The Young Master I Carefully Raised Became Obsessive

That was why I had been keeping quiet until now. Although there was no definite ending yet, it would happen soon.

Later, when Ardion burned down this mansion, the evidence would be revealed, and it would be the best evidence and most decisive factor in eliminating Duke Orchid’s family.

It was nothing less than treason—burning down temples and poisoning the emperor.

Of course, that wasn’t something Duke Orchid had done alone. It was part of Rowell’s orders. So I was patiently waiting and gathering evidence.

“I will exempt you from your maid work. It is better that you finish this quickly. His Highness Rowell doesn’t have much patience.”

“Of course, of course we should do that. But as I said before, it will take a long time to completely eliminate his mana.”

“A long time?”

When I nodded, Duke Orchid took out a cigar from his pocket and handed it to the butler next to him. The butler quickly lit it. Soon, a disgusting smell filled the room.

This room already smells moldy, and now there’s the pungent smell of cigars. I frowned and covered my nose with my sleeve.

Duke Orchid raised the corners of his mouth as he looked at me. “Laila, do you know you’ve been getting on my nerves lately?”

He narrowed his eyes at me, exhaling the cigar. “What is the method to reduce the time frame?”

“Your Grace, how can I remove all the mana in his body overnight? Even a black magician wouldn’t be able to do that properly.”

Anyway, that was how it was in the original.

When Ardion was struggling with his uncontrollable power, Rowell took advantage of the opportunity to summon all the black magicians in the empire, but they failed to drain all of Ardion’s mana overnight.

Furthermore, since his body continued to create mana, it was nearly impossible to completely remove his mana.

“Have you tried it yourself?” Duke Orchid looked down at me, his cigar still in his mouth.

“Your Grace, why don’t you call for a black magician? I can’t drain all of his mana overnight myself.”

He kept nagging me when he wouldn’t even pay enough to invite a black magician.

In the first place, it was obvious that Duke Orchid was using me to remove Ardion’s mana. I knew how to use magic, and because he thought he could use my mother as a weakness, he assumed I would somehow figure out a way to do it alone.

Thus, the only thing in the Duke Orchid’s head was the thought of using me for a small amount of money.

“Your Grace, can’t you pay for the cost of inviting a black magician? If so, I think it would be good to check whether it’s possible to do it alone as you’ve said,” I said with a deliberate smile.

Seeing the duke’s face distorting, I laughed inwardly. Look at him trembling at the mention of money.

He handed the cigar he was smoking to the butler, who carefully held it. He shook his hand and looked at Ardion. “Actually, there’s been something bothering me since earlier. Did I tell you to treat this kid respectfully?”

Now that the topic of the black magician was out of the question, he shifted the topic to the address ‘Young Master’. Duke Orchid had a strong sense of pride and couldn’t accept it.

“Your Grace, Ardion is a member of the imperial family. Even in this room, he is the person with the highest status.”

Although I told the truth, the duke’s face flushed red. In a rage, he threw the cigar the butler was holding to the floor.

The butler hesitated and stepped back. Duke Orchid paid no attention and looked straight at me. “Laila, behave yourself. Don’t speak so recklessly.”

It was time for me to take a step back. If I raised my voice at a time like this, things would get harder for me in the future.

I fiddled with my hands and took a few deep breaths. Then I said in a voice that was deliberately trembling, “Y-Your G-Grace, I was doing as you ordered. I was diligently doing everything I could before you came in here.”

Of course, I had to teach Ardion from now on, but I definitely couldn’t show him I willing.

I brought my still trembling hands to my face. Then I dug my fingers under my eyes a few times, as if I were overcome with emotion. “Despite my trembling hands, I have been working hard these days. And above all, I have my mother, so how can I go against your orders?”

I lowered my head as if I were about to cry, as though I were ashamed to show myself in front of him like this. I rubbed my eyes that weren’t shedding tears back and forth.

How long do I have to keep my head lowered?

Finally, after a long time, he spoke again. “Hmm, it’s good you’re working so hard. But His Highness Rowell wants to see results quicker, not me.”

I immediately raised my head. His face was brighter than earlier, looking very touched by my acting skills.

As expected, the duke had a strong sense of pride, so he would quickly relax if I just flattered him a little.

I said more cheerfully than moments ago, “Of course. Your Grace, you have done so much for me, so please wait patiently for five years.”

In five years, I would have already run away and even exposed all the heinous crimes Duke Orchid had committed.

At least that would make me feel better.

“Yes, try harder from now on.” Duke Orchid immediately turned around and nodded to the butler, who hurriedly opened the door. Soon, they left the room.

I finally let out a deep sigh of relief.

Derol stuck his head out of my pocket. “He’s a boring person.”

“Yes, he’s a person I never want to see again.”

I shook my head while holding my forehead. Then I realized the room was quiet. I turned towards Ardion, who was looking at me strangely. His eyes were wide, seeming amused and surprised.

“What’s wrong, Young Master?” 

Ardion laughed in disbelief. “What in the world is your true appearance?”

“Me?”

“Yes. You definitely looked like you were going to cry earlier, but now you’re fine.”

“Ah, it’s a kind of tactic. You didn’t want to see Duke Orchid in this room anymore, did you?”

“But why would you do that?”

“When Duke Orchid gets angry and has a fit of rage, there’s nothing I can do. If I hadn’t pretended to cry and sobbed at him, although you would still be fine, as it was, I’d end up drugged and abandoned in the wilderness.”

Maybe the reason I was good at worldly matters was because I was aware of the original story. I thought maybe there was a reason I majored in acting before arriving here.

Before I became a daycare teacher in the real world, acting was my major. But even though I passed auditions and acted well, I couldn’t advance further. Above all, I didn’t have enough money, giving me limitations in accepting roles.

In the end, I realized the reality and quit acting…

In a way, it was fortunate that I could use my major for something like this.

Ardion looked even more confused.

I explained calmly, “That’s why it’s better to just hit and run. It’s tiring to act like a different person.”

His eyes stared at me as if he had seen something for the first time in his life. 

Should I tell him the truth at this point, or should I just speak according to my status as a maid?

At that moment, Derol squeaked. “I know my master is a great person, but please stop looking at her like that.”

Derol was bold. I smiled and patted his head. He held my hand with his small hand in return.

“Master, I am fine. No need to comfort me…”

“Derol, aren’t you afraid of the young master?”

Derol had been acting quite arrogant since a while ago when he usually avoided people. 

“Oh, I don’t think this person is that dangerous. He is smaller than you.”

“What?!” Ardion almost shouted. He stood up on the bed and glared at Derol.

Derol squeaked and went into my pocket again, as if he were really frightened.

“Young Master, don’t be like that. Derol is scared.”

“No, that mouse…” Ardion stopped talking, frowned, and sat back down on the bed. Suddenly, he shook his head, seemingly angry at himself. “I’m getting all worked up because of a mouse.”

At that moment, a disgusting smell wafted into our noses. I looked at the floor and saw the still-burning cigar.

It was the cigar Duke Orchid had thrown away.

What a rude, mannerless person. I picked up the cigar while cursing Duke Orchid inwardly.

Since the window was open, I threw it outside right away.

Ardion looked better, so I walked over to him. “Anyway, Young Master, first of all, as I said earlier, I think it would be good for you to change your clothes and wash yourself. Meanwhile, I’ll change the blanket for you.”

“Right now?”

“Yes. Since Duke Orchid has been here, I have to teach you how to hide your mana properly. We will be quite occupied from now on.”

“What does that have to do with me washing?” Ardion climbed into his bed and tightly wrapped the blanket around his whole body.

“First of all, your clothes are quite dingy and in need of a wash. Plus, when things are clean, it’s easier to focus on studying…”

“I don’t have to study. I can live without doing that.” His gaze was sharp.