Ree was busy helping on the kitchen when the dreaded news reached his ears.
Young Master Cale Henituse' entourage has arrived.
It felt like the cogs in his head halted abruptly at that time. Refusing to register the news he just heard. No, actually, everyone in the mansion felt their hearts dropped right at that moment. Everyone simultaneously stopped moving, frozen in place.
Then, as if a switch have been flipped, everyone working in the mansion assembled themselves in front of the gates in an orderly manner. Aside from the few who couldn't really leave their works, like those working in the kitchen.
"You all should stay here in the kitchen. Just continue with your jobs here or go help the others."
The old Head Butler instructed the newly hired servants. They all simply nodded their heads and stayed behind as everyone else prepared to welcome the Young Master.
Ree, who was among the group, was absolutely happy to hear such an instruction. Not that he didn't want to see how Cale looked like in person, but he would rather not meet those vicious people around the red-head.
Not now at least. He still wasn't mentally prepared.
'I'll probably meet them later tho. Since Beacrox will surely be in charge of the kitchen while Ron will be in charge of the other servants serving Cale.'
Ree thought as he headed back inside kitchen. Even tho he hated doing chores, he couldn't deny that he was extremely good at it. Specially cleaning and cooking.
Blame his lazy siblings who would never do any of it. In the end, all the household chores was added to his responsibility.
Ree was expertly cutting some vegetables while assisting the chef in cooking when he heard a rather attractive voice in the doorway of the kitchen.
"I am here to prepare the young master's food."
Ree cast a side glance at the owner of the voice. It was a handsome man with a neatly styled black hair. The man didn't look familiar to him, so Ree decided to just casually ignore him and focus on his job.
He put the evenly sliced vegetables on the huge pot before facing the sizzling pan he prepared earlier. His movements were swift and precise. But, even when he was focusing on his work, he could still hear the conversation going on behind him.
"Ahh, yes. Actually, we already started preparing the foods. But you're free to take charge if you want."
The head chef in the mansion, who Ree was quite close to, said. Of course, Ree didn't turn to look at them. As his hands were still busy with cooking.
Finally, the stake he was preparing, as well as the salad, were done. All that's left was some finishing touches and it would be ready to serve. Seeing this, Ree decided to report to the head chef.
"Sir, I'm done with the stake and salad. What's next?"
Ree finally turned his gaze to the head chef's direction. His full attention now on the man standing meters away from the kitchen counter. Unintentionally ignoring the black haired man standing in front of the chef.
The head chef, who was previously having a conversation with the new comer, heard Ree's polite voice and decided to excuse himself to the black haired man. Similarly, the black haired man's attention shifted toward Ree as well.
"You really are good at everything, Ree. Here, let me try that one you cooked. After this, you can go and take a break."
Hearing the word "break" coming from the head chef's mouth, Ree felt blissful. Still, he maintained his usual polite expression and just nod slightly in response.
The head chef, along with the black haired man who Ree still didn't notice was there, moved closer to the two plates of cooked food that Ree prepared.
Both dishes were releasing a fragrant and appetizing smell. It looked really delicious as well. The chef tried a piece from both plates and nodded in satisfaction.
"It's good. As usual. Good job Ree!"
The chef praised Ree while patting his shoulder. The said man, however, didn't really care. He didn't need the praise, what he wanted to receive was the break that the chef promised him.
Meanwhile, there was someone else there that both the chef and Ree unintentionally forgot about. The man looked curiously at the brown haired butler named "Ree". He then shifted his gaze to the food at the counter.
Seeing as the two have forgotten about his existence, the man moved closer to the dishes. He could practically tell it's taste based alone on the appetizing aroma it emitted. He took a clean fork and proceeded to taste both dishes.
The moment he put it inside his mouth, he couldn't help but froze. The delicious and savory taste of the meat, as well as the slight crunchiness of the fresh vegetables that blends with its dressing, wrapped his taste buds. Both dishes were cooked and seasoned perfectly. The man nodded in satisfaction as well.
"It's delicious."
Hearing the unexpected praise coming from such an attractive voice, Ree couldn't help but turn toward the speaker. The man, who he unintentionally forgot about, was holding a fork while slowly chewing the food in his mouth.
Now that Ree's attention was undivided, he can finally observed the man fully. He was a handsome, neat looking man with black hair. Wearing a chef's uniform and a pair of white gloves.
And he looked absolutely unfamiliar yet familiar at the same time.
'Let's see, black hair, a chef, wearing gloves, super neat and clean...'
The more he list the black haired man's characteristics, the more Ree felt an ominous feeling coming from the back of his mind. Ree's eyes involuntarily widen when he realized something.
"What the hell..."
Ree accidentally said out loud.
The man in front of him, if Ree wasn't mistaken, was none other than the next Molan patriarch. Beacrox Molan.
Realizing the he accidentally blurted that out loud, Ree immediately covered his mouth with both of his hand. Both the head chef and Beacrox was looking at Ree with a questioning look.
'F*ck. I f*cked up.'
Actually, Ree wasn't afraid of the Molan duo. He just thought it was absolutely annoying to be around them so he'd rather stay away. But it seemed kinda impossible to do that now.
Seeing as the man was still looking at him with a weird expression, Ree immediately faked an embarrassed expression. He coughed awkwardly and plastered his usual polite smile on his face.
"Ahh, sorry about that. I didn't expect to be complimented by someone else so suddenly so I was a bit taken aback."
Ree said in his usual calm and polite voice. With just a tiny bit of embarrassment mixed in. In the inside, however, he was repeatedly beating himself while shouting curses.
Fortunately, he was a freaking good actor and an experienced liar. This little bit of acting wasn't really much.
The head chef, who was just watching at the side, finally interjected after noticing the awkward atmosphere.
"Ahem. Well, you're free to go Ree. Wait 'till the head butler comes back and call you and the others."
Ree looked back and forth between the head chef and Beacrox before nodding awkwardly. He was about to leave when the silent chef suddenly spoke.
"I'm Beacrox Molan. I'm the chef Young Master brought from the Henituse Territory."
Ree turned toward Beacrox, who introduced himself out of the blue. He gave him a polite smile and bowed slightly.
"The name's Ree. I am actually a newly hired butler in the mansion. It was nice to meet you, Molan-nim."
With that, along with a wildly beating heart, Ree swiftly left the kitchen. Almost breaking into a run as soon as the kitchen doorway was out of sight.
He hurried around the corner and leaned in the wall for a bit. He clutched the cloth right above his racing heart while catching his breath.
'How... How can someone be that handsome?!'
In Ree's past life, he haven't met anyone too handsome or beautiful. Everyone around him was considered either average or above average.
'If Beacrox is already that handsome then what about the other characters? At this rate, won't I die of heart attack if I met Eruhaben?!'
Now, Ree was absolutely tempted to join Cale's crew. If it meant seeing those beautiful faces every day then all trouble would be worth it.
Well, it probably would bring more work for him. And it would be quite the trouble. But it wasn't like he'll die or anything. Look at butler Hans for example.
Still, it was nothing but tempting thoughts. Ree didn't really plan on putting it in action. Although he was attracted to beauty, nothing beats living a leisure life.
It took a while before Ree managed to calm his rapidly beating heart. He took a deep breath before patting his chest three times, as if assuring himself.
"Hmm. I need fresh air."
Ree whispered to himself. He then proceeded to walk towards the favorite resting spot of the servants in the mansion. It was a big outdoor garden which honestly looked more like a little forest.
~
Ree was currently laying under a big tree in the garden behind the mansion, sleeping. Using both of his hands as a pillow supporting his head, the brown haired butler's posture was that of ultimate relaxation.
That's how he looked when a certain old man in a butler uniform happened to see him. The young looking brown haired man in a similar butler uniform was unknowingly surrounded by small animals while sleeping peacefully.
The scene looked like a painting that came to life. The harmony of nature and the man was really something. It was both fascinating and weird.
The old man stood there for a minute, observing the peacefully sleeping man, before continuing on his way. Meanwhile, the sleeping Ree was still unaware of the unwanted attention he unintentionally got.
By the time Ree woke up, not much time had passed. The first thing the butler noticed upon waking up were the animals surrounding him, sleeping by his side.
'What the hell... I look like a druid or a dryad that you see on stories. Better yet, a male version of snow white.'
There were several small animals like squirrels and birds sleeping beside him. And Ree really wished that no one came to see him in such a state.
Ree didn't dally on the garden anymore. He immediately stood up and dust himself, making sure he was presentable. Next, he looked at his pocket watch to confirm the time.
'I slept for an hour. Choi Han would probably arrived at the estate any minute now.'
With that, Ree hurriedly walked towards the dining area for the workers in the mansion. But when he arrived, the place was already packed with people.
Several men he wasn't familiar with are seated in. And based on their builds, Ree guess that they're knights.
'Cale's convoy.'
That was the first thing Ree thought of. Well, it was none of his business so he carried along inside.
But just before he could fully step in, a loud voice already called out for him.
"Ree! Come meet one of my friends!"
Ree turned towards at the direction of the shout and wasn't surprised to see a certain green haired butler waving at him. Mat, who was seated with a group of knights, was smiling while hurriedly waving at his direction.
Although he wanted to, Ree couldn't possibly ignore Mat. After all, that was tantamount to being a rude as*hole.
So Ree immediately plastered his usual polite smile before making his way to their table. Although the place was packed, it wasn't rowdy.
In fact, most people eating or sitting inside were well disciplined. Still, Ree could feel the friendliness in the atmosphere.
"Ree, this is Vice Captain Hilsman. He's from the Henituse Territory and is in charge of guarding Young Master Cale."
Mat pointed at one of the knights seated with them. He has a friendly and approachable aura that made him seems easier to talk to.
But of course Ree was already well aware of who he is. Still, he nodded and smiled politely at them with a slight bow.
"Oh. Then you guys must be really strong to be appointed as the Young Master's guard."
Ree was, in all sense, flattering them. Impression was important in all social occasions. What's more, they are Cale's guard.
"Ahh, not really. We're just stronger than avarage. No big deal!"
Hilsman, or should Ree say the Vice Captain, said while blushing slightly. This was immediately noticed by Ree.
'He's weak to compliments. Noted.'
Ree was contemplating whether he should compliment them more or not when a certain conversation caught his attention. It was between the maids he usually saw gossiping before.
"I really wish that Young Master Cale didn't carry his trash ways all the way here in the capital. Or else..."
"Hah. He probably won't. Hopefully."
"I heard he was the trashiest of trash. What if he really did something or cause a commotion?"
Ree's smile stiffened slightly upon eavesdropping. If he, a simple butler, can hear their conversation, then what more this trained knights on the table.
Surely enough, he could feel the temperature abruptly dropping. The friendly and warm atmosphere around the group turned terrifyingly dark.
'Yep, trouble. Can't let this happen before I had the chance to leave.'
Ree's mind played countless possible scenarios and routes on how to tackle this immediate danger. Making a quick decision, Ree's polite voice rang out, cutting through the dark atmosphere.
"I heard the young master has a younger brother and sister? Must be tough being a big brother."
Seeing that their focus quickly shifted to him, Ree mentally smirk at himself. Still, the weird, questioning look he was receiving was quite uncomfortable. He need to fix that a bit.
"I mean, before I accepted the job here I already heard various rumors about the people I will serve. I must say, Young Master Cale is quite popular."
"But you see, I am curious. This might be controversial so please bear with me but, isn't Young Master Basen's position questioned by their cousins?"
"Say, what if Young Master Cale didn't act as a trash, then wouldn't Young Master Basen be the center of all this fire? I heard Young Master Cale was quite the genius as well when he was young."
"Hmm... Just a thought."
Ree, who stayed polite and calm despite all the stares he was receiving, simply took a sip at the juice Mat handed him before. He intentionally didn't lower his voice much as well.
Ree truly wish that, at least before the Plaza Terror Incident, the servants in the mansion can realize their mistake. When Cale was already regarded as hero, everyone would change their views but that's simply hypocrisy.
'Mixed the lie with some truth and you'll come up with a useful bluff, foolproof.'
Ree ignored the shining eyes of the knights surrounding him. He just calmly and nonchalantly grabbed his pocket watch to avoid their burning gaze.
"It's a pleasure meeting you all. Sorry, I can't stay as I still have a lot to do."
Ree, who was looking at his pocket watch, turned his attention towards the doorway. And sure enough, the head butler of the mansion was there looking around for something.
Seeing him, Ree immediately said his goodbye to Mat before excusing himself. Walking directly towards the head butler who, upon seeing him, smiled brightly.
Meanwhile, Mat, as well as the other knights, were all left looking at the brown haired butler's figure. Ree was well aware of their attention which was why his polite smile never left his face.
"Ree, I heard that you'll use your leave starting today? Come, let's talk at somewhere more private."
Ree nodded slightly before following after the head butler.
According to his memories, his predecessor was employed about five months ago. This was his sixth month.
Every week, a servant was given day offs. But Ree never used his for the past six months. Therefore, he has a total of 24 days paid vacation, more or less.
"How many days are you planning to use?"
The head butler asked while looking at some papers. As the head butler has his own makeshift office, both he and Ree was now there to talk.
Ree simply made a mental calculation. It's not like he needed to use all his day offs now. He just needed enough days to mentally prepare himself.
"About a week would be enough, Sir."
'I just need a week to prepare mentally before meeting Cale's group. Because there's no way in hell I can avoid them forever.'
At Ree's polite answer, the butler wrote something on the paper. Ree wasn't concern about this as he was busy thinking what he would do for the next seven days.
'This was also the reason why I had the courage to talk like that.
Yes, Ree's courage came from the fact that no matter what he said, he wouldn't face the consequences immediately. He has at least seven days of peace.
Or so he thought...