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

<Episode 109>

 

Not even giving me a break to catch my breath when I’d been traveling for a long time was extremely unfair treatment.

So I expressed my dissatisfaction.

 

“Apologies, Viscount. We had no choice but to accommodate the schedule of the guests attending. We ask for your understanding.”

 

Rowayne skillfully responded, showing no signs of willing to make a compromise.

Of course, the self-important and prickly Viscount Weatherwoods would never let this slide.

 

“Is that how you ask people for your understanding? If you need my understanding, shouldn’t you be more desperate? Perhaps even kneel.”

 

“Viscount Weatherwoods.”

 

While Jean tried to stop me, Rowayne’s emerald eyes blinked slowly. His gaze was trying to determine whether my words were sincere or sarcastic.

 

Yes, I wasn’t joking.

Because it was the truth.

My role model was none other than Marquis Medeis, whom I met in Astrosa. I had confidence I would also be able to ignore other people’s opinions and do my own thing.

 

Raphael and Desherro left earlier. So there was no superior here that could help Rowayne.

In that situation, Rowayne…

 

‘He’ll probably kneel down without a second thought.’

 

My expectations were right. Rowayne’s gaze, as he knelt down without hesitation, quickly fell upon me.

 

Watching him made me deeply frustrated. It reminded me of Yeager, who did not back down even when faced with the wrath of Lord Medeis.

 

“…sigh.”

 

Look at this. Not everyone can be unscrupulous.

 

I swiftly tapped the kneeling figure’s knee with the tip of my shoe. As a result, Rowayne, who had lost his balance, leaned slightly to the side.

 

I firmly grasped his chin and lifted it up. With a gentle smile, I brushed my fingers above his eyes.

 

“Be careful. You almost stumbled forward, didn’t you? It was just a joke, so you weren’t really planning to kneel and embarrass this Viscount Weatherwoods, right? There are so many eyes watching, you know.”

 

The expression of the man, which had been like a doll all along, momentarily changed.

“Guide us. Stay six steps ahead. As slowly as possible.”

 

Rowayne stood up without a word, bowed his head, and turned his back.

Jean, who followed me closely, whispered.

 

“It seems we should maintain a reasonable line with how far we go.”

“You don’t know anything, that’s why you say that. You avoid shit because it’s dirty.”

 

If I became shit, all these useless people would naturally avoid me. Unfortunately, I only ended up as a piece of shit, without the benefit.

 

With a face that seemed to ask, ‘What kind of bullshit is that?’ Jean cleared her throat softly and brought up a slightly different topic.

 

“But still, isn’t he slim and charming? Most of the knights of the Zenail Order are known for their neat appearance, but Rowayne Werkhord stands out among them.”

 

“You’re subtly revealing your true face, aren’t you?”

“No, he’s not my type. I’m mentioning it because I think he would look good standing next to you, Viscount.”

“Oh, really? I suppose it would be somewhat satisfying to see that brat squirm after my strike.”

“Sigh… That’s not the meaning behind my words either. Have you already forgotten the secondary objective of this outing?”

 

…Huh?

 

Come to think of it.

 

‘Now that you have become the new Head of the Weatherwoods, you must fulfill your duties as the head of the family. For example, the issue of marriage and succession.”

 

“What’s the point of having a successor when I’ve inherited the family in an illegitimate way?”

 

“Nevertheless, you still need to get married. If it’s difficult right now, at least consider engagement or a betrothal.”

“Why?”

“That’s how a decent noble family works!”

 

If that’s the case, then the Zenails must be a ruined noble family that lost all of their honour.

The maid seemed to have a vision to make the Weatherwoods family flawless.

‘…Well, it’s not like I can refute her request.’’

 

A marriage for show could be arranged. Like the maid said, I had an obligation to fullfill.

The problem was that Rue was on my mind.

 

‘Would Rue approve of it?’

 

The question sounded funny even to my ears.

So what if he didn’t allow it? My life was my own. How dare he tell me not to do this or that….I’ve already accumulated enough debts.

 

I pushed aside my complicated thoughts and focused on Rowayne’s back as he walked in the distance.

 

‘Objectively speaking, it’s not bad.’

 

He was actually pretty good.

He had the perfect physique for a swordsman. Straight posture, soothing voice, serious gaze. Neatly dressed. And on top of that, an unwavering composure in almost any situation.

 

‘That’s my potential husband candidate number one.’

It might not be too bad, right?

 

‘But even if he’s not bad, what’s the point? Does a man who would stoop as low to marry me who acts like trash exist?’

 

I swept my chin and asked Jean.

“You said he’s a knight who’s gained Raphael’s trust. Haven’t you been paying attention? From my perspective, it will only be uncomfortable.”

 

We spoke in hushed voices so as to not reach Rowayne.

 

“I confirmed it in the morning newspaper. The Werkhord family is recently facing financial difficulties. It is said that a significant portion of their estate has been confiscated by the royal family due to military law violations.”

 

“What are you talking about? Even if it’s the royal family, they don’t have the authority to confiscate the estates of a well-established noble family.”

 

“This case is unique. Half of the Werkhord estate is the land distributed after the magic war. It seems that during the process of reclaiming this land, they also took away the existing estates. It’s to set a strong example of their power.”

 

“A strong example? What do you mean?”

 

“In the Zenail faction, many nobles benefited from the redistribution of territories after the magic war. On the other hand, the Emperor faction has many nobles who did not participate in the war and did not receive any benefits from the redistribution.”

 

Jean explained.

 

The territories distributed to the beneficiaries after the magic war were the ones that lost their owners.

During the period before the previous Emperor’s passing, the families who’d participated in the war were extremely favored. After his passing, however, it was said that the families who participated centered around Raphael Zenail and formed a powerful force.

 

“In the course of his accession, His Majesty Ashernik received tremendous support from the Silent Faction (Those families that did not participate in the War). He must pay the debt somehow. If he takes back the territory distributed to the Zenail Faction and presents it to the Silents, he would not lose anything immediately, and he would also be able to keep his political opponents in check.”

 

 

I vaguely remembered hearing about the beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries of the magical war, as well as the participating and silent factions on the Black Ragel.

‘Did Ashernik gain power during the end of the war with the Silent nobles on his back…?’

I think I could understand a bit of why Natasha couldn’t succeed the throne.

 

“So, because the Werkhord family is in financial trouble, they plan to push all their members into the marriage market to tighten their belts?”

 

“Yes, I think they would consider it best to choose someone who could be beneficial to the family.”

 

If that was the case, then I might be the perfect candidate. Young, female, not from the Emperor’s faction, and the head of a noble family affiliated with the Noble Council.

 

Rowayne stopped in front of a room close to the staircase on the second floor. And then he spoke to Jean.

 

“Miss Jean Berkeley-Gratten, wait outside….”

“It’s not Jean Berkeley-Gratten, it’s just Jean. I am the aide to Lord Weatherwoods.”

“I apologize. Please wait here, aide.”

 

Jean, with concern in her eyes, nodded at me and urged,

“If any issues arise, please call for me, Lord.”

 

Creak. Inside the open door, there was a cozy small reception room.

 

Familiar faces surrounded the round table inside.

Count Rosebell.

Marquis Calpen.

Count Rogenhoff.

 

And lastly, Raphael.

 

All of them were heroes of the Magic War who commanded the battlefield 10 years ago.

‘…I had a feeling something was off.’

 

Wasn’t this combination a little murderous?

‘But where is the swordmaster?’

 

It was strange that the swordmaster wasn’t part of this group. Could it be that he couldn’t make it due to lack of time?

 

“These individuals are here as witnesses for this interrogation. This is Count Rosebell, Marquis Calpen, and Count Rogenhoff.”

 

I shook hands with each of them, starting with Count Rosebell, who, (considering his relationship with the Weatherwoods family) stood cold-eyed.

 

“Nice to meet you, Viscount Weatherwoods.”

“I’ve just heard about the situation. You succeeded Viscount Gray Weatherwoods as head of the Weatherwoods family? Congratulations.”

“You’re quite young.”

 

That was the end of the pleasantries.

 

Without even a chance for me to say anything, all four of them disappeared into the adjacent room. They said they would listen to the conversation in this room through a magical device.

 

‘The atmosphere is so cold that I could freeze.’

 

Rowayne guided me to an empty round table. Then, placing a clock-shaped magical device in the center of the table, he spoke.

 

“Then let’s begin. Please state your name, Viscount.”

So, it finally begins.

 

I answered while comfortably leaning back in my chair.

“Daisy Weatherwoods.”

 

“Thank you. I will continue with the questions. About six months ago, Viscount, you appeared on Queen Island and encountered the military forces there. You introduced yourself as Bertie Lucian. Is that correct?”

 

I nodded.

 

“However, Viscount, you were not the actual Bertie Lucian, so this constitutes identity forgery. Furthermore, the name ‘Daisy Fager’ is also not your real name. Do you acknowledge this?”

 

I felt a little uncomfortable, but I nodded.

 

“From your appearance and the testimonies of the people of Queen Island, we’ve concluded that you were a member of the Fager family and lived alone with your brother after the loss of your biological parents, respectively Gideon Fager and Irene Fager. Is that correct?”

 

It’d been a while since I’d heard those names.

I’d even forgotten… I nodded my head as nonchalantly as possible.

 

“Records about you disappeared after the Queen Island incident 14 years ago. There were rumours circulating about you jumping into the sea after your brother was killed in the incident, and that you secretly escaped Queen Island and enlisted in the military. Are any of those rumours true?”

 

Something was definitely off.

 

They already knew that my brother was Andert Fager, The Hero of the magic war. But he said ‘after your brother died’?

 

‘Is this bait?’

 

If it was, what was it for?

Feeling hesitant, I postponed my answer. Rowayne stared straight into my eyes and parted his lips.

 

“Viscount Daisy Weatherwoods. I have one question. Please answer only the truth.”

At this point,

I was sure the question Rowayne would ask was ‘Are you the biological sister of Andert Fager?’

 

That was the most reasonable prediction. If they investigated through the testimonies of Queen Island’s residents, wouldn’t the truth be obvious?

However,the question that ensued was not one I’d expected.

 

“Are you, Viscount, Andert Fager, who participated in the magic war, led the war to victory, and was awarded the title of Count Vladiev by his Majesty?”