Chapter 33: A Request That Can't Be Granted

Chapter 33: A Request That Can't Be Granted

An awkward atmosphere flowed across the dining table.

With my elaborate hand technique, I was preparing dinner when I noticed the chilling vibes emanating from the dining table.

"...Uh."

"..."

Two women were making awkward eye contact with each other.

The lady who sneakily glanced at Yuria fiddled with her fingers, and Yuria, savoring some cheap green tea, looked at the lady with an expressionless gaze.

Caught in the awkward mood between the two, I thought to myself,

‘Something seems screwed up...'

The lady, after hearing about Yuria’s situation, gladly granted her permission to stay in the mansion overnight.

-Yuria became a beggar?

-She met bandits on the road and said they stole her wallet.

Since she had lost her wallet after separating from Balak, it was no lie.

Once it became clear to the lady that Yuria truly was a pennyless beggar, the lady showed an expression of pure evil that hadn’t been seen in a long time.

-In exchange, I want to eat with you.

-What?

-I haven’t eaten yet. I’m starved.The debut release of this chapter happened at Ñòv€l-B1n.

-Won't it be awkward?

-Ricardo. I'm the house owner. And the Desmonds don’t grow things like delicacy.

-Oh...

Though she spoke boldly mentioning the family name, the lady couldn’t say a word in front of Yuria.

Like a wet mouse, the lady remained cautious. Apparently, the Desmond family was indeed very good at being circumspect.

As the awkwardness continued, the lady waved her hand awkwardly towards Yuria. She waved her hand from side to side with robotic, stiff movements. It seemed like this was definitely a greeting.

"Uh...uh..Ah...Hello?"

The lady completed her greeting successfully.

She looked at Yuria with a proud smile.

"..."

But Yuria responded with silence.

"Eek...!"

The lady clenched her fists tightly and glared at Yuria. Clearly annoyed that her greeting was not returned.

The lady looked at me as if she was staring at a cat robot with a four-dimensional pocket.

"Ricardo!"

"Yes."

"Help..."

The lady's bright eyes compelled me to utter with a small laugh.

"Fighting."

"Damn it..."

I faced the lady's resentful gaze as I placed tonight’s dinner onto the plate.

Steam wafted from the plate.

The dish was served on the table with a clinking sound, and as a result, the lady who had been downcast huffed out her breath.

"Wow...!"

Even if I was considered an excellent butler, it was practically impossible to prepare a meal that satisfied everyone in such a short time with both the hour being late and the ingredients scarce.

There was not much meat in the refrigerator due to having left the house unattended for three days.

That’s why the dish I made was cheese Tteokbokki.

A dish favored by the lady.

And back at the Royal Academy, it was a favorite of Yuria as well.

Yuria's eyes rounded with surprise at the sight of Tteokbokki for the first time since the Royal Academy.

A dish that only I could make.

And one that they couldn't replicate.

I had made it several times for Yuria back when we were at the academy, and she seemed to still remember its taste.

"It's been a while. This."

Yuria prepared to eat by picking up a fork.

Olivia did the same.

"This looks delicious..."

"You'll drool."

The sight of the two women drooling over their plates brought a satisfied smile to my face.

-Snap.

I clapped my hands and said,

"Let's eat."

Before eating, the lady looked around. She scanned the kitchen as if she had lost something, holding her fork. I asked her,

"What are you looking for?"

"Where is Ruin?"

A faint green light began to fill the kitchen.

The power that made Yuria known as the ‘saint' in the novel.

[A Miracle.]

The miraculous power that could heal any disease began to warm Olivia’s shoulder intensely.

Yuria could see the condition of Olivia’s body like a dissection, right in front of her eyes.

From indigestion.

To being overweight and high blood pressure.

Which part of the body was unhealthy.

The fine details of which part of the body caused the pain flowed slowly through her hand on her shoulder.

And then.

"...Huh?"

Yuria removed her hand from Olivia's shoulder.

***

An hour later.

Hidden in a corner of the kitchen, I saw the lady sitting alone on a chair.

Her slumped shoulders.

Her moist eyes.

The lady seemed to have lost her energy.

Slap. I slapped my cheeks to wake up. I couldn’t show the lady a downhearted expression.

It seemed like the talk didn't go well, unfortunately.

I walked towards the lady with an awkward smile.

"Ahaha... I'm sorry. The third floor was quite dirty. It took me a while."

"Ricardo."

A cold voice came through.

Probably questioning why I did something she didn’t ask for.

I know it was overstepping.

But it felt like this was the last chance.

Although I knew Olivia would be upset if I asked Yuria for help, I thought I’d hope for a bit of hope and requested Yuria's assistance.

Initially, Yuria refused, but after repeated requests, she reluctantly agreed to my plea.

-It's only this time. Because you saved me this time. I’m only helping you this once.

-Thank you.

-But... are you sure you won't get your cut hand treated?

-Don't worry about it. It heals quickly here. I recover fast.

Olivia glared at me.

And then she said shortly.

"Don’t do this kind of thing."

I replied briefly.

"I won't stop."

"I’m telling you not to."

"I can’t do that."

Because I didn’t want to give up either.

Olivia sighed deeply.

And then she reached out her hand to me.

"I want to go up."

Naturally, I offered my back to the lady.

***

On our way to the second floor.

The lady, carried on my back, spoke to me.

"Ricardo. To tell you the truth, I was sort of hoping?"

"..."

"That maybe Yuria would be able to heal my leg."

"...Is that so?"

"Mm-hmm."

The lady buried her face in my back and stayed still.

"But you know, if my leg gets better, I can't ride on Ricardo’s back, so it might not all be that good... I'd rather enjoy being carried on your broad and firm back."

The lady tried to sound cheerfully.

I responded to the lady.

"I will try my best to heal you one way or another."

The lady replied shortly.

"Don’t push yourself."

I nodded in response to her words.

Dawn broke while Yuria and Ruin had already left the mansion.