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

<Episode 88>

 

“Just now,”

The King of Astrosa questioned with a face as bewildered, no, even more than mine.

“Just now, did you say that woman is your lover, Count? Or did my ears hear wrong? Is that it?”

 

A short question I’d been asked upon entering the castle rang in my head.

“Do you think it would be more terrible to be my child or my lover?”

 

‘Is this what he meant by that question?’

No, putting that aside, I clearly said it’d be better to be a child?

Why was he lying about being my lover?

 

‘Well, why else? He’s trying to make fun of me.’

 

Ugh. My teeth clenched, but I couldn’t bring myself to object.

It was because Count Serenier’s lie was a white lie.

 

And even if it was revealed that I, a commoner from the Empire, was his lover, it would be a great loss for Count Serenier, not me, wouldn’t it?

 

<Count Serenier, the Calepa’s hound, playing lovers with an Imperial commoner.>

 

It was news that was the perfect material to be chewed on anywhere it went.

Was that why? I wondered how Count Serenier was planning to handle this situation.

 

“It’s a lie! The young man named Yeager, the Count’s guest, clearly said she was a maid…!”

Marquis Medeis’ heated outcry was immediately interrupted.

 

“Did I agree to that statement?”

A gilded indifferent gaze directed at Viscount Quan.

 

“Speak up, Viscount Quan. Have I ever introduced Miss Daisy as a maid to you? Please answer carefully, as we are in the presence of the king.”

 

Viscount Quan, who was breathing heavily with tension, glanced at Lord Medeis and struggled to answer.

 

“N-No, he didn’t.”

 

Seems like he didn’t have the audacity to lie in front of the king.

“Your Majesty. The Marquis of Medeis wielded a whip in the name of education before my lover. To me, the act felt like a death threat, and I just took the right steps to protect my fiancee. Should I say self-defense?”

 

“Well.”

 

“Therefore, I have never abused my authority or raised my hand for no reason.”

King Astrosa’s eyes regained composure. Indeed, he knew Count Serenier’s true nature.

 

‘So he knows that he’s trying to cover it up with a lie.’

However, other people could also come to that conclusion.

 

“Your Majesty! I cannot believe the claims of Count Serenier.”

“Marquis Medeis.”

“If that woman… if she was indeed the lover of Count Serenier, he should have protested when she was insulted even once. But he didn’t. Not even once! Therefore, the claims of Count Serenier are undoubtedly improvised lies!”

 

The King of Astrosa let out a short sigh and turned to Count Serenier.

His expression seemed to ask, ‘What do we do now?’

 

Contrary to the King’s concerns, Count Serenier maintained his indifferent attitude.

He asked MarquiS Medeis, “If I present valid evidence, will you admit your wrongdoing?”

 

“Hmph, if it’s valid, what else can I do? But just you know, I won’t accept anything like kissing. I want literal, concrete evidence.”

 

Count Serenier casually shrugged and turned to me.

In that moment, the boredom in his expression seemed to wash away, and our gazes met.

A sudden anxiety came over me.

 

As the well-maintained leather shoes approached me step by step, a cold sweat trickled down my back.

A gentle voice called out to me.

 

“Miss Daisy Fager.”

The distance closed quickly, and a warm hand slowly guided me towards him from behind.

And then we were facing each other with only a few inches between us.

 

Surely, he wouldn’t come any closer than this.

“My precious lover. My noble love.”

…But what if he did?

 

‘Since we’re supposed to be lovers, should I just endure it?’

 

However, the other person was a lunatic among lunatics.

I didn’t know what he would do. If he were to forcefully kiss me…

 

‘Should I step back after all?’

 

If I took a step back, Count Serenier’s lies would be in vain, wouldn’t they?

The sound of Count Serenier’s heartbeat flowed in, riding on the palm that supported my back.

My back felt too hot. Was it on fire?

For a brief moment, I was caught in a fierce ambivalence.

 

Count Serenier, who had been observing me with eyes full of clear delight, finally parted his lips after a long while.

 

“Will you please marry me, and be with me forever?”

It was a rare and solemn proposal.

A proposal.

 

‘A proposal?’

Was he proposing to me right now?

Paradoxically, Count Serenier calm gaze gave me a realization as fast as lightning.

 

‘Oh, this is also a lie.’

 

Of course he was lying!

But I felt bad for no reason.

 

I wanted to firmly reject him and kick at his calf for good measure.

 

“Is it too difficult to answer because you’re nervous? I understand. If you’re willing to accept my proposal, just nod your head.”

 

But this was going in my favor.

‘Count Serenier.. If not for Rue, who else would go to such lengths for me?’

 

Feeling a heaviness in my chest, I nodded my head vigorously with determination.

Count Serenier, who let out a small laugh, held my hand and looked at King Astrosa.

“I humbly request Your Majesty to kindly be the witness to our marriage.”

The king was already half lost in thought.

“Your Majesty.”

 

“….”

 

“I don’t want to say it twice.”

 

“….Y-yes, of course. I will.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

Next, the one who caught his gaze was the Marquis of horse dung, the main culprit of this affair.

 

“What do you think, Marquis? It seems like I’ve proven enough.”

 

“Stop this absurd play, Count! Isn’t the other party a commoner? How can the head of Serenier marry a mere commoner…!”

 

“Marquis Medeis.”

A cold voice cut off his words instantly.

King Astrosa scolded Marquis Medeis with a chilling gaze.

 

“You’re dragging this on for too long. There’s nothing more to look at. Didn’t I, as the king, agree to be the witness to their marriage? Or do you wish to accuse me of being a fraud along with the Count?”

 

“No, no, that’s not it. I just…”

 

“Count Serenier’s proof was sufficient. Your crime is even more severe. Not only did you harass a weak woman, but you also almost drove away the future mistress of the Serenier family, who’s in urgent need of an heir. Have you not done enough here?”

 

The Marquis of Medeis shut up.

“Go away.”

The chocolate-covered strawberry clenched its teeth and bowed to leave.

Hmm, it seems like the matter was roughly wrapped up. As expected, the taste of power at my side was very sweet indeed.

 

After the two losers disappeared under the guidance of the royal servants. A very long silence fell in the king’s backyard.

 

“Hmm.”

I heard a little dry cough, and saw King Astrosa, who’d come a little closer, asking me.

“…so where do you live?”

Count Serenier replied in my stead.

“She is my future wife, so she’s living in my castle.”

“I didn’t ask you.”

 

King Astrosa, who murmured quietly, looked at me with curious eyes.

“To be honest, I was quite surprised today. Count Serenier is not the type to handle things like this. It was a matter that could have been resolved alone, but he used me. It’s not like he’s come to see me using this as an excuse…”

 

Is that so? I thought Rue was faithful to the role of Count Serenier.

I glanced at Desherro.

Even amidst this confusing situation, he looked impeccably calm.

 

I understood what he was feeling right now. He’d resorted to just accepting Count Serenier as he was. From his point of view, he was now a radical nutcase who was impossible to understand.

 

At the same time, Desherro was probably suspicious of Count Serenier.

If he didn’t know about Rue, the existence of Count Serenier itself would probably look like a mirage.

 

‘Things could get more complicated when we return home.’

Viscount Desherro, my inconvenient companion, spoke to me.

 

“Hmm. Miss Daisy, is there anything you need to tell me? Or perhaps there’s something I must hear?”

 

Ah. The short question lit up a bright light in my head.

‘No way. Did he arrange all this to bring me before the king?’

 

I looked at Rue. He seemed indifferent.

Whether it was his intention or not, this moment was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me.

I raised my hand eagerly, expressing my intention to want to talk.

 

“Me.”

“Go ahead, Miss Daisy.”

“Your Majesty, I want to join Rogue. Please grant me the opportunity to undergo the entrance examination. I believe I am qualified, as I have also brought a letter of recommendation from a Yette.”

 

“…What?”

 

While the king gaped at me, I took out a piece of paper I had kept dearly by my side.

The letter of recommendation from a Yette.

 

The king of Astrosa came to me with a stride and received the letter.

 

A few days ago, Malicops secretly had a letter delivered to me. The true identity of that letter was the recommendation letter for a Yette.

 

The enclosed note with the recommendation had a short piece of advice written on it.

 

『…The recommendation letter for a Yette can only be written by another Yette, so it will greatly help prove your identity. However, this recommendation alone is not enough to enter Rogue.

 

After passing the entrance examination, you must complete the training of maintaining your soul and body in the outskirts of Calepa to be recognized as a true Yete. Kalepha should be inside the inner sanctuary. Once you pass the examination, you will be able to step into Rogue, and the rest will be up to you, Miss Daisy. To undergo the entrance examination, you must meet a high-ranking official from the Northern Continent or a noble of high status….』

 

Malcolm’s letter of recommendation was the trump card I had to get into Rogue.

From the beginning, I’d followed Count Serenier obediently to be able to get an entrance examination using his identity.

 

Of course, his true identity was Rue, who I’d been looking for.

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You may now kiss the bride pls pls pls