The Crown Prince Who Raises a Side Character-Chapter 38: Servant Cedric (4). This Servant Excels

Golden Cloud Palace, Eizern Empire.

While the Crown Prince was immersed in paperwork, Lucidra, watching Cedric’s movements through his shadow, asked with a dubious expression,

“...So, this time’s concept is a servant, right?”

The Crown Prince answered without lifting his eyes from the documents.

“That’s right. If possible, I prefer more specific types like butler or head chef—roles with distinct traits. But since I couldn’t predict what kind of tasks he’d be assigned, I went with a broader concept.”

“Well, working under someone else is still the same in the end. But... is that really going to work?”

No matter how she looked at him, Cedric didn’t seem like a servant. More like something disguised as one.

Whether or not he sensed her unspoken doubts, the Crown Prince responded casually.

“I told you—servants in Golden Cloud Palace always speak their minds.”

“...I don’t recall a single one of them being that far gone.”

The Crown Prince paused thoughtfully, then said,

“Well, considering a fair bit of my personality made it into him, there may be a slight difference from the original.”

What exactly does this man think a servant is? Does he believe tormenting the employer is their life’s purpose? He’s the one doing the hiring, too!

Lucidra was dumbfounded, but kept watching through the shadow anyway.

Regardless, it was an entertaining spectacle she wouldn’t find anywhere else.

***

“Mm, this is a very satisfying contract. I’ll continue to give it my all, my lady!”

“...Right.”

The atmosphere in the room was... odd.

Cedric was beaming, bright as ever. Claudia, on the other hand, was sprawled limply on the sofa, completely drained.

She ground her teeth inwardly.

How did it come to this...?

Tracing it back, it all started when Claudia decided to personally handle the employment contract this time—something that was usually the responsibility of the head butler, Bestian.

Knowing she’d never negotiated a contract in her life, Bestian had tried to stop her in a panic, but once Claudia got stubborn, she was impossible to stop.

Of course, Claudia did have her own plan.

She’d been holding a grudge ever since Cedric started saying things like “That’s not in the contract,” or “This clause permits me to do that,” so her idea was to jam the contract full of terms that would let her control him at will.

In the end, it had been a thoroughly futile dream.

“Regarding this clause—‘The servant is obligated to perform miscellaneous tasks requested by the employer’—the scope feels too vague. I recommend clearly defining those tasks. If that’s difficult, at least a right of refusal should be included.”

“Twenty-four hours a day? That’s impossible, my lady. A worker who can’t rest will become both physically and mentally worn down. That’s a loss for both the worker and the household.”

“Do I know who you are? Of course, Lady Claudia of House Redvell. But why would I fear repercussions when I’ve committed no crime?”

“You want permission to slap me? While I respect your tastes, my lady, I must advise that expressing such desires in a sacred workplace is inappropriate. You wish to pay in gold coins instead of silver? Hahaha. Even so, what’s unacceptable remains unacceptable!”

Employment Contract

- The employee shall serve the employer faithfully and perform household duties and any tasks assigned by the employer.

- The employee may exercise the right to refuse additional tasks requested by the employer. However, once agreed upon, the task must be completed without fail.

- If the employee fails to perform their duties, the employer may issue appropriate disciplinary action.

- Working hours are sixteen hours per day, not including designated breaks.

- The employer shall provide meals, lodging, and clothing, and pay a monthly wage of fifteen Birkan silver coins.

- The contract lasts for three months. The employer may not dismiss the employee at will during this period.

- The employee is obligated to protect the employer’s secrets... (rest omitted)

Signed:

Employer: [Claudia Redvell]

Employee: [Cedric]

Claudia glared at the contract lying on the table with visible revulsion.

No matter how cunningly she tried to twist her words to sneak in poisonous clauses...

No matter how much she invoked the Redvell name to pressure him...

No matter how much gold she threw in to tempt him... Cedric didn’t budge an inch.

On the contrary, he added detailed clauses she hadn’t even considered, to the point where the final document was five pages long.

There were several moments she’d wanted to flip the table out of sheer frustration, wondering if it was really worth it just to tie down a single servant.

But at least now, the contract was complete.

Whatever the case... this guy is mine now. I’ll make sure he suffers for it...!!

She glared at Cedric with burning resolve.

“Hey.”

“Yes, my lady.”

“My throat hurts from talking too long. Go make me some black tea.”

“Understood! Please wait just a moment!”

With a spirited salute, Cedric zoomed out of the room.

Left alone, Claudia scowled at his retreating back—but a wicked smile soon crept onto her lips.

In truth, she didn’t even like tea that much.

She drank it at social gatherings to keep up appearances, but she never understood how people could stomach the stuff. Bitter, weird aroma, and just generally unpleasant.

But that made it even better.

No matter how perfectly Cedric brewed it, she could dismiss it outright.

Maybe she’d pour it over his hand, claiming she couldn’t drink such filth.

Maybe she’d make him do it over and over again until the results met her “standards.”

“Hehe... hehehehe... hehehehehe. Hmph.”

Drifting off into giddy fantasy, Claudia giggled quietly to herself—until a knock at the door snapped her out of it. She quickly straightened up.

—My lady, may I enter?

“You may.”

Claudia answered with a cold face, as if she hadn’t just been smiling.

As Cedric rolled in a cart and began preparing the tea, Claudia watched his every movement with a penetrating gaze.

She’d learned through experience that under such pressure, most servants would freeze up and start making mistakes.

But soon enough, she found herself inwardly clicking her tongue.

No matter how sharp her stare, Cedric didn’t waver in the slightest as he calmly prepared the tea.

Ugh, I don’t like this guy at all...

Claudia’s grumbling thought trailed off.

It was because she’d been unintentionally captivated by the way Cedric brewed the tea.

There’s a certain magnetism that comes with mastery; once someone reaches a certain level of skill, simply watching them move draws the eye.

Cedric’s technique was modeled on none other than the servants of Golden Cloud Palace—and his proficiency and polish were undeniably top-tier, rivaling the best in the industry.

Elegance and restraint.

Two seemingly contradictory qualities coexisted in Cedric’s every movement, turning his motions into something like a living work of art that ensnared Claudia’s gaze and refused to let go.

As the tea deepened in color, releasing a subtle, rich aroma from the teapot, Cedric carefully poured it into a porcelain cup and set it before her.

A mesmerizing crimson liquid shimmered within the white china, and Claudia, entranced by the perfect blend of scent and color, brought the cup to her lips.

The temperature was just right—neither scalding nor lukewarm.

The taste was subtly tangier and sweeter than standard black tea, perfectly matched to Claudia’s palate.

The aroma danced like euphoria through her head, while the warmth flowing down her throat spread through her body, soothing the nerves that had been so tightly wound.

“...Hoo.”

A quiet sigh slipped from Claudia’s lips.

She lingered in the moment, almost as if drowsy—then suddenly snapped back to herself with a startled, “Ha!”

Then, with movements stiff like a wooden puppet, she slowly turned her head.

Grinning from ear to ear.

With a smile so bright and chipper it could lift anyone’s mood—though to Claudia, it was nothing but insufferably fake—Cedric was gazing at her.

“I’m so relieved it suited your taste, my lady.”

“Shut up!!”

Face turning red, Claudia hurled the teacup.

Cedric caught it effortlessly and placed it back on the table as though nothing were amiss.

The impromptu game of catch—with a porcelain teacup for a ball—continued until Claudia collapsed in exhaustion.

***

“Clean the house. What part? The entire estate, obviously! Don’t even think about resting until it’s spotless!”

“What? You’re finished already? Ha! Don’t joke with me. Look at all this dust—wait, there’s no dust. Then those leaves over there... aren’t there. The water stains on the windows... why aren’t there any!?”

—Attempt to nitpick cleaning: Failed.

Respect for Cedric among the other servants: Increased.

“Make a dish that’ll satisfy me without using meat, eggs, fish, or milk. You say you can cook? If you can’t manage a proper course meal, then this is the least you can do.”

“Wait, this ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) isn’t meat? What do you mean it’s mushrooms and tofu? So you’re telling me this is some cheap fake meant to look like meat? Hah, no way this crap is going to satisfy me—...What’s with that lukewarm stare!? Get this out of my sight!!”

—Attempt to nitpick cooking: Failed.

Claudia’s food intake: Increased.

“You’ll be taking care of my blood beasts now. No hitting or intimidation—any idiot can beat an animal into submission. If even one of them complains, you’re going in the cage, got it?”

“Tch, they're calmer than I expected. At least you’re good at putting them to sleep, I’ll give you that. But honestly, as long as the weather’s decent—what? You trained them to give you their ‘paws’? ...Right paw! Left paw! Right foot! Left foot! Roll over! Hahaha! What is this!? Hey, tell me—what else can they do—wait, no! That’s not what I meant!!”

—Attempt to nitpick animal handling: Failed.

Claudia was later spotted several times giving playful commands to her blood beasts.

***

“What is he!?”

Claudia pummeled her pillow on the bed with both fists.

Luxury bedding that even a well-off commoner couldn’t afford in a lifetime was reduced to a feathery mess under her hands.

White feathers fluttered in the air as she tore the pillow apart and tossed it across the room, grinding her teeth.

“Cedric, Cedric!!”

Not once in her entire life had she ever called out a commoner’s name with such passion.

And never before had she failed to get her way with one, either.

That was just how abnormal he was.

As a servant, his abilities weren’t just exceptional—they were extraordinary. But despite his polite tone, his attitude always felt off. Almost disrespectful.

He served Claudia as per their contract, yet showed not even a shred of the fear or reverence that commoners were supposed to display before nobles.

Claudia rolled restlessly across the bed, caught in frustration, until her eyes landed on the large mirror across the room.

She was disheveled.

But in a way that, ironically, was more than enough to tempt a man.

An idea struck her like lightning.

She didn’t bother fixing her outfit. Instead, she draped a blanket lazily around herself and rang the special bell she now used solely for summoning Cedric—installed because she called him so often.

—Did you call, my lady?

His voice came alongside a knock. Claudia, still smiling, gave permission for him to enter.

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Then, in her most arrogant tone, she said,

“My pillow’s ruined. Clean it up. And tidy the rest of the area while you’re at it.”

Naturally, to clean the feathers strewn across the bed, one would have to look at the bed itself.

Which meant Cedric would inevitably lay eyes on Claudia’s current, unusually disheveled appearance.

If his gaze lingered, even for a second, on her exposed skin—disrespect.

If he nervously averted his gaze and stumbled around—mockery material.

Claudia smiled to herself.

“Understood, my lady!”

And then—

She stumbled back a step as Cedric entered the room wearing... a paper bread bag over his head. No eyeholes.

“What the—what the hell is that!?”

“Hahaha! I had a feeling something like this might happen, so I trained myself to work without sight. Never had a chance to put it to use before, but thanks to you, my lady, today’s the day! I’m deeply grateful for your grace!”

Claudia hurled the pillow carcass at him.

The bread bag monster caught it with absurdly gentlemanly finesse, then placed it into a leather sack and calmly resumed tidying.

Claudia looked like she was about to cry.