The World's Strongest Butler - Chapter 42

After a while, Flaverick was summoned to the Isfeel family’s office. There, Lemont and Tet were present.

Lemont spoke in a stern tone, “Flaverick, what is the meaning of this?”

There was an anonymous letter sent to them. The contents included Flaverick’s attempt to uncover Alto’s secrets, information about Flaverik’s birth and more.

“Please, wait! Everything written here is definitely a lie! I would never try to threaten Alto-san… It’s just not possible…”

“I’ve got the evidence. Right, Tet?”

“Yes. I investigated as soon as the letter arrived early in the morning. Everything written here is true.”

“That’s… No way!! I… I was just…”

“Flaverick, don’t say anything more… Don’t make me any more uncomfortable,” Lemont said with a sharp gaze, causing Flaverick’s shoulders to jump.

He finally understood what he had done. He had gone after the one person he shouldn’t have angered.

He realized that at last.

“Flaverick-san… Was the story about your mother a lie too?”

It had been mentioned even when he became a merchant, but it didn’t contain a single word about his mother’s death.

“Yes, it’s actually a lie. I had heard that Alto-san was a kind-hearted person, so I thought that if I had such a background, he would surely sympathize…”

Driven by greed, he had deceived and tried to threaten others. It was an unforgivable act.

Especially to Lemont, who cared deeply for Alto, Flaverick’s actions were infuriating. Lemontclenched his fist in apparent anger.

“Flaverick… As a human being…”

“I-I deeply apologize!! Please, forgive me!”

He kneeled down on the spot and pressed his head against the floor.

“Hmph… Unbelievable. Apologizing in that way won’t make me forgive you easily.”

“Well, well, I’m not that angry,” Alto said.

“Alto is too kind! I want to cut this person’s head off right now!”

“Eeek!”

Flaverik’s face turned pale. Alto’s anger was not as intense as his happiness about the situation.

(That letter… Oh, right. So it’s true after all.)

I understood, and I went to Flaverik.

“Flaverick-san, is your mother really okay?”

“Y-Yes, she’s alive.”

“I’m glad. If that past were true, it would be so sad.”

Flaverick’s eyes welled up with tears, and he began to sob.

“Why… Why are you so kind…”

“I suppose because I’ve received kindness from various people.”

I smiled, and he hugged me. Raymon pulled him away and showed his anger.

“The flow seems to be heading toward forgiveness because Alto is kind, but I won’t forgive him!”

“Y-You have my life…! I-I understand! I’ll give you thirty percent ownership of my business, [Eternal Shop]! Please, forgive me for this incident!”

“…Fifty percent.”

“Huh… F-Fifty percent?”

“What’s the matter? Would you prefer ninety percent?”

“F-Fifty percent, please… Ugh…”

Lemonts face twisted with a slightly wicked expression. This small act, while trivial, was significant. The Isfeel family was a noble family, and Lemont was a former prime minister. If they weren’t careful, their business in the capital city might be compromised, or even their entire business within the country.

“Flaverik-san. Actually, I’m planning to open a shop at the orphanage.”

“I heard about that before. You were going to open a shop at the orphanage.”

“If you’re interested, please come take a look.”

“Um… Y-Yes…”

I had learned that people could change. With even the smallest spark, Flaverick could also change too.

You might wonder what what may change from such a thing…

Even so, I’m still hopeful.

I picked up the letter.

I knew for sure.

For years, decades even, I knew her better than anyone.

“This letter… It’s Lady Wenti’s handwriting.”

Even if it was anonymous, I recognized it.

I heard Flaverick’s story and learned that he had met Wenti.

Knowing her whereabouts, I went to see her without hesitation.

“Wenti, are you well?”

Looking closely, she had become thin with an unhealthy complexion. One couldn’t really say she was well.

The place she lived was run-down, and hygiene was poor.

“How did you find this place?”

“Flaverick told me. That anonymous letter… It was from you, wasn’t it?”

“…It wasn’t.”

“But that’s your handwriting.”

“I’m telling you, it’s not.”

“But it was you who…”

She yelled as if having a tantrum, raising her voice.

In the past, I might have been too scared to respond.

But now, this anger was different.

“Because of Alto, my life is a mess! The Rubedo family has fallen, and Papa is still in jail! It’s all your fault! You’re the one to blame! So just disappear from my sight already!”

Finally calming her shouting and taking deep breaths, she said, “Be scared of me, as usual.”

“I’m not scared anymore.”

It was true. Her angry words didn’t affect me anymore.

“Spare me. Like always. Leave.”

“I won’t be scared anymore.”

I truly wasn’t scared.

“Go back now. I don’t have any reason to talk to you anymore… I hate you Alto.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

It was unbelievable.

I confronted her.

“Aren’t you going to apologize?”

I had thought that she had reformed, that she wanted to apologize. She realized that Flaverick was trying to hinder me, so she tried to help me.

I was prepared to forgive her if she apologized.

But she kept trying to send me away.

“I won’t apologize… If I apologize, Alto will forgive me?”

“That’s why you won’t apologize?”

“Yes, that’s right. If I apologize, Alto will forgive me, won’t he?”

I was taken aback.

Of course… She truly wanted to apologize, but she didn’t because she thought her actions were unforgivable…

“Fine then, I’ll forgive you.”

“Wha… Why would you… forgive someone like me?”

It was obvious.

“Lady Wenti is actually a kind person, as I’ve known since long ago.”

Wenti might not remember.

When we were children, Wenti called me ‘family.’

She said I was her family because I grew up with her, even though we weren’t related by blood.

I haven’t forgotten.

If you’re family, it’s natural to forgive each other.

Tears streamed down her face, and she sobbed.

People can change from trivial things.

For a few minutes, Wenti continued to cry.

“Life here is tough, I think. I have a good job for you at my place. Are you interested?”

“Yes, I’ll do it. I don’t have the right to refuse a request from you.”

She said that, though…

It wasn’t the right way to put it, but for now, I thought I needed to save her from this place.

Seeing Wenti embarrassed about crying, I turned away.

“We’re done here. Just go home.”

“Right… Well then, Wenti, I’ll come back.”

When I called her name, she stared at me in astonishment before bursting into tears again.

I left, thinking she should cry alone.

Next to the door, Urk was there.

“Urk… Were you here?”

“I saw you leave the mansion. I heard from Grandfather about what happened, so I knew you were going to see Wenti.”

“Did I make you worry?”

“Somewhat… Did you finish talking?”

He seemed to have heard everything and smiled. I started walking towards him.

“Yes, it’s over. I think I’ve finished everything I need to do in the capital.”

“Alto, you seem brighter.”

Now that he mentioned it, I used to belittle myself when I met Urk… But things have changed.

“Thanks to you, Urk.”

“I see… If I could be of help to you, Alto, I’m glad.”

I felt the same way.

“Well then, let’s go back! To the town where we met!”