal.

“Then I’ll step out for a while.”

Smiling brightly, she waved and left the room.

Click.

As the door closed completely, Edric exhaled deeply.

Then he buried his face in both hands.

…So cute. So cute, so, so cute!!!!!!!

She was adorable even now — but when she was younger, she had been impossibly so.

Her rounder cheeks, her gentle expression — his heart thudded painfully just remembering.

After a long while of giddy disbelief, he finally collected his thoughts.

This illusion — it must be from the time Lobel had first fed him.

That’s why she said she’d step out quietly.

Edric smiled to himself, savoring the memory of her face.

Then came a knock — brisk, confident, not overly polite.

“Come in.”

The door swung open immediately. Of course — Lobel never waited.

But something in her eyes was different this time. Edric noticed right away.

It wasn’t disappointment — more like sympathy. Worry.

His chest tightened unexpectedly.

…How had he never noticed back then? It was so clear to him now.

And above all, young Lobel was truly, breathtakingly lovely.

People often said Ethan was an angel, too precious to scold — but next to young Lobel, there was no comparison.

Thinking how Ethan might pout if he heard that, Edric couldn’t take his eyes off the illusion before him.

Lobel stepped closer.

“Oh— your cheeks are red, young master. Let me see. You might have a fever…”

Her hand gently pressed against his forehead.

Edric, flushed, gazed at her.

Lobel blinked, puzzled — Huh? Why isn’t he angry? her face seemed to say.

Realizing this, Edric caught himself.

Even if this was just a fleeting illusion, he wanted to play along.

It was one of his most precious memories, after all.

But… what did I do back then?

He dug quickly through his memories.

At this point in the past, he would have snapped at her… but now, he couldn’t.

So instead, he spoke gently,

“Could you bring me some medicine?”

The air in the room changed instantly.

Lobel looked at him as if thinking, Did he eat something weird while I wasn’t looking?

And beyond the slightly open door, the servants wore the same confused expressions.

Then Edric felt a strange sense of déjà vu.

…Are illusions supposed to feel this real?

If not…

A chilling thought flashed through his mind.

“Y-yes. I’ll bring it right away,” Lobel stammered, rushing out.

Edric focused on her every movement — the way her right foot always touched the floor first, her quiet, measured breathing, even her shadow on the floor.

And the furniture — it didn’t yet have the scratches and marks he remembered.

…If this is real, my actions might change the future.

If that was true… then it could affect his children too.

Just as that grim thought solidified, Lobel hurried back, breathless.

“Here, young master — please take this!”