The Lady's Butler: I Reincarnated To Serve The Villainess

Chapter 242: The West

The West was just as fantastical as stories described it.

Unlike the South, which was known for summer all year round, and the North, which was known for its eternal winter, the West and the Capital were the only locations known for four seasons.

It was a land where nature constantly reinvented itself.

Spring painted the forests in vibrant greens and fields of blooming wildflowers.

Summer bathed the mountains and valleys beneath warm golden sunlight.

Autumn transformed entire woodlands into seas of crimson, amber, and gold.

Then winter would arrive, covering everything beneath a blanket of pristine white before the cycle began anew.

At the moment, it was autumn, which meant it displayed a beauty different from usual.

"It’s beautiful," Renelle observed as she looked through the car’s window at the forest moving past them.

"Hmm," Adrian nodded in agreement.

The West was exactly as the manhwa had portrayed it, a land of breathtaking beauty. Unlike the other dukedoms, which each specialized in a single type of mana, every known mana affinity could be found here.

That unique blend of mana had shaped the region into the most diverse landscape in Avera.

And unlike other dukedoms, their settlements were not hidden behind large walls, since they believed their Spirit mages competent enough to handle any type of danger that made its way to the dukedom.

The car Renelle and Adrian were in slowly rolled to a stop before a quaint town nestled between towering amber trees.

Since the two were not here for official business, there was no need for them to make their way to the West’s capital.

Unfortunately, their plans of remaining discreet were already ruined the moment they spotted a familiar figure waiting for them.

Linda.

There was a small smile on her face as she spotted the two stepping out of the car, and she immediately approached.

"Welcome to the West," she spoke first.

"How did you know we’d be coming?" Renelle simply asked.

"W-well, our informants—" Linda started only to freeze when she noticed Adrian’s expression, and she nervously swallowed.

"T-they were only located in the capital," she quickly defended, "none were placed in the North."

"Have them removed," Adrian ordered without a single change in his expression, and Linda immediately nodded.

As much as she wanted to keep observing Renelle on her father’s command, she knew exactly how scary her butler could be.

Hell, she even suspected that he was a bit mentally unstable.

She wasn’t wrong.

Adrian’s obsession with keeping Renelle safe bordered on insanity at times.

To him, information was a weapon.

If another dukedom possessed the means to monitor Renelle’s movements, then that meant they also possessed the means to plan around them, and he had no intention of allowing that.

"Understood," Linda answered obediently, "I’ll have every informant recalled by tonight."

Only then did Adrian give a small nod, and the oppressive atmosphere surrounding him instantly disappeared.

Linda secretly let out a sigh of relief.

Out of all her classmates, Adrian was definitely the most terrifying, and she had made a note to herself not to piss him off.

"So..." she quickly changed the subject, "may I ask what brings the two of you to the West?"

"We’re travelling," Renelle answered calmly.

Linda was quite confused at the answer, so she asked, "Just travelling?"

"Yes."

She clearly didn’t believe it; still, she knew better than to pry.

"Very well," Linda said with a polite smile, "father instructed me to offer any assistance you may require while you’re in the West."

"We appreciate the offer," Renelle replied, "but we’ll be leaving town shortly."

"So soon?" For some reason, Linda sounded disappointed, and her expression immediately lit up when Adrian spoke again.

"Since we’re already here, then we might as well meet the Grand Duke," the butler said.

Renelle looked at him for a while before nodding.

Since they were about to enter the dungeon and had no idea how long they would remain inside, Adrian figured he might as well take care of the West’s preparations beforehand.

"Right," Linda let out before adding, "then I’ll lead the—"

"After relaxing," Adrian and Renelle were already walking towards the closest inn, "my lady has had quite the journey."

Linda stared blankly at the two retreating figures.

"...Eh?"

She had already prepared a carriage beforehand, and she was certain that she would be able to convince them to come with her to the main estate, yet they ignored it all.

A helpless smile spread across her face before she hurried after them.

"W-Wait for me!"

***

The inn they entered wasn’t particularly luxurious, but it was undoubtedly the finest establishment in the town.

The moment Renelle stepped inside, conversations gradually died down.

Even without introducing herself, her silver hair and ice-blue eyes made her identity painfully obvious.

"The Ice Empress"

Someone muttered under their breath; the survivors of the dungeon had done quite the heavy lifting in turning her image from the failure of a noble lady to a woman who granted them salvation.

The innkeeper immediately abandoned what he was doing and hurried over.

"L-Lady Renelle!" he greeted nervously before giving a respectful bow, "It is an honor to welcome you to my humble establishment."

"We’re simply here for a meal," Renelle replied gently, "there’s no need to trouble yourself."

"N-Not at all!" The innkeeper practically beamed, "It would be my greatest honor!"

Adrian silently observed the exchange before speaking.

"A private room, if you would."

"Of course! Right this way!"

The innkeeper personally led them upstairs, opening the door to the quietest room in the building before excusing himself to prepare the food.

Linda, whose presence was ignored all this while, followed them into the room.

"..."

"Why are you still here?" Adrian asked.

"W-well, I’m supposed to escort you to the main estate," Linda answered, sounding far less confident than before.

"Then you may do so after my lady has finished resting."

Linda opened her mouth to argue before immediately closing it again, finding no flaw in Adrian’s words.

Renelle had traveled all the way from the North. Stopping for a proper meal before meeting her father was only natural.

"Understood," Linda finally conceded with a defeated sigh.

"Sit with us," Renelle said.

"T-thank you,"

She pulled out a chair and sat down somewhat stiffly, unsure whether she was supposed to speak or remain silent.

The room soon fell into an awkward silence even though Linda had a lot to ask, especially of Renelle.

Renelle wasn’t particularly talkative.

Adrian had no intention of starting a conversation, and Linda was too intimidated by the butler to say anything first.

Fortunately, it wasn’t long before the innkeeper and several waitresses arrived carrying trays of steaming dishes.

The aroma of freshly baked bread, roasted meat, mushroom soup and herb-seasoned vegetables quickly filled the room.

"T-These are our finest specialties," the innkeeper explained nervously as the dishes were arranged on the table. "I hope they suit your tastes."

"They look wonderful," Renelle replied with a gentle smile.

The innkeeper’s face immediately reddened.

"T-Thank you, my lady!"

After bowing several more times, he hurriedly led the staff out of the room, carefully shutting the door behind them.

The three silently enjoyed the meal, and the mood slowly got lighter.

Linda was a bit hesitant at first, but she lifted her head and looked at Renelle for a while.

"Do you have something to say?" Renelle asked, noticing her hesitation.

"Um, if you don’t mind me asking," Linda started, slightly adjusting her glasses, "where are you traveling to?"

Renelle was silent, wondering whether or not to answer, but in the end, she decided to answer anyway, "We’re searching for a dungeon."

"A dungeon?" Linda curiously repeated.

She had been certain that the two were here because they wanted to officiate an agreement between her father and the North, but it seemed she was wrong.

Linda rested her chin on her hand, curiosity only growing.

"A dungeon in the West?" she muttered, "that’s... rather unusual."

"May I ask what kind of dungeon it is?"

"We don’t know," Renelle answered honestly.

"Not even the rank?"

She shook her head, "No."

Linda frowned.

They were going into a dungeon that nothing was known about? Either that was a newly formed dungeon, or it was a hidden one.

Since their Spirit mages hadn’t reported the formation of any new dungeon, then that meant it was a hidden dungeon.

And if these two were headed towards it, then that meant it possessed something valuable.

"May I accompany you two to this dungeon?" Linda asked, hopeful that they’d say yes.

Unfortunately, the butler burst her bubble, "No."

"As the daughter of a Grand Duke," Adrian calmly said, "if anything were to happen to you while we were in the dungeon then your father would hold the North responsible, whether the decision to go was yours or not."

She wanted to argue, but couldn’t, after all, he was right.

Linda then leaned back with a sigh, before continuing with her meal.

***

The meal lasted a while longer but they were soon done and Adrian immediately turned towards Linda.

"Lead the way."