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

<Episode 178>

 

For some reason, I felt a chilling sensation as Rue stepped out of the iron bars.

Staggering to his feet, the servant glanced at me and whispered something softly in Rue’s ear. 

If it were my own body, I would have heard everything, but with Dian’s body, it was difficult to eavesdrop on others’ conversations.

 

“How many people do you have?”

“There are twenty key members, including Rebecca, Drexler, Creon, and Henley. We can open the door directly from inside the castle.”

 

“Until midnight?”

“We have about 20 minutes left.”

 

Hold on.

‘Are they planning to raid Serenier Castle?’

 

Was this the information that the perverted bastard was trying to extract?

I thought Rue belonged to a small mercenary group at best, but with twenty key members, it seemed to be composed of at least a few hundred people.

 

A group consisting of hundreds, maybe even thousands of those against Rogue. Was it like a rebel force?

 

“Captain?”

 

When I looked up, Rue came right in front of me and declared war with a very proud face.

“I’ll knock you out 10 seconds from now. If you have anything to say, say it now.”

 

Ridiculous. Is this the kind of thing you should say to the person who saved you? Knock me out?

 

“W-Why would you knock me out? You said you would take me out?”

“I know. I’ll keep my promise. I’ll drag you around every nook and cranny of the northern continent like a dog, so don’t worry about it.”

 

Hold on. This wasn’t part of the plan. I can’t just pass out obediently… can I?

 

‘If it’s a raid, wouldn’t it be more convenient for me? I’ve already brought all important belongings along.’

 

Yes, considering Dian’s weak stamina, this was better.

“Do you have anything to say?”

 

I quickly racked my brains and replied.

 

“I don’t know what you’re planning, but please spare the maids who took care of me. And I left behind some of Dian’s belongings, especially the medicinal potions, so make sure to take them with you… Ah! And try not to touch the medicines and books in the annex’s pharmacy if possible…”

 

“10 seconds have passed.”

Thump. I felt my consciousness rapidly fading away from a light gesture of hand that struck the back of my neck.

 

‘This… you… wretched… son… of a gun.’

 

At least say you got it before knocking me out!

 

* * *

 

“Ugh.”

 

I felt stiff. As soon as I opened my eyes, I felt a considerable muscle ache.

I sat up, trying to recall the situation just before I passed out, and surveyed my surroundings. The space was dark, with only one old lantern flickering dimly.

 

‘Where am I?’

At least it was clear that this wasn’t a castle.

 

The coldness of the ground beneath the sleeping bag, along with the occasional chilly breeze seeping in. This feeling, as if I had suddenly been dropped somewhere unfamiliar, was definitely not new to me.

 

‘It must be a temporary shelter.’

Rue kept his promise. I really made it out of the Serenier Castle!

 

With a mix of anxiety and excitement, I stood up. However, as I tried to approach the entrance of the shelter to check outside, I froze in place.

 

“There are no serious injuries. However, it will take some time for Drexler’s twisted ankle to recover…”

 

It was because I locked eyes with the two figures who had just entered the shelter.

 

‘…Uh.’

 

I was genuinely surprised. Rue really seemed like a person.

Even though it might sound silly even to me, there couldn’t be a more honest observation.

 

Rue, who had escaped from the role of a slave in the tower, looked truly human in his thick winter coat, hat, military boots, and leather gloves.

 

Even in each step he took was a vigorous, feisty spirit, not a hint of the mastery I usually felt from him, who seemed to excel in everything. He was even more energetic and robust than me…

 

‘Come to think of it, Rue is younger than me right now.’

 

Twenty? Was it around that age? I didn’t feel any particular boyishness from him, perhaps due to his tall stature and imposing features. Seeing him being called the leader by men who looked way older than him, it seemed like he was recognized for his abilities and personality (though no matter how much I thought about it, it doesn’t seem right).

 

Before I could feel how amazing Rue was, my mouth felt bitter.

What kind of life did he live to possess such power and control at the age of only twenty?

 

“Is the hostage still here? Captain, please hand them over to us. We will keep a close watch.”

‘Hostage?’

 

Rue, you little… Hostage? Weren’t we in a partnership?

Rue, who took off his hat and checked my face, replied vaguely.

 

“That’s okay. Get out.”

“But, are you sure you’ll be okay? This is the leader’s personal…”

“I said leave. I’m tired, so talk to me later.”

 

As Rue lazily brushed his hand, the man reluctantly left as if there was no other choice. As the tent closed, a gust of winter wind and swirling dust shook the air inside.

 

Rue walked in with heavy steps and casually took off his hat and gloves. As he lightly adjusted the lantern, the dim light became brighter, making the interior of the tent clearer. Thanks to that, Rue’s appearance became more clear to my eyes.

 

There were splatters of crimson blood on his military boots and coat.

 

“…Whose blood is it?”

 

He didn’t even turn his face towards me as he replied, placing a kettle on a flat square iron plate that seemed to be a heating device.

 

“Well, whose blood do you think it is?”

 

The fluttering excitement that had been building up in me instantly vanished at his words.

 

“Rebecca, Drexler, Creon, Henley, and twenty other key forces. We can open the door directly from inside the castle.”

 

A Raid.

Recalling the fact that I had forgotten, I urgently examined Dian’s body.

 

‘It’s all right, there’s nothing wrong. Dian’s body is fine.’

They didn’t harm Dian, even though they were attacking the Serenier family. At least, not yet.

 

“What did you do to the Serenier family?”

 

“Ah.”

 

Rue, who had been silently staring at the kettle, turned to me with a dry exclamation.

“You’re quite sensible. I didn’t expect you to ask that first. It was you who freed me, trapped in the tower, of all people.”

 

“Answer my question.”

 

Rue surprisingly complied.

 

“I didn’t exterminate them. They escaped like little rats through a secret passage, leaving no trace.”

 

The answer I could gather from his words was clear.

 

The Serenier castle had been occupied.

‘This… happened because of me, right?’

 

Hmm. I felt sorry towards Dian, but I didn’t feel very guilty either. There was only one thing that bothered me.

 

“What about the maids who took care of me? They didn’t escape through the passage, did they? What did you do? Did you send them away?”

 

Thud.

A cup filled with rising steam was placed in front of me. I stared at the swirling water with a complicated mind.

 

‘Is he saying he killed them? Or is he telling me to drink it and burn myself?’

Such suspicions only intensified when Rue unfolded a large piece of paper on the floor.

 

“This is the layout of the Serenier castle. Tell me the secret passages and the location of safe houses. I’ll decide the answer to your question based on the information you provide.”

 

I didn’t think he would try to interrogate me.

‘And it just had to be when I’m awake, not Dian!’

 

The secret passages of the Serenier castle and the safe houses of the Serenier family? How was I supposed to know that? I only recently found out that there was a stable next to the annex!

 

‘What should I do? If I say I don’t know… it means they’ll kill Jane.’

Since the castle has already been occupied, lying won’t work.

 

In that case, I’ll have to come up with some information or item of similar value. The problem was; I was broke.

 

So, in this situation, there was only one thing I can offer.

 

Myself.

 

“…I am a genius in the field of medicine.”

Rue raised an eyebrow, as if asking what I meant.

 

“God’s avatar.. I am on the level of conducting research on the precious vessel’s resistance. So, my expertise goes beyond that of an ordinary expert in toxicology. But the field I have truly dedicated myself to is pharmacy and medicine. Do you know how important the presence of a military physician is during a war? Some countries even cultivate them directly within the nation…”

 

He waved his hand as if he’d heard enough.

 

“What about you?”

 

“Me?”

 

“That is Dian’s Serenier’s use. Tell me about your usefulness.”

 

“What kind of nonsense is that? I am Dian!”

Rue’s sneer grew in response to my feigned ignorance and casual rebuttal.

 

“I must have mentioned it the other day, pepper-green eyes. You can’t deceive me.”

 

“…”

 

“When I’m interested, I remember every single detail, even the number of eyelashes. How the eyes fold, how the teeth show when you smile, the way you walk.”

 

His gaze fell on my left hand, holding the cup, with a slow, deliberate motion.

 

“Whether you’re left-handed or not.”

 

“…”

 

“You, who can’t even remember the structure of the castle properly and are an enemy of your family, claim to be Dian Serenier’s second personality? Do you see me as an idiot?”

 

Yes. You’re an idiot. An idiot even I can’t recognize. …Oh, no. “Idiot” sounds too harsh, so let’s go with “fool.”

 

“Dian Serenier also maintained silence about you. Are you siblings sharing the same body? I’ve never seen such a case before.”

 

Rue casually swallowed the boiling water. Was his throat made of steel?

 

No matter how resilient he may be, I had no answer. No, but why was my identity so important? After all, this was Dian’s body. Just consider me a whimsical lunatic who goes back-and-forth instead of making things difficult for people like this.

 

While I was using silence to protest.

 

“Hey.”

Rue, with his head lowered, poked the tip of my nose and said,

 

“I’ll stop here today, so just answer my question. So what’s your use?”

 

I appreciated him letting it go easily, but why did it feel like I’m being grilled? “Today” he says. Just how much longer does he plan to fry me for information…

---

Desperately hoping for Daisy to hit him with the ‘I’m your wife’