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

Episode 124

 

‘Child?’

 

Was there something wrong with my ears? Or did Rue truly just announce he was going to have a baby with me?

 

“Rather than meeting some ignorant man you don’t know on the premise of reproductive activities, you’d be better off with me, won’t you?”

 

I had no idea what part was supposed to be better.

“There’s no need to go down to the level of an ignorant young man. Think about it, if you had to choose the father of your child between Priest Malcolm and me right now, who would you choose?”

 

Even in the midst of confusion, there was no need to ponder which option was better. If anything, I was a little angry.

 

“Why does it have to be Malcolm? I can understand if you at least compare with Sir Rowayne!”

“Both of them are much younger than me anyway.”

No, of course that’s the case.

Rue’s eyes grew slightly fierce.

 

“Ah, do you prefer younger men?”

Was he asking me if I liked Malcolm better since he was younger than the 179-years-old Rue?

 

“No, that’s not it. Regardless of age, I definitely, absolutely, prefer Rue.”

“The youngest cook in the pub you manage is eighteen.”

“I don’t even remember his face. Even if I remember it, there’s no way.”

“What about between Desherro Contana and me?”

 

Ugh. Why would you make such a comparison? Marry Desherro, have his child, and live happily ever after?

 

“Definitely Rue.”

“What about between Princess Natasha and me?”

“We can’t even conceive a child at all, so it’s not worth mentioning.”

“What about your younger brother, Andert Fager?”

“Are you crazy? I’d rather die!”

“What about Raphael Zennail?”

 

To become spouses after relying on each other as partners for ten years?

 

“That’s something that should never happen.”

 

First of all, my mind didn’t allow it.

 

“You don’t like young men whose faces you don’t know, you also don’t like old men, women, colleagues, or even family members. So, in the end, there’s only me left, right? Isn’t that true?”

 

“Well….”

…It seemed like it.

 

“Just a moment. Why do you keep pushing me? Give me some time to think…”

 

Rue, who raised his chin proudly, looked at me with a reproachful look.

 

“Do you even need time to think? Which area do you need time to think about? Marriage? Children? A partner? Don’t tell me I’m not your type. I know you steal glances at my face whenever you get the chance.”

 

“…That. Well, it’s true that you’re my type.”

 

“Then what’s the problem? Think about it rationally.”

“Rationally?”

 

Of course, if I were to think about it rationally, Rue would be the best choice.

 

He was a man I knew very well and he was both strong and rich. Moreover, he had no complicated political or economic entanglements.

 

‘But he’s Rue, though?’

 

As if dismissing my doubts, Rue chuckled softly and affectionately whispered.

 

“If you can’t avoid it, then enjoy it.”

“Are you sure that’s what you’re supposed to say at a time like this?”

“Yeah.”

 

Rue continued his persuasion but not really persuasion while  gently touching the turquoise pearl earring hanging from my left ear.

 

“You trust me the most, too. Much more than your brother or Raphael Zenail.”

 

I don’t want to describe it as ‘much’, but if I thought about it, it was true.

 

“So just have a baby with me. Fulfill the obligations that the Weatherwoods family demands of you easily. Who else can make you the mother of a child if not me, who has been watching over you for over a decade?”

 

That wasn’t wrong either. You can’t just give birth to children irresponsibly and ignore them, right?

 

Assuming a child were to be born (hypothetically, hypothetically)  it would be best to choose a responsible father like Rue.

Moreover, in the worst-case scenario, I wouldn’t live for long and fate would close my eyes. But if it were Rue, he would take care of the child in his own way with sincerity even after I died.

 

“But is Rue okay with it?”

“I’m okay with anything.”

“Don’t give me vague answers. Having a child or getting married is not something to do one-sidedly…”

“One-sidedly?”

 

The calm conversation suddenly came to a halt.

Getting married and having a child.

 

For me, of course, it was a new and unfamiliar thing.

 

As soon as I became an adult, I went to the battlefield, wielding my sword and since I used my younger brother’s identity, I never had the chance to experience a typical romantic relationship. I never particularly wanted to try it either.

 

But what about Rue?

‘Is it Rue’s first time too?’

 

Since he was a century and a half years old, he must have dated enough to be sick of it.

Then, had he been married once too? Did he have a wife with whom he shared love, or children as a result of that love? If so, what has become of them?

 

Once the questions started, they continued to multiply, intertwining with each other in a complex web of emotions that became difficult for me to navigate.

 

“Master.”

A knock shattered my thoughts.

“A representative from the Werkhord family, Viscountess Werkhord, has come to see you.”

“…Werkhord?”

 

I came back to my senses and got up from Rue’s lap.

In the meantime, the head maid had disappeared. I approached the door, both to relieve my stifled breath and to answer it.

 

Just before I was going to put my hand on the handle and twist, Rue’s voice came from behind.

“I thought you would accept. Is that a no?”

 

A no?

 

Because Rue might have been in a relationship before? No, I swear I didn’t have any intention of rejecting him.

 

‘Expecting purity or chastity from a man who has lived for nearly 200 years is selfish.’

 

However, my mind became a bit complicated.

If you asked what was so complicated, well, I guess it was because I’d never experienced something like this before? It was the first time I felt such an intense possessiveness, and the recipient was a man. It was all new to me.

 

Everything is awkward at first. No matter how confident I may usually be, I can’t help but feel a little frustrated.

 

Maybe it was because I’d objectively looked at my feelings, but I felt a little relieved.

 

“I didn’t reject you. If it’s okay, I’d like to accept it after I make up my mind, until the Hunting Festival.”

 

Well, if that was the proper way for a response to a proposal.

 

Rue’s face slowly cooled down. Even the corners of his mouth, which were drawing lines leisurely, became closer to a bitter sneer.

 

“Is it because of Raphael Zenail?”

 

It wouldn’t hurt to just kill him. The voice that murmured that nonchalantly resurfaced in my mind. A slight shiver ran up my arm.

 

“Why does that name keep coming up? I have no intention of doing anything like that with Raphael. It’s just that marriage or childbirth naturally involves emotional preparation, right? Women usually feel that way. I don’t know about men… but who knows.”

 

Actually, I could have asked Rue right now. If it would be his first time too.

But I didn’t want to.

I didn’t want to appear narrow-minded to Rue, and above all, I didn’t want to dig into Rue’s past. It would be more accurate to say that I don’t want to know about his past.

 

‘Whether it’s a lover or a wife… I don’t think I’d feel good to find out about them.’

 

So, well… to some extent, it was my own pettiness.

 

Rue, my selfish magician who solved everything easily and simply, in his own way.

 

I secretly hoped he would grant my earnest wish and make me feel a little uncomfortable… Even I didn’t know what I was thinking, really.

 

“For women.”

A strange gaze fell upon me. The golden eyes, wavering somewhere between understanding and patience, seemed to answer as if it couldn’t be helped.

 

“If you say it like that, I can’t push you any further. Alright, I’ll wait.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Rue picked me up again.

 

Swiftly opening the door, he passed by the butler standing at the door and descended the stairs with light steps.

 

“Well, this works out nicely. Is it the birth mother of my first opponent that has come to visit? Quite proactive. She’s caught my attention.”

 

“W-wait, what are you doing? You should put me down and get out!”

“I can’t let my prince’s feet touch the ground. I can’t do something so disrespectful.”

“Are you crazy? Put me down now-”

 

Ah, damn.

Our eyes met.

And of all people, it had to be with a woman I had never seen before.

 

‘Viscountess Werkhord.’

 

This was the worst first encounter.

Pushing away Rue’s chest and landing on the ground, I approached the woman with a cool smile, pretending nothing had happened.

 

“Viscountess Werkhod? I’m Viscount Weatherwoods. Nice to meet you. You came here quite unexpectedly.”

 

Viscountess Werkord, who’d been looking at me and Rue with bewildered eyes, skillfully regained her composure.

 

“I apologize, Viscount Weatherwoods. Did I surprise you? I have something to discuss with you in person, so I took the liberty of coming to see you. I am Anna Werkhord. Feel free to call me Mrs. Werkord.”

 

“Sure, Mrs. Werkhord.”

“Thank you. But this person…”

 

Rue looked at me instead of flapping his lips. It was a look that meant I should respond as I pleased.

 

Unable to introduce him as a Calepa, a suitor or even a cook and gardener, I chose the most appropriate word and answered.

 

“He’s a close friend of mine. I’ll introduce him to you later, so shall we go to the parlor and have some tea? I’m curious about the reason you came to see me.”

 

Momentarily surprised, Viscountess Werkhord, who had been gazing at Rue with both a surprised and delighted expression, soon turned her head towards me.

 

“I see. A close friend… Ah, I have a metal allergy, so could I request milk instead of tea?”

 

After settling in the guest parlor, Viscountess Werkhord and I exchanged brief greetings. As we were meeting for the first time, it was essentially an introduction and getting to know each other.

 

“Have you received the letter I sent earlier?”

“Yes.”

“I came because I wanted to see you face to face. About marriage.”

That damn marriage.

It’s only been a few days since I inherited my title, and already the contacts were flooding in. It was amazing in some ways.

 

“You’re rather direct.”

“I don’t want to miss out on someone as remarkable as Viscount Weatherwoods for matters as trivial as being humble. May I ask if there are any other visits scheduled from different families?”

 

“There are indeed appointments scheduled.”

“I see. Everyone seems to be quite quick on their feet.”

 

Mrs. Werkhord, elegantly smiling with her lips, spoke to me.

 

“Is there a match you’re planning to meet?”

 

I thought for a moment at her question.

I was still ignorant of the social circle.

 

‘And when the other party one-sidedly wants something from me…’

 

If I played my cards right, I could gain significant advantages.

 

“No, there isn’t anyone yet.”

“Oh! That’s a relief. Well then…”

 

After that, I had to attentively listen to the great history of the Werhord family and the superior qualities of Rowayne Werkord for an hour.

 

She probably didn’t know her son was crushed by me.

I felt ashamed to look at the lady’s face as she proudly talked about Rowayne.

 

‘Perhaps the rumour about me being Andert’s sister hasn’t gone around yet.’

 

I suddenly became curious.

Would Viscountess Werhord’s attitude remain the same even after the rumour spread?

 

After a week of welcoming guests from two families.

I left for Ragel to attend the Hunting Festival.

---

 

THEY’RE GETTING MARRIED AAAAAAA

They were already half-married in my eyes but I am going feral rn

They’re so whipped for each other I love it sm

you’re welcome. I considered letting you all salivate by posting these chapters one by one but cruelty is not my feat.

the novel changes covers from the next chapter, so I’ll post the next chapter with the new cover! (It’s Rue)