Chapter 35

# Chapter 35: Servant Cedric – The Villainess of Redbell

“One of the three pillars supporting the Kingdom of Birka.”

This was the scholars’ assessment of the Redbell Ducal Family.

Moreover, the ‘one pillar’ mentioned here was none other than the royal family itself.

It meant that a single noble family, the Redbell Ducal Family, was treated as being in the same category as the kingdom’s apex, the royal family.

And this evaluation of the Redbell Ducal Family was by no means exaggerated.

The duchy directly ruled by the Redbells alone accounted for 7% of the entire kingdom’s area, and if you included the territories they indirectly controlled, the figure rose to as much as 20%.

Owning the key trade routes connecting to other countries, they amassed vast wealth. Although they were relatively lacking in military power, even that was only when compared to the other two pillars, the royal family and the earldom. Compared to other miscellaneous lords, they were still on an entirely different level.

The current Duke of Redbell was renowned as a hero who had raised his once-declining family to its present status within a few decades, and his children were similarly talented in their various fields, enhancing the Redbell name.

However, there was one exception.

The youngest daughter of the Duke, Claudia Redbell, stood out as an exception.

Here are some of the extravagant rumors about her:

– She kept an enormous man-eating beast as a pet and fed it to anyone who offended her.

– She was known for frequently torturing people, leading to her body constantly smelling of blood, which she masked with extremely strong perfume.

– The reason her father, the Duke, chose the remote, peaceful countryside of ‘Etched’ as her personal estate was because he feared what might happen if she were left to govern a larger territory.

An angel in appearance, but a devil at heart.

Claudia Redbell was truly a noble lady who received evaluations at the extremes.

Naturally, there were few who would willingly work under such a lady.

Therefore, those who sought employment at Claudia’s residence in the Etched fief generally fell into one of two categories:

One group consisted of those who were unaware of Claudia’s reputation, drawn solely by the handsome wages offered by the Redbell family.

The other group comprised those who knew of Claudia’s reputation but had no choice but to endure it due to their desperate living conditions.

Of these, the estate steward, Bestiang, preferred the latter.

The former inevitably fled within a few days, but the latter had at least some chance of continuing their employment.

“…However, this applicant appears to be one of the former.”

As he thought this, Bestiang carefully examined the young man before him.

Plain brown hair, brown eyes.

Though not exceptionally handsome, he had a pleasant and gentle appearance with no notable flaws.

There was nothing in his demeanour that suggested the desperation often seen in people pushed to the brink. His gaze, reminiscent of a puppy’s, radiated no malice.

“So, your name is Cedric, you said? Where do you hail from?”

“The city of Colim in the eastern region of the Ayzer Empire!”

“Quite the journey. What motivated you to come all the way to the Kingdom of Birka to apply for this servant position?”

“My father was a long-time servant of the Knuk family, Colim’s influential household. He used to work in the kitchen. I had planned to serve the Knuk family just like him, but unfortunately, the main branch of the Knuk family disbanded, leaving me unemployed. Since I’d spent my childhood learning about this field, I wandered around looking for a new master to serve, and eventually, I heard about this estate and decided to come here!”

“Hmm… So, do you know how to cook then?”

“Well, I wouldn’t call myself a master, but I’m confident it’s edible!”

Cedric was lively, positive, and his overall demeanor was bright and cheerful.

Since the young man was from out of town, there was no way to verify the truth of what he was saying. However, this mattered little in Bestiang’s judgment.

In fact, the Redbell Ducal Family, being a notable house, ideally would check such references thoroughly. But, due to the constant problem of people fleeing from Claudia’s temper, the Château de Etched could barely maintain two-thirds of its required staff. Thus, the steward was willing to overlook such minor details.

The real problem lay elsewhere.

“Hmm, what a bright and cheerful young man. I wonder how long he will last under the Miss’s wrath.”

Bestiang had witnessed many servants, filled with zeal upon hiring, wither day by day under Claudia’s volatile temperament before eventually fleeing the mansion.

He understood that this young man would likely follow the same path, which deeply troubled his conscience. However, there seemed to be little he could do.

It was the Duke’s wish that Claudia maintain a “publicly acceptable” lifestyle, and the current situation, where the house was understaffed, was not in line with that command.

Thus, Bestiang had little choice but to replenish the workforce of the mansion.

“Alright, let’s go for a three-month contract. Of course, if you quit before the term is over, there will be no pay.”

“Understood!”

“If I assign him to the kitchen, he will have almost no direct contact with Miss Claudia, so perhaps he may last a little longer.”

However, Bestiang’s plan collapsed a mere week after Cedric joined the estate.

***

The reason Cedric’s presence became so noticeable sooner than Bestiang expected was simple.

Cedric was simply too competent.

“Mr. Cedric? He’s wonderful. He understands what’s told to him, and once instructed, he never forgets.”

“New hires usually take a few days to adapt, but Cedric was ready to perform from almost the first day. It’s made life easier for all of us.”

“I hadn’t had a proper rest in ages due to the lack of staff, but thanks to this new addition, I might finally be able to take a break.”

“He’s articulate and has a way of making people smile. I reckon he’d fit in well wherever he goes.”

Cedric’s assigned role was kitchen assistant. His movements were largely confined to the kitchen and the food storage. Unless given specific duties like serving, he would have minimal interaction with Claudia.

In this regard, Bestiang’s plan was sound, but the problem lay in the attitude and atmosphere of the other servants.

Though Cedric did not drastically elevate the happiness of all the staff, his presence did bring slight smiles and laughter to their otherwise frozen, despondent faces. Much like how a red tulip stands out clearly among a field of white tulips.

“Um… are you this new servant who joined recently?”

The incident was sudden and unexpected.

The kitchen help engaged in light-hearted chatter while preparing dinner until an unfamiliar voice from the entrance stopped them cold. Turning around, their faces went pale as they saw her.

Two maids were bowing nervously, trembling and pale, as though they already foresaw the impending chaos.

And between them stood their young mistress, Claudia, smiling sweetly.

Her light platinum hair and pink eyes were both elegant and seductive, but her beauty was a cruel façade. Those who faced her smile did not see an angel but felt as though they had encountered a monster.

Still, driven by a sense of duty as the highest-ranking staff present, the head cook tentatively spoke.

“Ah, Lady Claudia. What brings you here to such a humble place…?”

“Hey.”

“Yes, my lady?”

Her beautiful smile shattered instantly.

The flower of the Redbell family began to emit a venomous voice laden with insult, arrogance, and disdain.

“When did you think it was your place to speak? Who gave you permission to do so?”

“S-sorry, my lady!”

“And who are you to question where I go? You call yourself the head cook, so now you feel like my master? Huh?”

There was no elegance or refinement befitting a noble lady in her demeanor. No polished reprimands or indirect criticisms.

With a celestial beauty, she spat out street thug-like insults and threats.

Taking one step forward, Cedric broke the tension.

His movement was neither loud nor accompanied by any words, yet something in it drew the gaze of those around him.

Claudia’s interest shifted from the head cook to Cedric.

“Hmm? So, you’re all buddy-buddy with each other now?”

Despite the unexpected insult, Cedric didn’t even blink, remaining silent.

Claudia furrowed her brow.

“What, you won’t answer?”

“Well,” Cedric replied politely, “thank you for granting me permission to speak, Lady Claudia. I was just awkwardly trying to figure out how to respond.”

The moment Claudia’s expression flickered in confusion, she recalled her earlier reprimand to the cook. Perhaps this was the servant’s way of subtly mocking her.

Fury rose in her face, and the other servants turned ashen.

But then, Claudia’s gaze softened into a sly smile.

“You, what was your name again?”

“Cedric, Lady Claudia.”

“Right, Cedric. You’re here, so you must be confident in your cooking, right?”

“I wouldn’t dare call myself an expert, but I’m confident enough to prepare meals that are at least edible.”

“Perfect. Tonight, bring me dinner. Directly to my room, personally delivered by you.”

It was an unreasonable request for several reasons. Assigning the task to a kitchen assistant like Cedric was problematic, but asking him to personally deliver it to her room was even more inappropriate.

For a male servant to enter a noble lady’s room could easily be misinterpreted as disrespectful.

Yet Cedric, without hesitation, asked calmly.

“I’ll do my best, despite my inadequacies. However, is there anything you don’t like?”

“Bland food.”

“Indeed, a straightforward question deserves a straightforward answer. I’ll prepare accordingly.”

With that, Cedric began to gather ingredients, while Claudia watched him suspiciously.

The other servants were visibly uncomfortable, but Cedric appeared relaxed, which only annoyed her further.

Claudia pondered slapping him but quickly dismissed the idea.

‘Anyway, his calm demeanor won’t last long.’

Smirking inwardly, she did not forget to send a warning to the others.

“You fools, if any of you interfere with this matter, I will punish all of you severely.”

The kitchen staff bowed their heads while the maids reluctantly followed Claudia.

Returning to her chambers, Claudia dismissed the maids, then entered alone. She used a small dagger to prick her finger, allowing a droplet of blood to fall. Instantly, the blood expanded, metamorphosing into a massive creature—a dual-headed wolf.

Its build resembled that of a standard wolf, but it had two heads, with each gaping mouth large enough to devour a human.

Petting the beast affectionately, Claudia gave it an order—to attack Cedric the moment he opened the door.

She waited, relishing the thought of his face contorting in fear.

Soon, a knock sounded, followed by Cedric’s voice.

“Milady, the meal is ready.”

Smirking slyly, Claudia responded.

“Come in.”

The door opened, and Cedric wheeled a cart inside.

Simultaneously, the wolf lunged toward him.

The wolf’s roar—indicating its excitement to attack—was abruptly cut off with a peculiar “Kegggh?!”

“…Kegggh?”

Startled, Claudia blinked several times, convinced there had been some mistake.

But when she looked again, the once-mighty beast lay cowering on the ground, quivering in submission like a scared house dog.

And before the cowering creature stood Cedric, calmly wiping his hand with a handkerchief.

Facing a bewildered Claudia, he spoke earnestly.

“Milady.”

“Yes?”

“Allowing your pet to lunge at people eating meals is not a good habit. It’s also unhealthy. I suspect it has learned some inappropriate habits.”

“……”

“…”