The birds are chirping as I open my eyes and sit up in my bed. It has been three weeks since that little incident I caused myself, but I managed to resolve it. Thanks to Lady Remilia, she gave me a light punishment and forgave me for what I had caused.
As I get up from my bed, I simply walk to the bathroom to wash my face and grab my butler outfit. I put it on and start working. This is how I work as a butler. I grab the broom from the cleaning storage room and walk outside to clean the fallen leaves on the ground.
"Good morning, Shun," a girl's voice could be heard behind him as he swept the ground. I turned around to see Sakuya, the elegant and capable chief maid of the Scarlet Devil Mansion. She had silver hair accentuating her composed and refined demeanor.
"Miss Sakuya, good morning," I said, bowing in respect.
She then looked at my hair and smiled. "Stand still," she said as she approached me and combed my hair with her fingers.
Uhm," I looked down at the ground, slightly embarrassed.
"Sorry, there is still bedhead in your hair... Give me a minute," she said.
"Ahh, I'm sorry."
"Don't worry, this is just a simple mistake, but I won't tolerate it next time," she finished combing my hair and slowly walked back inside.
I nodded and continued to sweep the ground. As I swept, I walked towards the gates to clean the fallen leaves, but I noticed that Meiling, the gatekeeper of the Scarlet Devil Mansion, was sleeping.
Normally, Sakuya would check on her to see if she's doing her job properly, but since she's tired, I'll let it slide for now. I nodded and silently swept the ground.
After cleaning the whole area, I headed inside and put the broom down the cleaning storage room.
"Good morning, Shun," I turned around to see Lady Flan, the younger sister of Lady Remilia. She had vibrant blonde hair that flowed freely, matching her playful and energetic nature. Despite her drowsy expression right now, her vivid scarlet eyes sparkled with curiosity and mischief.
I kinda have a bad feeling about this but as a butler, I should calm down. Just don't mention the word "play".
"Good morning, Lady Flan," I bowed and looked at her in return.
"What are we having today?" she asked.
"I do not know, but you can ask Miss Sakuya," I replied.
"Really?"
"That's right!"
"...Shun, you're emitting a bright aura right now."
"Hm? I guess I'm in a good mood?"
"Is that so? Does that mean we can play together after breakfast?" She then smiled at me, her crimson eyes slightly piercing into my soul.
I awkwardly smiled. "I-If you want, I'll play with you after breakfast."
Well... I'm f*cked aren't I? I'm starting to sweat now but I'll make sure to not let her know that. Just say "no or I can't" that's all I need to answer. Turn her down. You can do this Shun!
"Hehe~ Let's play hide and seek later then!"
I put a smile on my face and nodded.
"Alright! I'll go to the dining room now.! Bye-Bye!~" She then walks away with a smile on her face.
"Why the f*ck did I nod?! That's my ticket out! Argh, I'm so dumb! Ugh, I should get to the library and help Lady Patchouli."
I headed to the library as I sulked slightly.
At least I can find peace here, or so I thought. As I entered the library, I could already hear her annoying voice in my mind. I sighed and silently made my way to Lady Patchouli.
"Good morning, Shun!"
"Koakuma..."
"What's with that face of yours? It's like you don't want to see me!"
"Sorry, I don't want to see your mischievous face."
After all, Koakuma always has her mischievous side when it comes to me. She keeps teasing and occasionally pranking me. It can be irritating, but for some reason, I'm not as mad as I should be.
"Where is Lady Patchouli?"
"Hm? She's currently engrossed in her research, I doubt you can disturb her."
"Research? Why?"
"Hmm, I do not know, but let me tell you, as I was cleaning the library, I caught sight of the dagger that once nearly took your life."
I halted and gazed at her in silence. "But that's dangerous."
"Hm? No, no, it's not... at the moment. You should have faith in Miss Patchouli."
"But what if she injures herself?"
"She won't," a voice came from behind as I turned around. Lady Remilia was approaching me with an air of elegance and grace. Her appearance was striking, with flowing scarlet hair that cascaded down her back. Her crimson eyes exuded confidence and a hint of mischievousness.
"L-Lady Remilia!" Koakuma flew down to the ground and bowed before her. I followed suit.
"Now, now, I heard you two talking about Patchy. It's about the dagger, isn't it?" Lady Remilia smirked mischievously.
"Y-Yes, we're sorry that we talked about Lady Patchouli behind her back. I am also sorry for interfering with her research!" Koakuma said, her voice filled with remorse.
I glanced at Koakuma, who appeared on the verge of tears. Silently, I chuckled and cleared my throat. "Lady Remilia, can we intervene and stop Lady Patchouli? I don't want her to get hurt because of that dagger." I bowed once again, making my request.
"As Koakuma said, I doubt you can persuade her to. After all, she is doing it for you," Remilia stated.
"Eh? For me? Why?"
Remilia chuckled. "Shun, you can't shoot bullets, can you? And all you do is evade and run... As the mistress of the Scarlet Devil Mansion, it's a shame that my butler can't fight back. So, I asked Patchy to provide you with a weapon that can shoot bullets. It's a crimson blade, infused with my own blood."
My eyes widened as I closed them, bowing to Remilia once again. "I am truly grateful, Lady Remilia."
"Fufufu~ It's not just that... Now, thanks to that, you can finally fight back in the battle of bullets. Though your gonna need to practice."
"Remi, there you are," Patchouli said as she walked up to Remilia, handing her a small piece of red crystal.
"Is this it?" Remilia asked, examining the crystal closely.
"Yes, it's just a drop of the owner's blood," Patchouli replied.
Remilia and Patchouli glanced at me and nodded. I reciprocated the nod and approached them. Remilia then used her sharp fingernail to make a slight cut on my arm. "Shun, use your blood and pour it into this crystal," she instructed, licking her fingernail afterward.
Does that mean the blade is made from Lady Remilia's blood? It sounds absurd... But at the same time, I am grateful for what she's doing. No, I'm grateful to everyone.
I poured a drop of my blood onto the crystal, and it emitted a bright red light, momentarily blinding all of us. Afterward, the crystal transformed into a magnificent crimson blade. The hilt of the blade had a black and red mixture, adding to its allure.
I looked at Lady Remilia and Lady Patchouli, expressing my gratitude with a bow. "Thank you very much."
Patchouli nodded and began to walk away, but then she paused. "Looking forward to seeing your growth," she said before leaving the library, with Koakuma following behind her.
It was just Lady Remilia and I are left in the library.
"Shun, you know about spell cards, correct?" she asked.
"Yes," I replied.
"Well, you don't really need spell cards, but..." She chuckled and turned around, beginning to walk away.
"Eh? But?" I was left confused as she walked away without finishing her sentence.
The crimson blade transformed back into a small red crystal, resembling a blade sheathed in its scabbard. I carefully placed the crystal in my pocket and made my way to the dining room.
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