MWC Chapter 42

42. The Countess

 

The butler almost dropped the disassembled toy pieces he was holding, while Adelen nearly tossed the baby.

“L-L-Lord!”

“O-Oh, you’ve arrived!”

So engrossed were they in their chatter that they hadn’t even noticed their master’s arrival.

Adelen and the butler hastily bowed their waists.

And it wasn’t just any idle chatter—they were gossiping about their master. That would be a punishable offense, even if he were just a friend, let alone their master.

As Rakalt glanced down at the two trembling heads, he casually walked past them.

“I mean, you weren’t wrong, so why are you shaking? Ah, are you scared?”

“N-No, sir! I mean, yes, sir!”

“Yes, exactly! That’s right…”

It was only natural that subordinates who had been talking behind their master’s back wouldn’t dare lift their heads.

However, Rakalt found the evaluation that followed the comment about being scary even more interesting.

“A master who takes good care of us.”

Those words came from Adelen’s mouth.

He always believed that a master should take care of their people properly and tried to do so without any shortcomings. Still, as a human, he figured there would inevitably be areas where he fell short.

But seeing Adelen wearing the hair ornament he had gifted her and hearing her say he took good care of them—it made him feel genuinely recognized.

It wasn’t a bad feeling.

He didn’t know how to become less intimidating, but if being a better master meant taking better care of them, that seemed easy enough.

And soon, Rakalt would get the opportunity to become an even better master.

 

“If possible, I’d like to get help from the most capable person!”

Adelen’s request to seek Maltina.’s help in preparing for the party was surprisingly difficult to fulfill.

“I’m busy.”

After waiting a long while, that was the only reply she received.

Still, giving up wasn’t an option—because she didn’t have anyone else to ask for help.

So, in the end, she even sought help from the king.

As a result, they successfully invited Maltina.

“Thank you for responding to our sudden request.”

“Oh, it’s nothing. His Majesty was so delighted to hear the news that he’s raising the national postal project participation rate by a whole 1%.”

Despite claiming to be busy, Maltina. arrived the very next day after the king’s request, looking genuinely pleased.

“Welcome, Lady Maltina.!”

“Oh my, it’s been a while. My lovely maid.”

“It’s Adelen.”

“Yes, Adelen. It’s so nice to see you again.”

“Me too, Lady Maltina.! Thank you so much for coming.”

Adelen, too, was overjoyed.

Anyone watching might have thought the two were getting married.

“Well, I had no reason not to come since I got what I wanted.”

“But you said you were incredibly busy…”

“I was just pretending.”

“Why did you pretend to be busy, even to our master?”

“Oh my, why indeed? Maybe I should’ve played a little less hard-to-get?”

Watching the two getting along so well, Rakalt clenched his folded arms tighter.

It was subtly irritating.

It was baffling how Adelen, who had only met Maltina. twice, wagged her tail at her like a puppy that had found its true owner. And it was equally absurd how Maltina. treated Adelen with the same kindness one would show their pet.

He couldn’t understand what was going on.

“Apologies for pretending to be busy, Lord Rakalt. I thought you might like it if I did.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

Their private conversation ended there.

Rakalt’s cold and decisive tone cut off any further dialogue.

Only Adelen bit her lip in disappointment.

But with her master showing no interest, there was nothing a maid could do to push things forward. This was as far as she could go.

After exchanging greetings, Maltina. quickly got down to business. It seemed her claim of being busy wasn’t entirely false—she looked genuinely pressed for time.

“Alright, so, we need to prepare for this baby’s debut in high society. There’s a lot to do.”

“Is there really that much?”

“Of course. Usually, preparations begin as soon as the baby’s gender is confirmed at birth. With less than a month left, we’ll barely have time to do the essentials.”

Adelen and Rakalt exchanged uneasy glances.

If they had tried to handle this enormous task by themselves, it would have been a disaster.

“And, Lord Rakalt, will you be taking the baby with you?”

Rakalt glanced at the baby sitting on Adelen’s lap, then stretched out his arms.

The baby stared at Rakalt’s face, then looked back up at Adelen.

“Go on, little one.”

Adelen gently pushed the baby toward Rakalt.

“Uhh…”

But the baby tensed up and resisted, its expression darkening in an instant. If the baby could speak, it would have cursed.

“Come here.”

Rakalt firmly grabbed the baby and pulled it onto his lap. Like a ball, the baby was lifted and placed onto him.

And then—

“WAAAHHHHHH!”

The baby didn’t just cry—it roared with rage.

It was the first time anyone had seen the baby so furious.

Kicking and flailing wildly, the baby thrashed against Rakalt’s arms, chest, and stomach. The baby’s limbs, turning red from the exertion, made a loud thudding noise.

“If this keeps up, the baby will get hurt,” Adelen said, quickly pulling the baby back into her arms.

The baby snuggled into Adelen’s embrace, breathing heavily. A little longer, and it might have breathed fire.

“This won’t work,” Rakalt concluded.

Maltina., still dazed by the fierce battle she had just witnessed, blinked in shock.

The cute, calm baby she had met at the palace now raged like a wild beast. It was terrifying.

“Is the baby usually this shy around strangers?”

“Yes… It’s fine when playing, but the baby refuses to let anyone else hold them.”

“Not just with Lord Rakalt?”

“No, only I’m allowed to hold the baby. Would you like to try?”

Never one to miss an opportunity, Adelen offered.

If her master wasn’t interested, perhaps she could win over Maltina. instead.

If Maltina. married her master, the adorable baby would come as a bonus!

“No, thank you.”

“…Pardon?”

“I’m not good with babies.”

“…I see.”

The plan failed before it even began.

Adelen had hoped that if the baby comfortably accepted Maltina., she might be able to ask her to accompany the baby to the party. But that idea was now dead in the water.

“If Lord Rakalt can’t bring the baby, Adelen must accompany them.”

“That’s right.”

“Well then, the bigger issue is preparing Adelen. Can we even make it in time?”

Maltina. eyed Adelen and the baby, calculating the logistics.

“What kind of preparation… for me?” Adelen cautiously asked, sensing something ominous.

“Can’t I just wear the former lady’s dress I borrowed last time?”

“What?! Are you serious?”

Maltina’s eyes widened in shock as she clicked her tongue.

Adelen, confused about why she was being scolded, fell silent.

“This isn’t like last time when no one important was watching. If you wear that dress again, people will mock you—and by extension, the baby—all the way to Sigelion!”

“Is it… really that serious?”

“Yes, it is. And you’re not just a maid serving at the party this time, are you?”

“No, I’m not.”

“You’re attending as the royal heir’s caretaker. That’s akin to the rank of a countess.”

Adelen’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“A countess?”

“Yes. If you don’t match that status, the baby’s dignity will suffer too.”

A cold sweat trickled down Adelen’s back.