I Was Reborn as the Female Antagonist's Servant-Chapter 41 – The Lady Tries to Connect

Our footsteps echoed against the red carpet.

My Lady and I walked in unison, with my position slightly behind her.

My Lady was in front of me, fidgeting with her fingers. Her gaze fell downward before she looked back at me.

"...Touji. Is this truly the only way?" she asked. Her tone was slightly weak.

I gave a thin nod. "Yes, My Lady. That is the only method you can attempt right now."

Her gaze dropped back down. "...But I do not think I can do it. It is far too embarrassing..." she confessed. Both of her cheeks flushed red.

I watched her from behind, slightly puzzled by her demeanor. However, it was only natural. Especially since she was just beginning.

I offered a faint smile. "If you do not start now, when do you intend to do it, My Lady? Whether we are capable of something or not, we must first try to do it. So, you must be confident, My Lady! I am certain you can do it," I advised.

Her eyes widened upon hearing my words. Her gaze returned to the front. Confidence once again returned to her face.

A wide smile tugged at her lips. "Very well. I shall try."

Servants began to appear, passing to and fro. They all kept their distance from My Lady. Their cynical glares were directed at one person—My Lady.

I looked toward the lady and gave her a thin smile.

"...My Lady," I called out.

She turned toward me.

I nodded, signaling for her to proceed.

She returned the nod, knowing what she had to do.

My Lady took a short breath. One of her hands clutched her chest. As confidence emanated from her, she began to approach one of the female servants.

The moment My Lady approached, the servant she targeted scanned her surroundings quickly—appearing panicked. And when My Lady stood before her, the servant froze. Her gaze was cast down. Her eyes widened behind her lowered lids.

My Lady fell silent for a moment. Then, she cleared her throat. "...G-good morning..."

The servant My Lady greeted remained silent. Her posture straightened.

She looked directly at the expression of the lady she feared—downcast eyes and blushing cheeks.

She did not respond. She only snapped out of it when the lady looked toward her. She bowed. She returned the lady’s greeting. Then, she simply walked away.

I watched it happen. Although they appeared awkward, I could say this went perfectly.

I scanned the surroundings afterward. The faces of the servants of various genders appeared frozen. I could only offer a small smile. I approached the lady, whose gaze was once again lowered.

My Lady’s face now wore a pout.

I smiled thinly at the sight.

"Let us move on, My Lady! It is only natural for them to be awkward with you, as this is only the first day. In the days to follow, perhaps it will get even better!" I said, encouraging her.

The lady lifted her face. Her gaze was fixed directly on me.

"I-is that true...?" she asked with a somber tone.

I could only smile broadly at the question. "Of course, My Lady!"

Hearing my answer, she smiled. Her face now appeared spirited once again.

"Alright!" she declared.

I watched her from a distance. I smiled again when I saw her like that.

My Lady resumed her stride. I followed behind her once more. Our destination this time was clear—the dining room.

Our feet continued to tread upon the red carpet below. Without realizing it, we had passed through several long corridors. And right in front of us stood a large door, the same door as yesterday.

Our steps halted a moment later. Her gaze was fixed on the door for a while before she looked at me beside her and nodded.

I returned her nod. Then, I stepped forward a few paces. My hands touched the two cold, long handles. I pushed them open with force.

Bit by bit, the interior began to reveal itself. From the rows of windows in the distance, the morning light stretched across the long table in front. The servants on the side were hidden behind shadows. And the Duke sat in the chair reserved for him, with the Head Butler standing nearby.

The Duke looked toward the door where we stood. He observed for a moment, then smiled at one person—his daughter.

"Good morning, Darling," he said softly.

The lady fell silent. She looked toward me with a deathly pale face.

I nodded, calming her down.

She returned my nod. Her gaze went back to the front. She took a long breath, then bowed while lifting her black gown.

"Good morning, Father...," the lady replied gracefully.

The Duke’s eyes widened upon seeing his daughter. He shifted his gaze to the Head Butler beside him in disbelief.

The Head Butler beside him simply nodded, as if confirming that what the Duke saw was reality.

The Duke returned his gaze to his daughter. The Head Butler looked at me from afar, then smiled.

I saw the Head Butler’s expression. I gave a small smile while stroking the back of my neck.

After performing her greeting, the lady resumed her steps.

I closed the door behind us before following her path.

I looked at the servants standing far off. From their gazes, it seemed they could not believe what they were seeing.

I could only smile. That is the expression you should make when looking down on others—though I used to be one of them myself.

Soon, My Lady reached one of the chairs.

I quickly went ahead of her, pulling out a chair near the Duke. The lady approached me. She swallowed hard before sitting in the chair I had pulled out for her.

She straightened the back of her clothes and sat down perfectly.

Her gaze turned toward the person beside her—her father. Her hands trembled slightly. Her heart raced. She gripped her hands tightly, reassuring herself.

"A-are you well, Father?" she asked.

Her father nodded, somewhat stiffly. "Y-yes, I am well. How about you?"

The lady nodded back. "I am well too, Father."

The surrounding air felt strange. The conversation between the two of them was like that of robots.

I cleared my throat, then brought my mouth close to the lady’s ear. I whispered a few things—offering advice—before straightening my posture again.

This should work.

The lady composed herself. She began to discuss something regarding her daily routine. Her father, listening to her, also joined in by sharing his own stories. Their conversation now felt much more alive.

I smiled thinly. It turned out the knowledge I gained from my job in my old world could be used here.

I rubbed the underside of my nose. Fortunate, indeed.

I placed my hands behind my back. Watching them eat while discussing pleasant things felt enjoyable to me. It also reminded me of when both my parents were alive. We spent time at the dining table. And it was very pleasant at the time.

I looked toward My Lady. She no longer seemed to hide her feelings so much. Though it was still a bit awkward.

I smiled thinly. Even if I cannot feel the same thing as My Lady, at least I can see her happy with the family she still has.

Because I had resolved to change the plot of the original novel for the better. At least to allow her and myself to live normally, without having to threaten my own life. Because I am afraid of death.

Time continued to pass. Their conversation went on until only stains remained on My Lady’s and the Duke’s plates. They placed their utensils on their plates.

The napkins that the Head Butler and I had placed on their laps were lifted. As for when I did it, it was when the Head Butler gave me a signal the moment they sat down. He set an example with the Duke that I immediately understood.

The Duke and My Lady folded the napkins before using them to wipe their mouths. After they finished using them, they immediately placed them on the left side of the table—signaling that they had finished eating.

The lady rose from her chair. She lifted both sides of her gown while performing a respectful bow. She smiled at her father.

The Duke only responded with a nod while offering a thin smile.

My lady departed after that. I followed behind her. Her footsteps echoed on the floor and stopped in front of the door.

I moved quickly. My hands already gripped the two cold door handles, then pulled them open.

The doors were wide open. The lady exited first before I followed her. I closed the large doors after we were fully outside.

Once outside, I planned to head straight to the training grounds. I bid farewell to My Lady and turned around, but before I could leave, the lady stopped me.

I turned back toward her.

Her gaze was downcast, hiding her reddened cheeks. "...Thank you. And also, after practice, please meet me in the garden."

I was slightly confused by her request. I wanted to ask, but before I could, My Lady simply walked away while waving her hand at me.

I smiled, watching her gradually disappear down the long corridor.

"It seems I will have to see for myself later what she meant by that," I muttered, then turned around. "But for now, I must focus on training!"