Im both a watchdog and helper for you, Princess.


    So?


    So please use me more often. Im pretty decent at my job.


    Vi squinted her eyes.


    Are you sure youre capable enough?


    Of course, I know.


    It was mentioned several times in the novel.


    There are at least three descriptions that describe Xenon as a very good butler.


    Few people have been portrayed as someone dedicated to their work.


    Ive shown you an ugly side of me, so I have to disagree that Impetent. Arent I?


    But it is better than iming to be ipetent.


    Vi nodded and said.


    Youve made two mistakes, so youll have to do better.


    Of course.


    Xenon bent down.


    Xenons at your service, master.


    Vi secretly studied Xenons face.


    Ive heard that hes quick-witted since he was young, and Ive already read the novels.


    You must be itching to ask.


    I noticed that he was barely holding back his curiosity.


    Ask me questions. But make sure it is worth it.


    Really?


    You look like youre dying to ask.


    Am I that transparent with my expression?


    Yes.


    Xenon scratched his cheek gently.


    He smiled but kept his eyes to mine.


    Is it insight or out of tact?


    Naturally, Xenon could not have imagined that Vi had read the novel.


    I understand youre quick-witted because you grew up in a poor family, but


    For now, he concluded that she was quick to adapt and asked.


    Why did you allow Prince Vixen to hug you?


    The original answer was, I dont think its your business.


    Vi grinned.


    Its none of your business.


    I guess youre right.


    Arin adapted the answer a little differently.


    She chose a better reply than the original Vi.


    Hmm, it was a good way to analyze his body shape. Its also easy to identify weak areas. When one holds a sword, you can measure the length of their arms, the bodys mobility, and where the muscture has developed by touching the muscles. So, thats why I allowed him to hug me.


    Xenon lost his words for a moment.


    He was told that shes just a seven years old girl from the slums without any education.


    If she wasnt taught, it must be out of natural instinct.


    Xenon replied, concealing his embarrassment.


    Thats why you allowed Prince Vixen to hug you?


    Do you think thats a problem?


    The problem isnot that.


    Xenon felt as if he had been hit on the head.


    Shes great.


    He admired her frankly.


    It might be an answer that anyone can say, but it couldnt be the answer from the girl who had only arrived at the Verratoux family three days ago.


    Xenon approached Vi and knelt on one knee.


    I dont have anything to say because you are absolutely right. To be honest, I didnt expect you to pay attention to that extent.


    Its not a problem. You have great confidence, Princess. Xenon said while taking someone out of his front pocket.


    It was a small knife.


    Vi is a little surprised. But she didnt let it show on her face.


    Xenon tended to the protruding stitches near Vis sleeve.


    It was a very gentle and delicate touch.


    He wasnt like this in the original? Xenon is a little more affectionate than the original story.


    I will report to the Duke.


    Go, do your job.


    But I will also let the Princess know about it as well.


    Xenon took a piece of paper out from his arms.


    It looked like a report.


    This was also not mentioned in the original book.


    [ It is apparent that the necessary skills needed to be the absolute ruler of Winter Castle are there.


    There is also an instinctive desire and ambition for the absolute.


    She has a necessary madness for Verratoux.


    We also have the ability to control the madness. ]


    Indeed, she did better than she thought. However, the content of the report is a little strange. An instinctive desire for domination?


    Ambition?


    Why are you showing this to me?


    She added, You didnt have to show this to me.


    I have seen enough of your qualities and talents. As you intended, you fully proved your qualifications during your meeting with Prince Vixen.


    So I will do my best to make you be the next Duke.


    You wanted to stay as a princess, dont you?


    No.


    I dont intend to be a Princess forever.


    First of all, my goal is to survive.


    My n is to give the sessor title to the first Princess.


    And I want to live as the human Vi, not a murder machine or a princess who is ten-thousand years old.


    Please!


    There is an indescribable earnestness in his eyes.


    I can read it. The desperation in your eyes.


    Its not out of desperation!


    Its been a while since Ive seen those eyes you have.


    Ill try, Princess.


    This gave me a terrible headache. But I decided to do what I need to for now.


    Get a family tree. The more detailed, the better.


    A stormy day has passed.


    The meeting with Vixen was hectic. Though the conversation with Xenon seemed to have gone well, still she is afraid.


    Phew.


    Arin made up her mind after deep thinking?


    I need to survive.


    You have to prove your ability.


    You should not be a shameful Princess in Verratoux.


    The moment when you show an unbing image, you will be removed without a single rat or bird noticing.


    Phew.


    I dont know how many times I sighed today.


    I decided what I have to do now.


    I guess Vixen is getting whipped by now.


    It was mentioned in the novel.


    Vixen, how did you see her?


    It was fun.


    Duchess Isabe lifted the whip.


    The whip was made from a thin Isi wood. Ironically, Isi means to be love in the southernnguage.


    [T/N: Context came to the word Ai, which means love in Nihongo or Japanese]


    Just like a horse getting whipped.


    Shes your enemy. How can you be so lenient towards your enemies?


    Lenient?


    You have to trample them.


    I understand, but why?


    Because it is wrong.


    What did I do wrong?


    You have to be scolded.


    You know it well. Youre going to get the cane, right, my son?


    Vixen knelt silently and prepared to be whipped.


    He silently endures the punishment from his mother, Duchess Isabe.


    Why are you crying? Does a Verratoux show tears?


    Mothers hands are bleeding.


    The bark of an Isi tree causes chemical reactions when it touches human skin.


    In some cases, severe burns would stay on Duchess Isabes skin.


    Duchess Isabe is always burned when she whips.


    Vixen didnt feel hurt due to him being hit.


    However, it is painful to see his mothers hand.


    Dont be weak.


    If he were a normal child, he wouldnt have been punished, but he took the punishment silently every time.


    He will then return to his daily routine in a day or two with superhuman resilience. That was stated in the novel.


    I have to get Vixen by my side, she thought.


    Vixen is not the only one.


    If she can, she should get everyone on her side.


    The blue moonlight slipped past the window.


    I pped my hands.


    Xenon.


    Then, after a while, the door opened, and her butler hade in.


    I have a ce I need to go. Guide me.


    At this hour?


    Xenon was the same as usual. The sudden call at 1 a.m.. was not a disturbance for him at all.


    Yes.


    Where do you want to go?


    Vixens Room.


    Xenons eyes turned to Vi.


    Prince Vixen must be having a hard time right now.


    Its not because the cane hurts, but rather the fact he got scolded by his mother for doing something wrong.


    His moms hands were rough because of him, and its all his fault. He would think he is a bad kid and mes himself.


    I know.


    You know?


    Xenons eyes narrowed.


    How do you know?


    Ive seen family rtionships.


    Before Xenon further doubts, Vi continued.


    If I were the third female lion in this family, I would also scold my son for visiting an enemy first, especially since Im not pure blood. Duchess Isabe is from the family Qualton Family, so her hand must hurt a lot. Vixen would be down and groaning as well from the terrible discipline.


    Aha. So youre nning to stab Prince Vixen?


    Xenon slipped out a dagger.


    There was a purple liquid on the de. It was just in poison.


    You think I would do that? Ive already learned about the absolutew.


    However, in Winter Castle, violence or murder is not allowed. Except for the preceding Duke.


    All children under the age of ten till two are protected.


    If I kill Vixen, whos wounded now, you will be executed for failing to guide me.


    That could be a problem.


    I dont want my butler dead either.


    Even Arin, who became Vi, needed Xenon.


    Why?


    I didnt think he would be asking me, Why?


    Vi is a little embarrassed.


    You are necessary for Vi Verratoux.


    Because I need you, I didnt know how else I could say it. I said it with my full name as if Im talking about someone else. It was a habit as a reader.


    Xenon went silent for a moment. He was necessary for Vi.


    Xenon had goosebumps for a moment. That word holds a lot of implications.


    You dont have to point out for Verratoux.


    The little girl seemed to have a good grasp of her role and position here.


    I didnt notice.


    She wasnt just a quick-witted slum girl.


    Though, he couldnt exin it by just looking at her.


    This is


    It was an amazing insight.


    Xenon smiled meaningfully.


    I feel encouraged to hear that Im needed for the Verratoux.


    He bent down.


    Please continue to use me as your butler.


    Very well.


    Arin couldnt rx. Xenon is a faithful butler for Vi, but he did not serve Vi from the beginning to the second half.


    Vi constantly tests and determines whether he is the right person to serve her.


    This line also existed in the original story.


    If she didnt fit in with Verratoux, I would probably have killed myself andmemorated her neck as a keepsake.


    In the second half of the novel, Xenon, who became very close to Vi, said it jokingly.


    But Han Arin, who was a reader knows, more than half of the words he said were sincere.


    So, I decided to be careful. It doesnt hurt to be a bit cautious, anyway.


    This way.


    I walked along the long hallway while climbing some stairs as well. The mansion is massive, so it took quite a long time to walk around.


    This is the fifth Prince, Vixens room.


    Well done.


    I took a deep breath.


    If I open this door, I will be able to see Vixen in a poor state.


    Open the door.


    Without knocking?


    Yes.


    All right.


    1 a.m.


    It was tranquil.


    Not a sound was heard.


    Creak


    Quietly, they opened the door.


    When Xenon opened the door, she felt a strange and heterogeneous atmosphere and a smell.


    The bitter smell that I thought would only be experienced inside the novel was in my head, but now the ominous scent that was straight from the book had stung my nose.