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

<Episode 54>

 

Jean was hired as the fourth employee of the Weatherwoods family.

Her position was the Butler.

 

After trimming her silver hair short and donning a male employee’s attire, Jean’s appearance had changed enough to pass as a man at a glance. With a height of around 170cm, she possessed a solid stature along with well-trained shoulders and arms from her swordsmanship. The firmness of her legs and lower body, concealed by the trousers, combined with the sharpness unique to a swordsman, created a formidable impression.

 

‘If you keep your mouth shut, you’ll definitely seem like a man.’

I still didn’t know why I had to do this.

The duties of a maid and a butler were usually different. However, this was the unfortunate Weatherwoods mansion, whose true owner was a magic device.

A place where all employees, except the cook, shared their duties under the Head Maid’s law.

 

“Miss Daisy? Take Jean with you to the market. You can show her the stores you go to most often. Here’s the list of what we need.”

 

So I, the maid, was teaching the butler.

It was annoying.

 

Why must I educate Jean when she was hired by the maid?

True, I was the one who’d dueled with Jean. But to be precise, it was like a duel with the master, not me.

 

“Junior.”

“Yes, ma’m.”

“I’ll show you the essence of running errands. Follow me.”

“Yes, ma’m.”

 

She was smart, though. That was the only thing I liked.

I headed to the market with my junior employee by my side.

 

“What? A young man like this is a butler?”

Of course, Jean was very popular in the market.

“Oh, you’re handsome. Come here, young man. It’s hot now, right? Have a glass of water and go.”

“Thank you.”

“Viscountess Weatherwoods must’ve chosen him for his looks.”

“No, sir.”

“Ha-ha. He’s very humble, too. You two look great together. When are you getting married?”

 

I shook in surprise.

“Never!”

“Huh? Isn’t this your lover? Oh, sorry. When I heard a bachelor became the butler of that esteemed family, I thought he was connected to you, young lady. I apologize for the misunderstanding, young man.”

“Tsk tsk. You’re so silly. This young lady’s lover is that ominously beautiful young man with blue hair.”

“No such thing.”

 

Woo-wook. It was unpleasant that I was mistaken for being in a relationship with two people who were nothing like that at all, but it’s not that I didn’t understand the confusion of the market merchants.

 

‘That’s just how shocking the sudden recruitment of another staff was.’

But it was even more surprising that no one noticed that Jean was a woman.

 

While I purchased the requested items, I introduced popular miscellaneous goods such as  <Cost-effective cleaning brush set for skilled maids> and <Budget-friendly sewing kit for skilled maids> to Jean. After that, I returned home.

 

“I’ll be on a business trip tomorrow and the day after.”

“I heard from the maid. You’re going to Westwinterre with Mr. Rue”

 

Jean, who was helping me organize things, said with a rather serious look.

“I may just be paranoid, but be safe when you reach there. Of course, it’ll be alright, since Mr. Rue will be there.”

 

If Jean said such a thing, it meant Rue had left some sort of impression on the swordsman.

“By the way, ma’am. How did you build up your muscle strength?”

 

Muscle strength?

I glanced at Jean at the sudden question.

It was a pretty good question for her to ask. It just wasn’t a good one for me to answer.

 

Jean’s eyes were shining blue, as if it was difficult to hide the curiosity deep inside her heart.

“If you have that much muscle strength, you must repeat high-intensity training almost every day. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you train, senior.”

 

Her curiosity as a swordsman.

Should I answer this or not?

‘Once I start dealing with her, I’ll have to keep dealing with her.’

 

The agony was short-lived. I gave an honest answer.

 

“Do it. Every morning, for about two hours in my room.”

 

Jean, who uttered a short exclamation, asked in a very careful manner.

 

“Did you have Viscount Weatherwoods as your teacher?”

“Teacher?”

 

That’s not really the case…

 

“Actually… I was very surprised to see you here and Mr. Rue here. It’s not like you exude a tremendous aura or anything, but I simply can’t find any gaps or flaws in you both, no matter how hard I try.

 

I can understand Rue, but did I give off that vibe too?

 

‘As expected of a sword-demon.’

Her instinct was frightening.

 

“I’ve come to realize just how much I’ve lived like a frog in a well. Even after I trained with a sword all my life, I could only reach this level. But Senior, you and Mr. Rue, haven’t you both achieved such a level while also pursuing your professions?”

 

Looking at her eyes full of a desire to be stronger, Rue’s words from yesterday morning came to mind.

 

“She’s like Miss Daisy.”

 

They weren’t really words that resonated with me. Neither were they an uplifting remark to make me feel better.

But strangely, the words kept coming to my mind.

 

“My training routine. Would you like me to tell you?”

Was that why?

I answered Jean’s curiosity, which I could have easily ignored and gone on about living my life without, for no reason.

Jean also asked back a question with surprised eyes, as if she’d not expected this.

 

“Are you sure?”

I didn’t particularly like or dislike Jean.

However, for some reason, I felt a little emotionally weakened when it came to Jean’’s desire to become stronger.

 

 Whether it was accepting that duel or not completely dismissing her intention to enter the Weatherwoods Mansion, it was all because of that.

 

Why?

 

Because Jean was the same gender as me? Because she was a swordsman, or because she was a demon of the sword? Was it because she had no family?

 

“Instead, there is a condition.”

“Say it, please.”

“No training other than what I taught for a week.”

“Now all I have left is time. I will follow any training.”

“This is the first part.”

“Yes!”

“Wipe all the window frames on the second floor.”

“…….”

“Finish it in a day (like me) without anyone’s help.”

“…….”

“Fall asleep at night without thinking for a week. Don’t even read a magazine. Practice.”

Jean looked at me a little blankly, perhaps unable to understand.

I thought she had a fierce and firm personality, but it seemed she had an absent-minded side to her. This is why they say you can’t fully know someone in just a day or two.

 

“…….”

 

“Follow my lead. Practice.”

However, I can’t deny that Jean didn’t lose focus when it came to training. Startled, Jean soon shouted in a loud voice. 

“I’ll do it!”

 

 As I watched Jean rush to the back of the kitchen to grab a mop, I finished putting the remaining items into the drawer.

 

Why was I helping Jean?

 

‘Is it because I want Jean to achieve a new level as a swordsman?’

 

No.

I’m certain that’s not the only answer.

 

* * *

 

The day to depart for Westwinterre dawned.

With it being a short journey to the neighboring city and us having very modest plans, the schedule was also quite simple.

 

 Today at 10 AM, I will board the train bound for Westwinterre. The arrival was scheduled for 4 PM in the afternoon.

 

Tomorrow is when I’ll take care of my business.

The day after tomorrow at 11 AM, I will board the train bound for Midwinterre. The arrival is scheduled for 5 PM in the afternoon. It was a total of 2 nights and 3 days of activities. Even my companion was the same as before. 

 

“Are you ready? Due to the rush in securing the train tickets, we ended up with a 2-night, 3-day schedule… but the elder is not a picky person. Take this opportunity to relax and enjoy yourself. There are many interesting places to see in Westwinterre so it will be fun to explore around.”

 

“I’m glad to hear that.”

 

“Take care of Miss Daisy, Mr. Rue. I feel uncomfortable because I feel like you’ve both just returned home and have been entrusted with yet another cumbersome task.”

“It’s just a couple of days. It’s like we’re going on a walk, so it’s okay.”

“I suppose so. Here, take some stuff. This is my letter to the elder…”

 

Explain it to me, head maid. I’m supposed to be the messenger. Don’t just look at Rue and explain stuff.

 

While I was busy watering the plants since Rue, the gardener, was busy,

“Pst, psst. Miss Daisy?”

 

A wrinkled finger protruding from outside the main gate poked my back.

It was the merchant from the general store.

 

As soon as our eyes met, he quickly glanced around and pulled out a small, folded piece of paper from inside his chest, extending it towards me.

 

 “Here, take it. It’s the secret message sent by that Potato-seller Grandpa. Secret – S- E – C- R- E – T. Secret. You know you have to read it secretly, right?”

 

“Secret note?”

 

“Shh! Shh! What is it? It seems like a suspicious person has entered the market…. Don’t worry, we are all keeping an eye out. Anyway, go hide somewhere and read it to confirm.”

 

He keeps saying it’s a secret. Is it a secret that all merchants in the market know?

‘But I didn’t expect to hear from him so soon.’

 

It’d been less than 15 days since I hired the old potato seller as a secret member of the organisation. When the wrinkled paper was unfolded, a straight handwriting appeared. The contents of the note sent by the old potato were simple.

 

That the suspicious man hadn’t come out of the pub since entering two hours ago.

And the suspicious man was someone who visited the pub once every three months.

 

The image that came to mind was clear.

“Berithlet.”

 

The assassin-butler had said it was the time for them to make a move.

“Mr. Rue, do you have some time before the train?”

 

I should at least say hello before leaving.

---

 

I have a feeling that the general store merchant has been waiting his whole life to deliver a secret message. 

Daisy’s modest plans for the outing include stealing a nationally revered artefact. mhm.