Aiming to be the perfect butler for my lady

Chapter 19- Contract

"*Huff*." My breathing was quite disoriented as I somehow held the wooden staff in my hand with its tip facing the person standing as my opponent.

Sweat dropped off my already-drenched body like I was standing under a shower however, none of it bothered me.

My whole focus remained on my rival against whom I had battling for the past two hours with the hope of landing a single strike on him.

My body has incurred thirteen major wounds. Although it was only me who was on the receiving end for the most part, it couldn't be said that I was 'overwhelmed'.

After all, keeping the military commander at his edge all the time and forcing him to use not only his hands but his wooden sword against me as well was not a small feat in my eyes.

"I am hoping the next one will be better," Collen called out in his usual calm voice. However, the tiny droplet of sweat sliding down his cheek signifies that he wasn't all unaffected by the battle.

'From what I could see, he is continuously using magic to keep himself cool...' Not something I could complain about since being awakened he could do this much in a mock battle against a non-awakened.

'Let's see...attacking his nondominant side would get me something similar to a body slam or possibly he would abandon using his sword and choke slam me like before. His feet are unreachable because of his vigilance...then the answer is!'

I launched myself forward my body a little tilted to the front. I held the staff from near its base before swinging it in an arc from right to left.

However, as I expected, Collen parried it using his sword easily before raising his left leg to deliver a front kick on my abdomen.

At that precise moment, I released my weapon, and using my both hands I grabbed Collen's offered leg by his ankle somehow.

Seizing the opportunity I lifted his leg and kicked the other one, to throw him off balance.

*Thud*

"Hmm?" With me pinning down my enemy, I thought this much do for a victory...however, the moment I fell on Collen with him underneath, I realized something crucial.

I had missed the fact that he had a sword with him.

"Can you see where is this pressed?" He called out to me while moving his wooden sword against my neck.

"If I hadn't controlled my weight and moved the sword at the right time, even this one would have damaged your vocal cords."

I gulped in nervousness. He was right. I was too reckless with my body slam.

I slowly got up from him with my hands raised.

"I lost." There was no point in asserting my dominance or struggling here since if he wanted, Collen could have ended the battle easily back then when I grabbed his leg.

Collen smoothly got up on his feet as he said, "Although I am surprised to see that you aren't over-reliant on your weapon, abandoning it without a foolproof follow-up would be lethal in a battle."

I nodded to him and noted his words mentally. Collen was someone who had served in the military for some years and recognizing his dedication and talent, the Emperor decided to make him the bodyguard of someone whom the Emperor values more than his own life.

For someone like me to get instruction from Collen...I could only thank Alatia for her kindness.

'Talking about her...' My eyes roamed toward the mansion where Alatia was.

For some reason, she didn't tell me to accompany her to breakfast and sent me off with Collen.

"Where is your focus?!"

"Ou..." I rubbed my forehead, which was flicked just now before my training continued.

*******

Inside the mansion, after breakfast, Alatia has called every maid and butler in the dining space for some reason.

Although she knew it was hopeless, she had to try.

Standing beside the Princess was the head maid while the others lined up horizontally some meters apart while facing their mistress.

Radolf was also present amongst the servants since, despite not being selected as Alatia's personal butler, he was still allowed to work in the mansion.

Every single servant present here was highly trained and background-checked by the central ministry. In comparison to them, Radolf was the youngest and most valuable one here.

He has an affinity with elemental magic and is a highly trained servant. Adding his charms and sociable skills, he was a perfect candidate to present himself as Princess Alatia's servant.

However...if only a person named Kyle didn't exist.

"This meeting was called forth to ascertain your loyalty toward the lady. As you all must know by now, the person you are liable to answer and report is Your Highness, Princess Alatia. And my lady doesn't want that rule to be breached by any one of you present here."

The head maid Maria declared the reason behind this sudden summoning.

She made it clear through her words, that the people serving Alatia shall only be accountable to report to her.

Those servants who have been regularly writing to the central ministry about the status report of the lady sweated profusely. Three people to be precise, looked extremely nervous, however, their training as a professional servant allowed them to not let their anxiety show up.

Alatia could see that many of the servants seemed uncomfortable and nervous under her gaze, however, she couldn't just remove them. Even if she does, a new slot would be sent by her father and the cycle would continue until the nth period.

Rather she came up with another strategy,

"I suppose everyone present here, holds utmost allegiance toward me?" Her frosty voice made many shudder in fret.

However, the content of her query didn't allow them to remain silent.

Soon everyone either affirmed her question with a nod or a brief answer.

A very thin smile lifted the left side of her lips, which was concerning in every possible manner.

Turning toward Maria, Alaria spoke in a voice that was neither too loud nor too dim....just enough to let the others realize what her question originally meant.

"Maria."

Hearing her mistress' words, Maria nodded before walking forward with a stack of papers in her hand.

Handing one to each of them, Alatia inwardly enjoyed their shocked and dreadful reaction as they read the content of the Soul Contract.

"M-My lady?"

"T-this...h-how...this?"

"Ehhhh?"

A Soul Contract binds one's soul to the contract. If the signatory doesn't fulfill what is promised, then they have to pay with their life.

And the contract Alatia presented, clearly signified that any information related to Alatia and Kyle shouldn't be shared with anyone. Directly or not. Also, contacting the central ministry was forbidden by the servants as well.

Although it was a temporary measure, Alatia couldn't think of any other solution.....unless she talks to her father directly.

Reading the contract, the first person to sign it was Radolf which greatly surprised others.

Turning his focus toward Alatia, he said something that was far more surprising than his previous action,

"Your Highness, since the opportunity has arrived, I humbly request a mock battle against Kyle to demonstrate my abilities and suitability to serve as your personal attendant."

*****

A/N:- Die.