WFMW 7

Capter 7

Do Whatever You Want

2024.03.07.

He must have been talking about the second-floor room where I had opened my eyes and woken up. I shook my head.

“You said you’re sensitive to presences. Wouldn’t it bother you if I kept wandering around nearby?”

Cedar tilted his head, as if the question was strange, then casually snapped his fingers and replied.

“Ah, you think that room is near mine? No need to worry. You’re the only one on the second floor.”

“Ah, I see.”

So it really seemed like no one lived in this mansion except the two of us. I nodded cheerfully.

“That makes it even more suitable for me to maintain my suspended state. I won’t disappoint you.”

“What?”

A frown deepened between Cedar’s brows. I ignored it and continued.

“But you’ll still have to tell me where the laundry room and kitchen are. Some people think a mage can live like plankton as long as they have mana.”

“Laundry room? Kitchen? Are you saying you’ll do things yourself?”

“Yes? Then are you going to do them for me? Or would you rather I just stay locked away upstairs?”

“…?”

Cedar blinked wide, clearly not following me. I tilted my head back at him.

“Feels like this conversation keeps going in circles. Does this house really look that desolate to you?”

“Yes.”

At my sharp reply, Cedar’s face twisted. Maybe I’d been too rude, so I waved my hand and added:

“Don’t mind me. I used to do my own laundry and meals at the Academy. Staying up on the second floor is fine.”

“…”

But strangely, his expression only kept getting darker.

‘Maybe I shouldn’t have said that.’

Fidgeting with my fingers, I added another comment.

“I used to live curled up in a tiny lab barely half the size of my room here. This feels plenty spacious. And quiet, since there’s no one around.”

“…How about you just stop talking.”

“Yes.”

So I really was making things worse the more I spoke.

Because I’d spent so much time with jaded old veterans at the Academy, I wasn’t exactly skilled at conversation.

‘Better not talk at all.’

Just as Cedar had said, once I pressed my lips shut, he let out a heavy sigh.

Then, stopping mid-step, he turned back toward me. Running his hand through his hair, he said:

“I didn’t mean for you to lock yourself up. Do I look like some fool who can’t even keep his own people quiet? This house doesn’t get visitors, and only people I trust are here. So relax and live freely.”

“But you said you’re sensitive to presences.”

“I hardly ever come here anyway. I’m busy.”

“Ah, I see.”

So basically, he was telling me I didn’t need to stay locked away on the second floor.

‘Still, he should at least tell me where the kitchen and laundry are.’

I was about to ask again when Cedar gave me a chilling little smile and added:

“If anyone does happen to visit, just hide behind a curtain or something. They won’t be people you’d want to meet.”

“…All right.”

I wanted to ask what kind of visitors he meant, but his expression was too grim.

‘That’s the same face professors make when they hand out weird assignments.’

In other words, it was the look of someone who wanted to smash an enemy’s head in, but had to think up a clever way to screw them over instead.

If he’s a Sword Master, couldn’t he just cut down anyone he doesn’t like?

‘So even at that level, you still have to hold back. Life really isn’t easy.’

Perhaps embarrassed at letting emotion slip, Cedar turned his back and muttered:

“Let’s go eat.”

“Sounds good.”

I was hungry too, so I obediently trailed after him.

Honestly, I’d assumed we’d have to cook ourselves, but when we got to the dining hall, the meal was already laid out.

Still, I felt no presence of anyone around.

‘It’s like some fairy set the table.’

Of course, I knew better. Fairies or spirits were pure concentrations of mana—there’s no way they could fool my eyes.

So, there really was someone preparing the food.

‘Maybe they’re just really shy. That would explain why they never show themselves.’

Back at the Academy, there had been a student so shy he was practically invisible, like a shadow. Maybe the cook here was the same.

When I sat down, Cedar immediately turned and walked out of the dining hall. I half-rose from my seat and called after him.

“You’re not eating with me?”

His silvery-gray eyes looked displeased.

“You eat plenty.”

“All right then.”

It’s not like we were close enough to sit together and laugh over a meal anyway.

After Cedar left, the dining hall was deathly quiet. Even the clink of dishes sounded too loud.

Since I hadn’t eaten in so long, the food scratched its way down my throat uncomfortably.

In the end, I couldn’t even finish half of what was on my plate.

‘Cedar didn’t touch his food, and I left so much behind. Whoever cooked this will be disappointed.’

After a moment of thought, I scribbled a note on a scrap of paper I found in the corner—It was delicious, thank you—and left it on the table before heading out.

Cedar really didn’t seem to spend much time at home. His presence couldn’t be felt anywhere in the mansion.

Left alone, I wandered the second floor, my new living space, deep in thought.

‘This can’t really be the ducal residence.’

If the prestigious Granite family lived in such a small, simple mansion, that would be shocking in its own way.

‘He must have another centuries-old cultural heritage estate somewhere. He probably just lives apart here. Maybe because he’s so sensitive to presences?’

I wondered what it must feel like, being that sensitive—so much that he’d live without attendants. Would he notice people even in his sleep?

‘That would be exhausting.’

Lost in thought, I turned abruptly at the end of the corridor—only to freeze.

A man I’d never seen before was standing there.

He had flame-red hair and a cheerful expression. Bowing politely, he greeted me:

“Greetings, Madam. I am Heil, the one who manages Sir Cedar’s daily life. You can think of me as the butler of this estate.”

So there really was someone managing this mansion! I couldn’t help smiling brightly and bowing back.

“Hello.”

“….”

“Hello?”

But he didn’t respond, even after I greeted him twice.

Puzzled, I snapped my fingers to make a little sound. Only then did he stir slowly and speak.

“Ah, seeing you move in person… it makes me realize you really are awake. Forgive me.”

“I was asleep for quite a while, after all.”

Though truthfully, even I didn’t feel much difference.

Perhaps happy to finally meet me, Heil chattered on:

“When Sir Cedar first ordered meals for two, I thought he simply had a bigger appetite that day. I never dreamed you’d awakened, Madam.”

“The title ‘Madam’ feels strange to me.”

“Ah, naturally, you must still feel that way. Understandable.”

He lowered his gaze sadly, then quickly brightened again.

“But Sir Cedar loves you so dearly. You’ll soon get used to it.”

“…Excuse me?”

“Even while you were asleep, he worried over you constantly and stayed by your side. I’ve served as his disciple for years, but I never knew he had such a romantic side.”

Heil’s eyes sparkled as he went on about a Cedar I’d never seen. I forced a smile.

‘Not a trace of affection in the way he looks at me.’

Still, I had a good idea how Cedar was spinning things publicly.

He must have told people he admired me, and that even when I fell into a comatose state, he insisted on taking responsibility for me.

‘This sounds exactly like something Diana would’ve written.’

Yes, it was just the kind of romantic backstory my little sister would make up.

That she had a talent for writing was one thing, but the fact that she used it to steal my inheritance was just depressing.

“Are you the only one working here, Heil?”

“Yes. A gardener tends the grounds, and a supplier brings food once a week on Wednesdays. That’s it.”

“And they’re all men?”

“Yes, indeed.”

After answering briskly, Heil hesitated and added sheepishly:

“The only reason there’s no maid is because no one expected you to awaken, Madam…”

“That’s fine. I don’t need one.”

“Pardon?”

I wasn’t asking him to hire a maid. Smiling, I explained:

“I looked after myself at the Academy. Just show me where the food is kept and where the laundry’s done, and I’ll manage.”

“That… that wouldn’t be right…”

“Your master didn’t want anyone to know I’ve awakened. If more people start working here, word is bound to spread.”

“Sir Cedar said that?”

He tilted his head in surprise. Since I couldn’t exactly explain, I quickly changed the subject.

“Do you stay here full-time, Heil?”

“No. Sir Cedar commands the Azure Dragon Knights stationed nearby. I stay with them.”

“Ah, so you’re only here because of me. Normally, you’d only be here when he is.”

“That’s correct.”

I gained one more piece of information about Cedar Granite.

He was the powerful heir to the Granite dukedom, a Sword Master—

—and the commander of the Azure Dragon Knights.

‘So he set up house near the order’s garrison.’

If he ate and slept there most of the time anyway, there was no reason for him to spend much time here.