003: Lilith Scarlet (Side Story)

I, Lilith Scarlet, was a maid in the service of House Fanscent.

Lord Weiss Fancent, the eldest son of the family, had always been arrogant, violent, and took great pleasure in trampling over others. Or rather, he used to be that way.

Just the other day, after striking me two or three times with a whip, he suddenly seemed to snap out of it. From that moment on, he began to treat me with nothing but kindness. He even used Recovery Magic—a skill I hadn’t realized he possessed—to heal my wounds. Since then, he had transformed into a true gentleman, someone who showed genuine consideration for everyone around him.

In the past, he would have screamed, "Are you trying to kill me with this swill?" while hurling his plate at the servants. Now, however, he didn’t leave so much as a single drop of broth behind, using his bread to wipe the bowl clean.

He had even dismissed every slave in the mansion, only to turn around and offer those who wished to stay a position as a paid servant. Some of the others were terrified, whispering that this was merely the first step in some elaborate plan to plunge us into even deeper despair, but I didn't think so.

I could tell. His eyes were different now.

The current Lord Weiss had the clearest, purest gaze I had ever seen. Besides, there were times when he actually blushed just because I got close to him. It was so incredibly cute that it made my heart skip a beat. I still didn't quite understand what this feeling was, but just looking at Lord Weiss made my heart feel at ease.

He had also taken to reading every day, and he spent his afternoons training with Teacher Milk, repeating basic exercises until he was exhausted. His face and physique were growing more masculine by the day. But what shocked me most was his dedication to studying the businesses House Fanscent operated.

Apparently, his mind was so sharp it had surprised the department heads; he had already spotted several errors and was already making adjustments for the coming year.

However, the moment one stepped out into the town, his bad reputation was so widespread that I could hear the commoners denouncing him. Previously, I would have just ignored it—after all, their complaints had been entirely justified. Now, however, hearing those things made my heart ache.

No, that’s not it! Lord Weiss has changed!

I wanted to shout it from the rooftops, but if I did, people would only assume he was forcing me to say it. That was why I started leaking rumors of my own, keeping them subtle enough to avoid suspicion. I told people how hard he was working, how much he loved to read, how he’d liberated the slaves, and how he never left a single scrap of food on his plate. Slowly but surely, I wanted to spread the truth.

I had always believed that people were incapable of change. But Lord Weiss proved me wrong. He showed me that people can change.

I had been a killer since I was a child. Even here, at House Fanscent, I had taken dozens of lives as a Shadow Assassin. They were all monsters who deserved to die, but that didn't stop me from hating myself.

I wanted to be reborn, just like Lord Weiss. I didn’t want to hurt anyone ever again.

"Lilith, there you are," he said, looking a bit bashful. "If you aren't busy, would you like to take a walk in the garden? I’m... trying to work out some of this muscle soreness."

"Sore muscles? I don’t quite understand what that feels like, but of course! I'd love to! Let’s go!"

"Li-Lilith, wait! It hurts when you grab my arm like that..."

"Hehe, sorry!"

Still... if anyone ever tries to harm Lord Weiss, I won't show them a shred of mercy.