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

<Episode 74>

 

Someone embraced my body.

When I took an exasperated breath, we were already at home.

 

How could I cross such a long distance in a moment? I seemed to have fainted on the way.

“You almost got struck by lightning and turned into a crispy treat.”

 

 After going through all the trouble of saving someone’s life, all he had to say was just that.

The relationship between this man and me was undoubtedly twisted. Otherwise, from the day I brought him home until this moment, everything wouldn’t have gone so awry. 

 

After swallowing some rainwater from the tomato stew can, I could finally muster the strength to respond. 

 

“I’m sorry, but I can’t thank you.”

 “Is that so?” For some reason, the man sitting next to me continued to smile faintly. 

“Then what’s the thing you want to say right now?”

 “Why did you save me?” 

“Because you fell into the sea.”

 

He spoke in a casual tone like he was talking about a story that he had only heard about.

Anger welled up in my throat. 

 

“You should have let me be. I had no intention of coming back up!”

 “Oh, really? I didn’t realize. I’m sorry.”

Lies. He said he was sorry, but then how was he smiling like that?

 I was so stunned that I couldn’t even speak.

 

 “Why do you want to die? You’re young and cute. You may not be good at cooking, but you’re great at cutting fish heads. You’re good at fixing roofs too. You know a lot of things, don’t you?” 

 

Why?

 

 My nose twitched, and no words came out. 

When I lowered my head in silence, the man lifted my chin and asked. 

“Why did you want to die?” 

 

At that moment, his voice was cold, as if he was angry. 

 

“…My younger sibling’s fate was pitiful. It was so pitiful that I wanted to follow him.”

 “Follow him? He’s alive, isn’t he?”

 “That was just my foolish wish. I knew it wasn’t true… But I couldn’t let go of hope…” 

 

That’s why I stayed on this island. 

If it meant Andert’s return, I could have lived in these ruins my whole life.

 

“Do you want to go to the mainland with me?” 

The man, after uttering those words, put on a blank expression on his face like he couldn’t believe himself. Then he suddenly smiled even more intensely and made me an offer.

 

“Let’s leave this island together. It would be better. Leaving this old island where the rain pours endlessly.”

 

Should I? 

Should I leave this island? 

If I leave this island…

 

 “Then, can I seek revenge?”

 “…Ah. Revenge. It’s important.” 

 

The man’s gaze sank heavily, emitting a yellow glint. 

 

“Well, it seems your mind desires revenge. Anyone can choose it, but it’s not an easy path for anyone. It’s painful and thorny.”

 “…..”

 “Shall I help you?”

 “Yes.”

 

 The man smiled satisfactorily and patted my back. 

“Alright. Get up, miss. Bid goodbye to your sibling and let’s go. That’s the right thing to do.” 

He just accepted it? 

“Right away like this?” 

 

It wasn’t like he was some sort of scammer. Of course, in the beginning, this man indeed looked like one, but… 

 

I clumsily stood up and followed him outside, then asked.

“Why are you helping me, sir?” 

The man answered with an indifferent expression. 

“Because I want to.”

 

 Of course, it was an answer that did not even remotely satisfy me.

 “Why me? Why? I’m not particularly likable.” 

“The words you just said are a bit shocking to hear from someone, aren’t they? But it doesn’t matter. I like people who are desperate like you. People who always do their best, even when pushed to the edge of despair… People who fall but rise again. That’s why I’ve been watching over you all this time.”

 “So, did you know that I was just wasting my time in vain all this time?” 

“No. There’s no such thing as a vain act in this world.”

 

With a firm denial, the man walked into the rain. It wasn’t some wise answer, but somehow it satisfied me. I followed him. 

 

When we reached the edge of the cliff, we built Andert’s tomb. 

Whether buried in the ground or becoming fish food, returning to nature was all the same. 

 

In truth, I could not be certain if the headless corpse I saw below the cliff was Andert’s. 

Even if it wasn’t Andert’s, I hoped that the existence of this tomb would bring comfort to the victim. 

 

“You’re calm.” 

Is that so? 

In truth, I wasn’t calm. I was just trying to appear that way. 

 

“I often imagined it in my head. How to gather myself when my brother dies. How to seek revenge.”

 “You’ve made some great plans.” 

“It’s not great. It’s pathetic.”

 “Alright, partner. So what’s our first plan?”

 

 I looked into the eyes of the relaxed man and replied.

 “I will become Andert.”

 

As if he hadn’t expected the method, the man’s eyes widened slightly. 

“Becoming Andert and killing his enemy. If I can do that, my brother can rest peacefully. This is the best revenge plan I’ve come up with. To do that, I’ll have to find a magician on the mainland, right?”

 

The man listened to my story quietly, then raised one corner of his mouth and smirked. 

 

“Why should you go find one? I’m your magician.” 

“…You? A magician?”

 

 Was he lying? 

 

I couldn’t really trust the man who wandered into my house after being stranded on a deserted island when he claimed to be a magician.

 

 “Yeah. But our young lady here is attempting a very difficult spell. Living someone else’s life, it’s a highly advanced magic that most magicians wouldn’t even dare to attempt.” 

 

“How difficult is it?” 

“Even the Imperial Wizards of your country won’t be able to do it.” 

 

That difficult, huh? Just as I was about to fall into despair, the man changed his tone.

 

 “But no need to worry. I’m a genius. There’s nothing I can’t do. You’ve chosen a very good magician, my dear. I guess you could say you were incredibly lucky.”

 

Is that so?

 “You’re truly amazing.” 

“Let me ask you one thing.”

 “Go ahead.” 

“Are you willing to sacrifice anything for your revenge?”

 

At first, I wanted to ask, ‘What do you mean by ‘sacrifice anything’?’ But soon, I realized that regardless of what he meant, I had already reached the answer.

 

“Yes.” 

The man, with a look in his eyes that suggested he expected that answer, asked again. 

“Even if it means death?” 

“I’m already dead. If you hadn’t saved me and brought me here, by now I would have sunk to the bottom of the ocean, bloated and waiting to float up.”

 “…I see. Then I would be killing you twice.” 

 

For a moment, he remained silent, gazing at the tombstone with heavy eyes. Then, he approached me with a faint smile. 

 

“Now, I will transform your appearance into Andert.”

 “Really? Is that possible?”

 “Ordinary transformation magic is a high-level magic that is difficult to sustain for a long time. Just by descending into the underground of any land, you would return to your original appearance.”

 “That’s…”

“Of course, I can ensure that you live your entire life as Andert without being disturbed by those elements. After all, I’m a genius.”

 

Was that so? 

“You’re truly amazing.”

 “However, as with any powerful force, my magic also requires a price.” 

“What is it?” 

“Your lifespan.” 

“…….” 

“And the memories of this moment.” 

 

Lifespan? I’ve heard that sorcerers used mana to perform magic. This was an unexpected price.

 

“…Are you a con artist, sir?”

 “A con artist?”

 

He laughed at my suspicions, mocking me, and took a step back. 

 

At that moment,

 The needle-like rain pouring down around us stopped. 

 

The raindrops that fell, shaking the heavens and the earth, transformed into pure white flower petals. 

 

The wet ground began to be tinged with a white hue. 

The world before my eyes turned into a flower paradise. In the face of such an unbelievable sight, I could only stand there dumbfounded. 

 

Oh my goodness. 

Amidst the swaying flower petals, the man whispered in my ear. 

 

“How is it? Do I still seem like a con artist to you?” 

 

I held my pounding heart and shook my head vigorously. 

 

“No, absolutely not! Why would someone as amazing as you, a great magician, be on this burnt island?”

 “I told you. I’m searching for a heart.” 

“Then, was it really just a coincidence that I met you, sir?”

 “Why. Doesn’t it seem like a coincidence?”

 “It doesn’t seem like a coincidence to me.”

 

 It really didn’t seem like a coincidence.

 

 “You appeared in front of me like fate. At least, that’s how it feels to me.”

 

 The man didn’t say anything. He silently watched me, as flower petals fell around us. Occasionally, he would reach out and brush away a petal that had landed on the tip of my nose. 

 

After taking a deep breath, I made my final decision. 

“Alright. Since I was practically dead anyway, there’s nothing to lose by wagering my lifespan. I’ll do it. Even if it means staking my entire life to fulfill my wish.” 

 

“You truly are young. So unhesitating with your choices.”

 “But why does it have to involve memories?” 

“No one should remember this magic.”

 

I felt like I could understand a little bit of what the man was saying. I had never heard a story about someone using incredible magic at the cost of one’s lifespan before, so it intrigued me. 

 

Because of that, I was a bit concerned about him. 

 

“Are you alright, sir? Your lifespan won’t be shortened too, right?”

 “You’re worried about me now? Don’t most people worry about themselves? You really are a bit peculiar, miss.”

Is that why I find you even more adorable? He softly murmured as he carefully reached out his hand and brushed my head.

“To be honest, I was a bit taken back by you. I had similar thoughts as you, miss. At one point in my life, I could risk my life to achieve what I desired… if it was achievable, that is.” 

 

Does that mean he ultimately failed? If that was the case, this magic must be the greatest favor this man could show me. 

I grabbed his hand that had touched my head and gave him one final request. 

“I will succeed in my revenge. So, after everything is over, let’s meet again. And then, please bury me next to my little brother’s grave.” 

 

As if it were a final farewell, the man kissed the back of my hand deeply and replied, 

 

“I truly hope that day comes.”

The devouring clouds covering the island dissipated.

The sunlight that broke through the crack in the dark sky reached the cliff. That radiant light, like God’s blessings, shone brightly on the man’s face, and I stared blankly at his face, which was similar to a beautiful illusion. 

 

Only then did I recall the man’s name. 

I knew him. 

Rue. 

The man was Rue.

 

 Oh my goodness, yes! He was Rue all along! Unbelievable. 

Did I forget about this memory? For a whopping 14 years?

 

Ah. As if breaking a promise, the dominating presence of the magic left my body, and I returned to reality. 

 

I opened my eyes as Daisy, the maid. 

I abruptly got up from the bed and shouted,

“Rue! You conman!”