#stealth 100

Context: the request/mission this time is to investigate the rundown and probably haunted Palace of Rose.

…………

Several days after staying at the Palace of Rose... We encountered paranormal activity. Since then, there was always at least 1 butler by my side.

[Palace of Rose - Main Hall]

Clang, clang *sounds of hammer*

Boschi: “Alright. This should be enough for reinforcing the pillars. Next up, replacing the wall panels. My lord. it’ll make loud noises, so it's better to stay a bit further away. But... stay within my sight, okay? It’s my duty to guard you this time, after all."

> "Okay, got it"

Boschi: “Heh... It's nice to have a lord who listens. Now then... I’ll cut the floor from here to here... As for the new planks, I guess this will do. And for the measurements..."

Boschi proceeds with the repairs around the mansion with practiced skill, just like a seasoned craftsman. 

> "You're used to this, huh?"

Boschi: "Hm? Yeah, well, sort of.  I've been in charge of maintaining the mansion's facilities for a long time, but even before that... I've been doing this kind of work since I was a kid."

> "Since you were a kid?"

Boschi: "Yeah. I used to live in a village in the western land with my grandmother... The house we lived in back then was not only old, but also cramped..."

[Western Land, Small Village]

……….

Clang, clang

Boschi: "Alright. One more plank to nail down and it's done, I guess? Hmmm~... But it looks kinda uneven in shape. It really is tough to do with just trial and error, huh? But... this might make things a bit easier for Grandma..."

Boschi's Grandmother: "I'm home, Boschi."

Boschi: "Oh, Grandma, you're back! Wait, it's already evening? When did…? And It's not finished yet... Sigh~~... I wanted to surprise you with the finished goods, though..."

Boschi's Grandmother: "Well, well. What's the matter, Boschi? Did you make something?"

Boschi: "Yup! Look, Grandma... Ta-da! I'm making a step stool out of wooden planks!"

Boschi's Grandmother: "Ooh~, that's amazing... Did you make it yourself, Boschi?"

Boschi: "Yup! You know how you mentioned the other day that 'the steps in this house are kinda scary’?  Especially that step by the door, it was too tall, and you nearly fell down...  But it's all good now! With this new step, those scary tall steps from before... can be taken one step at a time, nice and easy!"

Boschi's Grandmother: "Is that so... You did this for grandma… Boschi, you're such a good child. Sniff…”

Boschi: "O-oh geez, Grandma… don't cry. And, it troubles me to see you so happy over something like this. 

I... once I get better at carpentry work, I'll renovate this house even more. I'll build you a much more comfortable, super huge house than this one! 

Hey, Grandma, what kind of house would you like to live in? I guess one with a huge bath… Oh, and I also want to add a ‘sauna’! I've never been in one before, but... I bet it feels amazing, right?”

Boschi's Grandmother: "Fufu… Right. A long time ago, grandma went to a sauna once… it felt great for sure."

Boschi: "I see. Then we absolutely need to include ‘sauna’!”

Boschi's Grandmother: "But you know, Boschi, I don't really need a big house. Even if it's small... As long as I have you by my side, that's all I need.  So, if you're thinking of expanding the house... Keep it until when you need it… or when you find someone special."

Boschi: "What are you talking about, Grandma? My special person... That's you, Grandma.  Don't be shy! I'll build a house for you real soon!”

Boschi's Grandmother: "Boschi..."

Boschi: "Hehe. But for now, I need to finish this step stool. Wait for me, Grandma! I just have to attach this plank!"

Boschi's Grandmother: “Alright. But, be careful, okay?"

Boschi: "Hehe, I'll be fine! I'm getting used to it. Look, even this nailing, I'll finish it in no time..."

Clang, clang

Thwack

Boschi: "Ouch…!"

Boschi's Grandmother: "Bo-boschi…!”

Chapter 2 - Awkward Reliance

Boschi's Grandmother: "Boschi... Are you okay?"

Boschi: "Y-Yeah…! I'm fine...  Hehe… I fumbled my grip..."

Boschi's Grandmother: "Poor thing... I'm sorry, Boschi. I didn't mean to make you go through such a painful experience for me..."

Boschi: "W-What are you talking about, Grandma! It's my own mistake. And... It doesn't really hurt."

Boschi's Grandmother: "What are you saying? Look how swollen and blue it is... Wait a moment. I'll bring some ointment now."

Boschi: "I-It's really okay! Ointment is valuable, right?  Besides, look! Thanks to you for massaging it earlier... The pain is gone!"

Boschi's Grandmother: "Boschi... You're truly a strong and kind child. But sometimes, it's okay to rely on others, you know?  Grandma cares about you, Boschi... While we're living together like this... I want you to rely on me more."

Boschi: "Grandma..."

…………

*Close-up* Boschi: (In the end, it was tough to break free from poverty...) (The promise to "build a big house" remained just a dream...) (Even though I wanted to show Grandma affection...) (Still, Grandma never uttered a word of complaint until the end...)(Hmm... maybe my resilience comes from Grandma.)

“Oops, Sorry, my lord. I just zoned out there for a moment. My apologies. Once I nail down this plank, let me brew some tea.”

> “Thank you... Boschi”

Boschi: “I'll finish this up quickly, so just wait a moment.”

> “Yeah, got it”

Clang, clang

Boschi: "............ ‘So, if you're thinking of expanding the house... Keep it until when you need it…’  ‘or when you find someone special’ ……Phew. What am I remembering...?

Thwack

Boschi: “Ouch…!”

> Boschi...!?

Boschi: “Ah, yeah... it's nothing. Just slipped my hand a bit. It's nothing serious.”

Boschi has a calm expression on his face, but… he might just be suppressing the pain to not worry me. Anyway, I decided to at least check the wound.

> “Let me see your hand”

Boschi: “H-Hey... my lord.”

Slowly removing his left glove, I cautiously touched Boschi's fingers. There seems to be nothing wrong at a glance... But If I were to accidentally hit my hand, it would be the thumb or index finger.

> “Does it hurt here?”

Boschi: “I told you, I'm fine. It's not a big… ………… No... Maybe it does hurt… a little?”

> “In that case, I'll go get some ointment or bandages…”

Boschi: “It's okay, my lord. You don't need to go that far. Just... if you could massage it for a while.”

> “Massage...?”

Boschi: “Yeah. That's the best cure for me. With that, even this kind of pain will quickly go away. It might make me rely on you, my lord... But... it's okay for me to indulge in this from time to time, right?”

> “O-of course, it's fine”

Boschi: “I see. Thanks, my lord. Then... I'll leave it to you, my lord.”

As Boschi requested… I gently massage his hand. I'm not sure if this will really make the pain go away, but seeing Boschi smile satisfactorily… I couldn't bring myself to stop halfway.

Boschi: “............ I see... This kind of thing is nice once in a while.”

> “Feeling better?”

Boschi: “No, not yet. Keep going a bit longer.”

> “O-Okay”

Boschi: “Heh... I thought repairing this rundown mansion were nothing but a hassle… But... It's giving me interesting ideas.”

> Like what?

Boschi: “Yeah. Like... For example, if someday I were to build my own house... It might be nice to build it with my own hands.”

> “Building your house?”

Boschi: “That’s right. Both the size and layout would be completely up to me. Unlike the old me... I can build any kind of house now. ………Hey, my lord. What kind of layout would you want?”

> “Huh?”

Boschi: “No. On second thought, never mind.  Let's just keep this as a daydream, until the time comes… when it's a reality.”

> “U-um…”

The phrases "House made by Boschi" and "the layout I want" swirl around in my head... In order to suppress my agitation... All I could do was keep massaging Boschi's hand.