Villain Family’s Strongest Butler

When I picked up that ‘one book,’ I realized it was thicker than my palm—actually, more like several books packed into one.

What was I thinking, boasting about memorizing five or even ten books so easily? I take it all back.

‘This single volume might actually be the size of ten average books.’

I quickly washed up and then sat down to flip through it for real.

It was clear I wouldn’t be sleeping tonight.

The next day.

On the first floor of the Valot Grand Duke’s main building, tucked away in a corner, is the laundry room. It’s a vast space with enormous windows set along one wall, letting natural light spill in. When those windows are open, a cool breeze flows inside, and strong sunlight pours down without restraint.

With its hint of soap in the air and the warmth of daylight, the place smelled clean and bright.

“…Count, are you sure this is her first time doing maid’s work?”

“….”

Ludia, the head maid of this area, wore a baffled look as she directed her question to Norbert. He didn’t say much, only stood there, watching Freya quietly as she worked.

Freya was sorting through the laundry piles according to how they should be washed. The severely stained garments were rinsed separately first, soaping away the worst stains, and then she carefully adjusted water temperatures before doing a full wash. Sure, she had stumbled a bit, struggling to wring out sopping-wet fabrics, but…

“Count.”

Ludia spoke to Norbert in a serious tone.

“You know we’re short on help in this section, right? If you could just hand Freya over to us—”

“There are plenty of other sections in need of extra hands, not just here.”

Norbert refused her outright. Clicking her tongue in mild frustration, Ludia shot a sour look at him.

Norbert rubbed the bridge of his nose. He simply didn’t understand how things had gotten like this.

‘That makes five times now.’

First, there was Terce from the wine cellar, then Patrick from the garden, followed by Walter at the forge and Delson in the stable. Now even the laundry staff wanted Freya to stay with them.

She’d been assigned just a glimpse of each section’s work, but her understanding and know-how seemed beyond ordinary.

“This is Feldeodor wine from the Kingdom of Billedro. It’s famous for its strong tannins and distinctive fruity fragrance—owing to the unique terroir of that region.”
“Waiting—that’s the meaning of Marinhawk’s flower language. This blue, ocean-hued blossom can be used to make medicine, but its dried roots can supposedly become a dangerous toxin.”
“A suit of armor made from Planite ore? I heard it’s hard to mine and tricky to process. It looks like they increased carbon content for extra hardness and durability?”
“This is a well-trained, quality horse. You can see it in their eyes when they’ve been worked with properly. Judging by the gloss of its coat, its nutrition is first-rate. May I try brushing it?”
She said all these things so easily. It wasn’t just parroting facts.

‘She claims to only remember her name, yet that must be a lie.’

Actually, it would be stranger if she truly had no memories at all. How else would she know about wine, gardens, smithing, and stables?

Norbert watched Freya, who was neatly organizing freshly arrived laundry. Ludia, standing beside him, whispered:

“You told her to memorize another book, right? Remember how many academy students ran away when you made them do that kind of thing…”

“….”

“And here I’d assumed she was just a pretty face, but her hands are so nimble. This is the same survivor you found on Teridana Beach?”

“…Yes.”

“Which section are you going to assign her to in the end?”

“….”

Norbert didn’t respond. He already knew where Freya would be placed, but had wanted to give her a little taste of each job around the estate first. He just never expected she’d handle it all so well. On top of that, she drew everyone’s eye with her looks.

‘Except for her limited stamina, she’s nearly perfect in everything else. I guess that explains why she wants more physical training…’

I’d always said, ‘If I’m going to die, I’d rather die on the battlefield.’

That was my mindset when I lived as a knight. Now I’m a maid.

So, if I were to die today, it’d be in… ‘a laundry basket’? I chuckled at the thought.

I’d just emptied the dirty black water from a big wash tub, flipped it upside down to dry, and headed back inside. Meanwhile, all the freshly dried laundry had been brought in from outside. The maids were busy folding everything—myself included. I smoothed out the sheets, sorted them by label, and stored them neatly so people could find what they needed.

“You’re fast with your hands.”

“And you pick things up so quick.”

The maids passing by chipped in little compliments one by one.

‘Really?’

I tilted my head at that but got back to work. For my first day, it felt nothing like the ordeal Norbert had threatened, telling me not to underestimate it.

‘To be honest… it’s kinda fun?’

None of the chores Norbert had me try felt new or challenging, probably because I’d already done these tasks in some form or another.

‘Should I be thanking Serhin for that?’

The Tenasis Empire’s crown prince, Serhin, suffered from severe obsession with cleanliness. As the only one beside him, I’d had to handle all his tasks on my own. His meals, his clothes, his horse, even the littlest flower by his bedside. I was his shadow and his sword, but also his right hand for everything else.

I never hated it or found it annoying; I’d been grateful to repay the man who saved me and taught me swordsmanship.

‘Makes me wonder if, before my lost memories, I’d already been working as a maid.’

Anyway, if being a maid is like this—and if it’s close to the tasks a butler would do—then…

‘I might actually be well-suited for a butler’s role.’

I didn’t care which job I got as long as it brought me closer to my ultimate goal: becoming the Grand Duke’s butler.

Still, I couldn’t help but wish I had more stamina. That was my only problem.

‘So please, not the kitchen. I’d lose all my training time there.’

“Phew…”

I brushed sweat from my forehead and took a deep breath. Ah, the satisfaction of a job well done—so unlike sleepless nights cutting down foes on a battlefield. Sure, it doesn’t compare to the thrill of victory in war, but there’s a small burst of pride in normal, everyday work. It felt different from taking lives.

‘What am I even thinking?’ I laughed under my breath. Anyone would think I’d spent my whole life as a maid.

Anyway. The sun had already started setting. The sky outside the windows was red and hazy, the last glow sinking behind the mountains.

‘Guess we’re wrapping up soon?’

I glanced at Norbert. He was standing by a wall, talking to another maid. From the looks of it, he was planning to call it a day.

‘Does that mean I’ll be assigned here?’

I’d been trying out tasks all over the estate since morning, but I’d stayed the longest in this laundry room. It was definitely better than the kitchen, which sometimes worked past midnight. Here, once the sun goes down and everything’s folded, the day’s done.

Sure enough, Norbert caught my eye and jerked his chin, signaling me over.

“That’s enough for today.”

He was telling me we could clock out. I tidied up the last piece of laundry, then followed him out.

“See you tomorrow!”

“Hope you stay here with us!”

The maids called out as I left. I turned back and gave them a small bow.

‘They’re all so nice.’

I had no reason to suspect I’d face any hostility here. I’d be happy if I got assigned to this area.

Lost in those thoughts, I walked beside Norbert. Suddenly, he halted in front of a certain door.

‘Wait…’

I recognized it: the door to the Grand Duke’s office.

“Your Grace, it’s Norbert. May we come in?”

What? I thought we were done. Why are we at the Grand Duke’s office? And why am I being brought here?

Oh, no…

‘Could this be about the private training ground I asked for…?’

“Enter,” came the voice from behind the door.

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Panicking, I tugged on Norbert’s sleeve.

“Teacher, w-why are we—”

“Shh. Quiet. Just follow me.”

“….”

Damn it.