I Became the Older Brother of a Villainess - Chapter 10.1
I carefully tucked the voucher into my pocket. It would be troublesome if I were to lose it.
“Young master, please take care.”
Muriel, who was carrying a full load of luggage, approached me. She handed off the baggage to Dandel and straightened my clothes. Although my attire was not formal, given that I was about to embark on a distant journey, Muriel seemed concerned, smoothing out my clothes several times.
“It hasn’t been long since the Duchess left, and you seem to be keeping yourself excessively busy without taking the time to soothe your heart. This maid is worried.”
The heart above Muriel’s head twinkled. It was evident that their concern was directed towards Cierra rather than me, yet for some reason, my heart felt unsettled.
“I woke up the head chef and prepared a lunchbox! I couldn’t sleep thinking that the esteemed person might have any food of their liking.”
Behind Muriel, the lips-smacking head chef blinked rapidly. I instinctively knew he was about to launch into a passionate speech about cooking.
“Duke! The dish I’ve prepared this time is!”
“Alphonse! Watch your saliva!”
Fortunately, before the head chef could start his enthusiastic speech, Muriel pushed him aside. The robust man retreated like a sheet of paper under the governess’s touch.
“This time, this time’s dish is made with wild duck…!”
“Alphonse! Step aside!”
“But, but!”
“Quickly!”
[Muriel’s Charisma Skill Activated]
“Yes, yes…”
In addition, several attendants were dressed in line, ready to see me off in front of the mansion. It felt awkward and somewhat embarrassing.
“I’m only going for a few days; isn’t the farewell party a bit excessive?”
The housekeeper spoke in a kind voice.
“All of them are putting their hearts into seeing you off, sir.”
As someone who could see everyone’s likability score, I felt a bit uneasy. It was understandable that the head of the household and the maid are the exceptions, but it seemed that others didn’t like me even as much as one full heart.
The head chef, originally captivated by his neatly presented dish, couldn’t take his eyes off it. He seemed like someone who wouldn’t hesitate to take out herbs from his pocket and sprinkle them on the dish at any moment. It became clear that he didn’t come to see me off but rather to bid farewell to his cooking.
Still, there shouldn’t be anyone with ill intentions. I was sure of it. The greetings and measures taken so far were showing clear effects. While there weren’t many people genuinely worried or fond of me, there wasn’t anyone who intensely disliked me either.
The favorability ratings of the butlers and maids had been somewhat organized. Now it was difficult to find someone in my mansion with a black heart. There were either none, or at least one had turned red.
“Your Grace! I’ve brought the horses!”
The boy delivering the message had a favorability rating towards me that amounted to three hearts. Even without checking the favorability rating, his eyes told the whole story. His face clearly showed, “For some reason, I think this person is nice.”
So innocent. He doesn’t even know that this is all part of the adults’ scheme.
The butler began giving free time and snacks to the younger servants, just as I had suggested. He said, “It’s a special favor from the Duke.”
With all the various colors I displayed and my kind treatment, the innocent kids quickly grew fond of me. If you want trustworthy employees, all you have to do is create them yourself.
“Thank you. The stables are well managed.”
Even though I knew nothing about horses, I could be sure. The horse had bright, sparkling eyes, and its large frame glistened with a silky coat. The neatly braided mane hinted at being well-loved. The stable boy gently stroked the horse.
“I’m working hard. Thank you! Thank you!”
“Yeah. I’ll count on you in the future.”
“Sure thing!”
There was no need for such gratitude. The stable boy continued to give me sidelong glances as he led the horse towards the carriage. Other servant boys of the same age had also come out to watch me and were loitering nearby.
It was quite a grand farewell.
“Your Grace! The luggage is all packed. Shall we depart now?”
After busily moving luggage for a while, Dandel rushed over in a hurry. The young servants subtly gathered around Dandel, and he approached with the vigor of an adventurer cutting through the forest. His enthusiastic demeanor was a bit overwhelming. For some reason, the people in this duke’s residence seemed excessively diligent.
“Let’s go. Take good care of the mansion while I’m away.”
Knowing there was nothing to be found, I looked around. Daria didn’t show up. Well, it was still early in the morning. There was no need to wake up the child.
The chief butler seemed to have read my thoughts just by looking at his expression and spoke with a warm voice.
“Don’t worry about Miss Daria. We will take excellent care of her while the young master is away.”
“To the utmost care, indeed. But I’ll leave it in your hands.”
Leaving behind the noisy crowd, I walked towards the carriage with Dandel. The carriage was waiting for us in front of the main gate. Dandel stuck close to me, and his thin mustache curled like the antennae of an insect next to a master.
“Your Grace! Thanks to you, the atmosphere in the mansion has become much brighter!”
“It’s not like there’s anything bright about it; it’s barely been a while since the funeral.”
“Oh.”
“Tell me the reason. Why?”
Dandel blinked as if he had been waiting.
