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

<Episode 112>

 

It was just for a moment, but it felt like I’d been transported back in time to 8 years ago. Raphael was showing me an expression that he only showed around those he was comfortable with.

 

“But I’m certain he told me his sister was dead.”

Well, it was practically the same as being dead. If I knew I would come back to life like this, wouldn’t I have said that we were forced to part ways during the war?

 

“Do you still believe I am his sister after hearing those words from Sir Rowayne?”

“I believe it. I’m not entirely sure about the specifics. But it seems certain that you are closely connected to Andert, so for now, that’s what it is.”

 

To avoid the uncomfortable pressure caused by the high heels, I leaned my buttocks against a window frame.

 

“Is it the intuition of the strong? Well, I must admit that intuition is quite convenient.”

 

Raphael’s expression slightly wrinkled. I wondered why he was looking at me with those eyes, but he seemed annoyed that I had spoken so casually.

No, I’d just blurted my thoughts out like that because I was reminded of the past.

 

“…I see.”

His gaze turned back to me with a soft addition to his words.

What a petty guy.

Can’t I even speak half a word casually? This dirty noble society. All humans are made equal!

 

Of course, I was well aware that Raphael and I were in a completely different situation than before.

 

Yet, the feelings inside remained the same.

Was it because I knew Raphael, the knight of justice, remained unblemished even by the lingering remnants of the dirtiness of the old, flawed rules?

 

The knots in my stomach did not easily unravel.

 

 

“Still, I understand a bit better after having this conversation. The reason my brother treated me as a dead person.”

 

Raphael’s eyebrows twitched ever so slightly as I looked out of the freshly-polished window pane.

Recalling the most infuriating smile I knew – Rue’s smile – I lifted the corners of my mouth to model after him.

 

“I guess he didn’t want to introduce me to his highness, Duke Zenail. Maybe it’s because we lost our parents at a young age and lived alone together, so we siblings cherished each other…”

 

…wait a second.

I think there’s something wrong with my eyesight.

The headquarters of the Knights visible beyond the window. Inside the garden that lead from that headquarters to this building, I saw a face that was terribly familiar.

 

A face that shouldn’t be here.

 

“Caring for each other…”

 

A plump and glossy face. A dignified demeanor like that of a queen.

‘…Rue?’

Why was Rue here?

 

No, the fact that he was here is already a problem, but why did he look like Morian Serenier?

 

“…There’s a sense of caring…”

 

What a ridiculous situation this was.

 

Some people are being interrogated and confined to a room, while others are happily flirting away with a polished knight. And to top it off, they even manage to smile so sweetly, as if possessed by some enchantment!

 

In the moment when my anger was about to reach its peak, I locked eyes with Rue.

The woman’s gaze, which had been staring at me sharply, slowly softened. It was as if he was trying to provoke me.

 

“Is that so? Well, if that’s the case, there’s nothing I can do. I, too, have to cherish Viscount Weatherwoods. After all, Andert’s sister is also my sister.”

 

…Wait. Whose what?

At that moment, I couldn’t help but look back at Raphael.

 

“Are you crazy? Who is your sister?”

A loud burst of laughter erupted from him, as if it couldn’t be contained.

I stared at Raphael, who was laughing like a boy, with a dumbfounded expression.

 

After laughing heartily, he finally returned to his usual cold face. Then, he muttered something incomprehensible.

 

“Oh, my apologies. The expression my dear sister made just now was so similar to Andert’s.”

 

Have you ever seen such a shameless bastard? Laughing so freely and then apologizing?

 

Raphael picked up the pendant placed on the table and stood up.

 

“How amusing. I thought letting him go was best for both him and me. But in the end, it led me to discover traces of you…”

 

And then, he approached and stood before me.

As if making a significant declaration, he uttered each letter with determination.

 

“I couldn’t be more satisfied.”

 

I knew those eyes of Raphael’s.

Eyes that would never miss an opportunity presented to them.

 

For some reason, a chill ran down my spine. I couldn’t bring myself to look directly at his face.

Approaching me, Raphael extended his right arm towards me. Was he demanding an oath? I purposely extended my opposite arm, without any trace of an oath engraved on it.

 

At the moment when the pendant, which embodied our intentions, emitted a faint energy.

 

“Ah.”

I felt a sudden numbness in my heart.

“What is it?”

 

Before my eyes, something surged up, causing a wave of emotions to overcome me. It was hot like fire, and it stung…

 

“…Miss Daisy Weatherwoods?”

 

Raphael, with an uncharacteristic look of surprise, rushed towards me.

Every moment felt slow, like it was dragging on.

 

Just before my vision completely tilted horizontally, the small ribbon on his shirt fluttered and struck my face.

 

The ribbon was stained red with blood.

 

“In essence, right now, your soul is in a very unstable state.”

The warning I’d heard from Malcolm a few weeks ago echoed in my ears.

 

“Of course, as you cross the two walls, the intensity of the soul itself transcends human levels. The problem lies in its fractured state. It will be difficult for it to last long.”

 

“I know that much too. With the current situation, I can probably endure for another 10 years at best…”

 

“10 years? No, that is the lifespan of the soul. The soul itself can endure for quite a long time. But the physical body is different. The vessel that cannot overcome the imbalance of the soul is gradually breaking down. If it continues like this without proper measures…”

 

If it continues, what comes next?

…I couldn’t think of what comes next.

I lost consciousness.

 

 

* * *

 

At the same time,

Somewhere in the underground of Westwinterre.

 

“Snap, cough.”

 

A strangled and trembling man foamed at the mouth. The figure wearing a hood, who was pressuring the man, threw him to the ground when the blood-mixed foam touched their skin.

 

Another person silently observing the scene opened their mouth.

“I never expected the pursuit to follow us all the way here. We need to relocate our base as soon as possible.”

 

“…”

 

“I thought we had completely sealed off any leaks of information. How on earth…”

 

“Our opponent is Raphael Zenail.”

 

“…”

 

“Don’t underestimate him like you would amateurs.”

“Yes.”

 

The footsteps of the two figures soon reached the end of the underground passage. In a place filled only with solid walls and darkness, an old hunchbacked man stood suddenly.

 

The old man spoke to them.

“Show your faces.”

 

Their black hoods were slowly lifted.

 

Even in the darkness, the silver hair shone brightly. The old man respectfully bowed his head towards the figure under the hood.

 

“I have been waiting, Natasha. Please come inside.”

 

Creak.

 

The wall trembled.

 

A door appeared on the once impenetrable wall, and it slowly began to open.

Behind the door, there was a cozy space that contrasted with the dark and humid air of the underground passage. The arrangement of a crackling fireplace and simple, rustic wooden furniture, bearing the touch of a craftsman, created a countryside atmosphere.

 

In a rough and intimidating voice, someone called out as the door closed.

 

-…Natasha.

 

Natasha, the woman with silver hair, walked slowly towards the chair in front of the fireplace.

Seated in the chair was a ragged and untidy dummy. The energy emitting from it was the stark opposite of its appearance. A man’s voice was heard from it again.

 

-How have you been all this time? Oh, there’s dirt on your cheek. Did the pursuers finally discover the hideout? You need to move it within two days.

 

Natasha casually wiped away the bloodstains on her face and spoke towards the dummy.

 

“How is the research progressing?”

 

-You’re as ruthless as ever, little sister. Isn’t this our reunion after half a year? There’s not enough time to catch up on everything that has happened, but you insist on discussing business first.

 

“The progress of the research.”

 

-…Fortunately, there is one achievement worth your attention this time.

 

“An achievement?”

 

-Billy.

 

“Yes.”

 

The hunchbacked old man who had been guarding the door slowly approached Natasha.

 

The object he presented to her was a mouse inside a small glass tube. The mouse, gasping for breath, in a collapsed state, was clearly not in good condition.

 

“This is a mouse that died. It was revived a month ago.”

The eyes of the man who followed Natasha were filled with astonishment at the words.

 

“Revived! Natasha, finally…!”

However, Natasha’s expression was far from pleased.

Examining the mouse inside the glass tube with a cold gaze, she parted her lips with a hint of heaviness.

 

“Should we consider this as revival?”

 

“….”

 

“It’s almost dying. Isn’t that right?”

“Yes. It is expected that it won’t survive until tomorrow night.”

 

The dummy spoke.

 

– Don’t rush, little sister. It’s the first success after four years. We have achieved revival after a long four years. That alone is a significant accomplishment. You know that too, don’t you?

 

Upon hearing those words, Natasha didn’t respond negatively or make any other big gestures. Her face, slightly more relaxed than before, gazed at the pile.

 

“Is maintaining vitality the key?”

 

– It seems so. Upon examination, it appears that an unknown energy is mixed with the revived soul… We should meet in person to discuss the details.

 

 

“The condition of that ‘object’?”

 

That object.

The source of the powerful force that r

evived the mouse.

 

The pile understood Natasha’s words immediately and responded affectionately.

– Don’t worry, the ‘Heart of Mephisto’ is as good as new.

 

 

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NOO NATASHA OMG T-T PLS

 

IS THERAPY BANNED IN PENROTTA