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

For Cali, thank you for the ko-fi!

<Episode 147>

 

Raphael looked at me as if he were carefully observing, and carefully put his lips on the back of my hand.

 

To think Raphael just kissed the back of my hand. I never thought I’d live to see the day.

 

“Yes, good evening. I almost didn’t recognize you, sister.”

I looked down at my slightly exposed shoulders and grinned.

 

“My shoulders are sturdy, aren’t they?”

“I didn’t mean it like that.”

“Then what did you mean?”

 

Raphael couldn’t seem to answer and shut up. The ever-watchful Swordmaster interjected with an amused expression.

 

“Why aren’t you being honest, Duke Raphael? We were mesmerized by your dazzling beauty.”

The Swordmaster’s chest was adorned with brilliant medals no less impressive than Raphael’’s. Clad in a black uniform contrasting with his white’s, he exuded a colder and more distant aura than usual.

 

“I heard you received the Royal Golden Stamps as the winning prize. Lucky you, Viscount Weatherwoods. The chances of it being mine were higher.”

 

I retorted with a raised eyebrow.

 

“What strange things are you saying again?”

“Wasn’t the stake of the devils you hunted big in the updated scores? You gained an additional 4,000 points, while my score remained the same. According to the records, it seems like we both had similar numbers. Who knows, it seems like the work of someone behind the scenes.”

 

His gaze remained fixed on me, but it was all too clear that the swordmaster’s mention of the “someone behind the scenes” referred to Count Serenier.

 

The combination of the Swordmaster and Count Serenier sent shivers down my spine just by imagining it. Before they could say anything to each other, I quickly blurted out anything that came to mind.

 

“If you’re that sad, should I take one of the three and give it to you?”

“You mustn’t say things like that anywhere else.”

“Then why did you say that?”

“It’s a joke. It is obvious that you’re the hero of this year’s hunting festival, so laugh it off.”

 

With a compliment that wasn’t really a compliment, the swordmaster patted me on the shoulder. Anyone could see that it was the attitude of a superior praising their subordinate.

 

“As far as heroes go…”

“No one can deny it, so don’t be embarrassed. I heard that you were the one who sent Rowayne to inform us first and foremost, sister. Thanks to that, we were able to respond quickly.”

 

Raphael, who caught my words to myself extraordinarily fast, gave me a slight touch on the face.

 

Well… it was only basic.

 

“But, um… your chest looks very complicated. Will you be able to dance like that?”

“It’s heavy, but it’s fine. I’m used to it now.”

 

Heavy. It was an answer that didn’t suit a hero.

Perhaps Raphael wasn’t referring to the weight of the medals itself. He was talking about the weight of the sacrifices engraved on the medal. The weight of the comrades that had to be carried.

 

“…You should dance gently so that it doesn’t fall.”

“If it falls, I’ll just pick it up, so don’t worry. Besides, sister, try not to lower your head as much as possible.”

 

Just as I was about to ask why, the swordmaster naturally cut into our conversation.

 

“Ah, yes. I’ve already talked to Duke Raphael about the matter today.”

“What matter?”

“I asked him if he would mind giving the Viscount’s first dance to me.”

 

Wait, did he even say that to Raphael as well? Before I could reprimand the swordmaster, Raphael spoke first with a stiff expression.

 

“And I said no.”

“So I asked why not.”

“Why would you change the agreed-upon partner? Don’t be pushy.”

 

“It was puzzling. The Duke, who had no interest in social events, was intriguingly displaying a different attitude this time. So what was Sir Raphael’s answer to that, again?”

 

 

“…..”

“Are you going to stay silent this time as well?”

Raphael, letting out a quiet sigh, blamed the swordmaster.

“Sister is the only relative left by Andert. If I don’t take care of her, who will?”

 

The swordmaster slightly lowered his head and suppressed a small laugh.

 

“Sir Raphael, everytime you call Viscount Weatherwoods by that title… my lungs feel ticklish, and I feel unable to bear it.”

 

At that, Raphael furrowed his brows for the first time.

 

“I’m curious as to why.”

“In any case, taking care of the Viscount is not your duty, Duke. Rather, I, as Sir Andert’s mentor, am perfect for that role.”

 

Why are you fighting in front of me?

The sight of two big men arguing like this seemed quite rare in social circles. The curious gazes around us grew more intense, but I quickly grew tired of it.

 

It’s not that I found this situation awkward. To be precise, I was damn familiar with it.

 

In reality, these two had never been in true sync. It was natural to see it that way. One was a pragmatist who would stop at nothing to achieve victory, while the other was an idealist who valued justice and ethics. They clashed over every little thing, big or small.

 

And it was me who suffered as a result. I unintentionally had to play the role of mediator between them.

 

‘Sir Andert, please endure a bit. It’s not like I can ask Princess Natasha for this, right? Andert, you’re the only one who can stand straight in front of Duke Jurian, and peacefully coax Commander Raphael. I guarantee you, if it weren’t for you , Sir Andert, a civil war might’ve broken out before this war ends.’

 

As the war dragged on, the thorns of the two hedgehogs gradually softened. They began to accept the fact that each other’s methods could be right at times.

 

Now that the war was finally over, I thought I would suffer a little less.

Yet in the end, I’m the only victim, so to speak.

 

“So, we have decided to leave the choice to our Andert-… I mean, to Miss Daisy Weatherwoods, his sister.”

 

While I was reminiscing about the past, the decision-making power had been handed to me.

I glanced at the serene face of Countess Serenier. My heart eased a little at his relaxed demeanor, as if he was simply observing someone else’s affairs.

 

‘…This fox-like person.’

 

Swordmaster.

 

Was it his personal goal to meddle between me and Raphael by constantly showing interest in me? I couldn’t forget the words he’d said during the hunting competition.

 

“If you become mine, I will resolve all the doubts that trouble you.”

 

Did he notice his words had shaken me for a moment? Of course, from a rational standpoint, joining forces with the swordmaster wasn’t a bad choice.

 

But I didn’t like being swayed by others.

 

“My choice is, of course, Raphael.”

 

Ironically, the swordmaster considered this stubbornness of mine a unique strength.

 

“Why?”

“I don’t like playboys.”

The swordmaster’s nonchalant expression slightly changed for the first time.

 

“It’s the first time I’ve heard that.”

I guess so. What kind of idiot would walk up to the swordmaster and tell him he’s a playboy?

 

“Count Rosebell mentioned it to me. Duke Berkeley-Gratten is known for fraternizing with young women despite his old age. Even though I may be young, I don’t want to dance with a playboy like the duke and be the center of a controversy.”

 

Sorry, teacher number 2. But what else was a teacher for if not to be a shield for their student?

The swordmaster, who was pondering with a troubled expression, looked around and muttered to himself.

 

“I never thought I’d be rejected by the Viscount.”

For someone talking to themselves, his voice was quite loud. It’s as if he wanted the whole world to hear.

 

“Ah, what a shame, how regrettable. To be rejected by Miss Daisy Weatherwoods, it’s incredibly regrettable.”

 

I may not know much, but one thing was certain.

This man, he was definitely trying to piss me off.

 

“If you’re that disappointed, then please leave.”

 

“But remember, Viscount. I’m always ready to dance with you. If you need me, call me anytime, anywhere, without hesitation. I’ll drop everything and come running.”

 

After the swordmaster left, for some reason, an excited Tara whispered to me.

 

“H-He’ll come running, leaving everything behind! Isn’t that practically a confession?”

 

“Do you believe those words, Miss Tara?”

 

“Well, he’s not someone who lies.”

 

“Playboys are all liars, Miss Tara.”

Upon hearing that, Tara nodded with newfound understanding.

“Ah! Of course… you’re truly a person who has mastered men! A femme fatale who has enchanted four men!”

 

 

They would all truly be shocked if they found out I was once a man who walked around with his shirt off, scratching his head.

 

Finally, the first song began to play.

The paired men and women walked to the center of the stage. Keeping that in mind, Raphael also reached out his hand to me. Just as I was about to take his hand with an awkward smile…

 

“Agh.”

A short groan was heard nearby.

The groan belonged to an Astrozan who’d been following around Count Serenier like a shadow ever since our arrival at the Banquet hall.

 

‘…Wait a minute. This guy. He’s the swordsman I met on Rogue’s airship, isn’t he?’

Did he come with Rue as part of the diplomatic delegation?

 

“Ugh!”

The man, who let out another groan, knelt down with a pale face. As the music abruptly stopped, everyone’s gaze turned towards the man. Now that I looked closely, his abdomen was turning red.

 

This couldn’t be a sudden injury… Did a wound from yesterday burst open?

Count Serenye quickly supported the man who stumbled and sat down with him.

 

“Get your act together! What happened?”

Raphael let go of my hand and knelt down beside Count Serenier. He carefully examined the man’s wounds and spoke to him.

 

“These are injuries caused by a devil. Did you not receive treatment yesterday?”

 

On the final day of the hunt, the royal family had separately gathered those who encountered devils and assigned military doctors to each of them. The wounds caused by devils were difficult for ordinary people to treat by themselves.

 

“It seems like he was hiding his injuries due to pride. What should we do about this…”

 

“Don’t worry too much. We have many specialists in this field in Ragel. He will be treated without any major issues.”

 

“Is that so? Phew. I can relax since the great hero Raphael says so. Thank you.”

 

Raphael stood up without hesitation and looked back at me.

“Sister.”

 

The diplomatic mission, which was supposed to restore relations with the Northern Continent, found itself in a dire situation.

 

Moreover, it was suspected that the wounds they received were inflicted by devils. From Raphael’s perspective, who was not only an official but also standing right in front of it, he could not ignore it.

 

“I’ll be waiting, so go.”

“I apologize. I will return without delay.”

“You can be late, so don’t rush.”

 

“Thank you. Sir Rowayne? Please help me.”

“Yes.”

 

Shortly after Raphael and Rowayne left the scene while supporting the man,

I walked slowly towards a wall, escorted by Count Serenier.

 

“You did it on purpose, didn’t you?”

Those wounds. There was a high probability that they were fake injuries.

Count Serenier swallowed a slow laugh.

 

“Then,”

He received a champagne glass from a servant and extended the glass he held in his right hand towards me.

“Did you truly intend to have your first dance with Raphael Zenail?”

 

Despite his gentle voice, Count Serenier’s face was as cold as ice.

“In that case, Our dear Miss Daisy is quite naive in some aspects.”

 

---

 

My favorite conman is back with his shenanigans again.