Surviving as the Villainess’s Servant in a Martial Arts Novel - Chapter 40

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 40

 

“Dan-a…?”

 

I looked at Mother, who had barely regained consciousness, and called out brightly.

 

“Mother!”

 

Mother looked around in bewilderment. It seemed she couldn’t grasp how much time had passed since she last fell asleep.

 

I was checking Mother’s condition and was about to go call for a physician immediately. But it was already dawn, and it was actually Mother who comforted me in my panic.

 

“Dan-a, it’s okay. Mother is fine, so could you tell me how much time has passed? What happened during that time….”

 

I hesitated for a moment, then finally sat down beside Mother. After that, I began a long story.

 

Even though it was just retelling the same stories from the past few days, I was delighted that Mother was listening and gradually became more excited as I chattered on.

 

“…So she’s going to the Namgung Family Estate soon. When she goes this time, we don’t know when she’ll return, but she seems to be preparing thoroughly as if she plans to stay for a long time….”

 

“Aren’t you going?”

 

I paused.

 

“You’re serving Lady Seo. If the Young Miss goes, you should go too, shouldn’t you?”

 

“Ah, well….”

 

I hesitated. At first, I was going to say ‘How could I go anywhere leaving Mother behind?’ but somehow I felt like Mother would say ‘Don’t worry about me and go.’

 

I soon shook my head exaggeratedly as if it was nothing and said.

 

“Oh, why would I go there? Do you know how far it is from here to Anhui Province? Just riding a horse there would be exhausting, but to travel that far distance while serving the Young Miss too. Ugh, I absolutely can’t do it. I’m satisfied now, and it’s much better to just be alone with Mother….”

 

“You want to go, don’t you?”

 

“….”

 

“You want to go. Right?”

 

Suddenly speechless, I stared blankly at Mother. Mother, who had been looking into my eyes, smiled gently and said.

 

“Dan-a.”

 

“Yes….”

 

“My child.”

 

“….”

 

“Mother wants you to do what you want to do. Not a life tied down to someone and constantly reading their mood, but living freely doing what you want to do.”

 

“….”

 

“It might be Mother’s selfishness. But….”

 

Mother looked down at our clasped hands. A sad light flickered through Mother’s downcast eyes.

 

“I want you to be happy.”

 

Mother, who raised her head again, was just smiling kindly. But the dark expression I glimpsed kept bothering me, so I said seriously.

 

“Me too, I want Mother to be happy too.”

 

“I see.”

 

“That’s why I can’t go. Mother knows too, don’t you? How precarious Mother’s condition is right now. I can’t leave Mother behind, and even if we went together, I don’t know if Mother’s body could endure it….”

 

“That’s….”

 

Mother paused for a moment. Then she spoke with a rarely seen peaceful expression.

 

“It will be okay.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

Mother said.

 

“It’s been so long since I’ve felt this light in my body. I feel strength throughout my whole body and my mind is so clear that I feel like I could do anything right now. Really, it’s been so long since I’ve felt like this….”

 

Seeing Mother speak as if relieved somehow, I could only tilt my head in confusion.

 

Mother’s words were right.

 

After that, Mother didn’t fall asleep.

 

Rather, she could support her own body and even feed herself rice porridge, showing a clearly improved condition compared to before. I was overjoyed and asked Physician Jeong.

 

“Has Mother gotten better? Her illness is truly improving, right?”

 

“Well. Her condition still seems the same, but….”

 

Physician Jeong hesitated before saying a word.

 

“Let’s observe for now.”

 

Physician Jeong had an anxious expression, but I was so excited that I didn’t notice his face.

 

And that day, Mother said.

 

“Dan-a, shall Mother come along too?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

Mother smiled gently and said.

 

“Dan-a wanted to follow the Young Miss too. It’s been weighing on my mind that you couldn’t go because of Mother… Since my body has gotten better, I think we could go together. But I don’t know if Master will give permission.”

 

I said hurriedly.

 

“He will give permission. The Young Miss said she would speak well for us, so it’s certain! Are you sure you’ll be alright, Mother? It might be difficult.”

 

“Hoho, are you that happy? Well then. I’ve already said it several times. That my body is overflowing with strength.”

 

Mother laughed out loud and said.

 

“Let’s go together.”

 

I shouted with a bright face.

 

“Yes!”

 

And I immediately went to the Young Miss to deliver that joyful news. Indeed, the Young Miss was also pleased.

 

“Really? That’s wonderful. I’ll speak well to Father about it. Father has never refused any of my requests. And even if he says no, well, I can just throw a tantrum and say I won’t go either. Father knows my stubbornness, so he’ll give permission, right?”

 

That’s right, the Young Miss is quite stubborn indeed.

 

But I didn’t expect her to go this far, so I found myself muttering without realizing it.

 

“Wow, you’d go that far for me? Young Miss must have really wanted to go with me….”

 

“….”

 

“Young Miss, were you that worried? So anxious about what to do if I really couldn’t go that you couldn’t sleep all night and stamped your feet? Enough to wet your pillowcase with tears while praying to heaven and earth?”

 

“Won’t you shut your mouth?”

 

“Oh my, why are you being so shy? I know the Young Miss’s heart. That pure devotion of wanting to be with me forever…. Ah, I got it. I’m joking!”

 

Seeing the trembling fist, I quickly stepped back. Then feeling awkward for no reason, I scratched my head and slyly revealed my true feelings.

 

“I’m happy too. That I can go together with the Young Miss.”

 

“….”

 

The Young Miss hesitated for a moment, then turned around sharply. Then she muttered as if sulking.

 

“…Fine.”

 

I grinned widely seeing the Young Miss’s reddened earlobes.

 

Everything was going surprisingly well.

 

True to her bold promise, the Young Miss immediately went to get permission from Master. Fortunately, Master readily gave his permission. He even comforted me, saying he would provide every convenience.

 

Mother also heard the news and was delighted. She even said, ‘Dan-a, when a person receives kindness, they must repay it.’

 

We became busy.

 

There were many things to prepare for this unexpected journey. However, despite moving busily, it strangely didn’t feel difficult. As the date approached, my heart raced with excitement.

 

‘How wonderful will it be?’

 

Mother’s illness was also improving.

 

The Young Miss would become healthy in the future.

 

While touring various places, we would have diverse experiences. I would play pranks on the Young Miss and receive loving scoldings from Mother.

 

And so they lived happily ever after.

 

…If only it had turned out this way.

 

“Mother, Mother?”

 

Why didn’t I realize?

 

That everything going well could also mean that nothing was going well at all.

 

“Mother, please, no, please, ah…”

 

Come to think of it, my life had never once…

 

“No-!”

 

Gone well even once.

 

* * *

 

When I came to my senses, Physician Jeong was in front of me.

 

The physician’s expression was darker than ever before. What is it, why does he have such an expression?

 

“Child.”

 

At the physician’s low tone, my blurred memories returned.

 

‘Ah, that’s right.’

 

It was on my way home as usual.

 

Carrying the nutritious food that the Young Miss had specially given me, telling me to take good care of Mother’s health, I headed home almost running while thinking of Mother who would enjoy it.

 

But the house I arrived at was eerily silent. I called for Mother several times, but there was no response, and suppressing my anxious heart, I went to the inner room.

 

Mother was sleeping as usual.

 

However, her pale blue face and motionless body gave me an ominous feeling. I raised my trembling hand and placed my finger under Mother’s nose.

 

I couldn’t feel her breath, I couldn’t feel her breath.

 

I don’t remember much after that.

 

Did I run like crazy to bring Physician Jeong? Did I clasp my hands together and pray while the physician went in to examine her?

 

And now, the physician has come out of the room…

 

“How is Mother?”

 

“…”

 

“How is Mother? Is she alright? Has her illness… has her illness worsened again? Right now, she’s just, just sleeping, right? Right?”

 

“…”

 

“Why… why aren’t you saying anything? Physician, please tell me. Mother is…”

 

“Child.”

 

Physician Jeong spoke calmly.

 

“Your mother hasn’t passed away yet.”

 

“…! Then.”

 

“But….”

 

Physician Jeong let out a deep sigh.

 

“You should prepare yourself mentally.”

 

I hesitated.

 

“That symptom was indeed a final surge of energy before death. She merely regained her vitality briefly before dying. Now even that vitality has been exhausted, and honestly, it’s a miracle she’s still breathing. I wonder what she’s holding on for….”

 

Physician Jeong trailed off and glanced at me. Then he closed his eyes and shook his head.

 

“Now you should be by her side.”

 

“….”

 

“You need to say your final goodbye.”

 

At the physician’s words, I looked at the inner room door with empty eyes.

 

I want to open that door, I don’t want to open it. With these two conflicting feelings, I slowly approached the inner room.

 

Creak.

 

The door opened and Mother’s figure came into view. Mother lying on the bed chamber like a corpse.

 

I can’t go. I can’t stay. I can’t bear it. I can’t breathe. I feel like throwing up. I can’t look at Mother. Quickly, I need to get out of here….</

 

“Dan-a…?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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