Chapter 5: Olivia: Master... No, my lord, I... I will work hard. |
During the treatment period.
A maid entered and said, "Young master, the meal is ready."
Hearing this, Jonas stepped outside and took Olivia's hand, saying, "Come, let's eat. You must have been starving for a while."
He remembered the system mentioned Olivia's fondness for food.
This could be used to increase her loyalty.
Olivia raised her head slightly. "Huh? Me?"
She was going to eat with Lord Jonas?
...
Dining hall.
The table was set with numerous fine utensils that reflected the light, exuding an air of luxury.
Olivia sat nervously on a chair in her coarse clothing.
Like a rat suddenly exposed to light in a sewer, she instinctively wanted to retreat.
In such an environment, she felt extremely fearful.
"L-Lord Jonas, perhaps I should leave this place? I could eat outside..."
Just as Olivia tried to stand up, Jonas pressed her back down.
"Eat here. This is the treatment you deserve."
Soon, the food was served.
The butler and maids stood respectfully by the doorway.
"Young master, your meal is served."
The round table was vast.
Before Jonas lay an array of exquisite delicacies.
Yet before Olivia sat only a simple bowl of bean soup.
The Empire's people held deep-rooted discrimination against the Albino race, believing they only deserved such meager fare.
The mere presence of this white-haired girl at the table made the butler and maids frown.
But Olivia was already accustomed to this treatment.
Even this plain bean soup made her mouth water as she swallowed repeatedly.
She couldn't remember the last time she'd eaten proper food like this.
Compared to what she usually ate, this was heaven.
Jonas frowned at the sight and immediately pulled his chair over, bringing his luxurious dishes with him.
Damn it, he was trying to raise loyalty here - what were these people thinking?
Seeing the young master's actions, the butler said anxiously, "Young master, with your noble status, how could an Albino possibly deserve—"
Jonas waved impatiently to cut him off.
"Enough. From now on, she is my retainer! Treat her properly. I don't want to see this kind of behavior again," Jonas declared with a dismissive wave.
"Huh?" The butler was speechless.
Their young master Jonas would take an Albino as a retainer?
Was this some kind of joke?
Aside from their lowly status, there was also their violent frenzy during full moons.
They could never serve as retainers!
The butler immediately pleaded earnestly:
"Young master, th-this is most improper."
"There's nothing improper about it. My decision is made. As for father, I'll explain it to him personally."
"The lord will never agree."
"That's not your concern."
Hearing this, the butler retreated slowly, helpless.
Looking at Olivia, he understood.
The young master must have taken this Albino as a retainer to satisfy some peculiar fetish.
But when the lord returned from suppressing the rebellion, young master Jonas would surely face punishment.
...
Jonas's actions not only stunned the butler and maids, but left Olivia utterly bewildered.
He was making her his retainer? And treating her this way?
For Olivia, who had always suffered insults and degradation, this was the first time she'd experienced respect. Her gaze toward Jonas held complex emotions.
She couldn't understand why Jonas would treat her like this.
She possessed nothing worthy of such treatment.
"I... I..."
Facing the feast before her, Olivia's mouth opened and closed as if in a dream.
She even pinched her thigh instinctively, wincing at the pain.
Though she desperately wanted to devour the food before her, she hesitated to move.
Seeing Olivia's discomfort, Jonas assumed it was due to the audience.
He clapped his hands and ordered.
"Everyone out."
"Young master, be careful - that Albino might harm you."
"Out."
"Yes, sir."
...
Soon, the vast dining hall held only Olivia and Jonas.
"Eat," Jonas said.
Seeing Olivia's dazed expression, he took a bite first.
"Afraid I poisoned it?"
Olivia shook her head rapidly, her silver-white hair making her look rather adorable in her bewilderment.
"N-no..."
Jonas chuckled and stuffed a bread roll into her mouth.
"Mmmph..."
The taste made Olivia's eyes light up, her silver-white ahoge standing straight.
This was the most delicious thing she'd ever eaten!
She immediately began devouring it ravenously.
She wanted to grab the food with her hands, but seeing Jonas eating gracefully with knife and fork,
she clumsily imitated his table manners.
Though awkward, she ate with remarkable speed.
Never having tasted such delicacies, she felt transported to paradise.
Tears welled in her eyes.
Midway through her meal, Olivia suddenly stopped.
Looking at Jonas through teary eyes, she asked:
"Why... why treat me like this?"
She and her sister were like rats who could die in the streets unnoticed. She could hardly imagine receiving such treatment now.
And she'd received what she'd always desired most - respect.
He truly treated her as his retainer.
[Loyalty: 30%]
[Ability enhancement return: Sixfold]
Jonas smiled warmly, taking out a handkerchief to wipe the girl's tears.
"Truthfully, I'm treating you this way because of your exceptional swordsmanship talent.
Later I'll send you to the military's swordsmanship class.
I hope you can develop your talent to become my most capable assistant.
In one month, my father will return.
If you haven't proven your worth by then, I won't be able to protect you.
You and your sister will return to your former circumstances."
"Swordsmanship talent? C-can I really...?" Olivia said uncertainly.
But hearing that Jonas had needs from her actually relieved her.
She feared being worthless and abandoned.
Jonas smiled. "I believe in you. Don't you believe in yourself?"
"Master... no, my lord, I... I will work hard!"