I Became the Butler of the Seventh Princess, Who’s Regressing Into a Child - Episode 44

Episode 44

(Back to Rondo’s Perspective)

Rinyan’s behavior is clearly strange.

I’ve sensed it with certainty over the past few days. She’s not like her usual self. There’s something restless about her…almost as if she’s struggling with some inner conflict.

The change became obvious after Vanz visited the mansion.

I probably noticed this shift in Rinyan because I was already observing her with a bit of suspicion. Still, there are differences from the game. Rinyan isn’t the kind of character to make careless mistakes that would reveal herself to me. She was supposed to be a cold, methodical character who carried out her assassin duties without hesitation.

…….She, too, seems somehow different from how she was in the game.

Thinking this over, I went out to the garden again today to train with Klaus-san.

As soon as Klaus-san noticed me preparing my sword, he spoke up.

“Rondo. Regarding the investigation you requested. She’s being watched by Vanz’s associates.”

“She” refers to Rinyan.

…I wasn’t able to investigate Rinyan freely myself. So, when I asked Klaus-san, he grudgingly took on the task for me.

“……So it’s true.”

“There’s definitely some connection there, but I’m no expert in that line of work. That’s all I can say.”

“No…just knowing that is more than enough. Thank you.”

…Now, the question is what to do next.

Rinyan started acting strange after Vanz’s visit…and quite some time has passed since then.

If Rinyan has indeed taken on her assassin duties, as per the original game’s storyline, the order should have already been given. I don’t know why she hasn’t executed it yet, but there’s likely not much time left.

“It’s better to take action than to regret hesitating.”

Klaus-san said this quietly, as if he were looking off into the distance, before turning his gaze toward me.

“No matter how much power you have, it’s meaningless if you can’t use it properly. Why did you acquire this power?”

“…..It’s to protect Lady Luciana, I suppose.”

Originally, it was to protect myself. Without power, there’s no way to protect anything in this world. But somewhere along the line, I also wanted to use that power to protect Lady Luciana.

Because she saved me.

“If that’s the case, you should go talk to her right away. If you distance this Rinyan from her, Lady Luciana’s safety should be ensured.”

“……You’re right. However, at this point—I also want to save Rinyan if I can.”

“You’re an arrogant student.”

“…Is that wrong?”

“No. All the more reason to act quickly, then. Today’s training is postponed.”

“…My apologies, Klaus-san…and thank you.”

“Hmph. Don’t mention it,” 

Klaus-san replied, waving his hand dismissively.

I gave him a slight bow and then immediately headed toward Lady Luciana.

As I made my way to Lady Luciana’s chambers, I gathered Elena, Karin, and Lady Luciana together.

Once everyone was assembled in the room, I directed my gaze at Lady Luciana and shared the information Klaus-san had given me.

Upon hearing what I said, Elena and Karin looked at Lady Luciana with visible concern.

Receiving our anxious gazes, Lady Luciana spoke with a hint of surprise.

“…I never would have guessed Klaus would take on such a task.”

“…Is that so?”

“Indeed. Perhaps he’s more fond of you than I thought.”

……I wonder about that. Klaus-san isn’t a bad person, but I always got the sense he doesn’t think much of me in particular.

“Now then, about Rinyan. Logically, the quickest solution would be to dismiss her.”

“…But if we do that…Rinyan will—”

Elena and Karin exchanged worried looks.

…The two of them have interacted with Rinyan to some extent, so that’s understandable.

Seeing how hard she’s worked, it’s clear what will happen to Rinyan if she’s dismissed…

“That’s right… Most likely, Vanz will eliminate her. I’m aware that Rinyan’s reputation isn’t bad. Although it’s possible that’s just for the sake of Vanz’s own agenda.”

“No, I don’t think Rinyan would go that far. If she were truly planning to kill anyone, she would have acted before we even noticed anything unusual.”

…She’s had plenty of opportunities, after all. As I interjected with that observation—

“You’re siding with her,” 

Lady Luciana said in a slightly childish, dissatisfied tone…a glimpse of her more innocent side.

“…It’s not so much that I’m siding with her. It’s just that, after talking to her, I couldn’t just ignore her situation.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Rinyan needs to earn money for her younger sister… Her sister’s illness is costly. And I…I was separated from my own sister because I didn’t have the strength to protect her. So I feel even more compelled to do something to help her.”

“I see…her sister, huh.”

Lady Luciana looked off into the distance, then scratched her head a bit and let out a small sigh.

“Simply dismissing Rinyan might end up harming my reputation as well… Rondo, do you have any plans?”

“…First, I’d like to investigate Rinyan’s sister’s whereabouts. She’s likely still in some sort of recovery facility and might be kept as leverage. If we can rescue her, it might change everything.”

“That sounds reasonable. But if her sister’s condition requires medication and other expenses, who will bear that cost?”

“I don’t really spend much money, so I’ll cover it for the time being. Later on, I intend to search for a special remedy that can cure any illness.”

“…A special remedy? That sounds rather unrealistic.”

“It might, but I really want to do this… Since I couldn’t save my own sister, I feel an even stronger drive to help her.”

“…….”

…In truth, obtaining such a remedy is actually a realistic goal. It’s possible to acquire one in high-level dungeons, as shown in the game.

So, as long as I can ensure Rinyan’s sister’s safety, I believe I’ll be able to manage.

“Understood. But how do you plan to locate Rinyan’s sister? You can’t exactly ask Rinyan directly.”

And there lies the problem. We don’t have enough time to start an investigation from scratch.

Just as I was thinking this, Karin raised her hand.

“Oh, in that case, maybe I can help?”

“…..What?”

“If I put Rinyan-chan to sleep, I can enter her dreams and peek into her memories. Easy-peasy!”

…..I see.

As we looked at Karin with newfound admiration, Elena nodded in agreement.

“I see. So, we just need to make Rinyan lose consciousness?”

“No, why not simply add a sleeping agent to her meal so she’ll fall asleep during the lunch break?”

“…The feeling of fainting isn’t so bad. But if there’s a more reliable method, that would be better. I’ll handle those arrangements. Rondo-san, please make sure you dine with Rinyan without raising her suspicions.”

“Got it.”

With our plan settled, we spent the remaining time before lunch taking care not to alert Rinyan.