The next day, I didn’t see Kalz at all while I worked. He was probably avoiding me on purpose, but I didn’t bother looking for him. After all—
“Thanks for the meal.”
“…Eat.”
—we’d still end up seeing each other at dinner. If he’d skipped the meal too, then I might’ve gone looking for him in his room.
The only sounds in the room were the occasional clinks of cutlery, filling the silence where conversation should’ve been.
Kalz kept stealing glances at me the entire time, but didn’t say a word. Look at him—like he’s wondering if everything that happened last night was just a dream. That dumbfounded face of his is too cute for words.
The moment I took a spoonful of the pudding served for dessert, he finally, cautiously, opened his mouth.
“About last night…”
“What, the part where I said I liked you?”
“So it was… real?”
His eyes trembled like an earthquake had hit as the realization sank in. I smiled nonchalantly and popped the pudding into my mouth.
“Why do you look so shocked? You really didn’t pick up on anything?”
“Well…”
“I already knew. That you like me too.”
“……!”
Kalz flinched like he’d just been zapped and started stammering.
“W-What are you talking about? Who said that? Just so you know, most of what Butler Squawk says is nonsense—don’t take him seriously.”
“But he didn’t say anything. The fact that you immediately blamed him just tells me you two must talk about me pretty often.”
“……!”
He must’ve realized he’d just stepped on his own tail, because he suddenly got flustered and his whiskers twitched nervously. Poor thing—he was too pitiful to tease any further.
“No need to get all worked up. I’m just telling you how I feel. What you do with your feelings is up to you. Of course, in the end, we’ll break the curse together and live happily ever after—just the two of us.”
“...‘Happily ever after’? You really say the most ridiculous things.”
“Well, now that everything’s out in the open, there’s no point holding back. So just act like your usual self—I will too. And don’t worry, I’m not expecting you to suddenly grovel just because I confessed. I’m not some jerk who’d look down on someone just because they have feelings for me.”
“I’ve never once thought that, so don’t go putting words in my mouth.”
“Good to know.”
I kept pushing without letting up, but never once tried to force a response out of him. Eventually, Kalz sighed and finally spoke up.
“I’m sorry, but if you’re hoping for some happy future with me, you should stop. It’s pointless.”
“Why would it be pointless? I like you, and you like me.”
“Like I said, I never said that.”
“There you go again, resisting for no reason. Don’t worry—you’ll admit it eventually.”
After hearing me say “you like me too” over and over, Kalz finally let out a laugh. It wasn’t exactly out of amusement—more like he was completely exasperated.
“Seriously… where does that confidence even come from?”
“Hmm… maybe my looks?”
I propped my chin up with both hands and gave him my most radiant smile. And there it was—he nodded without even realizing it.
See? He’s almost there.
I bit down on my lip to hold back a laugh. When Kalz realized what he’d just done, his ears turned red, and he shot up from his seat.
“I’ll head in first. I’m tired—need to turn in early.”
Watching Kalz leave the dining room, rubbing his forehead like he had a headache, I couldn’t help but chuckle under my breath. Go ahead, agonize over it all you want. I’ve walked that road too, you know.
Just picturing him tossing and turning all night because of me had me humming with glee. I was about to dig into the rest of my pudding, humming to myself when—
Ahem.
A deliberate cough echoed from the doorway. I looked up, startled, to see Butler Squawk standing there, eyeing me from across the room. What the—? How long had he been standing there? Wait… don’t tell me he heard everything?
My blood ran cold as I remembered just how bold that conversation had been. I’d laid it on thick for Kalz, sure—but the idea that someone else might’ve overheard? Absolutely mortifying.
I ducked my head, cheeks burning, and kept shoveling pudding into my mouth like it was a lifeline. That’s when a deep, even voice broke the silence.
“Briel, if you’re finished with your meal, may I have a word?”
My heart dropped. So he had heard.
I stood up immediately and answered politely.
“Yes, sir.”
Whatever he had to say, it probably wasn’t going to be good. What kind of butler would be thrilled about a male servant throwing himself at his master?
But there was no backing out now. If Butler Squawk turned cold toward me because of this, I’d accept the consequences.
Only… what I got wasn’t condemnation. It was something else entirely.
“You know, Briel,” he said gently, “this butler is always on your side.”
“…Huh?”
Still standing at the table, he reached out and placed both wings lightly over my hands, his eyes glistening with sincerity.
“If ever you need my help, please don’t hesitate to ask. I may be limited in what I can do, but I’ll support you however I can—body, heart, and soul.”
“You’re… offering to help? Not stop me?”
“Stop you? Never. On the contrary, I hope you won’t give up. Please—win our master’s heart.”
“Ah… I-I’ll do my best…?”
The words spilled out before I could really think, and Butler Squawk smiled, clearly satisfied. I was relieved not to be scolded—but at the same time, the sudden cheer squad energy was a little overwhelming. Still, having someone that close to Kalz rooting for me? That was huge.
And he wasn’t the only one.
“Hahaha, Briel! Have you seen the snowdrops blooming in the garden? Feel free to take a bundle if you want. They smell lovely—perfect for a gift.”
“Sweetie, isn’t it time for a proper spring outfit? I was just about to sew something for the young master—matching designs might be fun! Not that I’m biased, of course. It’s just easier that way.”
“Hey, Bell… if something’s on your mind, you know you can always talk to me, right? We’re friends, aren’t we? Oh, and do you need any safflower seed oil?”
They didn’t say anything outright, but it was clear from the change in tone—the rumor had already made its rounds inside the castle. The looks they gave me, the slight extra warmth in their voices… it was all quiet encouragement.
Embarrassing? Hugely. But more than that, it felt… good. Being supported like this—it meant they cared about me. It meant they accepted me.
Briel’s first workplace romance?
A smashing success.
***
It had been a while since I’d sat down for paperwork with Butler Squawk. That day, he shared a curious little story.
“A mysterious spring?”
“Yes. It’s an old rumor. They say there’s a very special spring hidden somewhere in the mountains near here.”
“Special how?”
“For one, it doesn’t taste like ordinary water. People say when you drink it, it fizzes on your tongue and leaves behind a sharp, tingling flavor.”
“Fizzes? So it’s like carbonated water?”
A natural spring that produced carbonated water? That was pretty cool. But “mystical” might’ve been a stretch. It’s not like carbonation doesn’t exist in this world.
Butler Squawk caught the doubt on my face and chuckled softly.
“Ah, but the real intrigue lies beyond that. Rumor has it, drinking from that spring makes your skin look ten years younger.”
“Wait—like, beauty benefits?”
“Indeed. And not just cosmetic ones. They say it has medicinal properties too—old scars healing, even hair growing back in places where it had fallen out.”
“Okay, now that just sounds like a fairy tale.”
Seriously, if it actually helped with hair loss, there’s no way it would’ve stayed under the radar. The place would’ve been swarming with bald men from all over the Empire.
I was ready to laugh it off, but Butler Squawk’s expression didn’t budge.
“I wouldn’t be saying this if it were just baseless gossip. Years ago, plenty of travelers came in search of that spring. Some even found it and brought back water. The effects may be exaggerated, sure—but the spring itself? It’s no myth.”
“Seriously?”
If that spring was real… this could be a goldmine. If it could be bottled and sold, we’d be looking at a business empire. Or better yet—make it an exclusive product sold only through our merchant guild. The rarity would drive up the price instantly.
Suddenly, the entrepreneur in me was buzzing.
