The Heavenly Demon Cult’s Strongest Maid - Chapter 84
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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 84
“I understand that you don’t want it.”
Unlike me, whose guts were burning to the point of turning to ash, Eok I-geon answered very calmly.
Should I believe those words?
What if he suddenly changes his mind after saying this?
If I really succeeded in a surprise attack and Eok I-geon became the Cheonma, not only my life but even Grandmother’s remaining years would be ruined.
‘That can’t happen!’
Not just me, but Grandmother had just found her true self.
Our grandmother who suffered for 17 years raising me… I absolutely must protect Shin Geum!
For that, the only current method was to watch Eok I-geon so he couldn’t do anything else.
Right, let’s not give him any time at all.
I’ll stick to him like glue.
I can’t entrust this to anyone else, can I?
It was absurd that I had to play the role of a personal maid again, but it was for everyone’s sake.
Wow, am I getting entangled with Eok I-geon again like this?
Even I thought it was truly a twisted fate.
“Excuse me, Young Master.”
I tried to hide my true feelings and casually asked Eok I-geon.
“If you have time, could you come with me to the Tak Mansion?”
“Haven’t you spoken with Tak Ga-ju yet?”
“No.”
When did I have time for that?
Who was it that camped out at the shop until late last night?
“I understand. Let’s go together.”
“Thank you. Then I’ll quickly get ready and come back.”
“Alright.”
“You must wait here. You can’t go anywhere. Understood?”
I turned around but then emphasized to Eok I-geon once more.
“….”
But why isn’t this guy answering?
Eok I-geon was standing there blankly looking at me, and for some reason I got goosebumps. It wasn’t like he was glaring at me like before, but how should I put it.
Should I say it was subtle?
Or deep?
Anyway, it wasn’t the look I wanted.
“Young Master? Aren’t you going to answer?”
I dared to press him, fearing that Eok I-geon might go to the Cheonma right away.
“…I understand, so don’t worry.”
“Yes. I’ll really be back soon.”
I hurried upstairs and quickly changed clothes.
Although Eok I-geon had promised with his own mouth, I couldn’t abandon the possibility of ‘what if.’
When I had to train twice a day in Macheongtian, I was so annoyed and resentful, but thinking about it now, I felt so fortunate.
“That was quick, wasn’t it?”
When I came downstairs, Eok I-geon, who had been sitting in a chair, stood up.
I felt his gaze directed toward the Hong-hwan on my wrist.
“The clothes are pretty.”
“Right! I’ve been so busy that I couldn’t even thank you properly. Thank you for taking care of me.”
These were the clothes Eok I-geon had sent through Seo-ryeon.
I thanked him even now and smiled brightly.
Good clothes had the function of making the wearer feel good.
Wasn’t it interesting that I, who didn’t know this even in my previous life, realized it thanks to Eok I-geon?
“Tell me if you need more.”
“Oh come on, I have a lot of money now too. I can buy and wear them myself, so it’s fine.”
It was something I said out of courtesy, meaning thank you for caring about everything, it’s okay.
In other words, social pleasantries?
But.
“…Are you rejecting me?”
“What?”
I was opening the shop door when I looked up at him in puzzlement.
Oh no!
His eyes… why are his eyes like that again!
Don’t tell me he’s acting like this because I just refused the clothes gift?
Sigh, it’s really damn difficult to cater to a psychopath’s moods.
“What I meant was I’m sorry! If you send me more, I’ll gratefully wear them well!”
“Good.”
Only then did satisfaction bloom on Eok I-geon’s face.
‘Ugh! It’s intense from the morning, so intense.’
I grumbled inwardly while maintaining a smile on the outside as I headed to the Tak Mansion with him.
Huh? Did they know I was coming?
The gate of the Tak Mansion was wide open, visible even from a distance.
I never said I was coming, so did other guests arrive?
Should I come back tomorrow then?
Just as I was having such thoughts, people came pouring out from inside.
“We greet the First Miss!”
“We greet the First Miss!”
They all bowed deeply to me in unison.
“Ah, no… Young Master is here too… why…”
I was flustered and hesitating, unable to go forward or back.
From inside the gate, Tak Joong-hak along with Tak Mu-seong, Tak Seung-myeong, and the retainers of the Tak Family personally came out to greet me.
“It seems to be their own way of welcoming the only legitimate heir of the Hyeon-ma Tak Family.”
‘Only legitimate heir?’
I hadn’t thought of that.
Since I myself wasn’t the real Shin Seolha, I had overlooked it.
“You’re finally here?”
Before I knew it, Tak Joong-hak had come to stand before me.
He no longer treated me as Cheonma’s disciple.
As if greeting a granddaughter who had returned from studying abroad for several years, he greeted me warmly and comfortably.
So without realizing it, I found myself asking:
“…Am I very late?”
“No.”
Tak Joong-hak paused as if choked up for a moment, then continued.
“Thank you for coming, even if it’s now.”
“Let’s go inside.”
Like Tak Joong-hak, Tak Mu-seong’s eyes had also changed to those of someone looking at his niece.
He was my mother’s cousin, so he was my second cousin once removed. His son Tak Seung-myeong would be my third cousin.
To think that I, who was an orphan, suddenly gained so many family members.
Even though I was a possessor, I felt strange emotions and couldn’t tell if this was good or bad.
“Prince Lee, please come inside as well.”
Eok I-geon nodded and entered the Tak Mansion with me.
Flap flap!
Whoosh—
It was shortly after passing through the gate.
“She’s here! She’s here! She’s here again!”
The yellow parrot Geum-aeng-i that I had encountered before flew quickly past me.
“A bird that talks?”
When Eok I-geon, seeing Geum-aeng-i for the first time, found it fascinating, Tak Seung-myeong explained.
“It’s a parrot called Geum-aeng-i. It seems to have recognized the First Miss.”
“Me?”
“Geum-aeng-i cried a lot after the First Miss visited last time. I heard it was particularly attached to your aunt.”
Tak Seung-myeong’s aunt referred to my mother.
Come to think of it, last time it also asked me why I came so late… Is it mistaking me for my mother?
When I think about it, it was also Geum-aeng-i that led me to the portrait.
‘Geum-aeng-i, were you going there whenever you missed my mother?’
To think I’d feel such heartache for a parrot I’d only seen twice. It was a day of complicated emotions in many ways.
“I’ll wait outside.”
It was before entering the pavilion. Eok I-geon stopped walking first and moved away from us.
“It doesn’t seem like a place for me to intrude.”
Oh, what’s gotten into this psychopath?
I was simply amazed that Eok I-geon was a person who knew how to show consideration.
Honestly, though I was the one who brought him, I didn’t want him joining the conversation. I was genuinely grateful for Eok I-geon’s manners in stepping aside on his own.
“We will attend to you.”
“This way, young master.”
Still, they couldn’t leave the Cheonma’s son alone.
Tak Mu-seong and Tak Seung-myeong naturally led Eok I-geon to one side as if they had made a promise.
Just like that, I was left alone with Tak Joong-hak. Tea was soon served before us, and a quiet silence flowed for a while.
Tak Joong-hak seemed deep in thought. Because of this, it felt awkward to speak first, so I decided to wait for now.
Actually, I was also curious about what he would say first.
“Thank you.”
“…?”
“For growing up so well.”
Tak Joong-hak’s voice trembled slightly.
Now I see, this grandfather couldn’t speak because his throat was choked up. He was like this earlier too… He’s surprisingly tender-hearted.
“Grandfather is sorry. I should have acted more decisively back then… If I had, we wouldn’t have lost you or your mother like that…”
“…I’m fine. I grew up receiving lots of love from Grandmother.”
I spoke deliberately brightly to change the mood.
And I thought that’s just how the situation unfolded—Tak Joong-hak wasn’t at fault.
“The Tak Family owes your grandmother a great debt. More than we could repay in a lifetime.”
“Grandmother wouldn’t want anything like repayment. She truly cherishes me.”
“That makes me even more grateful. From now on, the Tak Family will continue to treat your grandmother as an honored guest.”
“Yes, I’d be grateful if you treat her well.”
If it helps Grandmother’s life in the Demonic Sect, why would I refuse anything?
“And there’s something I’d like your permission for.”
“Permission?”
“I’m thinking of publicly announcing you as a direct member of the Tak Family—would that be alright?”
“Wasn’t that already known enough to be known?”
Though not to all the demonic practitioners yet, I heard yesterday’s commotion had spread quite a bit. There couldn’t have been just one or two people who saw the Yeo-ga’s gate get smashed.
“That’s true, but an official announcement is necessary. I want to show that our Hyeon-ma Tak Family stands behind you.”
So right now he wants to show me off to the demonic practitioners?
If I wasn’t mistaken, honey was practically dripping from Tak Joong-hak’s eyes with affection for the granddaughter he’d gained so late.
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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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