“I’m envious that you have so much energy early in the morning,” he said. “Nonetheless, my mistress is under the weather this morning, so I’d appreciate it if you could tone it down.” His voice was soft, but there was hostility in his words.
Marie’s gaze darted awkwardly. He’s got a point. I was making a big fuss. Everyone else already left for breakfast, so I naturally just assumed no one would be left in their cabins.
She cleared her throat. “S-sorry about that! I was a little panicked. My friend won’t come out of her cabin.”
The only reason she was being so deferential toward Kyle was his employer. Olivia was a commoner right now, but she’d eventually awaken as the Saint, an extremely special figure within Holfort. The Saint was so special in the game that she was, in fact, even permitted to marry the crown prince. Olivia would thus eventually become queen. Even if she didn’t, she’d marry another of the love interests, all of whom were from high-ranking, respected houses. Either way, she’d far, far outrank Marie.
Given the unnatural foresight Marie’s knowledge of the game provided, she naturally apologized and acted more respectfully than she might’ve otherwise. That served to soften Kyle’s sour mood.
“Why not ask to borrow a key so you can get into her cabin?” he suggested.
“Good idea. I’ll do just that. Girls, let’s go get a key.” Dragging Ellie and Betty along, Marie left. That was my first interaction with Kyle, she mused. He’s way more arrogant than I expected. Was he really that bad in the game?
Marie had pictured Kyle as an impertinent but adorable younger-brother figure. Their brief conversation was enough to completely ruin that image, though. She felt that he’d been an immature brat.
✦ ✦ ✦
After Marie and the other girls left, Kyle was on cloud nine over how respectful they’d acted toward him.
“Of course they were too scared to talk back. Mistress may not be of noble blood, but she has the backing of the crown prince and other high-ranking nobles.”
Though Kyle was still only a child, he was intelligent. He understood that, given Olivia’s unique circumstances and how the crown prince favored her, it wasn’t too odd that others would behave deferentially toward her employee.
“I was incredibly lucky to get her as a mistress,” he realized aloud. “I need to offer her my full support.”
Immature as he was, Kyle sensed that he’d benefit most by getting into Olivia’s good graces quickly.
“Hm?”
Almost immediately after Marie and the other girls left, two different ladies with personal servants at their heels strode up. As soon as they spotted Kyle, their lips cracked into wicked smiles.
Here comes trouble, Kyle thought. He had enough experience to know that dealing with this type was a pain.
The girls who’d approached him were, unsurprisingly, Dolly and Donna.
“You’re that commoner’s personal servant, right?” Dolly asked. “As big a pain as it is for us to ask, could you call her out here for us?”
Kyle cringed at the request.
Donna opened and closed her hand as if she wanted something. “I know she hasn’t come out of her room since yesterday. We’re worried about her, and we came to check in. So, like, hurry up and get her out here.”
Their condescending behavior made Kyle think back to his interaction with Marie and her friends only moments ago. Do these two not realize who they’re dealing with? At least those noisy girls earlier showed proper consideration. He heaved a breathy sigh.
Dolly and Donna’s personal servants gawked at him.
“Hey. You can’t take that attitude with our mistresses,” one warned.
The other asked, “Weren’t you educated properly?”
They sounded less angry than concerned. As fellow servants, they were aghast at how disrespectful Kyle was acting. As far as demi-humans like them were concerned, female academy students deserved to be treated with the utmost consideration and politeness, like princesses. Any impertinence toward them was inexcusable.
The same couldn’t be said of male students. Deep down, most servants looked down on them, although they didn’t openly show it.
Kyle was looking at Dolly and Donna with the same scorn other servants felt for male students. “I personally think they should try using their heads a little more.”
Dolly and Donna were both taken aback, their eyes wide.
“What was that?” Dolly demanded.
Donna blinked slowly. “Did he say what I think he did? It sounded to me like he was mocking us. Or did I mishear him?” Her voice had turned into a menacing growl by the end.
Kyle wasn’t intimidated, however. Was that meant to be a threat? They can only act so cocky because they haven’t stopped to think about who’s backing my mistress. He snorted at them.
Dolly and Donna’s personal servants instantly paled. They shot forward and tried to interrupt Kyle, but he beat them to the punch.
“My mistress is favored by His Royal Highness Prince Julius,” he declared. “And he isn’t the only one who thinks fondly of her. You’re aware of that, aren’t you?”
The moment those words left his lips, the other two servants froze. They turned slowly to gauge their mistresses’ reaction. Dolly and Donna had fallen completely silent, their earlier cockiness gone.
Emboldened, Kyle continued, “I’d thank you not to attempt crude forms of harassment like this. Otherwise, I’ll have no choice but to report you to His Highness and his friends.” There was a threat in his words: Try anything with Olivia and suffer the consequences.
“Whatever. This is a pain.” Dolly spun and stomped away.
Flustered, Donna chased after her. “Wait for me, Dolly!”
Their servants scurried along behind them.
Kyle stood triumphantly in their wake, a big grin on his face. “Look how easy it was to chase them off just by mentioning His Highness. I can’t understand why my mistress hasn’t yet thought to do the same thing.” He shook his head, exasperated.
He thought himself cunning, but he didn’t realize that this small victory would soon bring about consequences.