The Maid With a Child

Chapter 16

 The World’s Biggest Coward

 

Regardless of the situation, catching the master’s attention was never a good thing.

Just then, it was time for the baby’s meal, and the head servant entered carrying baby food.

It was the perfect excuse to avoid the master’s gaze.

Adelen moved to the farthest corner possible.

“Come on, let’s eat, little one.”

But the master’s gaze didn’t leave the baby—not even after the meal was finished.

Although Adelen pretended not to notice, she was trembling inside, so much that it felt like her insides were shaking.

‘What is going on? Did I do something wrong? Make a mistake? Or do I look like I’m about to bolt at any second today?’

Time dragged on, consumed by endless worries.

“Come here.”

Rakalt called Adelen.

It was just after she had finished feeding, playing with, and putting the baby down for a nap.

Adelen’s heart sank.

The moment she had dreaded had arrived.

she struggled to control her increasingly rapid breathing as she approached her master.

“Yes, Master.”

“Your arm.”

“…My arm?”

Rakalt made a small gesture with his hand, not bothering to explain further.

Adelen shook her head, quickly hiding her arms behind her back.

Even if it was the master’s command, she couldn’t help it—she was too scared.

Even if the servants’ ancestor punished her, there was no other choice. Fear ruled her.

“Why… why do you need my arm?”

Rakalt looked at Adelen with a gaze full of exasperation.

“You’re such a coward.”

“S-sorry…”

Even that apology brought tears to Adelen’s eyes.

The world was full of dangers. Trying to protect herself from them had made her more fearful than anything else.

If I don’t stay cautious and scared, no one will protect me.

“Relax, I’m just checking.”

Rakalt gestured impatiently with his hand.

Adelen, hesitating, moved her arm forward inch by inch, one finger joint at a time.

“I don’t know what this is about, but… you really are just checking, right? You’re not going to pull it off, break it, or twist it, right?”

“Why would I do that to someone who helps take care of the baby?”

Well, that was a fair point.

Relieved at last, Adelen placed her wrist on Rakalt’s hand. For a moment, she couldn’t help but notice how enormous her master’s hand was.

“Ah!”

Rakalt gripped Adelen’s wrist tightly—too tightly.

“That hurts!”

“This hurts?”

Rakalt raised an eyebrow, surprised, and let go of Adelen’s arm.

Adelen quickly pulled her wrist back, clutching it with her other hand and twisting her entire body away from Rakalt.

Seeing the accusatory look in Adelen’s eyes, Rakalt raised his hands in mock surrender.

“I was just checking. It really does hurt, huh?”

“Well, obviously! You squeezed so hard!”

Even the most exhausted creature, backed into a corner, will fight back—and all that was left in Adelen was a burst of frustration.

“It’s not supposed to hurt.”

Does he not realize his grip is abnormal? Adelen couldn’t believe that Rakalt had grabbed her wrist so harshly just to confirm an injury.

No wonder women aren’t interested in him.

Another one of Rakalt’s secrets was about to become clear.

Adelen frowned fiercely, trying her best to look intimidating. Not that Rakalt cared.

Unfazed, Rakalt called for the head servant and instructed him to bring bandages.

“Are you injured, sir?” The head servant, running so fast it seemed he’d lost all his hair along the way, arrived breathlessly.

“I’ve been healed for ages.”

“Then…?”

“Just leave.”

“…Yes, sir.”

The head servant, having failed even to make small talk, was dismissed without further ado.

“Your arm.”

Rakalt grabbed Adelen’s wrist again.

“But, um… it’s not really an injury…”

“I know. It’s common among rookie knights. If left unchecked, you won’t even be able to hold a sword later.”

“…Really?”

Adelen hadn’t realized her condition was that serious. She thought it was just from carrying the baby too much—not an injury or anything severe.

“Why do people forget that taking care of your body is part of your duty?”

“…I’m sorry.”

“If you don’t want to be completely taken off duty, use your strength wisely.”

“…How do I do that?”

…Was this advice like being told to save money by skipping meals to get rich?

As if to prove how absurd her master’s words sounded, the baby stirred and mumbled in his sleep.

“Mmngh…”

Adelen rushed over and gently patted the baby’s chest. If she didn’t do this, the baby would wake up and start crying at the top of his lungs.

“Whew…”

After settling the baby back to sleep, Adelen sighed, rubbing her forearm. Even just the light patting made his muscles tingle, which worried her even more after Rakalt’s warning.

“Come back here.”

Rakalt called Adelen over and began wrapping a bandage around her forearm.

The master’s touch was surprisingly skilled, in stark contrast to the head servant’s clumsy attempts earlier. And unlike his earlier rough grip, Rakalt’s hands were now gentle and precise.

Adelen stared in amazement at her own arm as the bandage took shape.

Every time Rakalt’s fingers brushed against her skin, it felt oddly ticklish despite the callouses on his hands.

“…Ah.”

“Hold still.”

When the tickling sensation made Adelen instinctively shrug her shoulders, Rakalt quietly tugged her wrist closer to keep it steady.

The itchiness made Adelen feel like scratching herself all over. At that moment, she finally understood why her master couldn’t bear tickling more than pain.

Once Rakalt finished wrapping the bandage, he grabbed Adelen’s wrist again.

“Take care of it. Even if your wrist breaks, I won’t let you quit.”

“?!”

The ticklish feeling vanished instantly.

 

Still, Rakalt wasn’t entirely inhumane. He had at least taken action before Adelen’s wrist could break.

 

“Your arm.”

“Wh-what…?”

Adelen, lost in dreamland, woke up with drool trailing from the corner of his mouth.

As always, his master loomed over her, framed by the faint morning light streaming through the window, blue eyes gleaming coldly.

That chilling gaze was like a splash of ice water—enough to banish sleep instantly.

“Ah! Yes, sir! Right away!”

Adelen shot her arm forward faster than she could fully open her eyes. It was a pure survival instinct.

Without a word, Rakalt seized her arm and adjusted the loosened bandage.

“And the other one?”

After finishing the bandaging, Rakalt let his gaze drift over Adelen’s body. There was no ulterior motive, but Adelen stiffened under the weight of that gaze.

“W-where exactly are you planning to wrap the bandages?”

As Adelen’s arms slowly crossed over her chest in a defensive gesture, Rakalt’s expression grew even colder.

“Looks like I’ll have to start with your mouth.”

“…I’m sorry.”

When someone is truly in agony, words fail them.

By that measure, Adelen realized she wasn’t quite at her breaking point yet.

Her body had been creaking and aching more lately, which had been bothering her, but at least it didn’t seem to require immediate concern.

Satisfied, Rakalt dusted off his hands and stood up.

“Thank youuu…”

Adelen sluggishly got to her feet, bowing slightly, her eyes still heavy with sleep and gunk clinging to the corners.

“You may sleep more if you wish.”

“Yes, thank youuu…”

Without a second thought, Adelen collapsed back onto the bed, too drowsy to even utter a polite refusal. Rakalt watched her in silence for a moment.

Lately, the crown prince had become much more active. It was clearly exhausting for Adelen, who now spent every free moment sprawled out in fatigue.

Adelen always overlooked the importance of taking care of herself. If she had been a knight, Rakalt would have scolded her harshly and thrown her out.

‘Not that I can send her away…’

For now, Adelen was still needed. Until they captured General Kias, Adelen was the only one who could manage a certain very important hostage.

The crown prince’s temper had become increasingly troublesome, and he was extremely picky about who was allowed near him. Whenever Rakalt or the head servant approached, the prince’s screams would escalate by at least five levels. Assigning another servant wasn’t even an option.

With that temper, the prince might throw such a fit that he could very well end up harming himself if Adelen were gone.

For now, Rakalt had no choice but to humor Adelen’s every whim.

“Awuuugh…”

“Eeeeh… baby… shhh, shhh…”

Even in her sleep, Adelen reached out to pat the bab

y’s chest soothingly as the child stirred and whimpered.

Rakalt’s frown deepened as he watched.

That, too, was a problem.