Episode 30
I was the one who was bewildered by that sight.
As I was unable to say anything, Ludwig took a step closer to me.
The distance between us narrowed, and I was taken aback.
“Sierra, since you’re worrying about me like this, I’ll do my best to ensure that the bound spirit doesn’t run away.”
“…….”
“But still, if you’re worried, please pray that my maid doesn’t run away too.”
“Ah, that the maid doesn’t run away…. What? Wait, did you say maid?”
What does this mean?
Ignoring the myriad questions flooding my mind, I quickly recalled Ludwig’s interpersonal relationships.
I groped through my memories.
Especially recently, I began to gradually remember the detailed contents of the original work.
Yes, it’s about even the trivial details that an ordinary person might not remember well.
The important thing is to make an effort to recall specific characters or events, and then those memories become vivid.
I don’t know why it’s as vivid as reading a novel on the subway home from work yesterday, but it helped me in this moment.
Although it felt like just yesterday that I was in an uproar asking about the possessed buff, it was only recently that I realized the strange memory was the cause.
‘By the way, if it’s Ludwig’s maid….’
Right, although she had little significance in the original work, Ludwig did have a maid.
It was only natural for a Duke’s son, who had lost his mother early, to be assigned a maid, but it was impossible to find supporting maids.
They were all too eager to avoid the scrutiny of the Elder Council, and who would willingly take on such a troublesome task.
Since there were so few applicants, they ended up forcibly assigning each other, failing to fulfill their duties.
The one who raised her hand then was Ludwig’s maid, Rachel.
Ludwig’s mother didn’t have a strong position within the family, but due to her affectionate personality, some of the servants felt favorable towards her.
Rachel was also one of them, and Ludwig, who was left alone, volunteered to be her maid.
Although she was an old maid, since she was the only applicant, she was immediately hired without objection.
“Rachel wasn’t particularly affectionate, but she served me with dedication. I’m always grateful for that.”
“You’re practically another mother to Ludwig.”
“That’s right. Although she went to the west for treatment last year and I haven’t seen her in quite some time….”
In the original work, there was an episode where Jenna went to meet Rachel with Ludwig.
When Ludwig, who was not good at expressing emotions, hesitated to approach the maid who was far away, Jenna led him and took charge of their meeting.
However, when they arrived in the west, they learned that Rachel had passed away a few days earlier.
Jenna stayed by Ludwig’s side all night comforting him, overwhelmed by guilt for not coming sooner.
Therefore, Rachel was mentioned only a few times in the original work and never actually appeared.
According to the story, it was before she went for treatment and when she lived in the Duke’s mansion.
‘Why would someone like that suddenly…?’
“Since childhood, my devoted and caring maid has been my guardian. Do you remember saving me from Sierra’s tantrum on the day of my birth celebration?”
“Yes, of course I remember.”
“That day, even after returning to the mansion, I suffered greatly from a fever for several days. The maid took care of me with utmost sincerity, and I think that’s when this guardian spirit was born, along with my deep gratitude at that moment.”
I knew that excruciating fever would come even after the rare outburst.
‘That was that day?’
It was Jenna who saved him from the fever originally.
If indeed, because of me, his fever came a little earlier, and Rachel was the one who stood by him, then it made sense that the guardian spirit was etched.
I reluctantly accepted it but still had unanswered questions.
“So, what happened in the forest yesterday…?”
“A tantrum is ultimately a battle of mental strength. If I can hold onto my sanity until the end, the tantrum will soon subside. It’s usually very difficult, but….”
Ludwig said, looking at me.
“Sierra, when you appeared before me, it was different. I thought I had to endure whatever happened because if I lost control, it would undoubtedly become dangerous, and I succeeded.”
Endured with mental strength?
Rampage is the consequence that follows when one transcends the boundaries of human capacity.
If an ordinary person were to face the dreadful and agonizing battle of mental strength, they would undoubtedly lose.
‘Ludwig is different, though.’
In the original work, thanks to Jenna’s help, Ludwig’s condition improved significantly, and he managed subsequent episodes of illness like a mental battle.
‘I hadn’t considered it as something to worry about later…’
With Ludwig’s response, my doubts were all resolved.
It’s oddly fitting, but the situation aligns perfectly.
‘I must have been mistaken all this time.’
I downed a bowl of cold kimchi soup alone.
Thinking that way, warmth suddenly flushed my face.
Right, there’s no way I’m someone significant enough to imprint on this person.
It wasn’t entirely without reason for me to have doubts, but it was an uncharacteristically hasty judgment.
‘Why do I feel this subtle sense of relief?’
Even though I was the one who wanted it.
With a sheepish smile, I confessed, “Honestly, I embarrassingly thought that perhaps I might be Ludwig’s guardian spirit.”
Our eyes met as if drawn by a magnet from a gold mine and empty air.
I didn’t know, but we were quite close.
Just one more step, and our breaths would touch.
I stepped back and said, “My doubts have been resolved after hearing your story. Thank you for answering my questions.”
“….”
More than that, if Ludwig’s maid is indeed his guardian spirit, I should give him some reassurance soon.
“Now, before it’s too late, while it’s still before the original work begins.”
When Jenna and Ludwig went to the west, Rachel fell ill and passed away, but they learned about it too late due to the slow treatment.
Even though it was a disease that could have been easily treated, they found out about it too late.
Since she was still at the Duke’s mansion, if they paid attention from now on, they could prevent the tragedy.
“I think I’ve been taking too much of Ludwig’s time. I’ll take my leave now.”
“….Sierra.”
“Yes?”
“Could you spare some time for lunch tomorrow? Since you’ve been standing in as my partner for two days, I’d like to treat you to a meal.”
“I’m just returning what I’ve received as your partner, but sure. I won’t refuse.”
As I smiled, Ludwig hesitated for a moment before returning the smile.
“All right.”
“Yes?”
“I enjoy spending time with Sierra. There aren’t many people with whom I can comfortably laugh and talk like this.”
“Oh, if that’s the case, then I…”
I said it without much thought, just like that.
Ludwig’s lips curved up at my response.
“I expressed my desire to continue as close friends in the future, so you don’t have to feel burdened.”
“Close friends….”
Our somewhat ambiguous relationship had finally been established.
Close friends. Being able to speak openly and help each other whenever needed.
Now, I think I understand.
I had been a person who was pessimistic about a predetermined fate.
I was carrying a bomb called an incurable disease with no way to handle it.
The hopes and expectations of my father and Arjen were something I could have because I didn’t know the future.
I was the only one looking that far ahead.
I knew there would eventually be no cure.
My static world was changing.
Since meeting Ludwig.
It started with me, but he repeatedly overturned the predetermined rules of the original work and painted a new future.
It was a fresh shock to me.
So perhaps, I wanted to believe in the world Ludwig showed me for once.
Could it reverse the diagnosis of an incurable disease, and then prevent tragedies caused by Ludwig’s rampage?
“Now that the final villain and villainess have just become close friends, there’s nothing we can’t do, huh.”
It felt like the second hand of the clock that had stopped was moving again.
My vague heart stiffened as Ludwig reached out his hand.
“Alright, close friend.”
As I smiled brightly and spoke, Ludwig’s hand twitched for a moment.
Ludwig escorted me to the carriage with the pattern of Dreynian and my family crest engraved on it, so I could climb the high steps.
“I’ll see you off at the Duke’s residence tomorrow. Take care.”
“Yes, I hope everything goes well at the castle for you too, Ludwig.”
After a brief farewell, Ludwig closed the carriage door for me.
Soon, the coachman urged the horses forward, and the carriage began to move.
The wind passing through the window teased gently.
