Chapter 2: The Young Butler

Sitting in the room that the servants cleaned in just an hour, it may be cleaned in a hurry but no speck of dust can be seen lying across each corner. It was a good job for the servants indeed. But it was a result of the number of hands helping together to achieve that result. Such a big room left unattended for decades, it is surely a big rough cleaning that was made.

“I am all good. You can leave. Thank you for your hard work”

“May the light of joy fill your stay, Welcome back, young master!”

Bowing their head, Clark was left alone in his room as soon as the door closed.

“Hah…”

He let out a deep sigh as he soon looks at the floor.

What would you feel if you are once again left in a place that you hated? Would you be terrified? Or would you be overwhelmed? But… is that the same if you have no recollection of everything? That even your mind was wise enough to remove those fragments of memories you want to forget.

‘So this was my old room…’

Clenching his hands, he once again took a deep breathe.

‘The reason why I use this is for my own good. I am sure that somewhere within the guest room, a spy camera can be planted with ease. But if it was my old room that was left for decades, then I can say that it is the safest place so far’

Looking around, no one would even think of planting a camera in that much time. They will surely use those minutes to remove all specks of dirt they can possibly wipe away.

‘But there is nothing bad in being certain’

Looking around he may seem to be walking by but his eyes are scanning the whole place.

‘Nothing strange so far’

Soon as he confirmed that there are no cameras or other suspicious gadgets in his room, he make sure to close the door as he bring out his phone.

“I am one step closer… it won’t take too much time before the result of the DNA arrives. I know it would take two days or a week-long but if it is Montediore, then a day would be enough”

Dialing a number, It didn’t take much time before the person on the other line answers the call.

[Clark, how was it?]

“All good. Things are going smoothly. But, Simon… how was Grandpa?”

There was anticipation in his eyes. As soon as he heard the answer, Clark can’t help but be filled with guilt.

[He is still unconscious. Even though his stats are stable, we can’t be sure how long will it be normal. Uncle- I mean, Dr. Henerman told me that Grandpa Holmet needs to undergo surgery as soon as possible]

“This is all my fault. If only I went back home early that time then…”

Remembering the bitter scene he saw the moment he went back home, Clark can’t help but blame himself in what happened.

‘I promised to not have any more regrets yet… if the system would reset things, why won’t it let me save my grandfather back then? It should at least…’

Shaking his head, he tried to interact with his system. But just like what happened in those times he tried to, nothing changed. It was the same. No system shows up.

[Idiot. It wasn’t your fault, really. You don’t know that Grandpa Holmet is sick-]

“That’s it. I am not aware. It is my fault for not noticing it sooner”

Smiling bitterly, Clark can’t help but let his eyes wander into nothingness. That silence made Simon be aware of how his dear friend is overthinking once again.

[Take care of yourself too. I don’t wish to see you laying in a hospital bed like Grandpa Holmet]

“Yeah, Thank you, Simon. Tomorrow… before the sun sets… I will try to bring the money needed”

Looking at his watch, Clark can’t help but think that anytime soon his peace would be disturbed. He just took a step in the mansion. There is no way he can stay still. There is no way those people would just let him be.

[No problem, you two are like a family to be. But Clark… be careful. I heard bad things about your cousins… oh I still can’t believe you are a Montediore. How can you hide it from me for so long?? Hah, but… yeah, you should be careful Clark. Be careful…]

“Yes, I will. Thank you, Simon”

And just as he thought, he soon heard a knock from the door.

“Young master, your mother asked me to bring a suit that fits you. The servants prepared a variety for you to choose. Shall I let them in or do you wish to meet them in another room?”

Opening the door, what welcomes his sight was a guy who seems to be just years younger than him.

“You are?”

Bowing his head, he remembered how he hadn’t introduced himself yet.

“Forgive my rudeness young master, Criss Mahden. I am the son of Master Claret’s head maid and Master Henry’s head butler. I am the one assigned to assist you”

‘So he is a pawn of those two. Shall I test what kind of person is he? I heard his name before. When Ashton talks about him. But.. even Ashton can’t get this guy be on his side…’

“Tell them to meet me in my room”

“Yes, I shall tell them to meet you right away”

Bowing his head he was about to turn his back when Clark took back his words.

“On the contrary, I think it would be better to meet them in another room… what do you think? Criss?”

“You are right, young master. It would be a good idea. I will tell them to do so”

Again, he bow his head and was about to do what was told. But yet Clark is not yet done with what he wanted to do.

“But I think I don’t want to go to another room. It would be too tiring, don’t you think so? Tell them to meet me in my room”

Looking at Clark with his piercing gaze, it made the one standing in front of him curve a smirk on his face.

‘This guy…’

“I shall do as you say. Young. Master.”

He did not turn his back immediately. Criss waited if Clark will have other words about his command. As soon as he give enough time for him to wait for his response, Clark once again speak the moment he met Criss’s back.

“But I think it would be-“

“Young master!”

Criss didn’t have the chance to hide his anger. He isn’t someone with a long thread of patience after all. And more than that, what he hates the most are people acting like that.

“Oh, do you have anything you want to say?”

“Please stop doing that, young master”

“Stop doing what?”

Acting dumb in what he did, Criss can’t help but take deep sighs as he tried to calm himself.

“I am aware of what you are doing. And if you do not stop in what you are trying to do, I shall leave immediately and ask for another person to assist you”

“Why?”

‘This guy… what is he trying to do? I don’t get the reason why he is acting like that but if it just to piss me off then I would give him applause for making me be this annoyed like this!’

“Young master, I am not here to serve someone unworthy. I am doing this because my father asked me to do so. So please, don’t make me waste my time”

“Then why did you not tell me what is the most appropriate thing to do? As someone serving their master, is it not your place to tell what is wrong or right base on your judgement? Or are you just like some people who would kiss the feet of their master just to not be thrown?”

Glaring at Clark, Criss doesn’t understand what this guy was thinking of.

‘I need someone to help me, guide me, tell me if I did something wrong. Ashton was complimenting him so much, to think that he won’t even say a word even after something as obvious as that? Did Ashton make a wrong judgment? Or… is he not the Criss I have heard of?’

Confused as to how things seem to go in the wrong way, ‘Maybe he is a bit young for now. But… this guy… his eyes…’

Those are the very eyes that shout that something is special.

‘He is no ordinary guy… that gaze… I wonder how far will he achieve?’

“So are you saying I should be casual with you? That is something I can’t do, young master”

“Do as you see fit”

“Then Young Master, give a final order if you may”

A small smile escaped Clark’s lips. He found someone interesting.

‘It might be worth it to bring him on my side’

“Criss, who do you work for?”

‘Changing the topic, you should just give an order so I can leave’

There was a frown on his face as he was surprised by Clark’s question. But the moment he realized what he did, he tried his best to hide his reaction. Somehow, he knew that it was late for him to do that since Clark already saw his reaction.

“Do you work for Montediore? For my father? Or for yours?”

“What would you like to hear? Young master? The answer that you want or the answer that I want?”

It was silent. No other person was present at that time. But that was a good thing since it would be better that way.

“How can you say if that answer is what I want to hear? Tell me what you really think of it. I don’t care”

‘I really don’t know what he wants from me…’

“I work for myself. I don’t wish to serve anyone unworthy just as I told you, young master. I am just here because my father won’t stop bothering me. Until you get your own butler, I will remain here to fulfill that role as much as I can. So please, if you may, don’t make me hate my decision more than that”

Criss was ready to hear words he often hear. Just like what Miguel told him how arrogant he is for someone with nothing to be proud of, words saying that he was too full of himself, he was ready to receive such insults. But far from what he expected, it wasn’t the answer that he received.   

“What do you think about working for me? Be my butler. Work under me, not Montediore. Not under your father nor mine. What do you think about it? Criss?”

“What would I get if I do so?”

His words made Clark be more certain that he is the right person of that job.

‘I like his attitude. Of course, work in something that would give you enough reason in doing so’

“Why don’t you see for yourself?”

“Tempting… but before that, where do you wish to meet them? Young master?”

“Prepare another room”

Bowing his head for the last time, unlike those bows he did, Criss did not remove his gaze on Clark’s eyes. Calculating his actions and movements.

‘What does he aim for? Why do I feel like… he was different in that annoying person I first thought he is? Just… who exactly are you? Clark? What kind of person would you be?’

“I shall tell them to do it right away”

“Sure”

As soon as he turn his back, he knew that Clark is still looking at him.

‘It was weird but… why do I feel like he can achieve something he aims to? I mean… somehow, I feel like… if it was that guy, things might be different. Those eyes and way of words… Hah, what am I thinking? I shall see it for myself. Maybe he just tricked me to believe that way… but that Clark… where did I see someone like him again? He seems familiar somehow…’