The Peaceful Life of a Maid Who Hides Her Power and Enjoys It

<Episode 108>

 

While we sat in the carriage, I roughly explained the story of how Daisy Fager came to be Viscount Weatherwoods.

 

Of course, even though we were long-time colleagues, I couldn’t disclose the family’s deep secrets to him. I simply explained that my interests aligned with the Weatherwoods family.

Jean looked surprised at the fact that Desherro knew my identity, but she kept her mouth shut.

 

 

It was wise.

Revealing unnecessary information by opening her mouth here wouldn’t be too favorable.

 

“So, how did you convey my story to Raphael?”

“Since you are an outsider, I cannot go into detail… but-”

“I know too, Desherro. Just answer the question instead of beating around the bush.”

“Your new way of speaking is really hard to adapt to. I conveyed it just as you requested. For now, at least.”

“…What do you mean by ‘for now’?”

 

 

Desherro only shrugged his shoulders in response. What was that? It made me uneasy.

While I explored the possible meanings of his unsettling words, the carriage continued to move without stopping.

 

Inside the carriage, it was quiet.

Desherro was lost in his own thoughts, and I was busy organizing my plans for the future, so neither of us spoke.

 

Maybe that was why? Four years had passed.

The fact that our lives had completely changed finally hit me.

It felt like an unwelcome sense of the gravity of reality was crushing down on me.

 

I forced myself to think of something else.

 

‘Is Raphael interrogating Daisy Fager, a survivor, solely out of duty?’

 

Maybe it was because the opponent I was dealing with was different from usual, but I hadn’t felt at ease since earlier.

 

The lingering tension from staying up all night kept me on edge and added to my fatigue.

 

‘First of all, I need to relax. It’s unlikely that we’ll see each other today.’

 

The Weatherwoods might be a part of the noble council, but they’d been inactive for four years, reducing their role and position in politics over the years.

Furthermore, Viscountess Weatherwoods (Rue) subtly evaded Raphael’s request, which really was an unspoken order, and sent Viscount Weatherwoods instead of whom he’d initially requested.

 

Usually, in such a case, he wouldn’t show his face for a few days and give the Weatherwoods a cold shoulder, just to hurt their pride a little.

 

Why? Because that was the etiquettes of the nobles. That was how they fought.

The problem was that Raphael wasn’t that kind of person.

 

“You look tired. Are you okay?”

I remained in the same position, sprawled on the chair, and glanced at Desherro with just my eyes.

 

“I can’t help it. I couldn’t sleep.”

“Are you nervous?”

“Well… aside from being nervous, as the head of a family, I can’t afford to act like a fool.”

“…So you’re sincere about that position.”

 

That position? Was he referring to the position of the Weatherwoods matriarch?

 

“It’s not like there’s a reason for me not to be sincere.”

“I didn’t mean it in that way.”

“Then?”

 

“I’m just simply realizing firsthand that a long time has passed between us. Doesn’t becoming the head of a family mean being bound to it forever? I never thought the day would come when you would make that choice.”

 

Was that so?

 

“We’ve arrived. Please disembark.”

 

The door opened, and Deshero, who had already gotten off, tried to escort me.

I smiled mischievously and declined his kindness.

 

“I’ll only accept the escort of my aide. Just go away and stop meddling unnecessarily.”

“…Sigh.”

“What are you doing, aide? Can’t you move faster?”

“I apologize, Viscount.”

 

Jean seemed quite sincere in her role to be mistreated by me.

I carefully stepped on the ground to avoid stumbling.

 

And when I got off the carriage.

 

“Oh, this is unexpected.”

That man was standing there.

“What a surprising sight.”

 

Raphael.

I almost held my breath for a moment.

 

My actions were the same. My body froze as if caught in the act of doing something wrong… but I immediately unfroze. I didn’t want to appear intimidated.

 

‘You’re going to show your face right away like this?’

 

It was unexpected.

I felt Jean tightly gripping my hand. She seemed more tense than I was.

 

I didn’t know what exactly Raphael meant by calling it a ‘surprising sight.’

Perhaps it was surprising that it was Daisy, the maid, who was acting directly instead of Gray Weatherwoods.

 

Glancing briefly at my face with indifferent eyes, he looked at Desherro.

In response to his gaze asking for an answer, Desherro shrugged his shoulders with a face that showed no sign of intimidation.

 

“I didn’t know either until after I went to get Viscount Weatherwoods.”

“Viscount Weatherwoods?”

“Yes. Miss Daisy Fager.. Is actually part of the lineage of the Weatherwoods.”

 

Raphael’s vivid red eyes turned to me.

I never expected to face such a cold stare from him. His eyes were so devoid of emotion that it sent a shiver down my spine.

 

“Is his claim true?”

I raised my chin with a confident attitude and just tilted my head slightly.

 

Jean, whom I thought would praise me, looked at me with an uneasy expression this time. She was observing the opponent. Clever.

 

Raphael stared at my face for a moment and then slowly parted his lips.

 

“Well, that’s sudden. Even if we disregard the sudden position change, Gray Weatherwoods could have easily made a visit himself.”

 

I smoothly uttered the premeditated lie.

 

“He’s already in grave health. He’s on the verge of death, so let him rest in peace. In any case, since the subject of the investigation has come in person, does it really matter?”

“I wasn’t expecting you to be accompanied by Miss Jean Berkeley-Gratten.”

“That’s something you don’t need to concern yourself with.”

 

 

A faint wrinkle formed on Raphael’s handsome forehead. It seemed my sharp tone didn’t please him.

 

However, he soon turned expressionless, turned his back, and walked ahead.

“Follow me.”

 

I followed him with a satisfied smile, matching his broad strides.

‘Good, with this, we’ve overcome the immediate obstacle.’

 

In truth, I’d somewhat foresaw this.

 

Raphael couldn’t afford to be indifferent to the sudden changes in the Weatherwoods family. Whether I become the head of the Weatherwoods family or not, it ultimately only pertained to the personal affairs of our household.

 

Unless there was an intention to undermine the reputation of the Weatherwoods family, Raphael wouldn’t pay any attention to my status. It wasn’t in his nature to do so.

 

Contrary to my expectations of heading to the main residence, however, Raphael guided us to a separate building behind the main estate.

 

‘…The training grounds?’

 

It seemed like this building was the headquarters of the Zenail Knights. The atmosphere here was quite different from the grandeur of the Zenail Estate, possibly due to the sight of the white uniforms scattered here and there.

 

‘Is he trying to show me around?’

 

According to the Head Maid’s words, the knights from the Zenail and Berkeley-Gratten families belonged to the military special forces.

 

If there was anything peculiar about them, it was that while the military command was under the Emperor’s control, the command of these two special forces was divided among the leaders of each family.

 

The Berkeley-Gratten family held their position due to their special status as the Empire’s guardians, while the Zenail family held it solely due to their geographical position between the capital and the northern continent.

 

‘I see quite a few familiar faces.’

 

It was when I pretended to be uninterested and casually scanned the faces of the knights.

Raphael, who had walked quickly ahead, was seen receiving a report from a young knight. As I waited absentmindedly, Jean whispered next to me.

 

“That is Rowayne Werkhord. He’s the third son of the Werkhord family, a minor noble family. He became a lieutenant at a young age and currently serves in the Zenail Knights. He’s a promising swordsman.”

 

“…Stronger than you?”

 

“No. But I heard he has gained considerable trust from Duke Zenail.”

 

Raphael’s trust, huh? I tried to estimate what kind of person he might be.

Raphael returned to my side and introduced Rowayne to me.

 

“Exchange greetings. This is Rowayne Werkhord, a member of the Zenail Knights. Rowayne, this is Viscount Daisy Weatherwoods.”

 

The tall, fair-haired and handsome Rowayne stared at me.

I wondered why he was staring at me like that, but it seemed like he was waiting for me to extend the back of my hand to him. I almost instinctively went to shake hands out of habit.

I pretended it was distasteful and casually extended my hand.

 

“It’s a beautiful day, Viscount Weatherwoods. I am Rowayne Werkhord.”

Despite my feisty attitude, he didn’t show any signs of annoyance.

 

‘Hmm.’

 

Impressive composure? I liked that. Plus, he had a perfect physique for a swordsman. I could understand why Raphael liked him.

 

As I was giving him a friendly glance, Rowayne added something uninteresting.

“Today, I will be conducting your interrogation. Please cooperate.”

 

Interrogation?

 

So, I would be facing Rowayne instead of Raphael? I set aside how much I welcomed it from my perspective and spoke.

 

“Interrogation, huh? That’s an uncomfortable word, isn’t it, Mr. Werkhord?”

“I will do my best to make you feel as comfortable as possible, ma’am.”

 

Rowayne remained calm, regardless of whether I showed discomfort or not. I canceled my initial impression of his composed demeanor.

 

Even if I got angry at the subordinate, it was pointless. I stared straight into Raphael’s eyes and uttered a hateful remark.

 

“I knew from our first meeting, but you truly do whatever you want.”

Of course, he was even calmer than Rowayne.

 

“The schedule with the Viscount today is of high importance from a military and political perspective. Therefore, some observers, excluding me and Rowayne, will also be present. Rowayne, escort Lord Weatherwoods. We will start the interrogation immediately.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Somehow, it felt like the situation was getting bigger than I anticipated.

 

I had a bad feeling about it.