The Heavenly Demon Cult’s Strongest Maid - Chapter 17

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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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Chapter 17

Eok I-geon was the superstar among the palace maids.

And now there was a sudden overnight scandal with such a person.

If Eok Wi-baek knew about it, then all the maids must know too. So now I had become public enemy number one.

Even if I said it wasn’t true, would anyone really believe me?

Since it was true that I had spent the night at Geonyeong-gak based on circumstances, the situation was far too disadvantageous for me.

How do I get through this predicament?

If I had known such a tremendous ordeal would follow after the fateful encounter, I would have approached it more carefully.

Just thinking about meeting the sisters at Jami-gwan made my head throb already.

“Ho, the more I look at this young girl, the more charming she becomes. In a few years, she’ll be a tremendous beauty. How about it? Why don’t you come to my bedroom tonight?”

This bastard should know when to stop with the sexual harassment – he keeps crossing the line.

Making an already troubled person even more angry.

If there was an embodiment of disgust, it would be Eok Wi-baek.

I had known for a while that he was a womanizer, but he was truly the worst.

However, this was unfortunately Cheonma Singyeo.

My courage wasn’t great enough to stand up to the Cult Leader’s eldest son.

Just keeping my mouth shut and not responding was the greatest courage I could muster.

“Your way of speaking is still as filthy as ever, brother.”

That was when Eok I-geon spoke up again. He had been quietly glaring at his brother for a while, then unleashed a series of harsh words.

“If you’re desperate for women, go to a brothel. Just mention that you’re Cheonma’s son and there will be plenty of courtesans flocking to you. So please maintain some dignity in my quarters. It’s so vulgar that I want to cut off my own ears.”

“What, what? This bastard comes to visit his brother after much thought and speaks to him like that?”

“This is me speaking as mildly as possible. Words should sound like words for me to respond properly.”

“Are you doing this now because you’re afraid I’ll take this girl away? Can’t you yield one measly maid for your brother’s sake?”

“Do you covet my maid that much?”

Eok I-geon glanced at me once, then suddenly asked his brother.

At this point, I suddenly became anxious.

He’s not going to tell me to serve him, is he?

We had a good atmosphere going just a moment ago.

I really will work hard on martial arts training!

Whether he knew I looked at him like he was a bug or not, Eok Wi-baek shouted at Eok I-geon.

“Yes, now that it’s come to this, I don’t want to give up!”

“Then try to take her.”

“What?”

“If you can take her, then try it.”

“…Are you telling me to challenge you to a duel?”

“Do you have the guts for that?”

What appeared in Eok I-geon’s eyes was clear mockery.

“Grr…!”

Both of Eok Wi-baek’s cheeks trembled as if in frustration.

He knew it too. Though born as Cheonma’s eldest son, the common assessment was that his martial arts skills were a step behind his younger brother Eok I-geon.

His repeated assassination attempts could also be said to stem from the inferiority complex that resulted from this.

“You’d better watch your words from now on. Preferably, I hope you won’t come visiting again either.”

After openly mocking him, now it was an open order to leave.

I could see Eok Wi-baek’s face turning red and blue from humiliation.

He looked like he wanted to say something because of his pride, but seemed afraid that might actually lead to a duel, so he ultimately kept his mouth tightly shut and left Geonyeong-gak.

“Thank you for helping me.”

If Eok I-geon hadn’t stepped in, I would have almost become Eok Wi-baek’s woman.

Though I didn’t show it outwardly, I was actually quite frightened.

The fate of those below was unpredictable like this, which was why I had been avoiding such situations so desperately.

To face such a situation with only two months left until my contract ended. Thinking about it again, I really had terrible luck.

“I will correct the misunderstanding that occurred last night. I apologize for causing you worry.”

Unlike my mood being rock bottom, I was now worried about Eok I-geon’s state.

Hadn’t he shown consideration for the first time in his life, only to suddenly bear an unwelcome infamy?

What if he got so angry about it that he decided to kill me?

Given his temperament, he was more than capable of that, so I needed to set the record straight somehow.

“How dare he covet what’s mine?”

But the response that came back was somehow strange.

“Training will resume tomorrow. I’m going to practice now, so you go do your work too.”

The look in his eyes was cold, but somehow it didn’t feel like he was angry at me.

Most importantly, “what’s mine”? What on earth did that mean?

Leaving me behind as I stammered in surprise and confusion, Eok I-geon went to the training grounds first.

Even after he left, I remained indoors for quite a while trying to figure it out, but I couldn’t understand the meaning of those words at all.

I had become quite a useful person to Eok I-geon.

That was the limit of what I could deduce.

“Ugh, enough with the distracting thoughts! Let’s go get lunch!”

What Eok I-geon had ordered me to do was focus solely on preparing his meals.

My goal was to preserve my life intact until my resignation day. To do that, I had to follow orders.

What should I bring him for lunch?

Since he said breakfast was tasteless, I had to pay special attention.

Just because Eok I-geon was currently favorable toward me didn’t mean I should ever let my guard down.

How many characters had fallen into ruin from a single moment’s mistake?

I will definitely escape safely from this hell.

What food would be simple yet easy to eat and delicious?

As I headed toward Jami-gwan, only menus for Eok I-geon floated around in my head.

It didn’t take long to realize that was a mistake.

“Seolha! What happened last night? Did you really sleep at Geonyeong-gak?”

Led by Sook, the maids swarmed toward me.

What a fool I was.

This was the very thing I had worried about first when the scandal news broke, but I had forgotten about it while being absorbed in menu selection.

“Did Prince Lee really choose you as his woman?”

“No, how did it happen?”

“Why you of all people?”

“You’re pretty enough, but you’re not the most beautiful woman in the world!”

“Why is it you, Seolha!”

Resentful words poured out endlessly.

While there was a bit of envy, I could see quite a few eyes filled with jealousy and spite.

I need to speak well here.

If I couldn’t come up with a believable and convincing excuse, my remaining maid life would never be smooth.

Especially since Jami-gwan was where Eok I-geon’s meals were prepared.

To continue receiving help, I had to prove my innocence.

“Oh my, no! What would Prince Lee lack that he would do such a thing with a maid like me! It’s all a misunderstanding!”

“A misunderstanding?”

“Yes! The facts got distorted. I really never imagined that the sisters at Jami-gwan would believe such a thing!”

“What facts got distorted?”

“The fact that I stayed up all night at Geonyeong-gak.”

“What! So you really did stay at Geonyeong-gak!”

“I just said I stayed up all night, not that I slept.”

“Isn’t that the same thing?”

“Why did you stay up all night?”

“Oh my, I don’t know if I should say this…”

I deliberately trailed off as if I were in a very difficult situation.

Then people from all around began pressing me, feeling frustrated.

“What is it that you can’t tell us?”

“You’re not trying to get out of this crisis, are you?”

“If you have nothing to hide, explain the real reason!”

I can’t tell them the real reason.

I pretended to deliberate for a long while, hesitating before confessing in a very small voice.

“Actually, Prince Lee was feeling a bit unwell.”

“What? You’re saying Prince Lee was sick?”

“Yes. I greeted him before leaving work, but he didn’t respond. Usually, he would always say ‘good work’ in such a caring tone.”

“That’s right. Prince Lee is definitely the type of person who would do that.”

“So I thought it was strange and looked inside, and there he was burning up with fever!”

“Gasp! He had a fever?”

“That healthy man?”

“They say healthy people sometimes get seriously ill all at once. I was shocked and hurriedly brought the physician elder, and I assisted by his side all night. As you know, I’m the only maid in Geonyeong-gak at that hour.”

Cornered like this, lies flowed smoothly from my mouth.

I don’t know why I suddenly thought of the physician elder, but now that I said it, it was quite a plausible excuse.

I was also confident that no one here would dare go find the physician elder to verify the facts.

“I just nursed him all night and dozed off briefly in the small room, but how did such rumors spread? I’m really dumbfounded. As if I could ever be involved with Prince Lee!”

“How is Prince Lee doing now?”

“He recovered completely in just one day. He’s in the middle of training at the Training Grounds right now.”

“Really? Not a single lie?”

Most had been convinced, but I could feel that a few still hadn’t withdrawn their suspicious gazes.

At times like this, I need a decisive blow.

“Please trust me. I truly have not even the slightest desire to get involved with high-ranking people. Most importantly, this is something I haven’t told anyone yet, but I actually have someone I like.”

“What? You had a lover?”

“Yes. He just passed the Blood Shadow Unit this time. If you really doubt me, I’ll introduce you to him.”

Yang So-baek, I’m sorry.

For dragging you into my lies right after you joined the unit.

But what are friends for?

We help each other when times are tough.

It was the moment when Yang So-baek, my male friend who had been my close buddy since childhood, suddenly transformed into my lover.

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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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