Ree stood silently at the side with a calm expression. He was looking at the three, namely Choi Han, Rosalyn and Lock, who was in front of him.
"Hyung, Noona, this is Ree-hyung that I've been telling you about! Hyung, this is my noona, Rosalyn and my hyung, Choi Han."
The brown haired butler didn't know how he got stuck in this predicament. Right after they arrived back at the mansion, the young teen immediately greeted him.
Ree, being the polite butler he was, had no choice but to entertain him. Thus, he greeted him back. Well, who would've thought that the young wolf would actually introduce him to the two person he have been trying to avoid all this while.
"It is an honor to meet you."
Ree gave the two a polite smile. Still as calm and as composed as ever even under their scorching gaze.
In truth, his back was already drenched in cold sweat. Seriously, they did deserve the title of the strongest mage and swordsmaster. Even their stares were intimidating.
Choi Han, who was previously looking at him with such innocent suspicion, finally smiled at him. Showing his famous out of place innocence that was always portrayed in the novel.
Seeing that her partner already erased his suspicion toward the brown haired, Rosalyn proceeded to smile in a friendly way as well.
"It's nice to meet you. We've heard a lot about you from Lock."
Rosalyn said with a smile. The tense atmosphere vanished and was replaced by a friendly and bright one.
Ree internally sweatdropped. Feeling rather perplexed at the sudden change.
'Well, at least they aren't hostile towards me.'
"Although I didn't know what you guys were doing last time, it's still good to see that you're all safe."
Ree gave an amiable smile while pretending to be ignorant. Fortunately, it worked as the three totally let go of their guard.
"Yes, well, we were surprised to see you as well. It's not everyday you see someone so composed while holding two bombs. And by your lack of reaction when they exploded, it seemed that you are actually already aware that they were indeed bombs."
"I was really surprised to see you there as well hyung! Specially when I realized that you're actually holding those items."
Rosalyn's statement had a hidden undertone. While Lock's were innocent and genuine.
Faced with the two similar comments with contradicting meanings, Ree couldn't help but falter for a moment. Of course, this didn't escaped Rosalyn's sharp eyes.
"Well, I have an exceptionally good intuition."
Ree vaguely said before turning his attention toward the silent black haired knight that was smiling while observing him.
"I heard from Mr. Beacrox that you're young master's personal knight. It's nice to officially meet you. I'm the newly appointed butler of the young master."
Ree made sure to appear as harmless as possible even tho he knew Choi Han has already measured his strength.
"Yes. It's nice to meet you."
Blunt and simple. It was a greeting that was so "Choi Han", Ree couldn't help but inwardly let an awkward chuckle.
'His attitude to others really is incomparable to when it comes to the young master.'
Ree thought to himself with a still calm and polite smile.
Fortunately, the awkwardness didn't last as the brown haired butler was saved by a call from down the hallway.
"Ree! Head butler called you... oh. I didn't notice you were busy."
The overly familiar and cheerful voice of Matthew sounded as he approached the four. In his face was a harmless and friendly bright smile.
"I'm sorry to interrupt you guys but I will need to borrow this man for a moment. It's nice to meet you! Bye!"
Mat hurriedly dragged the stunned Ree while waving at the equally stunned trio. The green haired came and go just like that, even dragging the brown haired polite butler with him.
It took a full ten seconds before the Rosalyn and the rest managed to react. But by that time, Ree and the green haired stranger was already long gone.
They couldn't help but exchange glances with each other before going on their own ways.
Meanwhile, Ree was still being dragged by the green haired Mat. Once they were at a safe distance away, the green haired finally stopped.
"Man... you really are pretty popular. First, the young master's entourage. Now, his personal knight. I wonder who's next."
Mat let out a teasing grin while poking Ree's arm teasingly. His previous in-rush appearance was nowhere to be seen.
"I thought you said that the head butler is calling for me? Where is he?"
Ree pointedly ignored his teasing and asked him directly. Although, he already had a vague understanding of what really happened.
And, as he expected, the green haired just rolled his eyes at him. And exasperated expression plastered on his previously smiling face.
"Of course I lied! I was just saving you from all that tension and awkwardness. Plus, you look ready to bolt out of there in any second so I simply lent you a hand."
Although his method was crude, it worked. Therefore, Ree didn't complain.
"Thank you. You really did save me there."
There was no point in lying since he knew any of his lies won't work toward this green haired daredevil of a friend of his. So Ree simply said his gratitude before proceeding to walk down the hallway they were in.
"That's all? No, 'you are my most wonderful friend' or 'I'll return the favor later so tell me if you need anything'? Lame."
Mat let out an exaggerated heavy breath. But his eyes were full of mischief.
Ree already noticed his mischievous gaze and teasing undertone, therefore, he didn't took what the green haired said at heart. Still, what the other said actually made sense.
Therefore, Ree let out a silent sigh in defeat.
"Alright. Tell me if you need anything."
The brown haired then walk pass the green haired butler, completely missing the other's forming evil grin.
~
Today was the day they were leaving to Ubarr Territory. Thus, Ree stayed inside the carriage as the rest, namely Cale and the wolf children, said their goodbyes to the other three who would go on separate ways from them.
There's one thing tho... Ree forgot about the children.
In fact, because of Cale's little "he's my personal butler and I need him for health reasons" act yesterday, Ree completely forgot about the wolf children he was supposed to take care of. So when they pick the children up on the Inn, he was a little lost.
Fortunately, he quickly regained his composure. He also saw a rather timely golden chance right as they were about to leave.
Swiftly changing carriage to sit in one where some of the children were, Ree let out a sigh of relief. This time, there are a total of five carriages in their company.
'Thank god I'm out of that unideal predicament.'
Ree couldn't help but breath a sigh of relief as he sat beside Maes inside the carriage. Sitting beside the handsome Beacrox proved to be too much for his heart.
Therefore, the brown haired butler immediately grabbed the opportunity to change carriages when he was given the chance. Sitting with a bunch of children was more ideal for him than facing the chance of a sudden heart attack.
"Hyung, are you really going to be taking care of us?"
Maes couldn't help but ask again. The boy who was barely in his teens sounded skeptical, as if afraid of false hope.
Ree was well aware of the thoughts running through the young cub's mind. Therefore, he gave him a smile full of reassurance.
"Yes. That's what the young master instructed me."
The children's smile brightened. They really would rather have their Ree-hyung/oppa than a stranger they were unfamiliar with.
'We have to thank young master Cale later!'
The children simultaneously thought while exchanging knowing glances.
Meanwhile, Ree was satisfied with pushing the credits toward his young master Cale. Well, it's not like he lied. It really was his young master's idea to put him in charge of the children.
'So please go bother him with your gratitude for me.'
Mini Ree let out an uncharacteristically evil laugh on the inside. Fully knowing how his young master would feel about it.
"By the way, the young master told me that you guys can help in the kitchen as well if you want."
Ree said in a nonchalant tone. But in fact, he wanted them to do so. As this would be a good highlighting kit to showcase Beacrox's love for children.
'And less work for me.'
He silently added to himself.
Meanwhile, the children who were unaware of his inner thoughts, perked up at the news.
'Then... if we do that... we can help the young master more, right? We need to do it!'
Were the thoughts running through the innocent children's mind.
~
"Wah! Look, look! Look at that sharp cliff!"
One of the children exclaimed in both fear and awe as he look outside the carriage. The cliff he was pointing at was where the path they were riding across to was built.
It was also a cliff mentioned in the novel.
"That's the 'Cliff of Winds'. It was a famous spot in Ubarr Territory as it offers such a magnificent view of the islands. And also a full view of the whirlpools without any danger of drowning."
Ree generously explained as he also look at the well known cliff in the novel.
'That's where the young master will use that whistle to call the whale's in the future.'
Ree added to himself based on what he remembered from the novel. His gaze then shifted toward the raging whirlpools down on the ocean.
'And that's where one of young master's ancient power is.'
Although Ree was well aware of where and how to get those ancient powers, he didn't want to. Not because he didn't want to steal his young master's place or mess the plot up.
It was just because it was too troublesome for him. He was too lazy to actually travel to where those are and pass those ridiculous test to get them.
"Is that what young master Cale and the Ubarr Territory's Lord were planning to turn into a tourist spot?"
Maes asked, full of curiosity. Ree nodded.
"Well, I don't know the full details but according to what I know, yes it is. Although, I think there was something else that was planned as well. After all, with our young master's extraordinariness, a simple plan like that wasn't enough."
Ree explained truthfully while emphasizing his "admiration" toward his young master. The children readily agreed with his conjuncture, much to Ree's relief.
'You mess with my peaceful and leisure life, so don't blame me for bringing yours to a direction you don't want to...'
Ree laughed silently in satisfaction.
But then, an eye catching sight was caught in his peripheral vision. It was a pod of large whales crossing through the Northeastern Seas heading North.
'Ho. They really are huge. You can tell even in this distance.'
The brown haired butler's gaze trailed the pod as they surfaced and shoot water in the ocean surface.
His young master in the novel always comment about how huge those whale tribes were. Now that Ree can see it for himself, he couldn't help but nod in agreement.
The children also noticed their hyung's gaze being focused on something. Curious, they followed his gaze and saw the pod of huge whale's swimming in the ocean.
"Wow!"
"Woah!"
"Wow, they're so big!"
"Hyung, they're huge!"
The children exclaimed one after another. Their gazes full of awe.
Ree let out a chuckle at their reaction. For children's who used to live their whole lives in the mountains, this sight really is amazing for them.
"Those are whales. A group of them is called a 'pod'. Take note of that and always remember, okay?"
Ree patted one of the children in the head before turning back towards the whales slowly getting farther and farther. Because of that, he missed the gaze full of reverence that the children gave him.
~
The villa they had to stay in was a guest house that the young lady of the Ubarr family, Amiru Ubarr, personally lent for them.
And of course, the first thing Ree had to do was to assign the children their rooms and give their respective uniforms. Which the children happily received.
After that, and after changing, all of them headed to the kitchen where Beacrox was already arranging his things.
"Beacrox-nim, we're here."
The brown haired butler was clad in his usual butler suit, the same he always wore in the mansion before. Behind him were a group of children with the same outfit.
It was a sight to behold.
Beacrox's impassive gaze scanned them before simply moving his gaze away without giving out his thoughts. He then calmly instructed them of what they have to do.
Ree noticed this little action of his but didn't really think too much about it. After all, whatever it was that the stoic chef was thinking wasn't any of his business.
The brown haired simply helped the children in putting an apton and washing their hands. They were too excited to help in the kitchen that both Ree and Beacrox couldn't do anything but assist them.
All thoughts of not making them do anything turned to be futile in the face of this strong willed children.
'Nevermind, let them do whatever they want.'
And so, the two brown haired men were stuck both babysitting and instructing the kids for the whole time. Both couldn't help but exchange glances with each other before sighing.
Finally, after a few moments, the food was cooked. All that was left to do is to deliver the food to their young master.
Of course, Ree let the children do that. All he did was follow behind the ten children with Beacrox while they pushed the trolley of food.
"Young master-nim! Uncle Beacrox and Ree hyung made this seafood just for you!"
"Hyung and uncle is very excited about the sea!"
"Right! Cale-nim, please eat a lot!"
Ree could see the satisfaction in the depths of his young master's eyes. But his smile thickens when he saw the two, Beacrox and Ree, holding a tray of food each.
While Ree was as normal as ever, with his usual calm and polite expression and ordinary appearance, the same couldn't be said to Beacrox. Because the stoic chef have bags under his eyes.
"Please eat, young master Cale."
"Great, thanks. It was a good decision to have you all under Ree while helping Beacrox in the kitchen."
Cale couldn't help but smirk at Beacrox, who seemed to get more tired each and every day. Then, his gaze shifted to the other man beside the torture expert.
Ree, the new butler he randomly appointed, immediately felt his gaze. He smiled politely at his young master with a slight bow.
No signs of tiredness nor complaints could be sense on the ordinary butler's face. He was the same as always, which made Cale weirdly dissatisfied.
He wanted to elicit a flustered expression from the composed butler. He wanted to see him break his calm composure.
Cale himself wasn't aware of his subconscious actions, naturally, Ree wasn't able to notice anything amiss as well.
The children all went out the room, with Ree following closed behind them. Except for the chef...
"Uncle, are you not coming?"
"Beacrox-nim?"
The wolf children's innocent voice, coupled with Ree's somewhat soft one, gave off a completely different meaning to the scene. It was like how the children and their mother would call out for the father when going out.
It gave the wrong impression, which, again, annoyed Cale for no reason at all.
Beacrox, who was actually dissatisfied with his added workload, couldn't do anything but glare at his young master. Of course, Cale simply avoided his glare.
"Thanks for always giving me a delicious meal."
"... Yes sir."
Click.
Beacrox left the room and closed the room behind him. In fact, he somehow didn't want to mention that today's meal wasn't cooked entirely by him. Rather, by the brown haired butler in the middle of the ten children who was walking down the hallway.
Beacrox let out a sigh before going back to his kitchen. As usual.
~•~•~•~•~
I'm drained... Well, I did managed to write so that's a plus.
I have three more requests I need to finish and my creativity is getting all used up in my story "A Little Change". Should I put one of my story "On Hold"??
Nah... not my style. I'll continue all of them, tho please bear with the slow updates...