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

<Episode 193>

 

The decision to go to the Imperial Palace was made.

Although it wasn’t planned in my schedule, I couldn’t pretend not to know, even after thinking about the identity of the monster called “Blue-haired North Continent God” ten times and worrying about it a hundred times, it was definitely Rue.

 

No one held me accountable, but no matter how I looked at it, I felt like I was the one who had to wrap this up.

 

Before leaving for the airfield,

I tightened my winter clothes and handed a letter to the head maid.

 

“Here, Natasha asked me to give this to you.”

The Head Maid, who was helping me prepare to go out in the closed bedroom, looked at the letter with a complicated and subtle expression.

 

“How can I take this? That would be like I’m admitting I’m really here..”

 

“Natasha came with certainty. We can’t hide anymore. You know that too, Head Maid.”

 

They had been watching the head maid from the beginning. They must have reached out now simply because they required the existence of ‘Princess Anastasia’.

 

I didn’t know if it was because the young prince needed a new protector or if there were complicated political intentions involved… Well, the maid herself would know that better.

 

“Think about it. I will always respect the choice of our employees.”

 

Reluctantly accepting the letter, she looked up with a surprised expression.

“Oh, by the way, what did that monster say? Could it be that another demon appeared?”

“No, it’s Rue. it looks like he’s got some complaints.”

 

Towards me.

 

‘…Hmm.’

 

There were so many things to anticipate that I had nothing to say. The Head Maid did not add any more words after Rue’s name was mentioned, as if she’d lost interest.

 

“Jean will continue to watch over you from a close distance.”

 

“They’d all notice if she did that.”

 

“Well, she considers secretive protection as the role of an aide. She also thinks she doesn’t deserve to see your face yet, master.”

 

Jean still felt guilty about the incident that led to the activation of the legacy.

No matter how much I tried to comfort her, it seemed like it was a significant enough shock for her to hide her appearance from me for several days.

 

“Are you really not going to the Imperial Palace? I’ll wait until you finish reading the letter.”

 

The head maid, who handed me leather gloves and a handkerchief, smiled faintly.

 

“I’m not someone who’s tactless enough to interfere with the future of long-standing relationships.”

 

The future? Haven’t you heard? The Imperial Palace has been occupied?

 

Natasha was hastily loaded onto the carriage when I left the mansion.

 

-Daisy. Is it true that the person called the monster is your benefactor?

 

“Yes.”

 

-If they’re your benefactor, they’re mine too. I wonder why they’re occupying the Imperial Palace.

 

“There shouldn’t be any direct grudge against the royal family. It can be resolved through dialogue.”

 

Probably.

Raphael, who had been suspiciously observing me with crossed arms, slowly parted his lips.

 

“Daisy Weatherwoods. Don’t tell me that benefactor you’re talking about is…”

 

“The Calepa of Rogue.”

 

To be more precise, he was Lord Calepa, but since outsiders wouldn’t know the difference, I simplified it.

 

– What? Calepa? I wondered what kind of nonsensical demi-god the Northern Continent was talking about… I never expected the actual Demi-god to come. This is truly bizarre.

 

While Natasha showed a surprised reaction, Raphael narrowed his eyes as if deeply contemplating something. After a while, he smiled bitterly.

 

“…I see. I had a feeling something was off. So, that person’s true identity was the Calepa of Rogue. Now it makes some sense.”

 

– Don’t just realize things by yourself, Raphael. Add an explanation.

 

“Forget it. You don’t need to know.”

 

– It’s the princess’s order, Raphael. Explain immediately.

 

“This rag doll sure talks a lot.”

 

– It’s the princess’s request, Daisy. Give Raphael a good smack!

 

We headed to Ragel on a private Imperial airship that was parked at the station (Raphael, who had already noticed Jean’s presence, kindly offered her a ride).

 

Despite the shocking situation of the monster occupying the Imperial Palace, which was incomparable to previous uproar of the marriage news, the capital remained peaceful as always. The atmosphere was no different from how it was before.

 

“At first glance, there doesn’t seem to be any apparent problem.”

 

– Ragel is the capital of the empire. If there’s tension in Ragel, the whole empire becomes uneasy. We are taking special care to prevent news of any major or minor incidents from leaking out of the Imperial Palace.

 

Well, wasn’t the incident at the hunting competition also kept under-wraps? It was safe to say that the secrecy and security here was as good as Rogue.

 

Nevertheless, the security was quite strict, but with Raphael by my side, I was able to enter the central part of the palace after three or four identity checks.

 

Finally, as we entered the main entrance, three people stood in front of us as if confronting us.

Just by looking at their backs, I could tell. From left to right, it was Count Rogenhoff, Marquis Calepenweaver, and the person on the far right was the first to recognize us…

 

“Viscount Weatherwoods!”

“How have you been, Count Rosebell?”

 

It was Count Rosebell.

Approaching with an uneasy appearance, Count Rosebell looked me up and down, worriedly asking,

 

“I know it’s been some time since the incident, but how are you? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. I’m perfectly fine. Thank you for your concern.”

 

“Hmm. It’s hard to believe you’re fine after losing consciousness for two weeks… Did you come in a hurry because of the palace’s situation?”

 

“Yes. But everyone seemed more relaxed than I expected, so I’m surprised.”

Count Rosebell lightly shrugging his shoulders, gently tapped my shoulder and replied,

 

 “Well, aren’t we quite the seasoned warriors? We can certainly distinguish whether it’s a serious matter or not. I heard that the visitor who came without notice is of very high status. If Emperor His Majesty and Duke Berkeley Gratten have placed us here and ordered to engage in a peaceful conversation, it must be something important.”

 

Contrary to my concerns, it seemed that Rue was being treated well in the royal palace.

 

“That’s right, we’ve heard about the identity of the ‘visitor who came without notice’ from Lord Gavroche as well. He helped destroy the heart of that irredeemable scum who afflicted Princess Natasha. He said he also saved your life.”

 

What? Have you already heard all the way up to that?

 

“Hmm. That’s not all, Count.. Didn’t he add that the ‘’visitor who came without notice’ is a madman for Viscount Weatherwoods? According to the interpretation I learned from my daughters, this is clearly an idiomatic expression meaning that someone has fallen deeply in love to the extent that their perspective on life changes…”

 

“Let’s stop there, Marquis Calpenweaver. Hey, Sir Andert. Gavroche said that the ‘visitor who came without notice’ is a lunatic, so we must never dare to touch him. It was obvious at first glance that he wasn’t an ordinary person. What on earth is he doing? Why did he cause such a commotion in the palace?”

 

“Oh my! Aren’t you too tactless, Count Rogenhoff? Even crazy people have some understanding, right? That’s why I can’t have a conversation with a barbaric bachelor who knows nothing about love.”

 

—Indeed, Count Rogenhoff is a bit old-fashioned.

 

“Oh dear, Your Imperial Highness. Were you inside that doll? This old man’s heart almost stopped.”

 

In preparation for any possible situation, all palace staff and servants were evacuated, and the quiet palace was filled only with the sound of the swordsmen and the rag doll chattering away.

 

While Natasha and Marquis were deeply discussing the definition of “old-fashioned,” Count Rosebell, who was silently observing us, burst into laughter and said,

 

“Haha… It’s been a long time since everyone gathered in one place like this, hasn’t it? Somehow… Hmm. It feels nostalgic.”

 

The bustling conversation abruptly stopped, and a heavy silence fell. Natasha’s occasional laughter disappeared, like magic.

 

As I looked down at the drooping dummy, I recalled the brief conversation I had with Natasha on the airship.

 

“So… is the reason you’ve been gathering talented individuals from various places to prove the potential of the Crown Prince to the Emperor?”

 

—Yes. If trustworthy people gather around the Crown Prince, my brother won’t try to persuade me anymore.

 

“Isn’t it okay for you to take the throne until the Crown Prince grows up?”

 

—I can’t do that, Daisy. My sins are too great. I don’t deserve to revive the Penrotta Empire and protect the lives of its people as a sinner. Of course, I will dedicate the rest of my life to the Empire to pay for my sins… Yes, I am satisfied with that. There is nothing more than that.

 

Natasha continued, 

 

— It was all thanks to my comrades that I was able to regain my senses before committing greater sins. As the experiments progressed, I started hearing nagging from the dead. They told me to stop doing things I would regret, to regain my sanity through exercise and clear my mind… At the time, I thought I was slowly going insane and even hearing hallucinations, but it wasn’t that. It was because of them that I was able to keep my sanity and wait for you.

 

Natasha’s guilt seemed to have become a new driving force for her towards the future.

 

I didn’t want to say she was innocent either.

But at least Natasha was not someone who would forever be branded as a sinner without forgiveness. There is no one who throws a stone at someone willing to take responsibility for their actions.

 

Not long after, just as the atmosphere was calming down, the mischievous Marquis Calpenweaver playfully added.

 

“Duke Berkeley-Gratten would be disappointed to not be present here.”

 

“Well, it can’t be helped. Regardless of the process or the truth, nominally, he and we are political opponents. It’s right to keep our distance.”

 

Seeing that Count Rosebell firmly drew a line, and from the way he glanced at me, it seemed like he wasn’t going to elaborate further.

 

Count Rogenhoff, noticing this, awkwardly cleared his throat and changed the subject.

 

“Well, well. I feel a bit strange. It feels like I’ve seen a scene like this in a fairy tale I used to enjoy as a child. After defeating the evil dragon, the scattered warriors would gather in one place to untie their belts before they died.”

 

“Huh. Are you comparing yourself to a warrior? You always did have such high self-esteem.”

 

“Untying their belts before they die. It’s an unfortunate comparison. I wonder if the fairy tale really fits.”

 

“That’s what it says! Geez, old people always rush in when someone says something slightly wrong!”

 

Before getting caught up in deeper conversations with them, we quickly got up and walked to our true destination.

 

We passed through the empty corridors and dozens of rooms without a sign of presence. At the end of the hallway, the figure of the swordmaster appeared.

 

He glanced at my face and let out a short exclamation.

“You’ve crossed the wall. Now I can’t reach you either.”

 

Was it really possible for someone to recognize this at a glance?

Instead of answering, the swordmaster raised the corner of his mouth and narrowed his green eyes.

 

“Did you receive the marriage decree properly? Since we will be lifelong companions from now on, please take care of me, Viscount Weatherwoods.”

 

Without even acknowledging his playful joke, I asked.

 

“Is that monster inside?”

 

“Yes. Since he’s holding the Emperor hostage, we can’t make reckless moves.”

 

“You seem quite relaxed for such a dire situation.”

 

“That’s a misunderstanding on your part, Viscount.”

 

“What about Andert?”

“He’s confronting the monster inside. Shall we go in? Even though I’m me, I don’t have the confidence to make any more jokes in front of a demi-god.”

 

Yes, I have to go in.

That’s why I came here.

 

“…Sigh.”

 

But my legs didn’t move easily.

What was I feeling right now?

 

Fear? No. But I was trembling. I was so tense that my hands were sweating. If you asked what was so nerve-wracking here…

 

“Daisy.”

 

I didn’t know how he took in my sigh, but Raphael, who was leaning against the window, slowly called me.

 

He had his usual cold face.

But having spent a long time with Raphael, I easily noticed. That was definitely a sign of hesitation.

 

Raphael agonized, trying to say something to me, hesitated, swallowed, and finally spoke.

 

“I will always be behind you. So whenever you’re tired, you can turn around.”

 

It was a short but heartfelt word that felt even more sincere because of its briefness.

Thanks to that, the tension that was spreading rapidly like a fever subsided. 

I smiled and nodded.

 

“Thank you.”

 

The swordmaster, who had been silently observing our interaction, unexpectedly nodded with a face mixed with sympathy.

 

“You’ve been dumped.”

 

– You were dumped, Raphael. How pathetic.

“…Shut your mouth.”

 

– This dummy has no mouth, Raphael.

The familiar voice came and went.

 

Why was it that suddenly my body and mind felt lighter?

 

I was here.

 

I, as Ash, Andert, and Daisy, stood here as the owner and master of my own life. I had come all the way from a small island that had burned to ashes, and now I wondered what there was to be tense and afraid of.

 

My reason became clear. The sweat that was soaking my palms dried up, and a lively courage began to surge from my heart.

 

I willingly opened the door to go to Rue, who was waiting for me.

And so, the wide-open door…

 

Bang!

 

The door closed behind me with a frightening sound, followed by a cheerful tone.

 

“Hello, Daisy.”

 

The blue-haired monster greeted me.

 

“I finally had to come find you again this time. Isn’t that right?”

---

Untying their belts refers to resolving, sorting out their issues with each other before dying