Chapter 42: The Second Official "Discuss Lord Weiss Fancent Behind His Back" Session

"If I may be so bold, I, Zebis, shall summarize our findings."

In a certain room of the mansion, while Weiss was soaking in his favorite bath, four individuals had gathered.

Seated around the circular table were Milk, Lilith, and Cynthia, with Zebis presiding.

"What on earth happened while I was away?" Milk demanded.

"What do you mean by 'what'? Could you please be a bit more specific?"

Milk let out a long, weary sigh and crossed her arms. "The Tucker incident. Why did Weiss get so deeply involved with a guy like that? Besides, no matter how you look at it, he’s depressed. As his butler, can you really not even provide basic emotional care?"

Having just returned from her stint in Estarm, Milk had tried to greet Weiss, but for some reason, he had treated her with a bit of a cold shoulder.

She had been under the impression that her disciple would be eagerly awaiting her return. Consequently, she was feeling—just a little—hurt.

Zebis, however, had previously been told that his role was to provide "support from the shadows." Because of this, he had been trying his best not to interfere unnecessarily. He didn’t quite understand the nuances of the situation, but he was attempting to grasp them through some vague, airy sense of intuition.

"Even without asking unnecessary questions, Lord Weiss always acts with righteousness," Zebis replied. "I believe leaving him be for the time being is the correct course of action."

"Hah! Is that how the House Fanscent butler does things? Once a person’s heart is wounded, it isn't easily repaired. Weiss needs healing."

Again, it must be noted that Milk herself was feeling wounded. This was nothing more than her taking her frustration out on Zebis.

Lilith, watching the tension rise, slowly stood up.

Meanwhile, Cynthia was twirling her hair, focused on hunting for split ends. She loved Weiss, of course. Since she understood him better than anyone, she was less worried about his mood and more concerned with planning their future together.

"Teacher Milk has a point," Lilith said softly. "However, Zebis-san is also trying his best to understand Lord Weiss. You know as well as we do, Teacher Milk, that Lord Weiss often hides the true depths of his heart, don't you?"

"…You have a point. But it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call Zebis his right-hand man. Shouldn't he understand everything? That boy is the man who will one day lead House Fanscent. He has talent and the people's charisma. It’s your job to raise him into a strong man, isn't it?"

Zebis took several calm, deep breaths, though his cheek twitched rhythmically.

Cynthia spoke up then, still twirling her hair while admiring the accessory Weiss had given her. It contained a magical photograph of him. "I feel as though he is looking toward the future. He rarely laughs with pure, unbridled joy, but when he interacts with others, there are moments when he seems truly, deeply at peace. I can see it. He likely found Tucker's circumstances… painful to his own heart."

"That… might be true," Lilith agreed, and the air in the room settled for a moment.

Deciding this was his only opening, Zebis calmly began jotting down bullet points with a black brush.

[What Lord Weiss Fancent is seeing, and why he was depressed] 1. He wanted to save Tucker. 2. He wanted to be friends with Tucker. 3. Something unpleasant happened that had nothing to do with any of this. 4. I, Zebis, am working very hard.

"Does this seem like an accurate summary?"

"Hmm. Don't you think number four is a bit out of place?" Milk asked. "As for one, two, and three, those are all issues that could be solved if you just worked harder. It honestly feels like you're neglecting your duties."

"There is no basis for that claim. Lord Weiss trusts me implicitly."

"Then why is your presence so thin lately? What do you even do all day?"

"My… presence? What an incomprehensible thing to say. I am the power behind the scenes. I handle every single arrangement to ensure Lord Weiss’s life runs smoothly."

"You're just a spineless man of excuses."

At Milk's final jab, the hard-tipped pen in Zebis’s hand began to emit an ominous creak.

"Your mouth is running a bit too freely. This is the Fanscent mansion. I suggest you watch your tone. This meeting was convened so we could better understand Lord Weiss."

"It’s your tone that’s bothering me," Milk shot back. "Zebis Odin, I thought you were more capable than this. Perhaps I’ve left Weiss in your hands for too long. Should I just take over as butler myself?"

Sensing that the situation had become genuinely dangerous, Lilith moved to intervene even faster than she had during their last meeting.

"Stop it, both of you! Fighting achieves nothing! This is just like last time!"

"No," Milk insisted. "As long as Zebis is drawing a salary, it’s only polite that he works at a level equal to or greater than his compensation. It’s his fault Weiss isn't getting the emotional care he needs."

"That’s our fault too! Lady Cynthia, please say something—"

"Listen here, Milk, you’re getting way too cocky," Zebis growled. A crack appeared in his usually serene, Buddha-like expression. "Me, a salary thief? I’ve been working without a single day off even while you were away in Estarm. You were probably back in your hometown soaking yourself in booze!"

The moment his pen snapped in two, Zebis's composure shattered.

His sudden surge of mana and bloodlust was so intense that, at that exact same moment, Weiss—who was currently scrubbing himself in the bath—slipped off his stool and hit his butt on the floor.

"Ze-Zebis-san?! Your tone?!" Lilith cried out in desperation.

Cynthia, however, was still staring at her magical photo, delighted by a new discovery. "Oh my, I never realized he had such a cute little mole on his right cheek. I had no idea."

"You think I was just drinking?" Milk hissed. "Why don't we find out? I'll even go easy on you."

"Ha! I'll take you on with one arm tied behind my back. I’ve been itching to do this for a while now. Don't regret it later!"

"Fine by me. Grab a sword. I’ll even beat you without using the magic you’re so bad at."

"Stop it! I said stop!" Lilith wailed. "If you two fight, Lord Weiss will only be more upset! Lady Cynthia, help me!"

"Oh, look, there’s another little dot here. I simply must take a full-body photo next time. I hear the technology in the West is so advanced they can even make lifelike dolls. Maybe I should order a 'Weiss-chan' doll for myself…"

Lilith was panicking, and the other three weren't listening to a word she said.

Finally, Lilith’s own thread of patience snapped. She performed a sharp curtsy, hiking up her skirt to reveal a concealed knife, which she promptly imbued with magic. It was the technique Shari had taught her—coating the blade’s edge with elemental mana.

"I am actually getting angry now," Lilith stated.

"Ho… Lilith, you’ve gotten stronger when I wasn't looking," Milk noted.

"Stay back, Lilith. I’m going to crush this guy," Zebis barked.

"Lilith-san, your knife is much shinier than it used to be. Could you put that enchantment on my necklace too? I feel like it would help me sense Weiss more intensely."

Lady Cynthia had stayed by Weiss's side the entire time he was depressed. Because of that, she knew better than anyone that he just needed some space.

But putting that aside, her only real thought at the moment was wondering when Weiss would finally finish his bath.

A few dozen minutes later, I stepped out of the bath and opened the door to the room.

The notes I’d seen on the wooden board earlier had been completely erased. In their place, a new list had been written.

[10 Great Deeds Accomplished by Lord Weiss Fancent]

"What is this…? Anyway, Teacher Milk, welcome back."

"Yes, I’m home," she replied.

"Zebis, you look a little out of breath. And Teacher Milk, are your shoulders heaving?"

"It is merely your imagination, my lord."

"Lilith, do I smell… magic in the air?"

"You must be mistaken, Lord Weiss."

"Oh, Weiss," Cynthia chirped. "If you look closely, you have a darling little mole right at the corner of your left eye, too."

I tilted my head, feeling a strange sense of déjà vu.

Still, seeing everyone getting along like this made me happier than anything else. I’d been feeling pretty down lately, but I couldn't help but smile.

I really do have the best companions.

But I’m always keeping secrets from them.

I realized then that I needed to do a better job of communicating my feelings to everyone. I made a mental resolution: the next time something happened, I would be honest and just tell them when I was feeling depressed.