It has already been three years since I became Erica's attendant.
Time felt like it passed quickly in my previous life, but in this one—especially after becoming her attendant—it felt like everything was moving even faster.
Well, that's probably because every single day has been so chaotic that I don't even have the luxury to notice time passing.Especially these days… I've been unbelievably busy.
Three years had passed, and although I was an orphan with no clear birthday, I was now about ten years old.Erica, too, was approaching her tenth birthday.
In this world, people seem to celebrate "round-number ages"—such as ten or twenty—with special extravagance.In the original game, too, there had been birthday party events for the capture targets.
Naturally, Erica was no exception.Nobles from surrounding territories and marquises of high standing were to be invited, and a grand celebration was scheduled.The guest list alone had taken three days to finalize, each name requiring verification of title, proper form of address, dietary restrictions, and potential political conflicts with other attendees.
…Which meant that we, the ones preparing everything, were drowning in work.
"Haahhhhh…"
I had completely exhausted myself.
My face was pressed against the cool wooden surface of my desk—one of the small servant offices tucked away in the manor's east wing. The wood smelled of lemon oil and old paper, a scent that had become as familiar as breathing over the past three years. My cheek had gone numb from the pressure, and I could feel an unpleasant dampness where I'd apparently been drooling in my semi-conscious state.
I was too naïve, honestly.I underestimated the scale of noble parties and overestimated the convenience of this world—or rather, I missed the convenience of my previous one.
As a count's daughter, it was only natural that many people would attend.That meant food, drinks, staff for serving, security, entertainment—everything required huge numbers of people.The catering alone involved three separate vendors, two master chefs temporarily contracted from the capital, and enough ingredients to feed a small army. I had no choice but to run all over the place to secure them.
And of course… this world has no phones or any means of long-distance communication.Letters exist, but there's a limit to what they can do.So inevitably, I had to physically visit places myself.
No wonder I was exhausted.I'd always considered myself decently fit in this life, but even so, I was reaching my limit.
"Oh, good work today, Lord Liam."
While I was collapsed over the desk, a voice called out from behind me.I rolled my eyes as far back as humanly possible, but of course I couldn't see anything.
Only when the speaker stepped closer could I confirm who it was.
"Ah… Miss Shelly, thank you for your hard work as well."
I forced myself upright to respond to the maid standing before me.
Shelly was the previous attendant responsible for Erica.She was in her twenties—the second youngest servant in the mansion after me. There's quite the age gap between a ten-year-old and someone in her twenties… Well, that's mostly because I'm far too young.Including my previous life, we're actually not that far apart in age.
Because of that, we get along pretty well.She's also been in charge of teaching me, so we often end up talking like this.
"You look terribly exhausted."
"I am… extremely exhausted. The day before an event is always such a nightmare."
"Yes… But thanks to your tireless efforts, everyone is saying the preparations for tomorrow are perfect."
"Is that so…? That's a relief."
Well, it'd be a disaster if they weren't.
Why on earth they decided to let a ten-year-old lead preparations like this, I'll never know.
A normal servant wouldn't end up this tired.But because I've been stuck in this deputy-leader position, everything has been ten times more draining.
"Truly, Lord Liam, you are remarkable. You guided us with all your ideas… The reason everything went so smoothly is thanks to you."
Ideas, huh.
Well… all of that came from my previous life.
I'd been involved a little in event planning and wedding party operation, so I simply applied that experience here.
Apparently, those ideas were considered innovative in this world.And because they were recognized—or rather, because of that—I ended up being pushed into this troublesome role.
"But still… in the end, it's all for Lady Erica."
In the beginning, it was just circumstantial.But now, that was genuinely how I felt.
More than as a servant… as a friend, I wanted her birthday to be celebrated grandly.
Though the thought of having to do this every ten years is painful, this is the first since we met, after all.A little exhaustion is nothing.
"[Create Stone]."
I suddenly recited a spell, channeling magic through my core and out through my fingertips.
A chunk of rock formed out of thin air, and I manipulated it like clay, shaping it into a long, blade-like form.
"Well, I'll go train for a bit."
"Eh? Right now!?"
shelly's voice rose in pitch, her eyes widening with genuine alarm. She gestured at my obvious state of exhaustion, at the way I was still slightly hunched over.
"Skills and the body start deteriorating the moment you slack off. Tomorrow I probably won't have time, so I need to build up some savings today."
There's no real basis behind this—it's something I made up.But by following this belief, I've managed to acquire a decent level of ability so far.
"B-But… aren't you tired?"
"I am, but… well, that's nothing—[Resurrection]."
Soft, shimmering light enveloped me. warm and gentle, like being wrapped in summer sunlight.
Instantly, the heaviness in my body lifted. The ache in my muscles faded. The fog in my mind cleared. I stood straighter, rolled my shoulders, felt strength flowing back into limbs that had been leaden moments before.
"With this, there's no problem."
It was a beginner-level healing spell, but unbelievably convenient.It barely used any magic, so I could pop it like an energy drink from my previous life—and unlike energy drinks, this one didn't destroy my health.
Well, it couldn't heal mental exhaustion, so if I used it too much, my mind would still wear down.
"Then, see you tomorrow. Let's do our best."
"…Y-Yes."
Leaving Shelly frozen with a dumbfounded expression, I headed toward the courtyard training grounds.