Surviving As An Obsessive Servant

Well… after all the care he showed me, leaving without a word like this… is kind of rude.To hide the guilt growing in my mind, I spoke even brighter.“I didn’t take it. Actually, herbal medicine doesn’t suit me. Besides, I look really strong, don’t I?”“You don’t look strong at all. Why didn’t you take it? You’re not healthy.”“Uh… Young Master, do I really look weak to you?”I borrowed brother Rimson words, and Young Master’s eyebrows shot up.Since he had such a handsome forehead, even that expression suited him well… but he didn’t look pleased.“No way, that’s not true. I’m totally healthy. Didn’t you know? When you think of health, you think of Lobel. And when you think of Lobel, you think of health.”“…….”“There’s no one healthier than me in all of Denkart. Go ahead and find someone if you can.”It had been a while since I joked around, so I got a little carried away.But it didn’t work.In fact, it seemed to have the opposite effect. Young Master turned his head sharply toward the window. His profile, as perfect as a painting, showed clear irritation.‘Why… is he mad? I didn’t even say anything wrong.’Even in this hot weather, his breath felt like a cold breeze.I flinched but didn’t show it. I had to keep talking no matter what.There really wasn’t much time left… My urgency grew stronger.“They say there’s a silver deer there. Aren’t you excited?”“Not at all.”“Oh… ha. I see. That’s understandable. You don’t have to be excited.”“…….”But unlike my hopes, Young Master didn’t seem to want to talk to me at all.Was it because of overwork? He looked angry for some reason…In the end, I decided to leave.“Um… Should I go now?”Even as I said it, my voice clung to a lingering attachment.But Young Master didn’t stop me.Just looking at his tightly drawn lips, it was clear he was upset.‘…Why is he like this again?’Even as I walked back to my carriage, it kept bothering me.So, when we arrived at the capital, I planned to cheer him up. The whole ride, that was all I thought about.But I never got the chance.As soon as we arrived and I stepped out of the carriage, people swarmed around him, leaving no room to speak.I stepped back and watched him from a distance for a long time.‘…He’s far away.’Among the well-dressed nobles, Young Master smiled—but he felt so distant.Knowing that from now on, the distance between us would only grow made my heart feel even heavier.I tried to listen, hoping to hear his voice at least a little more in the time we had left.But all I heard were whispers from people who resented him.“Wow. He actually showed up? He’s walking, but… can he even hold a crossbow?”“Look at him. He’ll probably catch a squirrel or a rabbit at best. Or go back crying.”I glared at them before realizing—this was a waste of time.I couldn’t afford to be distracted by guys like that.I turned back to Young Master.But he was already at the entrance of the hunting grounds, dressed in riding gear.‘A-Already?’Panic hit me.I hadn’t even gotten to say goodbye.‘Wait… is this really the last time?’Watching his figure grow smaller in the distance, my chest burned.This was the end.The real end.But… I didn’t even get to say a proper farewell.‘…This isn’t right.’Even though I had expected this parting, even though I had prepared for it, this wasn’t how it was supposed to happen.Not like this.If I left things as they were, I knew I’d regret it forever.‘…No way. I can’t accept this!’“Lobel, long time no—”“Sorry, Manel. I’m kind of busy right now.”Manellano, dressed extravagantly today, even with a hat decorated with fancy feathers, greeted me.But I rushed past him.I caught a glimpse of his stunned expression, but I didn’t stop.Instead, I impulsively grabbed brother Rimson’s arm as he was about to follow Young Master.“Brother! Just this once, please! Let me go in with Young Master! Please, I’m begging you!”Even to me, it sounded insane and reckless.Young Master’s attendant had already been decided—it was brother Rimson.Of course, he immediately got mad, telling me not to joke around. He cursed, saying we didn’t have time for this and that he needed to follow Young Master now.Brother Rimson tried to shake me off, but I held on with all my strength.I had always known this parting was inevitable. I had always prepared to leave him.But now that it was actually happening, my selfishness took over.“This is the last time, really… the last time.”Just once more, I wanted to serve Young Master properly as his attendant.Seeing my desperate sincerity, brother Rimson looked at me in disbelief.“It’s already been decided, so how can I just… Hey, Lobel! Are you crazy? You can’t just take that—!”Now!I took advantage of his momentary distraction and snatched the attendant badge from around his neck.He panicked and tried to grab it back.I skillfully dodged through the dense crowd and kept pleading.“There are plenty of knights in there, and I’m a great rider! Just this once, please! Let me serve Young Master. Please, please!”“Are you out of your mind…? If you keep clinging to him even here—”Brother Rimson, swearing in frustration, clutched his forehead.He looked at my desperate expression and demanded an explanation.He couldn’t understand why I was acting so recklessly. Especially since I was usually careful in public settings.But we didn’t have time to talk.Young Master was about to enter.Glancing anxiously between me and Young Master’s direction, brother Rimson swallowed hard.In the end, he gave in to my pleading.“…Damn it, fine! Just go!!”“Brother, you’re the best!”I hurried toward Young Master again, but I suddenly bumped into someone.It was a noble’s attendant who had been standing close to me for a while.Maybe he hadn’t seen me, or maybe he just couldn’t avoid me when I turned so quickly. I quickly apologized.“It’s nothing.”Fortunately, he didn’t seem annoyed or difficult about it.He simply smiled lightly and stepped aside to make room for me.He was a good person. I nodded in thanks and rushed toward Young Master.For a long time, I had always been grateful that my legs, which used to be broken around this time of year, were still fine.But right now, as I ran toward Young Master, I was more grateful than ever.My heart swelled with joy. *****  After the emperor’s speech, the hunting festival officially began.Young Master was about to enter the hunting grounds when he spotted me. His eyes widened, and he quickly gestured for me to go back.But I pretended not to notice, pulling my reins and skillfully positioning myself right beside him.I had driven carts myself before, delivered urgent packages—this much was nothing for me.But Young Master’s gaze turned even sharper.I was worried. It had been a while since I’d seen that expression… but for some reason, I was glad to see it again.My fingers itched as I held the reins, so I wiggled them a little.“What are you doing here instead of going back?”“I had no choice. Brother Rimson got food poisoning.”Of course, Young Master immediately saw through my lie.“Lobel!”But before he could scold me, the loud sound of a horn echoed, signaling the start of the hunt.Behind us, the ground rumbled with the sound of galloping horses, and banners fluttered in the wind.“You know there’s no turning back now, right?”With other participants already pushing forward behind us, there was no time to argue.Young Master shut his eyes tightly, as if holding back frustration, then opened them again and pulled his reins.And just like that, we entered the forest.Though he still wore a sullen expression, he didn’t push me away.It was his way of giving permission.The weather was clear, and the shadows of the trees along the path, once beloved by the old queen, were beautiful and mysterious.Most importantly, it was just the two of us again after a long time.Excited, I moved closer and asked, “What are you planning to hunt?”“The silver deer.”The silver deer was the rarest and most coveted prize of the hunt.It was said to be the most elusive and agile creature in hunting festival history—so much so that just capturing it would guarantee victory.Yet, only a handful of people had ever succeeded in hunting one, including Alexis and the Grand Duke.And Young Master had set his sights on it.He acted uninterested when I mentioned it in the carriage earlier… but I guess not.Was it because of those guys who mocked him?“I’m going to catch it today.”Even spotting a silver deer took at least three to four days, yet he planned to do it in just one.It sounded impossible.I looked at him with concern, but he traced a route across the map with his hand.It was a canyon area stretching through the eastern forest—specifically, the very entrance of the canyon.“If we wait here, it’ll come.”“We’re not going deeper into the forest?”Most reports of silver deer sightings came from the deepest parts of the eastern forest.When I pointed that out, he calmly shook his head.“Silver deer follow a strict cycle when eating Fnen leaves. Those leaves only grow here. It’ll come today, for sure. I… learned this in Count Clant’s lessons.”His slow tone made it sound suspiciously like a lie.I had attended his heir lessons with him—except for recently—and this topic had never come up before.‘…Did he find out through the Deep Tribe’s records?’If that was the case, he wouldn’t admit it.He wouldn’t want to expose his bloodline secrets any further—it would only make him more vulnerable.In the past, he would have told me everything. But now, he didn’t.I understood, but it still made me feel a little sad. So I didn’t press further.Young Master silently prepared his crossbow.He still didn’t spare me a glance.That attitude didn’t change even when we reached the canyon’s entrance.“Lobel. I’m heading in.”He checked the presence of the imperial guards stationed nearby.“You’re not taking me with you?”“Silver deer are sensitive to presence. They can even detect human breathing. It’s better to go alone.”He had a point.I carefully inspected his crossbow, arrows, and homing pigeon, making sure everything was in perfect condition.The crossbow looked heavy for him, but I had already seen him practice shooting birds mid-air before we arrived.He was more than capable.Nothing seemed like a problem—except for the faint darkness lingering in his eyes.But that wasn’t the issue.This was the first time Young Master had ever wanted to obtain something.So I truly hoped he would succeed.And I hoped he would prove those mocking nobles wrong.With that in mind, I smirked and playfully asked, “So, does that mean I’ll get to see a silver deer up close? I’m looking forward to it!”“…Yeah.”I let out a small chuckle as I checked his outfit one last time.Since he was about to leave, I looked him over carefully, adjusting anything that seemed out of place.I was more thorough than when inspecting valuable goods for a merchant.Only when I was completely satisfied did I smile in contentment.And at that moment, our eyes met.“…….”When did he start looking at me like that?Young Master wasn’t avoiding my gaze—he was simply watching me, silently.A fresh breeze rustled through his neatly arranged blonde hair.Yet his light green eyes, illuminated by the sun, remained still.The way he was staring at me—fully, completely—made my face heat up.Maybe it was because of the guilt I had spent so long repenting for.Unable to endure it any longer, I quickly let go of his collar.