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

For Yueblue, thank you for the ko-fi! ♡

<Episode 140>

 

At once, the cold eyes of the sword faced straight ahead.

“Andert.”

 

He uttered my name like a habit, and I instinctively drew my sword.

The noise produced by the clash of our horse’s hooves quickly caught the attention of the nearby devil. The black shadow flying through the trees was approaching at a rapid speed.

 

In a moment’s time, I cut down the rushing devil.

 

“Ki… Ik.”

 

Eight figures gathered behind the tree came into view. Among them, there was a silver-haired man who caught my attention at first glance.

 

“…Rue?”

 

In that moment,

I forgot to breathe.

 

One side of Rue’s shoulder was gruesomely pierced.

Rue, after confirming my face, greeted me with a ridiculously serene smile.

 

“Ah, at last. My hero has arrived just in time.”

I quickly dismounted from the saddle and ran towards Rue, who was standing among the crowd. Some people were startled by my sudden movement and took a step back in surprise.

 

Fortunately, the bleeding had stopped. It stopped…

 

“Your shoulder…”

 

“It’s okay. I was surprised by the situation as well. Those guys needed to be investigated. I’m sure you know what I’m referring to.”

 

I do. Those guys were not fake but real demons. It meant that even a Calepa had confirmed their authenticity.

 

“But does that mean you had to get your shoulder pierced?”

 

He could have treated himself. For Rue to be so passionately devoted to his role as Count Serenier… It was unbearably frustrating.

 

“But when I look at your face, it looks like there’s another injured person here.”

 

Rue, who was chatting leisurely without knowing how frustrated I felt inside, took out a white handkerchief from his pocket and asked.

 

“Can I wipe your face a little?”

 

You don’t know how I feel, and you’re saying that?

Instead of answering, I let out a sigh and sat down on the floor.

 

“Oh, I’ll take that as permission.”

 

Saying so, Rue soaked the handkerchief in water and happily started wiping my face.

 

‘Really… You’re such a lunatic.’

 

Was it because clean water touched my cheek? Or was it because I met Rue? It felt like the air I was breathing became fresher.

 

Fortunately, most of the foul stench emitted by the devils had evaporated during the drying process. I had never felt so glad about that fact as I did in this moment.

 

“The Viscount’s behavior seems unusually disoriented. How many devils have you slain to come down here?”

 

It seemed like praise for doing something good, but I couldn’t bring myself to confidently shout, ‘Four!’

 

“Well, Nothing particularly impressive…”

In fact, compared to the Magic War, it was just a walk in the park.

 

Moreover, the newly appeared devils today only had slightly better physical abilities than the fake ones, with the major addition only being intelligence.

 

Then, suddenly, the younger sister interjected between us.

 

“What? No way?”

The woman’s voice rose in an excited tone, as if she had been insulted.

 

“That’s not true! The handsome gentleman’s words are correct. Viscount Weatherwoods  personally roamed this area and exterminated all those dreadful… devils! That’s why she’s covered in blood. It’s nothing short of a mark of glory, isn’t it, sister?”

 

Caught off-guard by the sudden mention, the older sister looked around in embarrassment. Then she soon nodded in agreement.

 

“Oh? Ah, yes. That’s right. You were truly amazing. You even saved my sister, who was almost killed… Despite the inconvenience it surely caused, you continued to take care of us and accompany us. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude once again.”

 

The sister looked at me and politely bowed her head.

It was a common occurrence at war, but it was the first time I received such a thankful greeting since returning to a woman’s body. I nodded awkwardly, but one of the people who had gathered together muttered with a subtly suspicious tone.

 

“Is that true? I didn’t know you’d been cutting down the devils. She looks like an ordinary woman, though…”

 

The younger sister raised her head sharply and shouted at the owner of the voice.

 

“What do you mean by an ordinary woman? Are you saying that my sister is lying? Is all this blood fake?”

 

The sharpness of her words was evident, and the voice that had been murmuring quietly became even lower.

 

“I-I didn’t say it was fake.”

 

“That’s right! After witnessing the defeat of that monster that was jumping around like a frog just now, how can you say such things? Don’t insult Viscount Weatherwoods who saved us from from a life-threatening situation!”

 

The woman, who had been acting so boldly, sat down near me, making a hmph sound.

As the atmosphere grew heavy with an ongoing argument, just before it could sink into silence, Count Serenier playfully poked my nose and asked while tidying his handkerchief.

 

“You’re too humble, Viscount Weatherwoods. Doesn’t that kind of talk make you angry?”

 

His voice was not a whisper but loud enough to be heard by everyone around. It was clearly a questioning attitude, pointing out the suspicion from earlier.

 

‘Well, emphasizing the truth might put these people at ease.’

 

Doubt is inherently a product of great anxiety. So, I could overlook a few doubts with a broad mind.

 

“It’s alright. I didn’t act with the intention of seeking approval from anyone.”

“If you allow me, I can go and take care of such things.”

“Are you going to throw poop at someone again? Besides, it’s okay, I don’t even know their name.”

 

“Is that how a noble person behaves?”

 

“Stop joking around. Why are you all gathered here anyway?”

 

“We ended up gathering like this because we heard a strange scream. Although we didn’t know it was the scream of a devil.”

“Then I’m glad you met me early. Thanks to that, your other shoulder is safe.”

 

Count Serenier stared at me with eyes full of gratitude.

 

“Oh, dear. You’re truly sweet… I’m deeply moved. If this keeps up, I won’t know what to do.”

 

I didn’t understand what he was saying. What did he mean he won’t know what to do?

 

“I’m in love with you, Viscount Weatherwoods.”

 

“…Excuse me?”

 

“I’ve been searching for a brave and tough woman like you. I promise to make you happy for the rest of your life, so please marry me.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

All of a sudden like this? I stared at Count Serenier in disbelief, feeling like I was being pranked.

 

‘What are you thinking?’

 

When he jokingly mentioned the marriage proposal at the palace, I thought it was just a joke. Could it be that he was serious?

 

Why was he serious?

 

Why?

 

Why now?

 

“If it’s an obligation, then there’s no choice. I’ll work hard, then. So that Daisy can have a child.”

 

W-Wait, is he really serious?

 

“You seem nervous. Could it be that you already have a partner you’ve made future plans with?”

 

When he said those words, Rue had a particularly intense gaze, and I could not put off denying it.

 

“…No, there isn’t.”

 

“No? So, I’m not your type? That can’t be true.”

 

Child, Child, Child.

Only that word kept echoing in my mind incessantly. In lieu of my delayed response, a barrage of criticism erupted from behind me.

 

“I-It’s not right to casually propose like that!”

 

It was the younger sister again.

 

“Viscount Weatherwoods is such a great person! I’ve been following her all day today and I was sure. She’s not a foxy kind of person that flirts with just any man like this. On the contrary, the walls around her are so high that they provoke men’s desire to dominate…”

 

“Tara! Have you lost your mind? Can’t you shut your mouth right now?”

 

“Ow, why did you hit me?”

The older sister, who rushed over, relentlessly slapped the younger sister’s back.

 

Fox. Dominance.

My mind was in turmoil. I remembered seeing a similar combination somewhere.

 

Yes, it must have been among the books owned by the head maid. The title was <The Fox Countess’s Biography Volume 2 – A Fox that Provokes Men’s Dominance>…

 

“Ah, I see. You’re already being courted by three losers, aren’t you? So, what’s one more? It doesn’t matter, right?”

 

…Well, I mean.

It wasn’t just anyone else, it was Rue.

 

“It doesn’t matter, but…”

“Then I’ll take it as if you haven’t rejected me yet.”

 

It was a time when I looked at him, who was confident at all times, with complicated feelings.

Ding.

 

Everyone’s gaze turned towards the sky. A noise rose up into the air, emitting green light and smoke as it spread.

 

The green light was a signal from headquarters, signaling to “immediately stop the hunt and return.”

 

‘Rowayne did his job well.’

 

There was no time to talk more here. We immediately returned to headquarters.

Fortunately, the headquarters was bustling with those who had returned from the hunting ground. I couldn’t see Raphael and Rowayne among them, so it seemed like they’d been deployed inside the forest for investigation.

 

“Here! Count Serenier is seriously injured. We need immediate treatment!”

 

Servants and doctors began to gather around Count Serenier. I was pacing around with concern, and our eyes met. He seemed perfectly fine, considering he winked at me.

 

‘Well, with a little magic, he’ll be healed in no time.’

 

I guess it’s somewhat good that I’m able to worry less since he’s a demi-god.

 

“Madam, did you hear the story?”

 

“I just heard it. …Is it true that a real devil appeared?”

 

“Oh my, a devil? No way. There must have been a problem with the trap.”

“I think so too. What do they mean, a real devil? It’s too absurd.”

 

“I heard there are two people who suffered serious injuries, including that foreigner. What could have happened?”

---

 

The process of acquiring a child is only just now registering into Daisy’s head AAA

 

And yes, there is someone she already plans to marry, dear Count Serenier. He’s a blue-haired lunatic wizard and part time conman.