The Peaceful Life Of A Maid Who Hides Her Power And Enjoys It - Chapter 116
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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 116
And pretending not to hear anything, I turn my head and stare blankly out the window. You really have a talent for making people feel awkward.
I dragged Jin, who looked like she’d been caught between whales, toward the Jenail Knight Order headquarters.
Jin, who had taken my parasol and was carefully holding it over me, asked cautiously.
“Baroness.”
“What.”
“What did you mean about having 10 years left to live?”
“…Well, just. Exactly what you heard.”
That bastard Deshero. Why did he speak so boldly about it when Jin was right there? Just because they’re my close associates doesn’t mean they know all my secrets.
After a moment of silence, Jin asked in a noticeably stiff voice.
“Is treatment difficult?”
“I’m looking for a solution, but it’s not easy. Still, 10 years is quite generous.”
Compared to a lifespan of just one year, it’s very generous indeed.
Then. Jin scolded me with an indignant voice.
“Why do you speak like that?”
“…Like what?”
“I know very well how difficult a time you’ve had, Baroness. I know there are experiences I dare not understand. But that doesn’t mean living with a terminal illness is nothing special. Shouldn’t all the Empire’s renowned experts be working together to treat your condition? You should be upset about this.”
“…”
“…”
“Mm, right. I was thoughtless. Sorry.”
But is this really something I should be apologizing for?
Perhaps because I was walking through the Jenail headquarters with Jin? The knights kept glancing at us.
Ignoring them, I arrived at the indoor training hall, and fortunately, sword sparring was taking place. Using the excuse of avoiding the autumn sunlight, I sat in the farthest spot from the center of the training ground to watch the matches.
‘They’re much more skilled than I expected, aren’t they?’
Inwardly surprised, I glanced at Jin. Her eyes were absolutely blazing with fire.
“Want to join in?”
“Pardon? No, I need to assist you, Baroness…”
“Enough with the assistance talk. If you received training from someone as renowned as a Calepa, we should see the results. Hey there!”
I shouted loudly and raised my hand high, drawing the knights’ attention to me.
“My aide wants to have a match with you all. Is there anyone brave enough to spar with the Empire’s greatest sword prodigy?”
“Baroness…”
Jin looked at me with eyes that said she was dying of embarrassment. Bear with it, Jin. Look at that. They’re talking among themselves and now approaching you.
All sword wielders are the same. What fool would pass up the chance to cross swords with you…
“It’s my first time seeing someone cough up blood and walk around fine the next day.”
I slowly lowered my arm and turned my head.
I wondered who would speak so confidently.
“Lord Jenail.”
I pushed Jin, who had stood up tensely, toward the knights.
“He’s looking for you. Go on. Go easy so you don’t get hurt.”
“…Yes.”
Jin walked away with dignity while looking at me with a worried expression. She’s secretly cute, I tell you.
As she left, Raphael very naturally took the seat beside me. Among the knights wearing light training clothes, only Raphael was dressed in a perfectly immaculate uniform.
‘That habit is exactly the same as before.’
The habit of wearing his uniform impeccably wherever and whenever he put it on.
Perhaps because of that? Just sitting side by side brought back forgotten nostalgia.
“I have taken many people’s firsts.”
At my casual response, Raphael’s gaze stuck firmly to my face. I shrugged and added.
“What? You said Andert’s sister becomes your sister too. I don’t speak formally to my sibling. Or would you prefer to become strangers again?”
After a moment of silence, he gave a brief answer and turned his head toward the training ground.
“We can’t become strangers.”
This is my strategy for dealing with Raphael.
I can confidently say I know Raphael better than anyone.
Raphael is fundamentally harsh toward others. Among acts of trying to approach him, nothing was more inefficient than acting familiar and friendly while pretending to know him well.
‘So even if we’re bound in an unavoidable relationship, maintaining an attitude that makes him uncomfortable should keep things at an appropriate distance.’
Plus, personally, this was more comfortable for me too. Less awkward.
“Siblings really aren’t siblings for nothing, it seems.”
“What do you mean?”
“What do you think I mean?”
…That our personalities are similar?
That can’t be right. I’m deliberately being even more prickly than during my Andert days.
“You’re overthinking in strange places. I meant you’re good at deflecting words.”
Raphael, who revealed his unexpected answer, took off his uniform coat and draped it over my shoulders. It was a kindness that made me feel very strange.
Um, I’m Andert though.
“I don’t need…”
“I’d like to send you straight back to your bedroom, but I’m restraining myself. Since you’re not the type to go back quietly.”
Hmm. You’ve figured out quite a lot in just two days, friend.
“The doctor said there’s nothing wrong with your body. It was difficult to understand rationally. If you want me to pretend not to know, I’ll do so.”
I responded with silence instead of affirmation. Fortunately, he understood my intention exactly and refrained from further mention.
“Good, then… what was that thing you tried to say yesterday?”
The oath for maintaining confidentiality had already been made.
Considering his cautious personality, it must be quite important information.
“Let’s move locations first. Too many eyes watching.”
I left the training ground with Raphael’s escort.
But for some reason, with every step I took, dozens of pairs of eyes followed.
‘Right now I feel like a bear trapped in a zoo cage.’
When I walked around with Jin, I didn’t receive such stares. Which means.
“Raphael, may I ask you an impertinent question?”
He seemed quite awkward being called by his name, glanced at my face once, then nodded.
“Go ahead.”
“Do you happen to be seeing anyone?”
“No.”
Ah, quite a cool answer.
‘So that’s why everyone’s so interested.’
Well. Even I would be intrigued if I saw a superior who had no interest in the opposite sex draping his coat over some unfamiliar woman…
This is so burdensome I could go crazy.
I took off the uniform I had draped over my shoulders and held it out to Raphael.
“I appreciate the thoughtful gesture, but I think I should return this. The stares around us feel quite piercing.”
“Perfect timing. Then we can move to your bedroom together like this.”
No, that won’t work? If we go there, I’ll definitely run into Lu? Just imagining the three of us staying in one room makes me feel like I’ll suffocate to death?
I decided to meekly surrender to Raphael’s threat.
Just as I was about to put his uniform back over my shoulders, Deshero approached from a distance.
“Your Grace, a letter just arrived.”
“Didn’t I tell you to avoid being present when I’m with Weatherwax Baroness whenever possible?”
“I apologize, but it was the letter you’ve been waiting for, so I had no choice.”
At that, Raphael immediately opened the letter Deshero handed him. After checking the contents, he immediately commanded Deshero.
“Perfect timing. Tell them I’ll attend with my sister.”
“…Sister, you mean?”
“Weatherwax Baroness.”
Deshero looked at me with deeply uncomfortable eyes.
Why are you looking at me like that? Are you that displeased about me being called sister? Me too.
But who decided on their own that we would attend together? When I demanded an explanation with my eyes, Raphael handed me the paper he was holding.
The paper turned out to be an invitation.
‘And this seal is….’
The royal seal.
『To the Head of House Jenail
You are invited to the hunting festival to be held two weeks from the date of this letter.
Please become this year’s greatest hunter and bring glory to the hunting festival.』
The hunting festival.
‘Right, it’s autumn now.’
According to the Head Maid, the current Pen Rota Empire’s social circles have five major commemorative days.
New Year Festival, Foundation Day, Great Full Moon Festival, Peace Day, and the Hunting Festival.
Among these, the New Year Festival and Great Full Moon Festival are operated mainly by the Sungye Church, while the remaining commemorative days are conducted as festivals under royal leadership.
‘Since the Weatherwax Family has started activities again after four years, we must attend this year’s hunting festival.’
Well, that’s one thing.
“I have no intention of attending together. Why did you decide on your own?”
Raphael, who had returned the letter to Deshero, turned his body in the opposite direction.
And then he brought up a story I never could have imagined.
“There is someone within the Empire searching for Andert’s corpse.”
For a moment, I thought my ears were mistaken.
And for good reason, as the content was not only shocking but also a completely unexpected statement.
“My sibling’s corpse? For what purpose?”
“For resurrection.”
“….”
“It’s not just Andert. The corpses of some heroes who participated in the Mage War have already fallen into their hands.”
Raphael, who had been walking ahead, turned to look at me with determined eyes.
“So, sister, please become the bait to lure them onto land.”
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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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