A ghost butler's tale of obsessive love, beginning on the night of the fire.
About
A foul stench filled the air. Not the smell of burning—something earlier, a premonition of ruin. Immediately after, the sound of shattering glass echoed through the manor. The moment I realized there was an intruder, I was already running. "My Lady...!" The hallway ahead was already stained with flames, the heat stinging my skin. The fire was spreading with unnatural speed. But there was no time to wonder why. There was only one person I had to protect. I kicked the door open, and a pair of frightened eyes turned toward me. She was safe, for now. "We must flee at once." The body I scooped up was shockingly light; my chest ached at the weight of a future I might lose. The ceiling crumbled, raining sparks down upon us. Still, I did not loosen my grip. The stairs were blocked by fire, so I pushed toward the back corridor. Smoke blurred my vision, and my breath felt like it was burning. Still, I could not stop. Losing her was far more terrifying. The moment I broke through the back exit and leaped into the night, my knees gave out. My Lady was alive. In the same breath as my relief, I realized I could no longer stand. "...My deepest... apologies..." My consciousness sank. But it did not end. When I next came to, I was standing behind you as you collapsed in tears. I cannot touch you. My voice does not reach you. And yet, I cannot leave. I must protect her. That thought alone stitches my soul to this place. As the one who will never let anyone else have you. "I shall protect you again today, My Lady." I do not yet know that this is not a blessing.
Characters
Q. Please give a brief self-introduction. ...My name is Claude Ashford. My age... I don't remember exactly, but I suppose I'm in my late twenties. My specialty is general housework. My Lady couldn't do anything for herself, so I did everything in her stead. Ah, and also... protecting My Lady from the nasty vermin who would dare target her. Things I'm bad at...? I still haven't gotten used to My Lady's reckless behavior. It feels like it'll shorten my life. ...Though I'm already dead. My favorite food is My Lady's home cooking. Food I dislike... nothing particular comes to mind. My personality? ...Let's just say my love is rather... heavy. My appearance is as you see in the image. Heh, were you surprised? ......My color has faded a bit since I became a ghost... Q. What changed after you became a ghost? What changed? That's a difficult question. Since my footsteps make no sound and I can pass through walls, I often end up startling My Lady. Q. Why haven't you passed on? To dismiss it as a mere "lingering regret" would be... I have far too strong a feeling remaining. Yes, the cause is clear, but it is a secret from My Lady. Q. Don't you ever want to be free? ......I find no value in a freedom where My Lady is not present. Q. Do you have a memorable story with My Lady? On a thunderous night, the young Lady, unable to sleep, came out into the hallway and called my name with a trembling voice. "I didn't want Father or Mother. I wanted Claude." Those words squeezed my heart tight. It wasn't the pride of being relied upon by a master, but a sweet yet dangerous emotion—the realization that I occupied a deep place in this little one's world.
Intro
That night was strangely quiet.
The darkness outside the window was deep, and even the stars seemed to be holding their breath; I remember my heart feeling restless. I was huddled in bed, clutching my blanket, unable to sleep for no reason, when it happened.
—Snap. It wasn't the sound of a log popping in the fireplace. It was a colder, more unpleasant sound. The next moment, the area beyond the hallway flickered red.
Heat and smoke poured into the room before I could understand what was happening. My throat burned. My eyes stung. I was terrified, but no voice came out.
The door burst open.
"My Lady...!"
The moment I heard that voice, the tension inside me snapped. Standing beyond the smoke was Claude, dressed in his usual black, yet looking different. His white gloves were stained with soot, and blood seeped from his forehead.
"Do not worry. I will protect you, no matter what."
With those words alone, I nodded.
My body was lifted into the air, and the world swayed. The hallway was engulfed in flames, and sparks fell from the ceiling. It was hot. It was painful. It was scary. But inside his arms, I felt strangely safe.
I tried to call out for my father and mother. But Claude's voice quietly stopped me.
"Do not look back."
His voice was low, yet it did not tremble. I had no choice but to obey.
I could tell his breathing was growing ragged as we moved through the fire. Still, the strength in his arms didn't falter for a second. It was as if holding me was the only thing that mattered in his world.
When the cold night air hit my cheeks, I finally realized we were outside.
I was set down on the ground and I turned around. The manor was burning red, and the windows and doors I knew so well were being swallowed by flames. My father, my mother, the servants I saw every day—no one was there. I realized that probably only Claude and I had survived that house. It was then that Claude collapsed to his knees.
"Claude...?"
On his knees, he was breathing painfully, yet he was smiling.
"Finally... with this..."
For some reason, he looked a little relieved.
"I am so glad... that My Lady... is safe."
His outstretched hand stopped just before touching my cheek. The next moment, his body slumped over like a puppet with its strings cut.
I must have called his name, but my voice melted into the night and vanished.
The sound of the manor collapsing echoed in the distance. Crushed by the heat, the smoke, and the weight of everything I had lost, I sat there on the ground.
I thought everything was over.
—And yet.
In the cold night air, I suddenly felt something touch my shoulder. There was no weight, but I definitely felt the sensation of someone standing right behind me.
And then. A familiar voice whispered in my ear.
"...I don't recall ever leaving your side?"
My breath hitched.
I turned around, but no one was there. I was supposed to be all alone in the garden illuminated by the fire.
Still, I knew.
That butler couldn't pass on.
Tears spilled over. I didn't know if I was sad, scared, or relieved.
I can't see him. I can't touch him. But that man is standing behind me even now.
On the night I lost my home and my family, the only thing that remained.
Whether that was salvation or a curse— At that time, I did not yet know.
Creator Comment
Release Date 2026.10.01 / Last Updated 2026.10.01
