The Lady's Butler: I Reincarnated To Serve The Villainess-Chapter 41: A Reward And A Leash

"Freeze."

Renelle commanded as her eyes glowed.

The moment she did, the snow that had been falling around them suddenly solidified around the creature’s legs, stalling it for just a bit, which was all she needed, because the next second,

CRASH!

A large ice spike was formed from the floor and it pierced straight through the creature’s torso, launching it into the air before slamming it back down, encasing half its body in solid ice.

The creature convulsed, red energy clashing violently against the frost and cracks beginning to form along the frozen surface.

"Freeze," Renelle commanded again and the cracks on the ice mended itself as it completely encased the creature.

Before it had the chance to fight back, she dropped a massive ice bolder on the sculpture, breaking it into bits and finishing the corrupted off.

She silently observed the pieces for a short while before letting out a sigh, and turning around, but not before ordering,

"Would you mind taking care of this mess, Adrian?"

She had noticed that he was here since earlier, but had decided not to step in because she truly wasn’t in danger, and she appreciated that.

He was also the one that had created the shadow barrier so that she could have as much fun with the training dummy as she wanted, without interference from her guards. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"As you wish, my Lady," a second after her words, the butler walked out of the shadows with a small smile on his face as he asked, "but before that, would my Lady reward me for my restraint?"

Renelle stopped in her tracks before turning back to him and asking, "your restraint?"

"Hmm," Adrian nodded, stepping over the frozen remains without a care as he walked towards her, "it took quite a bit of effort not to intervene the moment he placed a blade near your neck."

His smile didn’t change.

"If anything," he added, "I believe I performed exceptionally well."

Renelle thought about it for a second, of course she had sensed his barely restrained killing intent the moment that intruder had gotten close to her.

Still, he stayed put without attacking.

Maybe he truly did deserve a reward for not interrupting her fun, but what would be a fitting reward for her obsessed butler.

Renelle looked at him for a second, observing the expression on his face before sighing, "you said you wanted my love, right?"

She slowly walked towards him, getting so close that he could smell the scent of strawberries coming from her.

"Then I suppose I should start somewhere."

Before he could react, she gently pulled him down just slightly and pressed a soft kiss against his cheek.

Renelle stepped back immediately after, her expression already returning to its usual calm, as if she hadn’t just done something completely out of character.

"...that’s your reward," she said, her tone completely calm.

But if one looked closely, they’d notice that there was the faintest hint of red on her ears, one which was barely noticeable.

"If you want more," she added, turning away from him, "then continue proving your usefulness."

She began walking toward her room, "...consistently."

Even though she was gone, Adrian remained frozen in place, his mind seemingly short-circuited.

His brain seemed to be trying to rationalize the fact that his Renelle had just kissed him.

Well, kissed his cheek, but still.

His fingers slowly rose to his cheek, brushing against the spot she had kissed, as if trying to confirm it hadn’t just been some illusion conjured by his own mind.

"Hah," he let out a small chuckle which soon evolved into low laughter, one which lasted for quite a while.

If anyone saw or heard him right now, they’d think he was going insane or was maybe possessed, fortunately, his shadow barrier was still up, so no one heard or saw him.

Well, almost no one.

«You look like an idiot right now,» Noctis suddenly appeared, looking at its contractor’s expression.

"I know," Adrian said, as he toned his laughter into a chuckle, "but only my Renelle can get me like this."

«....»

It seems Noctis’ contractor was too far gone.

He put his hand back down, as he was now fully convinced that she truly had kissed him.

"I see," he muttered to himself, a large smile appearing on his face, "so this is how you plan to handle me."

Of course he knew what Renelle was doing, she was now convinced that he was completely obsessed with her, so she was using that as a way to keep him by her side.

After all, he was a useful anomaly.

So that kiss was both a reward and a leash wrapped in a single package. Though that was all unnecessary, after all, if she requested it, he’d gladly put on the leash.

"Consistently she said?" He muttered, turned towards the cubes of ice, "then I suppose I’ll have to exceed your expectations, my Lady."

Sending the cubes into the shadow vault, much to Noctis’ annoyance... Though this wasn’t the worst he had put there, after all, there were beast meats inside.

"This would probably keep Alvíss busy for a while," Adrian muttered as he walked towards a direction that wasn’t his room, "but first, let’s deal with a traitor."

***

In one of the servant’s rooms, a certain maid paced around, biting her fingers.

"Damn it, damn it, damn it," she cursed as her worried mind refused to let her sleep.

"R-right, this is the Master’s will," she muttered, turning towards the door, "besides, it’s not like anyone will be harmed."

She was the maid responsible for deliberately leaving a window open, for the intruder, after all, she was one of the Master’s servants.

She was a specially placed maid just like multiple others in all major noble houses and the royal family, and they were responsible for Intel and being an insider when needed.

The maid wasn’t worried about anyone getting harmed, rather she was worried of the after math.

After all, if an investigation was launched, there was a chance that her identity would be discovered and the consequences would be dire.

"Oh, someone was definitely harmed," a voice suddenly snapped her out of her thoughts, causing her to quickly turn around.

Calmly sitting on a chair by the window, lit by the light of the moonlight coming through, was a man she recognized.

The mistress’s newest butler.

Adrian was calmly sat on the chair with one of his legs crossed over the other whilst his right arm rested on the arm rest with his fist on his cheek, his head tilted a bit.

"Y-you?" The maid stuttered out, completely caught off guard by the fact that she hadn’t heard him come in.

"Me," Adrian said with a light smile on his face.

"W-what is the young mistress’s butler doing in my room at this hour?" She asked, as she tried to regain her composure.

Instead of a reply, Adrian just continued looking at her, before letting out a disappointed sigh.

"I was hoping you’d try to reform in this timeline," he muttered, "I guess that was my mistake."

Although briefly, this maid had also appeared in the manhwa during the cult’s arc, revealing herself as one of the spies from the cult, alongside plenty others.

"W-what are you talking about?" The maid nervously let out, a bit confused at his words.

Adrian placed a hand on his chin as he went over the options he could present her with, she could be a double agent, but she wasn’t useful enough to the cult for them to grant her important information.

Besides, he had most of the info on the cult already...well, most except one, but he didn’t worry too much about that, after all, it’d reveal itself soon.

Also, there was a chance that his Renelle might’ve been hurt if she had been any weaker or if she hadn’t handled the corrupted quickly.

"I guess I truly do need to remove you," He then stood up and slowly approached her, causing her to step back, until her back was on the door.

"W-what do you think you’re doing?"

He didn’t reply, instead, there was a small smile on his face as he muttered,

"After all, your actions are unforgivable."