Darkness stepped out of her room, greeted by the bright smile of a red-haired maid standing by the door.
"Oh, you look beautiful as always," the girl said cheerfully. She was Rose, a lively maid and one of the few people who could linger around Darkness without being dismissed. Rose often gossiped, followed Darkness like a shadow, and tried to learn from her—despite Darkness's usual cold demeanor.
"You should get moving, or you'll be punished," Darkness replied flatly, brushing past her.
"You know, I like your cold-but-caring nature," Rose teased, walking alongside her.
"Don't wait for me, Rose. You have a family to support," Darkness said, her words sharp but meaningful. Unlike Darkness, whose status shielded her, Rose couldn't afford to be caught idling. Punishments could come swiftly.
"So, what was today's dream?" Rose asked, determined to break through her icy shell.
"I forgot," Darkness responded plainly, though Rose knew better.
"Come on, you can't hide from me forever!" Rose pouted, but Darkness offered no further reply.
As they reached the kitchen area, the vastness of House Elfred's estate revealed itself. The Elfreds were not just nobles—they were the leaders of the largest merchant guild on the continent, second in influence only to the royal family. The halls buzzed with disciplined activity as seasoned staff bowed respectfully to Darkness while passing by.
She nodded back, her expression indifferent but acknowledging.
Inside the kitchen, Marie, the head maid, was already giving out orders. Darkness approached with Rose in tow.
"Marie, take her to the bathhouse. She's lingering again," Darkness said, giving Rose a gentle push.
"Yes, Lady Darkness," Marie replied, bowing as she led the grumbling Rose away.
"Bye, see you later!" Rose called out shamelessly, waving as she was escorted off. The older staff merely smiled knowingly. This had become a daily routine.
Despite being only a butler by title, Darkness held the third-highest rank and second-highest authority within House Elfred. Among the servants, she was the most respected—and, to many, beloved.
"You've started on breakfast preparations?" she asked the head chef, Ronald.
"Yes, Lady Darkness. Ingredients are ready. Here's what you requested," Ronald replied. The entire kitchen paused momentarily, stealing glances as Darkness approached her personal drawer.
Inside was a curated selection of herbs, spice pastes, rare tea leaves, and handmade confections. Every item was meticulously organized.
"Ronald, you've used the white containers and jams, right?" she asked, retrieving a transparent jar of tea leaves and a dry flower jar.
"Yes, and the herbs and fruits you requested are prepared," Ronald confirmed, as a young apprentice handed her the ingredients quietly.
"Good," Darkness said, taking the earth seeds—a coffee-like ingredient known for its bitter taste and energy-boosting properties.
With a simple hand gesture, the seeds floated into the air, grinding into fine powder as they spun in midair. Simultaneously, she lifted a cup of milk, heating it gently with her other hand. She added the powder, followed by a few drops of refined magic potato extract for sweetness.
All around her, utensils floated, flour hovered in cups, and water swirled midair. Even though this was her daily routine, the grace and precision of her magic left every onlooker in awe.
"Hey, who's she?" a new apprentice whispered.
"You don't know?" another whispered back, half-shocked. "She's Darkness, head butler of Lady Rubina and the most influential person here after the Lord himself. She came here as a stand-in for Lady Rubina, but her knowledge and skills made her indispensable."
"Seriously?"
"She's been trained as a noble, a mage, and a warrior. She could easily serve any royal household, but she chooses to stay here."
"Lads! Focus on your work!" Ronald barked, making them scramble back to their tasks.
While sipping her coffee, Darkness prepared a fluffy omelet and sandwich cookies filled with jam, chocolate, and fruit cream. Her magic handled everything—beating eggs, flipping pans, assembling sweets—all done with her eyes half-closed, her mind calm and detached.
"You always overdo it, Darkness. What am I even supposed to say anymore?" joked Mia, a senior chef.
"I just like good food, so I make more to eat more," Darkness replied, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. Her honesty sparked guilty smiles among the kitchen staff—everyone enjoyed the leftovers.
After finishing her coffee, Darkness took a transparent pot, filled it with water, and added a handful of delicate green flowers. She heated the water with a controlled spell, watching as the flowers bloomed, releasing their color until the pot glowed with a vivid green hue, white petals floating gently.
At that moment, Lilly, a maid assigned to the Lord's chambers, entered with an empty trolley.
"Lilly, take this and remind Lord Elfred to take his medicine," Darkness instructed, pouring the freshly brewed tea into a cup alongside the omelet.
Lilly nodded, bowing as she carefully loaded the tray and left.
Meanwhile, Darkness balanced two trays herself—each filled with food and tea. She carried them effortlessly, moving through the busy halls without disturbing a single item.
Among the servants, Darkness was an idol—not because of her power, but because of her absolute precision and dedication. She wielded magic, yet her mastery over mundane tasks made her unparalleled.
Arriving at an ornate door, she paused.
"Lady Elfred, may I enter?" she asked gently.
Receiving no reply, Darkness sighed and unlocked the door with a simple spell. The room inside was minimalistic in appearance but designed with flawless precision. Every item—from the bed to the side table, from the paintings to the lamps—was chosen with careful thought.
She walked toward the balcony, where a woman stood in the cold morning breeze, her white dress fluttering slightly.
Lady Royalle, a woman of striking beauty with purple eyes and flowing golden hair, stood still, her hand caressing the morning mist.
"Lady Royalle, I told you not to stand in the cold without proper clothes," Darkness said as she approached, wrapping a thick white shawl around her.
"I will listen… if you call me 'Mother'," Royalle responded, turning with a teasing smile as she sat on a chair by the balcony.
"I am a servant now, and my mother resides forever in my heart," Darkness answered calmly.
"It's been over five years since she passed. I am willing to be your mother and fulfill her role," Royalle offered softly.
"You speak like a villain in a tragic tale. Besides, you already have Lady Rubina," Darkness said, placing a tray of sweets and pouring tea for her.
"She never shows love the way you do," Royalle murmured, a rare trace of disdain in her voice.
"I'm not a good person, Lady Royalle. My path is my priority. Emotions are fleeting; only choices remain," Darkness said, picking up the empty trays.
"Can't I be one of your choices?" Royalle whispered, her composure cracking.
"You fear that the prince will turn House Elfred into one of his pawns. You're intelligent, Lady Royalle. But you let your emotions cloud your judgment," Darkness replied as she reached the door.
"So why don't you do something about it?" Royalle's voice trembled with frustration.
"Your daughter is blinded by emotions. You should ensure you're not the same." With that, Darkness closed the door behind her.
Left alone, Royalle sipped her tea, staring into the distance.
"That stubborn girl is more suited to lead this house than my own daughter," she said to herself, the bitterness laced with reluctant admiration.