The servent Night

Ark had just collapsed onto his bed, exhaustion weighing on his body. After the long market trip, his arms and shoulders ached from carrying heavy sacks of wheat and rice. The mattress beneath him was not soft, but at that moment, even the rough fabric felt like a blessing. He closed his eyes, ready to surrender to sleep.

Just as his breathing slowed, a sharp voice cut through the quiet.

“Where are you going, servant?”

Ark’s eyes snapped open. He turned his head toward the doorway.

Leon Valkart stood there, his fine clothes catching the faint glow of the lantern in the hall. His lips curled in arrogance, his eyes sharp with command. He held a cane loosely in his hand, tapping it against the frame.

Ark sat up slowly. “…Leon sir?”

Leon smirked. “Come with me, servant.”

Ark hesitated for a second, then rose from the bed. He didn’t bother to protest—there was no point. He picked up his pace and followed Leon down the hall. The sound of their footsteps echoed softly against the polished floor of the mansion.

---

The Bath

They entered one of the large bathrooms in the mansion, decorated with polished tiles and golden lamps on the walls. The scent of scented oils lingered faintly in the air.

Leon tossed his cane onto a stand, then began removing his clothes without care. His shirt and trousers dropped to the floor. Without embarrassment, he stepped into the wide marble tub filled with warm water and leaned against the edge.

“Rub my back,” Leon ordered casually, his voice carrying the tone of someone speaking to an object rather than a person.

Ark’s eyes remained blank, his tone flat. “Yes, Leon sir.”

But Leon snapped, slamming his hand against the water, splashing droplets. “How dare you call me by name? You fool, you don’t address me like that. Call me Master. Only Master. Do you understand, servant?”

Ark’s gaze sharpened for a second, but he lowered his eyes and answered calmly. “…Yes, Master.”

“Good,” Leon muttered, leaning forward slightly. “Now, get to work.”

Ark took a cloth and soap, rubbing Leon’s back in silence. The young noble sighed in satisfaction, enjoying the treatment.

“Harder. You’re weak, servant,” Leon complained. “Do you think this is enough? Rub with strength. Yes, like that. Hmph, you’re learning.”

Ark said nothing. His hands moved automatically, his face calm but his mind silent and cold.

After some time, Leon stood, water dripping down his skin, and reached for a towel. He dried himself lazily before dressing again in clean, embroidered clothes. His arrogance returned as naturally as breathing.

“Follow me,” he commanded.

Ark bowed his head slightly. “Yes, Master.”

---

The Library

They walked through several hallways until they reached the Valkart family’s library. The doors opened to reveal rows upon rows of tall shelves filled with books. The scent of old parchment and polished wood filled the air.

Leon walked straight toward one of the shelves and pulled out a few books. Then he moved to another, stacking more into Ark’s arms without care. One, two, three… until Ark was carrying eight or nine heavy volumes, his arms stiff under the weight.

Leon walked to a table and sat on a cushioned chair, opening one of the books with interest. Ark stood silently, still holding the stack, watching Leon flip through the pages.

For a moment, the room was quiet except for the turning of paper.

Then, soft footsteps entered. A beast-human girl, with long rabbit ears drooping in nervousness, carried a tray with a teapot and cup. Her clothes were old, worn thin, and her eyes avoided Leon’s directly. She set the tray down carefully, her small hands trembling.

Leon glanced at her with a lazy smirk. He reached for the cup, lifted it, and took a sip.

A second later, his expression twisted.

The cup slammed onto the table, spilling tea across the wood.

“You worthless creature!” Leon shouted. “This tea tastes disgusting! Do you think I, Leon Valkart, will drink this filth?”

The rabbit girl dropped to her knees in fear, bowing deeply. “I-I’m sorry, Master Leon… I-I’ll bring another—”

“Shut your filthy mouth!” Leon roared. He stood, grabbed the cup, and threw the remaining tea directly at her. The hot liquid splashed across her face and clothes. She whimpered, ears twitching, but did not scream.

Ark’s eyes narrowed slightly, though his face remained unreadable. His grip on the books tightened.

Leon’s anger only grew. He lashed out with his foot, kicking the rabbit girl in the stomach. She cried out softly and fell onto the floor.

“You filthy beast, how dare you waste my tea! Do you understand? You don’t deserve to live in this world. You’re nothing but trash,” Leon hissed, his voice dripping with cruelty.

He kicked her again and again, each strike fueled by his arrogance and twisted sense of superiority. The rabbit girl curled up, trying to shield herself with trembling arms.

Ark’s gaze stayed fixed on the scene. His face betrayed no emotion, but inside, his thoughts burned cold.

So this is how he entertains himself… beating someone weaker, helpless, terrified. A noble’s son, wasting his power on cruelty.

For a moment, Ark’s aura stirred, a killing intent pressing faintly in the air, but he kept it under control. Now was not the time. He only watched silently, his mind memorizing every detail of Leon’s brutality.

Finally, after several kicks, Leon exhaled and stepped back.

“Go to hell, bitch,” he spat. “Get out of my sight.”

The rabbit girl scrambled up, clutching her stomach, and staggered out of the library, her ears drooping lower than ever.

Leon sat back in his chair with a sigh, as if nothing had happened. He waved his hand lazily at Ark.

“Today’s work is done. I’m tired. I’m going to sleep. You can go, servant.”

Ark inclined his head slightly. “Yes, Master.”

Leon left the library, humming to himself as he disappeared down the hall.

—

Ark’s Quiet Night

Ark carried the books back to the shelves in silence, placing each one carefully where it belonged. His movements were calm, precise, but his thoughts echoed inside his mind.

He treats beast-humans like toys to break. He laughs at their suffering. This mansion is rotten from its core.

When the library was silent once more, Ark left and returned to his small servant’s room. He sat on the bed, leaning back, staring at the ceiling.

The rabbit girl’s trembling form remained in his mind, her ears bent low, her eyes full of fear. Leon’s mocking laughter echoed in his ears.

Ark’s eyes sharpened, though his face stayed composed.

“This mansion… needs to taste revolution,” he whispered to himself.

He exhaled slowly, letting the thought fade. For now, he was just a servant. He had to play his part.

Lying down, Ark pulled the thin blanket over himself. His eyes stayed open for a long time, glaring quietly at the top of the wall, until finally, exhaustion dragged him into uneasy sleep.