I Became the Butler of the Seventh Princess, Who’s Regressing Into a Child - Episode 46

Episode 46

While waiting in Lady Luciana’s room, Elena returned with Rinyan.

… She’s here.  

I couldn’t predict what would happen from here on; Rinyan’s actions could drastically shape what happens next.  

I was starting to feel a little tense.  

Rinyan bowed her head politely and tilted her head with a puzzled expression.  

“… Is something the matter?”  

Having been suddenly summoned, she seemed understandably confused.  

Well, that’s expected. If I got an unexpected summons from someone in a higher position, I’d be pretty anxious too.  

Although Rinyan tried to maintain her usual calm expression, her unease was obvious.  

Lady Luciana gave a faint smile before fixing her with a piercing look.  

“Rinyan, do you have any idea why you were called here today?”  

“…….”  

“For example… anything about Vanz?”  

“…!”  

At Lady Luciana’s question, Rinyan’s face showed clear surprise. 

….. That’s as good as a confession.  

After hesitating for a moment, Rinyan lowered her head apologetically.  

“… I see, so you’ve figured it out.”  

“I have my own sources of information. Now, what about it? Were you planning on making an attempt on my life?”  

Even though she had her position to maintain, Lady Luciana’s tone seemed to be testing Rinyan.  

… But with the slight chance Rinyan might act on such orders, I remained ready to intervene at any moment.  

“…”  

But Rinyan shook her head. Then she dropped to her knees. She lowered her head almost to the floor like a traditional Japanese bow, and spoke up.  

“… I fully understand the offense of threatening your life. I don’t care what happens to me. But… please, if nothing else, save my little sister…!”  

“Your sister, you say?”  

“Yes, that’s right! I know it sounds like an excuse, but I have a sister who’s ill… and without Vanz, I couldn’t support her at all… I don’t care about myself, but my sister… please, save my sister somehow!”  

“Then why not go rescue her yourself?”  

“… What?”  

Lady Luciana exhaled lightly, her gaze fixed intently on Rinyan. 

… The operation was about to begin.  

“If you go to meet your sister yourself, there should be no issue. You simply reunite with your sister, and both of you come to live in our territory. Outwardly, it’s just you caring for your sister at an orphanage here. There’s nothing Vanz could do to stop that.”  

… Lady Luciana was exactly right.  

Even if Rinyan brought her sister to live here, it shouldn’t be an issue.  

After all, Vanz wouldn’t want to openly expose that he’s been using orphans like Rinyan as disposable tools.  

If other royal families learned of it, it would be a devastating vulnerability.

“You’re really going to let me go?”  

“… Rather than letting you go, I’ve heard you’re an excellent worker. I don’t want to lose such a capable servant so easily. Bring your sister and return to the estate.”  

“… Thank you very much.”  

Rinyan, with tears in her eyes, expressed her gratitude. And Lady Luciana offered a faint smile.

… Most likely, Lady Luciana saw a bit of her own past in Rinyan.  

And honestly, I felt the same way.  

“Rinyan, Vanz’s deadline for your assassination attempt is tomorrow, correct?”  

“Huh? Uh, yes.”  

“Then we’ll leave tonight. Once you’ve brought your sister here, there will be no need for you to follow Vanz’s orders anymore, right?”  

“… Yes, I understand.”  

Rinyan nodded slightly and wiped away her tears. Her expression looked stronger, more resolute… perhaps this was her true self.  

As we were about to set off, Elena and Karin stepped in front of me, smiling.  

“This mission needs to be handled solely by Rinyan and her ally.”  

“… Hm? Right, I’ll go with her. And in the worst case, we’ll use force to bring her sister back, correct?”  

“Yes, but… it would be risky for you to go as yourself and raise suspicion about your connection with Lady Luciana.”  

…… That’s a fair point.  

“So, should I go in disguise?”  

“That’s why we’re here!”  

With that, Elena and Karin brought out some makeup tools.  

“… Huh? What do you mean by that?”  

I had a bad feeling about this.  

As I considered the possibilities, the two of them smiled mischievously and stepped closer to me.  

“I’ve heard that Sir Rondo happens to look great in women’s clothing.”  

“So, Rondo-kun will become Rondo-chan for this mission. That way, no one will suspect a thing, right?”

“……. Lady Luciana?”  

“Good luck, Rondo-chan.”  

… It seems I have no allies here.  

Elena and Karin took it upon themselves to prepare me for departure.