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

<Episode 129>

 

Especially Count Rogenhoff.

When I turned my head, I met his eyes and twitching lips.

 

‘He must have a lot of questions about Andert for me.’

 

We hadn’t been able to have a proper conversation in the Zenail Castle because of the interrogations and the matter of the corps.

 

This was the same for other members of the association, including Count Rosebell. Judging by how everyone seemed to be subtly holding themselves back at the moment, things might get bothersome after the banquet.

 

And…

‘The Swordmaster.’

On the opposite table to where we were seated.

Among the people at that table, there was a man who showed a particularly strong presence.

 

His dark red hair was as subtle as a rose blooming under the moonlight, and his clear green eyes were so calm that they seemed to have settled like sediment.

 

Duke Jurian Berkeley-Gratten.

Just like Raphael, the Duke’s side was also bustling with people.

However, if those who were approaching Raphael were diverse in age and gender, the majority on the other side are composed of noble gentlemen and ladies with serious expressions.

 

Those who have just become adults or appear to be around that age were simply watching them with their necks slightly tilted.

 

‘So, this is the atmosphere of the Empire’s grand feast.’

 

I may not know much else, but it was clear that people were on edge.

 

Whether it was someone leisurely sipping their drink, straightening their back in tension, or huddling to greet each other, I could see that they were all pretending to be uninterested in their surroundings.

 

‘I can see why Natasha used to say she had a hard time here.’

She used to say she was more comfortable with the army than at a banquet.

It was hard for me to endure this uncomfortable atmosphere since I had a personality that required me to do what I wanted to not be restless.

 

“Are you sleepy?”

I shook my head at Raphael’s question.

“If you sit there with such a bored expression, you’ll be noticed. I’m sure you don’t want that.”

“…Is that so?”

 

I lifted up my slouched shoulders a little more cheerfully and looked around with fluttering eyes.

Raphael glanced at me and laughed softly. I didn’t know if he was ridiculing me or not.

 

He, having just greeted the 14th gentleman since we sat down, did not forget about my existence and engaged in conversation with me here and there.

 

I knew he felt responsible.. But to be very honest, I hadn’t expected him to take so much care.

 

‘Well, just by sitting next to him, I’m getting way more attention than necessary, so he should do at least this much for me.’

 

Fortunately, Raphael didn’t try to introduce me to those who came to greet him.

Whenever someone approached, blatantly staring at my face and demanding an introduction, he skillfully diverted the conversation to another topic.

 

Thanks to that, I was able to escape the hellish task of remembering the faces and names of countless people.

 

‘But is it really okay to see this as a relief?’

 

When you think about it, wasn’t this the same as blocking the opportunity to meet people?

As long as I’m the head of the Weatherwoods family, I could not spend my time just secluded from society. I think I might have to go around here and there by myself after the banquet ends.

 

At some point, the people who freely roamed around the banquet hall began to find their places one by one. Eventually, everyone took their seats.

 

And then a bell rang.

 

Ding.

 

Silently, the servants appeared and poured wine into our glasses.

Then, an elderly man with white hair appeared on the stage.

 

“The toastmaster, Lord Daniel Milford.”

Raphael whispered to me.

 

I already knew the name since I’d heard about him from the maid, but I nodded in thanks anyway.

 

“I will now explain the rules of the hunting competition.”

 

It’s quite intimidating to start with the rules before revealing anything else. Is he really the host?

 

“The competition will be conducted in teams of two. Hunting will take place once a day, twice in total, and the basic partners will not change.”

 

The Imperial Hunting Competition was considered the grandest event in the Imperial Society.

 

I recalled the information the head maid had told me last night.

 

“The choosing of a hunting partner can be considered the highlight of the <The Glorious Harvest Feast>. It is considered impolite to choose a partner before the hunting competition. However, those who participate in the competition for the first time that year can inform the toastmaster of their chosen partner in advance. Otherwise, it is decided spontaneously or by fate.”

 

‘This must be what Raphael meant by partners back at the Zenail Estate.’

 

The concept of partners in the hunting competition organized by the imperial family seemed slightly different from the usual notion.

 

Usually, choosing partners in a hunting competition served as a safety measure for unforeseen circumstances. However, in this hunting competition, two individuals formed one team, and each had assigned roles.

 

“One team consists of one hunter and one aide. The total score is calculated by combining the hunter’s ‘hunting’ score and the aide’s ‘assistance’ score. Please note that roles cannot be switched as they are monitored by magical devices.”

 

The host held a black bracelet and a white bracelet in each hand as he introduced them. The black bracelet belonged to the hunter, while the white bracelet belonged to the aide.

 

“The roles of the hunter and the aide will be reversed in the second hunt. Only during this time are partner allowed to exchange bracelets. Additionally, you will be given two opportunities to change partners.”

 

The host shook his index and middle fingers twice.

 

“The process is simple. The hunter with the higher score can change their aide with one from a lower-scoring team. However, the lower-scoring hunter and aide have no choice in the matter. Priority is given based on the total scores.”

 

The room buzzed with excitement.

Most participants in the hunting competition seemed a little nervous and excited.

 

“One important thing to note is that even if the aide changes, the group remains the same. Therefore, the hunter can disrupt the other team’s score by interfering with their new aide’s ‘assistance’ scores and vice versa, with the aide interfering with the hunter’s ‘hunting’ score. The second day of the hunt will start with the original group composition..”

 

The host explained the “partner swapping” that would take place during the hunting competition as a strategic move.

 

However, according to the Head Maid, this “partner swapping” was not just for hunting strategies.

 

“Being able to move around without attracting anyone’s attention and having the Emperor’s approval to work together alone as a pair is very appealing. Especially for unmarried men and women. Not only that, it can also be used for political discourse, to threaten or mock opponents. So, the first partner should be chosen as someone capable. Otherwise, you might be used as a tool for others to use and discard.”

 

I could see a man and a woman subtly changing glances. Maybe it was for this reason. 

“All those seat at the dining table, please check the back of the napkins in front of you.”

 

Following the master of ceremonies’ words, I flipped the napkin over.

Behind the white fabric was the Imperial pattern, and the color of my pattern was…

 

“For those who received a black pattern, you will serve as hunters on the first day and assistants on the second day. Conversely, those who received a gray pattern will serve as assistants on the first day and hunters on the second day. You only have 10 minutes from now to exchange patterns.”

 

The color of my pattern was gray.

 

‘Hmm.’

 

I glanced over and noticed that Raphael had received a black pattern.

Was it only natural? Since I attended as Raphael’s partner, maybe that was why we couldn’t have the same colour.

 

The participants checked each other’s colors and started engaging in lively conversations. The most attention was undoubtedly on Raphael and the Swordmaster.

 

Even though Raphael had come with me as his partner, and I was sitting right next to him, the questions from the women sitting afar didn’t cease.

 

“Your Excellency, Duke Zenail. Lady Rosette has asked about the colour of the pattern you received.”

 

“Your Grace, Lady Edwina wishes to ask about the colour of the pattern you received.”

“Your Excellency, Duke Zenail, the Countess of Gruid has also asked about the colour of the pattern you received.”

 

He’d only checked the pattern once and put it away, but around thirteen servants had come asking him about it, waiting for a response.

 

‘Is this what the life of a handsome and capable unmarried man is like?’

 

He’d finally received the reward for the hardships he’d experienced in the War. Although the person in question didn’t seem particularly pleased.

 

As I quietly observed that sight, Raphael, who had been repeating the words “Tell them it’s black,” whispered to me so that only I could hear.

 

“Since my sister’s first hunting partner has been decided as me, you don’t need to worry.”

 

Was he feeling burdened because I kept staring at him? I should look a little less from now on.

 

“Since we’re at it, I’ll exchange my pattern with a black one. If it’s hunting, I’m pretty confident in it too.”

“I didn’t think of that. It seems like the master of ceremonies distributed them arbitrarily, but if you wish, we can exchange patterns.”

 

“It’s fine. I’ll be the hunter from the second day anyway.”

 

At that moment.

For the first time, a servant approached me from behind, breaking the silence. The gazes of the elders who were sitting around me turned towards him.

Despite their intimidating gazes, the servant came forward with a determined face and lowered his head to my ear.

 

“Viscount Weatherwoods.”

 

The name that followed was enough to explain the pride of the servant.

 

“His Excellency, Duke Berkeley-Gratten, has inquired about the colour of the pattern that you received.”

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Rue about to barge in and commit homicide any minute now