<Chapter 8>
#1. This Contract Is Somehow Wrong (8)
“There are countless people who never properly utilize their Gift throughout their lifetime. Moreover, if you don’t even know the specifics of your Gift, there’s no need to worry about it further.”
A deflating sound escaped through Angel’s lips as he tried to assess the situation with a bewildered expression. Calix, who had already returned to his seat, scanned through the pile of documents with his eyes. Looking at him, Angel sighed deeply and said:
“Master Calix. Please stop being sulky. Like before, being caught between the two of you is torture for me.”
“That’s why I pay you the expensive salary.”
I don’t think that’s right.
Angel barely swallowed the words that almost escaped along with a hollow laugh and rubbed his face with dry hands. Calix’s behavior was mischievous from start to finish. It’s not like he was teasing someone he liked… Angel shook his head vigorously, surprised by his own thoughts. The person in front of him was none other than Calix Kuse Padrian. It was absolutely impossible for someone referred to as having “blue blood if you pricked him” to have feelings for anyone. Especially when they had only met a few days ago.
“Angel. If you have time to fool around, help me with my work. I have a mountain of tasks to handle today.”
“…Pardon? Oh, yes.”
Angel hurriedly stood up and approached the desk to assist him. Jenny smiled as she watched them and casually brought up a suggestion:
“Master Calix. Would you like me to bring some cookies?”
“No. I’m fine. I don’t eat things that sweet.”
Jenny smiled brightly at his sharp refusal. Since childhood, Calix had never been particularly fond of sweet cookies. Recalling how he would never even touch foods he disliked, she slowly rose from her seat.
“Then I’ll prepare a cool drink that you can enjoy while working.”
“Just have someone else do it. I can’t allow anyone to leave this room until the test is over.”
“Yes. I understand.”
Calix shot her a suspicious look as she readily complied, then focused on discussing work matters with Angel while scanning through the documents. Behind him, as Jenny opened the door, she met eyes with a servant who was about to knock.
“Housekeeper. There you are. A guest has arrived.”
“A guest?”
“Yes. Master Bain has arrived.”
Jenny’s brow furrowed at the news of an unwelcome visitor. It was common courtesy to send a letter before visiting the mansion, but there were too many people in the world who had long abandoned such manners. Calix, who had easily overheard their conversation at the door, raised his voice.
“What’s the matter?”
“…Master Bain has arrived.”
Calix’s expression also soured at the reluctantly delivered news. There was no reason to welcome an unexpected visit from someone he didn’t particularly like. Especially at a moment when he was about to witness something very, very interesting.
“Jenny. You don’t need to leave.”
“Shouldn’t I guide him to the reception room?”
In response to Jenny’s question, Calix’s hand tapped the table. The movement of his fingers—tap, tap-tap, tap-tap—seemed to express his displeasure.
“Tell him to wait.”
“Pardon?”
“Since when did my mansion become a place that welcomes people who visit without prior notice?”
Jenny bowed her head in acknowledgment without further comment at his leisurely question. After giving simple instructions to the confused servant at the door, she closed it. Angel let out an awkward laugh at Calix, who was already in a very bad mood.
“Shall I find out why he’s here?”
“No. It’s probably nothing important anyway, so there’s no need to waste precious time on it.”
Although he had decided not to spare any time, his unpleasant mood didn’t improve at all. Finding out why Bain had come wouldn’t take long. Calix roughly skimmed through the newspaper on his desk and pointed his finger at an article on the front page. Angel frowned as he shifted his gaze to check the article’s content.
“…Is it drought season now?”
The article about a drought spreading in the southern region listed the affected areas in detail. Among these regions was Spangky, the family of Bain who had visited today. Angel, who read through the article again, tilted his head with a puzzled expression.
“If they need food or support because of the drought, shouldn’t they go to Botenta instead?”
The Padrian family was famous for being a source of medicinal and poisonous herbs. There were over dozens of species that could only be obtained from Padrian, and many people visited this place to trade or receive herbs. However, it wasn’t appropriate for a drought-stricken region to seek help here. In contrast, the Botenta family that Angel mentioned mainly produced food based on their fertile land. If help were needed, it would be more efficient to get it from Botenta than from Padrian.
“That’s right. But those guys came to see me without even making an appointment.”
Calix, who didn’t hide his annoyance in his expression, slightly turned his chair to look out the window. The large garden outside was clearly visible through the window near his desk. He could vividly imagine Bain Spangky throwing a tantrum out there. Calix, who had been tapping the armrest with his hand while deep in thought, opened his mouth.
“Adjust the herbs supplied to Spangky to the minimum amount.”
“Yes.”
Angel nodded without any objection. The Padrian herb market was spread throughout the region. Since next month’s herbs hadn’t been sent yet, it was entirely possible to make adjustments now. Jenny silently smiled and placed the tea, which she had instructed another maid to bring, in front of Calix.
“What aspect concerns you?”
“Those guys already bought a large quantity of herbs two months ago, saying they urgently needed them. If my memory serves, this is the third time they’ve received such a large supply. But the fact that they’re visiting us even in a drought situation is suspicious no matter how you look at it.”
Calix frowned deeply and easily pulled out a ledger from his drawer. Unlike herbs supplied to various regions for sale, it was common for family representatives to visit and purchase in bulk. However, if the repeated purchase of large quantities of a single type of herb occurred, it would indeed be suspicious.
“Without a definite reason, I have no intention of making another bulk sale. That guy is just an uninvited guest.”
Moreover, according to Calix’s Gift, those people weren’t particularly necessary to him. When Calix used his Gift, he categorized people as those who could help him and those who could harm him. And Bain fell into the category of ‘those who could harm him.’ Having quickly dismissed him from his mind, Calix looked at the still-closed door.
“By the way, does cooking usually take this long?”
In response to Calix’s muttering, which was close to talking to himself, a soft smile formed on Jenny’s lips as she stood by his side.
***
Unaware of Calix’s grumbling, Melty had completely captivated the hearts of all the Padrian chefs.
In fact, Melty had been receiving tremendous affection since he was introduced to the mansion’s staff through Calix. The people who worked under Calix, who was millions of miles away from being kind and affectionate, quickly melted at the appearance of the adorable hamster.
The peak was reached in the dining room. Thick cushions were needed for Melty’s chair, as he was much shorter than the average height here. Melty, who was glaring at Calix with a wary expression, expressed happiness with his whole body every time he put a piece of food in his mouth.
His brightly shining eyes were filled with emotion, and anyone who brought food could witness that gaze. Though he hadn’t spoken the words aloud, one could almost hear him saying, “It’s delicious!” Moreover, he was so polite that when leaving the dining room, he even cutely whispered to the person serving the food, “Please tell the chef thank you for the delicious meal.”
For those working at Padrian mansion, who were always so indifferent, such a greeting from him was nothing short of a reward. Thanks to this, Melty was already basking in everyone’s love before even setting foot in the kitchen.
“Hello…there.”
Entering the kitchen with hesitant steps, Melty greeted everyone politely with his hands clasped together as gazes poured towards him. The chefs had to secretly clutch their hearts at the sight of his fearful eyes rolling here and there.
The synergy created by his cautious behavior and cute appearance, perhaps due to being a little scared, was truly incredible. The sight of him rolling up his sleeves to cook, as per Calix’s order, reminded one of a young child stepping forward to help with their mother’s cooking. Everyone’s attitude became extremely careful at the appearance of this rare soft creature in Padrian mansion.
From the beginning, all the kitchen facilities were made to fit those with a standard height of over 185cm, making them too high for Melty. The sink was right at Melty’s shoulder line. As a result, to wash anything, he had to stand on his tiptoes and stretch his arms forward as much as possible.
It was quite a unique sight to see people anxiously following Melty in a line as he moved about diligently with short steps. Although he had opened a shop because of his Gift, Melty’s cooking skills hadn’t improved at all since days with customers were as rare as stars falling from the sky. His knife skills were inevitably sloppy, as he wasn’t originally good at cooking. For those who rarely encountered small animal beast-persons like Melty, such knife skills were only cause for anxiety.
“Oh my. Would you like help with the cutting?”
“No! I can do it!”
“Find something like a footstool!”
People who were anxious that he might get hurt with his clumsy movements in cutting vegetables readily stepped forward.
Though his cooking skills were sloppy, Melty gradually completed the dishes with the power of his Gift. His Gift told him step by step “what” to do, “how much” to do it, and “for how long,” making it understandable even for cooking beginners.
Thus, with the power of his Gift and the protection of the kitchen staff, Melty was able to successfully complete the cooking.
“Thank you!”
Everyone’s faces softened with contentment at the sight of Melty smiling brightly with flour on his cheeks. They were busier today than when they cooked for the mansion’s master.
“Let me help carry the food.”
It was perhaps natural that those who had wiped the flour from Melty’s cheeks and even tidied his clothes stepped forward. In their eyes, Melty was like a child left near a fire. Melty’s wariness of the snake clan had long since softened due to their kind hospitality.
“It’s okay. I can take it myself.”
His brave smile once again melted the hearts of the chefs. Melty’s pockets had long been bulging with snacks they had prepared for him. Though there was no more space, they regretted not being able to provide more.
Unaware that he had instantly charmed all the Padrian household staff, Melty moved with a bright face.
‘As I thought, not all snake clan people are scary and bad.’
Jenny and most of the people working here were from the snake clan, but they were all nothing but kind to him. Except for one exception. Melty shuddered as he thought of that person with such a terrible personality. One maid who had anxiously followed him knocked on the door on behalf of Melty, whose hands were full.
“Come in.”
She opened the door at the brief voice. Melty, who slightly bowed his head in thanks, carefully stepped into the office. Then he set the tray down on the small table in front of the sofa.
