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

<Episode 194>

 

Rue stood leaning against a wide-open window, as if waiting.

At that moment, it felt as if I’d gone back 160 years.

The sight of him smiling grimly against the not-so-dark background evoked a tense feeling, reminiscent of my first encounter with a devil.

 

As I swallowed my dry saliva, his hardened eyes narrowed even further, in contrast to his habitually curved lips.

 

The other person casually lifted his chin, as if he was about to say something, and I didn’t miss the opportunity.

 

“I’m sorry!”

 

Then I regretted it a little. My words sounded more like an outcry, so they must’ve seemed less sincere.

 

With a small, nervous cough, I stood beside Rue, trying to be as well-behaved and polite as possible, and looked up at him.

 

“There are things I want to apologize to you for. Will you listen?”

One of Rue’s eyebrows twitched like a wave, telling me to go ahead and try.

 

“The information that souls lose their memories when they collide… I hid it on purpose, that’s true. But I had no other great meaning for it. I thought it would be okay to lose them for a while since we would meet again after some time. I admit that I lacked consideration. I’m sorry.”

 

In fact, I was agonizing over this all the way to the Imperial Palace.

If Rue were to criticize my endlessly indecisive behavior ever since he woke up, how should I defend myself?

 

But when I imagined the opposite situation, I couldn’t possibly use the term “defend.”

 

He risked his life to save me, but what he got in return was a cold reception where I didn’t even come to greet him. My heart ached when I thought about how absurd, hurtful, and anxious it must have been from Rue’s perspective. 

 

Even though I struggled and agonized, there was ultimately only one way for me.

To apologize with all my sincerity.

 

“There were various complicated reasons why I couldn’t come to see you right after you woke up…It’s hard to explain it in words because emotions I couldn’t seem to sort out on my own riled in my mind… But simply put, I was ashamed. Because you almost disappeared from this world because of me.”

“…”

 

“I felt ashamed and pathetic. I’m not bragging, but I can count on one hand the number of swordsmen as strong as me in this vast empire. I was proud of that. But because of my arrogance and mistakes, I almost lost my most beloved forever… No matter how shameless and brazen I am, it was unbearable.”

 

As I spoke, I felt a deep and heavy emotion gradually rising up through my throat.

 

As the explanation continued, it felt like my sincerity was turning into excuses, but I couldn’t stop because I wanted to see the end of the story I had started telling.

 

“So, this time, I wanted to go to you after I finished everything given to me. I wanted to become someone you could lean on, instead of just receiving help from you. We will be together forever from now on, so I thought it would be okay even if it took some time. But it seems like the approach was a bit wrong. If I had just asked you to wait a little longer, you wouldn’t have been disappointed in me.”

 

As I said those words, I also realized something new.

 

“…Actually, I think I was afraid to even ask you to wait.”

 

I was so shaken by Rue.

He has shaken me to the core, so far that it can no longer be reversed.

 

Throughout the story, Rue, who had been meeting my eyes with an unwavering cold gaze, tilted his head and parted his lips.

 

“So?”

 

At that point, I couldn’t bear not touching him any longer.

Without warning, I opened my arms wide and hugged Rue and buried my face in his embrace, apologizing with mumbles.

 

“Thank you… And I’m sorry for making you come first this time too. Next time, even if I have to die, I will be the one to find Rue first…”

 

How long did the silence last?

As soon as a long sigh was audible, a warm embrace pulled me in. It was a fierce and suffocating hug, as if it would crush my ribs. As if he would never let go, filling me tightly in his arms. Rue whispered in my ears.

 

“There is no next time, Daisy. You and I will never be separated now, even in death.”

 

We kissed.

 

It wasn’t a gentle kiss at all, but it was still good.

 

This person, who was engulfed in intense emotions because of me, was so lovely. Rue, who was always relaxed and carefree anywhere else, was unable to be like that any longer in front of me, and that made me unbearably happy.

 

Was that why? Strangely, laughter kept bubbling up.

Rue’s breath, which stuck to my lips as it fell, also carried laughter as if he couldn’t help it, and soon faded away. Rue traced the dampness of my lips with his thumb, scolding me with his golden eyes shining with ecstasy.

 

“You need to be a bit more romantic.”

 

“But what can I do? It’s too good. You came back to me normally like this, it’s like a dream…”

 

“Hmm. I hate to admit it, but to some extent, the effectiveness of shock therapy has been proven.”

 

“Shock therapy?”

 

“There’s no other way to express it. The contents of the memories I forgot for a whole 160 years were so shocking that the pendulum of my balance tilted to the other side and returned here.”

 

Ah.

 

As if searching through distant memories, Rue leaned his forehead against mine with a hazy gaze.

 

“Well, if we only consider the outcome, it was a process that didn’t cost me anything. Whether it was the side effects of the energy suddenly surging or crossing the fifth wall that I hadn’t known about until now… I no longer need to be aware of or care about the existence of the scales.”

 

I had not entered the realm of complete divinity yet, so I didn’t exactly understand the meaning of balance.

 

But if Rue’s guess is correct and the fifth wall truly exists…

 

‘It means you can love freely, right?’

 

But how would he love more freely here? The picture wasn’t clear, but I thought a good thing was a good thing.

 

Above all…

 

“So you don’t have to leave for Calepa anymore?”

 

“Probably.”

With a warm smile, Rue lifted me up and I hugged his neck. His affectionate smile melted my heart.

 

Then, he pressed his head against my neck, took a deep breath, and sighed.

 

“Damn it. You make me so pathetic. I came here to say something properly this time… but when I look at your face, I can’t say anything.”

 

It was the same for me.

“It took too long.”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“You can’t accept it so simply. It took too long, Daisy.”

 

I comforted Rue by gently stroking the back of his neck.

 

“I thought I’d forgotten my past myself because I wanted to throw the miserable memories away.”

 

“….”

 

“It was all for this ridiculous fate… But well, isn’t this exciting in its own way?”

 

A sly voice bit into my chin and fell. Exciting? What kind of excitement?

 

“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but don’t think about anything,”

I scolded him, trying to break free from his grip. However, Rue wouldn’t let go, and so I had to hold his head and shake it as he held me tightly.

 

‘…But why are we doing this here?’

 

“Now, wait, Rue! What about the emperor? I’m sure they said you were holding the emperor hostage?”

 

Rue, who had stopped playing around, responded nonchalantly.

 

“Bullying a dying half-corpse isn’t any good. I only gave him what he wanted and put him to sleep. If I kept him by my side, he would have fainted.”

 

So generous… Was he being considerate, perhaps?

 

“But why did you come all the way to the Imperial palace?”

 

Rue was the one  who caused a commotion just to drag me out, but considering that the place happened to be the palace, there could be another reason as well.

 

“It reminded me of the promise I made to you.”

 

Rue held me and moved towards the table inside the room.

On the table, with its elegantly carved wood grain, there was a crisp piece of paper and an old fountain pen. The words that were visible at a glance were very familiar to my eyes.

 

“But no matter how much we promise eternity, my heart won’t be at ease.”

 

I stepped down from Rue’’s embrace and picked up the paper.

 

“A marriage consent form?”

Instantly, irritation surged within me.

 

Of course, that damn emperor. He had great skills in ruining people’s moods.

 

‘Is this the fourth marriage decree prepared by the Emperor?’

 

If that was the case, Rue must have come to demand the cancellation of this marriage decree! With a hopeful expression, I checked the name of the fourth partner.

 

『I consent to the marriage between Daisy Weatherwoods of the Weatherwoods family and Lord Calepa Rue.』