LPPID 04

Chapter 4

Chief Butler Porthos

The chief butler of the Estman ducal household—Porthos Moran—was now sixty-eight years old.

He had served the family since the time of the duke’s grandfather, and his presence and words carried tremendous weight within the estate. He was the only person who could openly voice his opinions to the duke himself, and though stern, he was also a man of virtue, deeply trusted by the servants.
However… he was equally well known as someone terrifying when angered.

And right now, he was burning with fury.

(What a pitiful child…)

The small girl standing before him looked utterly wretched.
Her arms and legs were thin and frail. Her long silver hair was unkempt, as if it hadn’t been cared for in a long while. The mourning dress she wore was too large, hanging loosely and untidily around her frame.
The rabbit plushie she clutched so dearly was grimy, with stuffing poking out from a torn seam.

Porthos gazed intently at Safinia.
He did not mean to frighten her, but to the girl, his eyes were terrifying—especially after she had just witnessed him scolding the head maid. For a six-year-old child, it was only natural to tremble in fear.

“Um… excuse me…”

Safinia’s voice quivered as she addressed Porthos, who had been silently staring at her.
Her words snapped him out of his thoughts.

“Ah, forgive me. Then, first of all, allow me to escort you to your father, His Grace the Duke.”

Porthos softened his expression with a smile so as not to scare her further.

“F–Father…? The Duke… does that mean he’s my papa…?”

“Papa…? Yes, that is correct. He is your father.”

As he replied, Porthos thought to himself:

(Good heavens… this child hasn’t even received the most basic education. Then again, it can’t be helped—her mother was only a low-ranking maid, banished to the detached palace.)

“Then… I can meet Papa now?”

Safinia tilted her head. Porthos nodded.

“Yes. Let us go.”

“Okay. Ah—s-sorry. Yes…”

And so, Porthos led Safinia toward the duke’s office, where her father awaited.

＊＊＊

As they walked down the long corridor leading to the office, several servants passed them by. Each one stopped and offered Porthos a respectful bow.
Watching this, Safinia thought:

(This old man… he must be someone important. He even scolded that head maid earlier…)

She looked up at him, staring, until their eyes met.

“Lady Safinia, is something the matter?”

“N–no… nothing.”

Safinia quickly averted her gaze.

“By the way, Lady Safinia—do you know how to greet people?”

Porthos suddenly asked.

“Yes, I do. In the morning you say ‘good morning.’ At noon, ‘hello.’ At night, ‘good evening.’ And before bed, ‘good night,’ right?”

“That’s correct. But… when meeting someone important for the first time, it is better to say: ‘Nice to meet you, my name is Safinia.’ Why don’t we practice that? Also… yes, when answering, it is best to say ‘yes’ or ‘no,’ not ‘uh-huh’ or ‘nuh-uh.’”

From now on, Safinia would have to meet her entire family—and not a single one of them bore her goodwill.
At the very least, Porthos wanted her to learn proper greetings and polite speech.

“Practice…? Right now?”

“Yes, right now.”

Safinia immediately tried the words.

“Nice to meet you, my name is Safinia. …Was that okay?”

“Yes, very well done. Now remember—answer with ‘yes’ or ‘no,’ not ‘uh-huh’ or ‘nuh-uh.’ Understood?”

“Yes.”

She nodded firmly at his instruction.

“Excellent. …Ah, and here we are, in front of the office. I’ll open the door, but don’t forget what we just practiced.”

“Yes.”

Safinia answered nervously.
Satisfied, Porthos nodded, then knocked on the door and called out:

“Milord, I have brought Lady Safinia. With your permission, I shall open the door.”

And with that, Porthos opened it—