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

Part 2 Episode 35

Natasha, with wide eyes, asked hurriedly.

“Not going to? What do you mean, Andert? …Ah. Right, the situation with the vassals of Weatherwoods. I guess there are a few things you need to take care of immediately first.”

“It’s not because of that. I mean I’m not going to look for my parents.”

Malcolm, who was playing with Ash using the broken Lenya doll, groaned.

“That’s an unexpected answer.”

“Is it?”

“Why don’t you reconsider? It’s the golden opportunity to meet parents you thought were dead. Or is there a special reason you’re not looking for them, Viscount Weatherwoods?”

“Because I don’t need to.”

The death of my parents.

It was one of the biggest events in my life, but the memory of it was blurry because it happened when I was too young.

The cause of my parents’ death was a fire caused by an inexplicable explosion, and Andert and I had luckily survived because we were outside the house at the time, fascinated by bugs.

If that death was an arrangement for us.

If it was a disguise to save us and run away themselves.

‘Should I be grateful?’

I didn’t really know.

There were many days when I resented my parents for leaving me behind with just a younger brother. There were even more days when I longed for the warm embrace I couldn’t even remember. It was a child’s instinct to long for its parents.

‘If they forgot about our existence, I should be thankful. If they suddenly appear in front of Andert and say nonsense or threaten us…’

I wouldn’t forgive them, even if they were my parents.

‘Did Rein simply lie to confuse me?’

But the result unexpectedly led to the surprising news of my parents’ survival. Indeed, you never truly know the ways of the world.

“Thank you both for worrying about me. As for my parents, well, I’ll look for them in about a hundred years if I get really bored.”

“An ordinary person would be bones after a century, Lord.”

I gave Natasha, who had a complicated expression with her arms crossed, a grateful nod.

“I’m especially grateful to you, Natasha. You’ve taken care of many things for me while I was away. I owe you one.”

She showed a rare look of dissatisfaction.

“Don’t easily say the words ‘owe’, Andert. The debt we, this country, and its people owe you is much greater.”

“Hmm.”

“Raphael would have said the same thing if he were here.”

At the unwelcome name that didn’t exactly bring joy, I turned my head as if it were nothing but subtly crinkled my expression.

“That guy also… didn’t you say he was waiting for me? Why isn’t he even showing his nose?”

“He was here doing exactly that until this morning… but a distinguished guest from the Republic of Contaninos arrived without any prior notice. Raphael is probably dealing with them right now.”

A person? Just one?

It was a strange move, but I decided to get up and move along for Natasha’s next schedule now.

  *

At the same time.

For Rowayne Werkhord, receiving an unscheduled guest wasn’t something that happened often.

“Sigh…”

Normally, he would have just followed whatever orders came from above without any enthusiasm or soul as usual, but today was different.

Today was a special day for him.

He had been promoted to the position of the Captain of the Third Division of the Zenail Knight Order just two months ago.

He had been enduring his mother’s nagging about when he would stop delaying his marriage all this time already, but now, as a knight captain, he faced even more pressure.

From his enlistment to his promotion, he had been rising to the top quickly, and had endured the gossip and envy of some colleagues. Becoming even a knight captain hadn’t changed much for him.

Today’s schedule was like a blessing from the heavens – like the welcome rain on a dry day!

“Hoo…”

He tried to calm his breathing and regain his composure.

Rowayne maintained an expressionless face as he looked at the silver carriage entering the royal palace, unmistakably a noble one.

There was no helping it. He had to accept it as fate. After all, he had always been a bit unlucky, hadn’t he?

Click.

As the servant opened the carriage door, a beautiful woman with neatly braided golden hair appeared. She was stunningly beautiful and captivating. But to Rowayne, she was just an oblivious foreign visitor.

“Welcome, Lady Trevia of Mesita. I am Rowayne Werkhord, Captain of the Third Knights of Zenail. Please allow me to escort you into the palace.”

Trevia nodded with a gentle smile.

“I didn’t know the Zenail Knights would be stationed at Penrotta Palace. Perhaps it’s because of Andert Fager’s safe return, am I right?”

“Yes.”

Every young knight in Penrotta had three idols.

Jurian Berkeley-Gratten.

Raphael Zenail.

Andert Fager.

But among them, Andert Fager was undoubtedly the greatest idol.

For Rowayne, who had suffered by the hands of the two other superior swordsmen since his knighthood, the god of the magic war, the hero of the magic war, and the magic war itself was none other than Andert Fager.

How excited he had been about the news of his safe return?

And yet even so, Rowayne wouldn’t be able to meet with him today.

As Trevia was being escorted by Livaine, she looked at him with pitying eyes.

“I’m sorry. You must have been looking forward to it. You got stuck with the punishment of escorting a boring woman like me.”

“Please don’t say that. I don’t mind.”

Actually, he did mind. It was killing him.

Trevia nodded with a soft smile.

“Andert Fager is also a renowned war hero in our Republic of Contaninos. I hope our business here goes smoothly and that I can meet him.”

Perhaps it was her calm voice, but the overwhelming sense of grievance that had been building up inside Rowayne subsided a little.

‘She doesn’t really have a republican accent.’

Communication between Penrotta and the Republic of Contaninos was generally smooth. It was only natural since both nations were born out of the fragmentation of the Central Empire.

However, the Republic of Contaninos had a completely different culture from Penrotta, which had successfully maintained a centralized system of power for 400 years by inheriting the Central Empire’s legacy.

From the very beginning, they had declared a republic by abandoning the identity of the Central Empire after repeated wars with the various city-states that gained independence from the Central Empire. The Republic had always had a very different culture from Penrotta.

Therefore, communication between the far west of the Republic of Contaninos and the far east of Penrotta sometimes required a bit of translation help.

Rowayne’s steps halted at the entrance of the main hall inside the royal palace.

There, Raphael was waiting for him, standing tall and unwavering as always.

“Sir Raphael Zenail.”

Trevia, smiling softly as if she was pleased, covered her mouth with a rather surprised expression.

“Ah… I’m sorry. I should have called you Duke Zenail. I made a mistake because I said it in a hurry.”

“It’s alright, Lady Trevia of Mesita. It’s nice to meet you.”

As always, a stiff and indifferent first greeting came out of his mouth that didn’t particularly hold a deep respect for the lady.

Yet, Trevia smiled happily.

Whenever he saw his boss, Rowayne felt that women’s hearts were ultimately swayed by face and honor instead of attitude.

Otherwise, that old oak tree like man wouldn’t be called the best bachelor every year despite his age only increasing annually.

‘Or is it precisely because he has remained unmarried despite his age?’

It was truly peculiar that the two best swordsmen of Penrotta did not have children.

At that moment, Raphael, who had been staring blankly at Trevia, opened his lips to say brazen words.

“I have one question, Lady Trevia of Mesita.”

“Yes. Please go ahead.”

“Are you really Lady Trevia of Mesita?”

“Of course. Is there a problem?”

Rowayne looked up at Raphael’s face, which was colder than usual, with puzzlement.

And soon, he too began to look at Trevia suspiciously. It wasn’t like Raphael to make such a statement without a reason.

“…His Majesty the Emperor is currently resting due to his unwell health.”

“Oh, that’s unfortunate. I will pray for his swift recovery on behalf of the Republic of Kontaninos.”

“Fortunately, Her Highness  Archduchess Halo, the Emperor’s representative, is staying at the Imperial palace, so she will meet you soon.”

“Ah… Then, can I see Andert Fager as well?”

“Are you interested in him?”

“Of course. I came here today to propose a marriage alliance to him.”

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A late but not too late happy new year to everybody! Winter vacation seems to have gone by in a blink. I’m starting university again soon, but the good news is that you can expect more regular updates for this novel since my laptop issue was solved! Hopefully that remains the same.

How has your new year been so far, my dearest readers? I am curious. I hope you’ve been well. Make sure to wear warm clothing for the winter!