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

<Episode 169>

 

‘I’ve become Dian Cecht.’

The shock of the situation lasted quite a while.

 

The maid who came in late looked at me silently, and continuously busied herself by massaging my hands and feet, saying, “My Poor lady Dian.” when she saw me sitting blankly wordlessly.

 

It was when a gray-haired doctor called Roh came to examine my condition that I regained my senses with a vague frustration.

 

“I regret to inform you that just because you woke up does not mean your health has improved. Your strength has greatly weakened. At this rate…”

 

Why is the end of your sentence slurred? Are you trying to give me a death sentence now?

Thanks to that, I regained my composure and forced my uncomfortable body to move. I grabbed the doctor’s arm and asked, 

“Cough, cough… Hey, why did I collapse?”

 

“I’m guessing that you accidentally inhaled a highly toxic substance during the pharmaceutical process. Please be careful with the manufacturing in the future. I will send the medicine today. Well then, I will take my leave, my lady.”

 

As the doctor left, two maids hurriedly approached and comforted me, saying, 

“Don’t worry, my lady. You’ll get better soon.”

 

“Yes, that’s right. Try not to entertain any negative thoughts and just focus on next spring. You will be able to wear a nice gentleman’s suit by then! Are you hungry? One moment, please. I will bring the soup right away.”

 

Be able to wear a gentleman’s suit next year… that must mean Dian is 17 years old this year.

 

‘That’s ridiculous. 17 years old with such a small, weak body? I’d believe it if they said I’m 14.’

I didn’t do anything pathetic like shouting ‘I’m not Dian, I’m Daisy!’ to the maid’s faces.

 

However, I clearly felt the need to understand the current situation.

‘These are Dian Cecht’s teenage years. Then this is Astrosa, approximately 150 years ago.”

 

Astrosa 150 years ago.

It was a pretty bad number. It is said that it was around this time that the kingdom was experiencing a major rebellion by Rogue. It was also recorded in history that the damnable Mephisto was inspired for his biological experiments from precisely this period.

‘At that time, Rogue used the kingdom as a stage for massive resurrection experiments.’

 

…Wait a moment.

‘Doesn’t that mean Rue is also present in this period?’

 

Then I could meet Rue, a human who hadn’t yet become a god!

 

My frustrated head brightened, my breathing became easier, and energy surged through my body. However, my thoughts about Rue didn’t last long.

 

“Dian.”

It was because of the person who suddenly burst into the room without any warning.

 

“I’m glad to see you’re up and about.”

 

With his long beard, imposing figure, and clearly visible baldness, that person was…

 

“Daddy.”

“Do you think you’re going to die?”

 

It was an incredibly indifferent question and attitude towards a child who had returned after wandering the path of death. Recalling the cold atmosphere at the dining table, I slowly shook my head.

 

“No, I’m fine.”

 

“The doctors say you’ll live three years at most. You’re my child. Surely you aren’t that weak, Dian?”

 

So that’s all you have to say to your own son, you bearded bald man.

I wanted to say something. But since this body was not my own, I felt awkward about moving recklessly. So I decided to stick to silence.

 

The Head of Serenier took a quick look at my face and turned around without hesitation.

 

“You seem fine, so we will proceed with the schedule. In three days, I will send that slave to you.”

 

The door closed.

His son’s lifespan was at most three years. Instead of worrying about him, he was eager to hand over work to him.

 

‘Indeed, there are issues within this household.’

Sitting at the desk, I examined Dian’s belongings and a maid approached with a worried expression.

 

“Um, are you already working? Without taking a rest …”

I replied to the maid, recalling Dian Cecht’s tender yet timid demeanor that I had seen through the wall.

 

“It’s okay. I want to be alone for a while. Could you leave for a moment?”

“Of course… Please don’t push yourself too hard, miss. I’ll say it again, but your health is more important.”

 

I slowly organized my thoughts once I was left alone.

It seemed somewhat clear where the root of this situation lay.

 

“It must be because of Dian Cecht’s heart crystal.”

 

I recalled Dian Cecht’s heart and my soul undergoing a complete reversal before I was dragged into this place.

 

Ironically, in the current situation, Dian Cecht didn’t save me, but I saved Dian Cecht.

The cause of Dian’s broken soul was poison.

 

‘Then, if we find an antidote and detoxify it, will the soul return to its original state?’

If Dian recovers, there is a chance for me to return to my original world as well.

 

“Alright. Let’s start by studying pharmacology!”

 

…Ah, suddenly it feels like my health is getting worse.

 

“Chirp.”

At that moment, a small whimper came from a cage next to the desk. It was the cry of a baby bird.

 

“…Hello. You’re Ash, aren’t you?”

“Chirp!”

 

“Hmm. You seem a bit hostile. Did you notice that I’m not your owner? Animals truly have a different sense. Since we have the same name, please take care of me for the time being.”

 

There was no response. Quite hostile indeed.

Fortunately, Dian’s bookshelf was filled with pharmacology books. On the first day of our symbiotic relationship, I opened a book to study medicine.

 

And then just fell asleep.

 

* * *

 

When I woke up again, the winter sun was already descending from its zenith.

 

‘Did I sleep for over 16 hours?’

I slept for quite a long time. Was it because Dian’s health is not good?

 

Even when I lit the fireplace, it was still uncomfortably cold. I was wriggling inside the blanket because I didn’t want to get up when the maid came in with a meal.

 

“I prepared the warm beef stew that you mentioned for dinner tonight. I also received permission for you to dine alone for a while to aid in your recovery. I did a good job, didn’t I?”

 

“…Did I mention such a thing?”

 

“Yes. Did you forget? You briefly mentioned it before going for a walk during the day.”

 

A walk? Did I go for a walk during the day?

‘What’s going on? I don’t remember a thing.’

 

The next day was the same.

Based on the traces in the bedroom and conversations with people around me, it seemed like I had been active since the morning… Yet, my memory ended the moment I fell asleep.

However, with the maid’s testimony, I could roughly sort out my doubts.

 

“Today? After a brief breakfast, you fell asleep again, and after lunch, as usual, you went for a walk. Then, around 4 PM, you seemed to collapse while preparing medicine. You’ve been asking me weird things lately. Are you becoming forgetful because of your poor health…”

 

To summarize briefly, it seemed like Dian occupied the body from morning until afternoon, while I took over in the late afternoon and night.

 

<Dian: Active from 8 AM to 4 PM

 

Followed by approximately 1 hour of sleep

 

Me: Active from 5 PM to 1 AM>

 

It was a reasonable distribution.

 

‘But what about making a cure? What if Dian accidentally uses or discards the potion before I complete it despite the effort I’m putting into studying it?’

 

I needed a solution. It wouldn’t do to hide the potion from Dian without their knowledge.

Then what about making a cure? I’ve studied it hard at best, and what if Dian uses it all up or throws it away before she can make it?’

 

I needed a solution. It wouldn’t do to hide the potion from Dian without their knowledge.

 

“Let’s let Dian know of my presence.”

 

“Chirp!”

 

“You think that’s the best move too, don’t you, Ash?”

 

“Chiiirp!”

 

Dian was the owner of this body.

Moreover, Dian possessed unparalleled pharmaceutical knowledge.

With his help, I would be able to manufacture the antidote faster and more reliably. It would make it much easier for both of us to work together!

 

『Hello, Dian Serenier.

 

I’m not sure how to start. I’m the one who is active in your body while you’re asleep. Don’t be too surprised. Because I was even more surprised.

 

I’m leaving you this note to so we can tackle this unfortunate incident together…』

 

The next day, 5 PM.

I sat at the desk with a pounding heart.

 

I unfolded the gracefully placed notebook on the desk and flipped through the pages until a newly, neatly written memo appeared in the handwriting I’d written with.

 

Dian left a reply!

 

‘What’s this? I feel excited for no reason.’

I never expected to become pen pals with Dian Cecht. After calming my excitement, I slowly began to move to read the memo when…

 

Someone knocked on the bedroom door.

Knock, knock.

 

‘Seriously? Who is it at such a crucial moment?’

 

As I opened the door, there stood an unfamiliar man.

 

“I’ve come to serve you, Miss Dian.”

That reminded me of a fact I’d completely forgotten.

‘Ah right, today is the day I meet the slave entrusted to me by the head.’

 

I guess I had to just check the memo later.

 

After putting on the coat, scarf, hat, and gloves that the maid had prepared in advance, I followed the man. Dian was frail, so I had to meticulously prepare even for a brief outing.

 

Whooooosh.

 

The weather was harsh.

‘Ugh, it’s cold.’

 

I braved the icy wind, pulling the scarf up to cover my nose, and asked the man.

 

“Where are we going?”

“We’re going to the tower.”

 

The tower he mentioned was the Spire Prison.

To make matters worse, it seemed like our destination was the top floor of the tower. As I tried to climb such a tall tower with my weak body, I felt incredibly dizzy.

 

“Huff, huff.”

“We’re here.”

 

With a clink, the man unlocked the triple-locked padlock. The top floor, where the spacious solitary confinement cell was located, was filled with peculiar magical symbols on the floor. It seemed to be a magical measure to prevent the escape of slaves.

 

“This item is the ‘slave’ that the Lord has entrusted to you.”

A person entrusted by the head of the family.

 

The main character was hanging from the cold stone wall, arms outstretched.

 

Haah…Haah…

 

Even through the bars, I could hear his rough breath. A crude muzzle only meant to be used on a beast covered his nose and chin.

 

Dirty blond hair covered in dust. A body tattered with large and small wounds, oozing pus. Nevertheless, the power of life exuded intensely from him. Despite being in a terrible condition, the man had a formidable presence that drew people’s attention.

 

‘I can’t believe they’re asking me to treat a person like this.’

 

The sharp gaze visible through the gaps in his hair was cutthroat – as if it would tear through my chest and rip my heart apart.

 

And I couldn’t tear my gaze away from the sharp gold of those eyes.

The man who’d brought me here, probably thinking that I was scared, brought me back a little and spoke.

 

“Don’t get too close. He hasn’t been properly tamed yet, so he’s rough and ferocious. The Lord too, does not expect you to fully tame this slave, so just focus on carrying out the orders.”

 

Those eyes.

That face.

 

“You must remember the lord’s orders. Train him to develop resistance to the three major poisons of Astrosa. If you succeed, there will surely be a great reward…”

 

The man’s trivial chattering did not reach my ears at all.

My nerves were focused solely on the slave beyond the bars.

 

It was obvious.

 

Although the hair color and demeanor was the exact opposite of the ‘he’ I knew, I couldn’t help but recognize him.

 

‘That’s ridiculous. That slave…’

He’s Rue.

---

 

AAAA ITS RUEEE

Also Daisy is so me when it comes to studying… at least she’s good with a sword to make up for it, I- I think I’ll just hafta study