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

For Datsukai, thank you for the ko-fi! ♡

 

<Episode 93>

 

“Then why did you tell me the truth?”

“I don’t know.”

You don’t know what I’m talking about, right?

I didn’t know either.

 

But that’s how human affairs were.

This seemed right, and it was probably okay, but I still hesitated to take action.

Admitting to Desherro that I was Andert was also somewhat an impulsive judgment.

Perhaps it could even be called an emotional decision.

 

If I hadn’t visited Count Serenier’s gallery… I would have tried to disrupt and reject Desherro’s deductions somehow.

This is why they say no one knows what the future holds.

 

“Whether in the past or now, I have no idea what you’re thinking. I’ve never seen someone so indecisive in my life.”

“Oh, really? With Rue, it’s like he can enter my mind and see right through it.”

“Rue?”

 

Hmm. Even without realizing it, that name…

 

“Anyways, can you promise to keep it a secret? Now, I’m just a poor maid with only one set of clothes. Please help me out.”

Letting out an indiscernible sigh, Desherro responded with a slightly hesitant tone.

 

“…But can I really introduce you as Andert’s sister?”

“Andert’s mother would be a little too much, if you’re implying that. In the first place, we lost our parents when we were young.”

“It’s not about that. Honestly, I doubt if Raphael would fall for the lie. Even if he is deceived, it could be a problem from your perspective.”

 

A problem? Why would there be a problem if he was deceived?

 

Wait a minute, did he know I was going to die?

Desherro didn’t even smile.

Maybe not. He cautiously asked the question, not pretending to have heard anything.

 

“Are you meeting someone with marriage in mind?”

I thought it was a random question, but there was no reason not to answer.

“No, I’m not..”

“What about a lover?”

 

For some reason, Rue’s face flashed through my mind.

I quickly shook my head to erase the thought.

“Doesn’t exist.”

 

“What about someone you have feelings for?”

 

I really didn’t know why, but Rue’s face flashed in my mind again.

No, actually, I might have some idea why… Damn it.

 

Feeling frustrated, I denied it through gritted teeth.

“Absolutely not. No way.”

 

But looking back, the topic felt somewhat familiar.

Marriage. Marriage… Where did I hear that before?

 

“Did you say you had a sister? That’s a shame. If she were alive, she could have gotten a war hero as a husband.”

 

“I’m talking about me.”

 

Ah.

 

No way.

 

Desherro drove a wedge into my unease.

 

“The reason His Grace is postponing marriage is simply because he doesn’t have a trustworthy partner. And he feels a great responsibility for your death. If it were known to him that you are Andert’s sister, he might even propose.”

 

That wedge, crafted with precision, left me speechless.

 

‘If it’s him, he might actually do it.’

 

Raphael was not one to make empty remarks. Even with casual words, he spoke sincerely.

 

“I am… a commoner.”

“And Andert Fager received a title from the Emperor. He is no longer Fager, but Count Vladiev.”

“Vladi what?”

“Count Vladiev. If His Grace acknowledges you as a relative of the fallen hero, from that day forward, Daisy Fager will inherit the title and become Countess Daisy Vladiev. You will become a noble.”

“Oh yeah. You mentioned I received a title after my death.”

 

Desherro spoke with unwavering certainty.

 

But I found it difficult to fully understand his argument.

I was certainly not doubting Raphael’s sincerity, but…

 

“Marriage isn’t the only way to take responsibility for someone, you know.”

“I agree.”

“So why go to such lengths?”

 

“Because you are a trace of Andert.”

 

“Why does being a trace matter?”

 

“You are his sister, and you share memories with him, don’t you? After you left, The Duke began to suffer from severe insomnia. For the past three years, he’s desperately searching for only traces of you. But he’s failed repeatedly, and now that he’s slowly regaining stability…”

 

I have returned.

Desherro let out his five-thousandth sigh.

 

“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to blame you. But it’s not an exaggeration to say that his life changed completely after your death. Yet, if you still intend to hide your identity, I kindly request you to reconsider.”

 

Reconsider?

Even though it was a polite request, I couldn’t understand why I was getting angry.

 

“Desherro.”

“Yes.”

“I only have 10 more years to live.”

 

His eyes widened.

It seemed like he was more shocked than when he was threatened with a sword at his throat.

That’s how surprised he was, and that was exactly why…

 

“Why, only ten years…”

 

“What were you thinking just now? What do you feel? Sympathy? Or maybe guilt?”

 

“…”

 

“I don’t want to burden you with such feelings of guilt or debt. After all, I infiltrated Mephisto Castle on my own accord…”

 

“Then are you okay with this?”

 

Desherro responded with a face that was not any less angry than mine. No, he openly showed his anger.

 

“Andert, you are a hero. You deserve to be treated well in your lifetime. You deserve to be revered for a lifetime. You are not someone who should live your life as a maid who is ignored and trampled upon by those bloody aristocratic brats!”

 

I think I heard similar words in the gallery.

Had he always carried such thoughts even after defeating Mephisto?

 

“Why can’t we feel sorry for you? Why can’t we pity you? It’s a natural emotion. Just let it flow, just let us…”

 

It had been a long time since I saw Desherro this angry.

…he wasn’t going to punch me just because he was angry, was he? I was still a maid.

“To me.. No, to us… you can come back, can’t you?”

 

A melancholic silence settled in.

In the moments where only our breaths could be heard, suddenly the memories of the moments we rolled together on the battlefield came to mind.

 

We used to fight a lot, didn’t we?

Unable to contain the intensity of emotions, we sometimes swung our fists like children and ended up rolling on the ground.

 

And if our opinions couldn’t be reconciled even then, we would ignore each other for days on end or stumble over trivial matters like little children.

 

Compared to those days, these were such peaceful days.

Was there really a need to fight?

 

“Sorry.”

So I apologized first.

“Now that I think about it, I was probably too harsh.”

 

Desherro, who had been breathing so roughly as if he’d lost first place in a competition for the first time in his life, slowly re-collected himself.

 

And with a tired-face, he looked at my own dry one.

“I’m the one who should apologize. I know it wasn’t easy for you to reveal such a secret. …Are you okay health-wise?”

“I’m strong. I can handle someone like Marquis horse-dung with one hand.”

“In that case, the reason you have a time-limit is because there’s something wrong on the other end.”

“Stop probing. Huh?”

“Sorry, it’s a habit. …Anyway, I’ll move according to your request for now. It wouldn’t be a good picture if I overstep the boundaries. Oh! By any chance, does Viscount Weatherwoods know your true identity?”

 

He knew. Since I was Viscount Weatherwoods.

 

But while it might be known to Jean, who works in the same mansion, it was information that could not easily be disclosed to Desherro, Raphael’s closest aide.

I had to somehow navigate around it.

 

“Well… The Viscount knows in a general sense, and in exchange for feeding and sheltering me… I transform into his appearance whenever he is busy…”

“No need for excuses. I heard from Duke Berkeley Gratten that Viscount Weatherwoods defeated Jean Berkeley Gratten without even drawing his sword. Who else could it be if not you?”

 

“The Viscount Weatherwoods is just as good a swordsman as I am…”

“So, would it be okay if I personally meet Viscount Weatherwoods and have a conversation with him at the Zenail estate?”

 

“….”

“….”

“….”

“I’ll take that to be an admission of guilt.”

 

You cold-hearted bastard with no tears.

“I realized as I was speaking… I’ll soon meet you as the Viscount at the Zenail State. Oh my god, this is ridiculous.”

 

Sighing for the umpteenth time, Desherro let out a deep sigh.

“It’s becoming a night with a lot to think about…”

 

I apologize again for being like this.

Desherro turned his back with a pensive look.

 

“It’s getting late, so I should go back for now. Someday, there will be an opportunity for us to have a more detailed conversation. …Oh, I almost forgot to mention.”

 

Desherro stood at the door and turned his head slightly, giving a faint smile.

 

“Congratulations on becoming a Count.”

---

uff *wipes away tear*

 

 

hehe, I don’t think I’ll keep the moondust system for long… it’s kind of a pain to manually upload the chapters to NU which I heard we have to do… I’ll just upload on a set time basis, so it’ll still keep you excited to read more! also, vystas is no longer commenting ehhh T-T I kinda looked forward to your comments a lott.

 

Thank you again Datsukai for the ko-fi!!