A Butler’s Dilemma

Tang Wenxu prepared every dish with unparalleled dedication. He sought neither fame nor fortune; seeing everyone enjoy his food was satisfaction enough for him.

Soon after, he emerged from the kitchen, bringing out dish after dish.

The children could barely contain their excitement. Upon seeing the vibrant, unfamiliar dishes, they eagerly shouted, “Hey, freeloader, what’s this?”

“Cream croquettes.”

“What about this one?”

“Okonomiyaki.”

“And this?” the children pressed, their curiosity boundless. For them, each new dish Tang Wenxu presented was an entire new world of discovery.

“Stop asking questions and eat quickly, or there won’t be any left!” Tang Wenxu admonished, casting a glance at Father Kant. Understanding the unspoken cue, the children promptly fell silent, their forks diving into the freshly served fried shrimp.

Although Tang Wenxu had prepared every dish on the table, his own plate held only a meager portion. More than eating, he was interested in observing everyone’s expressions as they ate. Their joy was his joy, and as for their unhappiness—well, that simply wasn’t an option.

He scrutinized the children’s faces, all beaming with delight, and a smile of profound relief spread across his own.

His gaze then shifted to Kuroki Nao, Father Kant, and Mia. Whether they smiled or maintained a serious demeanor, their appreciative eating implicitly endorsed his culinary creations.

Finally, he looked at Silver Bud-sama. He had expected these dishes to equally captivate her, perhaps even prompting her to abandon her noble reserve and indulge freely. Yet, that wasn’t the case.

Silver Bud’s eating was perfectly graceful as she delicately brought food to her mouth. When she noticed Tang Wenxu looking at her, she offered a gentle smile in return. While seemingly innocuous, Tang Wenxu couldn’t bring himself to be happy, for that smile was eerily familiar.

It was the same stiff smile Kuroki Nao had worn back when he first started learning to cook and subjected her to countless disastrous dishes.

“Miss Silver Bud, are you not satisfied?” Tang Wenxu asked, a hint of anxiety in his voice.

“No, I am very satisfied.”

Tang Wenxu was perceptive enough to immediately discern that Silver Bud was lying. However, he chose not to expose her untruth, unwilling to risk losing the job he had only just secured.

Truthfully, Tang Wenxu felt deeply hurt. He had poured his heart into preparing tonight’s meal, yet his efforts had failed to please everyone. He had once prided himself on his cooking, even considering himself a semi-professional chef. But in the presence of true nobility, his dishes apparently seemed utterly unremarkable.

‘Never mind,’ he thought. ‘I’ll just try harder next time.’

Tang Wenxu offered a bitter, resigned smile.

“Miss Silver Bud, I promise I will create dishes that you will truly enjoy.”

“Mm, I look forward to it.”

After the meal, Silver Bud dabbed her cherry-red lips, stood up, and announced, “Alright, Tang, pack your bags. It’s time for us to leave.”

“There’s no need for such trouble,” Tang Wenxu said, scratching his head. “If I need anything, I can just come back for it.”

“Come back for it?” Silver Bud chuckled. “That wouldn’t be very convenient, you know.”

“Komi City is only about thirty minutes from the church,” Tang Wenxu replied, assuming Silver Bud, as a noble lady, found even a thirty-minute journey bothersome.

“Tang, you might have misunderstood. The place we’re going is Lorraine, the capital of the Liegnitz Kingdom. I’m enrolled in the Delberu Military Academy there, and your job is to look after my daily needs while I study.”

Tang Wenxu froze. He knew Silver Bud’s family was nobility from Komi City, but he had no idea she was going to study so far away in Liegnitz.

Accepting this job would mean saying goodbye to everyone—to Mia, Karamanda, Father Kant, and the children.

Seeing Tang Wenxu’s hesitation, Silver Bud offered, “If you accept this position, I can pay you a salary of 3,000 gold coins per month.”

“This isn’t about money,” Tang Wenxu said, shaking his head with a solemn tone.

Three thousand gold coins a month was a substantial sum. It could swiftly transform him from a penniless freeloader into a comfortable citizen. In two or three more years, he could even realize his dream: building a large house with Kuroki Nao in a quiet place, starting a small business, and living a simple life.

But would that truly be for the best?

He didn’t know.

He had been in this world for some time now and understood that Liegnitz was its heart. Lorraine, its capital, was undoubtedly brimming with countless opportunities for wealth and prestige…

However, when the little loli heard he might be going to Liegnitz with Silver Bud, she cried and ran out to the courtyard. Her tears were heartbreaking, and seeing them, Tang Wenxu felt his chest twist in agony.

The other children followed her out to console her, their own faces shadowed with sadness. It seemed less like they were comforting her and more like they were comforting themselves. No one wanted to part with this big brother who, despite being somewhat timid, they had grown to care for in such a short time.

Though he hadn’t been in this world for long, this dilapidated church had already become a second home to Tang Wenxu. At this moment, he was incredibly conflicted. He felt that accepting this job would be akin to betraying everyone for the sake of his own dreams.

He looked at Kuroki Nao, his face pale. Kuroki Nao offered him a gentle smile, gripping his trembling hand tightly as she said, “No matter where Master goes, I will follow you.”

“I’m sorry, Nao. I’m always so indecisive.”

This was an excellent opportunity, one that might never come again if he let it slip. Yet, Tang Wenxu could not bring himself to be so cold-hearted as to immediately accept the job and leave everyone behind.

Though it was disrespectful, and he felt he had no right to ask, and it might even cost him the job… he had to.

“Miss Silver Bud, could you give me one day to consider?”

Silver Bud cast a soft glance his way. “You may.”

“Someone like me… you’re truly willing to give me a day to think?” Tang Wenxu looked at Silver Bud with a grateful expression.

“Of course,” Silver Bud replied, a benevolent smile gracing her lips. “I have taken a liking to you, which is why I’m willing to wait a day. I believe you will ultimately become my butler.”