I Became the Butler of the Seventh Princess, Who’s Regressing Into a Child - Episode 43

Episode 43

In the quiet of the morning, Rinyan awoke and let out a small sigh. The light streaming in from the window was dazzling, making the world feel oddly distant.

—Another day of work.

Until now, she’d never felt dread at the thought of going to work. In fact, she used to enjoy it. Her kind coworkers, the lively workplace, surrounded by good-hearted people—there was so much to be grateful for. But now, to Rinyan, all of it seemed somehow faded. An uneasy, dark fear swirled within her chest, threatening to crush her.

—”Kill Luciana.”

That command echoed relentlessly in her mind. Vanz’s order—an order she couldn’t possibly disobey. If she failed, there would be no place left for her. Not only for her, but nowhere left even in this kingdom.

As Rinyan rose from bed, her gaze fell to the small desk beside her, where a letter lay. It was from her younger sister.

—My twin sister, Lian.

They were orphans, abandoned by their parents. Born in a poor village and raised with no support, they had no future. Rinyan had heard a rumor and, based on that, moved with Lian to Vanz’s territory. She believed in the story of a place that took in orphans and raised them.

But upon reaching Vanz’s territory, everything changed—and not for the better. The orphans gathered in Vanz’s domain were placed in an academy. Ostensibly, this academy educated orphans and prepared them to serve as Vanz’s personal soldiers. It sounded noble on the surface. But those who graduated were often given reckless orders.

Rinyan and Lian were no exception. Every day, they endured brutal training, thoroughly conditioned to obey. What Vanz truly wanted was an army of soldiers who would carry out his orders without question, like obedient slaves. From a young age, Rinyan had been forced through grueling training, developing combat skills as though it were her only option.

While other orphans despaired and took their own lives, Rinyan had a reason she couldn’t die. That reason was Lian. Many times, Rinyan had wanted to die. But as long as Vanz and his people took care of Lian, Rinyan couldn’t bring herself to give up.

To her, Lian was more precious than her own life.

—I would do anything to protect Lian. That’s what I’ve decided in my heart.

But now… that resolve was wavering.

Graduating from the academy, she’d received her first mission. Rinyan had come to this city to serve Vanz and follow his orders. And yet, now her resolve was faltering. Even though this was supposed to be a necessary step to protect her sister, she found herself unable to act.

Because… she had met good people here.

“…Why… why did it have to come to this?”

Rinyan murmured softly, clenching her fists. If she didn’t kill Lady Luciana, what would happen to Lian? There was no way Vanz would spare her sister. The moment she failed, she and Lian would surely be killed. It would be just as so many other orphans had been cast aside before.

She had to do it. And yet, memories of the kindness she’d encountered here kept coming back to her. Though she had to keep moving forward, the path led nowhere.

What lay ahead was only endless darkness—a pit of despair.

Rinyan slowly finished getting dressed and looked at her reflection in the mirror. She had thought that her emotions had long since vanished after entering Vanz’s academy. But the face looking back at her was terribly worn, hollowed by sadness. She barely recognized herself.

“……I have to go.”

Wiping her face, Rinyan headed to work. She had little time left before Vanz’s order had to be executed.

As Rinyan stepped out of the manor, she sensed eyes on her from somewhere. Likely, she was being monitored by another academy graduate, ensuring she wouldn’t try to run away.

Perhaps they were watching to ensure they could eliminate her at any moment if she tried to escape.

As Rinyan walked toward the mansion, she forced herself to put on a composed expression. Once she arrived, she exchanged greetings with her coworkers as usual and changed into her maid uniform. In the changing room, cheerful voices filled the air as her colleagues chatted happily.

“Good morning, Rinyan! How are you feeling today?”

“…I’m fine, thank you,” 

She replied with a smile, a bit startled by the friendly voice of one of her fellow trainees. Their brightness only made Rinyan’s heart ache. But she kept nodding, as if reassuring herself.

“Yes… I’ll do my best…”

With that, Rinyan left the changing room and got to work. Yet the words—”Kill Luciana”—haunted her thoughts throughout her duties. There was hardly any time left before the deadline. 

—What should I do? How can I escape this nightmare?

She found herself gripping the cloth tighter as she wiped the windows. At that moment—

“Rinyan, are you okay?”

The unexpected sound of Rondo’s voice made her flinch.

“Huh…?”

Rinyan looked up, surprised. Rondo was watching her with concern. His eyes were filled with a gentle understanding as if he could see straight through her. She was at a loss for words.

“…If you’re not feeling well, you don’t have to push yourself.”

“That’s… not it.”

Rinyan hastily shook her head. She realized that, somehow, Rondo had picked up on the subtle changes in her demeanor. They’d spoken every day. So perhaps he’d noticed the strain she tried to hide. Back in the academy, any hint of weakness would have likely been punished with violence.

“I see.”

Something within her seemed to crack, barely held back by Rondo’s words.

—I want to talk to him. I want to ask for help. I want to confide in Rondo. 

But she suppressed those feelings with all her strength. And instead, she managed a faint smile.

“…..I’m okay, really.”

She replied and turned her gaze back to the window, away from Rondo’s face. Looking at him only made her resolve waver more.

Rinyan forced a smile, burying her despair deep within herself. Her reflection in the window looked tense and unnatural. So she wiped the glass, trying to hide herself in the act.