The Maid With a Child

24. The Maid With a Child.

 

“A maid,” Rakalt answered on her behalf.

Since the question hadn’t been directed at her and she hadn’t been granted permission to speak, Adelen only bowed her head silently.

“Oh my, why bring such a beautifully dressed maid? …Wait, no. The dress is plain. I suppose it just looks fancy because of her pretty face.”

Adelen couldn’t quite hide her flustered expression.

First her lord, now this woman?

Was her beauty standard so twisted because of her own striking appearance?

At least her lord’s skewed perception could be blamed on the war. But this woman, who seemed to have lived her life surrounded by beauty, made no sense.

Maltina winked at Adelen like a rogue who had fallen for a young lady.

Adelen’s heart twinged at the sight of such a breathtaking person. She clutched at her chest and quickly averted her gaze.

“She had to enter the palace quickly, so I lent her one of the late duchess’s old dresses. I apologize if her attire feels inappropriate for her status,” Rakalt explained in her defense.

“I wasn’t criticizing her. I was just saying she’s pretty.”

“I see.”

“Don’t you agree?” Maltina insisted.

Rakalt’s gaze shifted to Adelen, and so did the king’s. Even the baby turned to look at her.

“…”

Adelen felt a waterfall of sweat pouring down her back.

Why? Why is everyone looking at me? 

She desperately wished they would treat her like the furniture she felt she was.

“She is beautiful.”

After a tense silence, Rakalt finally spoke.

Adelen’s eyes widened in shock, though her head remained bowed. He actually said that? In front of all these people—and that elegant woman?

“Oh, my! Did you hear that, Your Majesty?”

Maltina clapped her hands in delight, clearly pleased with the response.

“That’s why I said no. Do you think everyone will get married if you force them to? What era are we in that you’re trying to force us into a political marriage?”

Marriage?!

Adelen’s mind spun. She realized the missing subject in their earlier conversation had been words like “marriage” and “courtship.”

So, this angel of a woman is the bride candidate His Majesty is trying to pair with my lord?

Adelen turned her gaze to Maltina again. Knowing her role now, Maltina seemed to shine even brighter.

This is the future mistress who will save Sigelion. I would serve her with all my body and soul if it came to that.

Though Maltina herself seemed to reject the idea vehemently, Adelen silently hoped the issue would resolve itself. She was now firmly on the king’s side.

“So you’re just making excuses not to marry?”

The king frowned, glaring at Maltina.

“Excuses? I’m only trying to save Rakalt from Your Majesty’s plans in case he has someone in his heart,” Maltina retorted.

“Is that true, Rakalt? Hmm?”

“…Tch.”

The king scoffed at her words.

Why does no one believe my lord could have someone in his heart? Adelen wondered, but even she found it hard to imagine.

Rakalt, for his part, remained unbothered, replying calmly.

“No, I do not.”

“See? Since he doesn’t, I’m encouraging you two to give it a try. Sometimes feelings develop after meeting someone.”

“They won’t,” Maltina snapped, growing visibly annoyed.

Adelen found herself admiring the woman’s unyielding attitude—even toward the king.

Such strength! She’s truly a match for Sigelion. What a remarkable future mistress she could be.

“Well, if Maltina won’t cooperate, Rakalt, you should at least try,” the king said.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Rakalt replied without hesitation.

He’s actually agreeing? He’ll meet her and try to develop feelings? 

Adelen stared at her lord in astonishment. His loyalty was terrifying. It seemed all his capacity for love and romance had been transformed into absolute devotion to the kingdom.

How does someone grow up to be like that? 

Adelen, who was often teased for her servile tendencies, couldn’t compare to Rakalt’s level of dedication.

Love and marriage should be matters of the heart, not obligations to fulfill.

“Ugh. Both of you are the worst,” Maltina muttered, glaring at the king and Rakalt. She then turned away, crouching to look at the baby with a soft expression.

“Is this the crown prince?”

“Yes,” the king replied.

“Hmm, he’s adorable. Poor thing, though, born so cute only to end up as a hostage in an enemy kingdom.”

“Doesn’t he tug at your heartstrings? Want to marry Rakalt and raise him together?”

“No, thank you. I prefer just admiring children from a distance. I’ll politely decline,” Maltina said with a dismissive wave.

The king relentlessly poked at Maltina’s defenses, while Maltina shielded herself with metaphorical armor.

“Well, take care, pretty maid,” Maltina said, flashing a bright smile at Adelen before taking her seat.

Her seat was, of course, right beside Rakalt—a deliberate arrangement by the king.

Adelen watched the two of them sitting side by side. They were so well-matched, a picture-perfect pair that couldn’t be improved upon.

“Well, there’s no rush. The more you see each other, the more you get used to each other, and once you’re used to each other, the more affection grows. And eventually, feelings will follow,” the king said casually.

“You hear that, Rakalt? So go meet lots of people and fall for someone already. That way, I’ll be free. You don’t even have to look far—there’s a pretty maid right here next to you,” Maltina teased.

Why am I always being dragged into this? Adelen rolled her eyes at the ceiling, wishing she could disappear.

She wanted to be nothing more than to be a piece of furniture.

“A maid? That’s an insult, Maltina. How dare you suggest pairing my most loyal vassal with a maid?”

Your Majesty, well said.

“Oh, that’s harsh, saying such things in front of the maid herself,” Maltina countered.

Not harsh at all, thought Adelen.

She wasn’t the least bit offended. From the start, her lord had been a person from an entirely different world.

The idea of herself and her lord together? That was as absurd as a mouse trying to partner with a tiger.

Someone like Maltina—elegant, capable, and beautiful—was the perfect match for him.

“Now, you’re trying to sell off a man with a child too easily, Your Majesty,” Maltina quipped.

“!”

Her offhand comment struck Adelen like a dagger to the chest.

She hadn’t been fazed by being treated as mere furniture or dismissed as unworthy of even being considered for her lord. But this? “A man with a child”?

If her lord became a “man with a child,” she would be the “maid with a child.”

The maid with a child.

It was a title destined to ruin any prospects for her.

 

***

 

Adelen sat slumped against the carriage door, holding the baby in her barely steady arms.

Her life plan, her future—everything was in chaos.

The carriage rattled and shook, just like her thoughts, making her head bump against the glass window repeatedly.

She stole a glance at her lord, who remained as composed as ever, looking out the window without a hint of disturbance.

Would this be her fate? To live the rest of her life under the king’s command, caring for this baby? To endure constant attacks and live like a mayfly, never knowing which day would be her last?

“Do you have something to say?”

“!”

Rakalt’s voice startled her.

Adelen had been so overwhelmed by the earlier comment about being the “man with a child” that she had ignored the rest of the conversation.

She vaguely remembered them talking about the situation in Morn, but nothing beyond that.

“Oh, um, yes! Lord Rakalt, will I really have to take care of the baby forever? For my whole life?”

“It is His Majesty’s command,” he replied calmly.

The baby’s circumstances were pitiable, but Adelen’s situation felt even more desperate. So she mustered courage she didn’t know she had.

“Could you, Lord Rakalt, perhaps ask His Majesty to reconsider?”

Rakalt turned to her with a steady gaze.

Why would I?

If Adelen were relieved of her duties, the responsibility of the baby would fall entirely on Rakalt. Keeping Adelen in the role was the most practical choice.

The unyielding look in Rakalt’s eyes made it clear he wouldn’t entertain the idea.

Desperate, Adelen began to think of another approach.