The Peaceful Life Of A Maid Who Hides Her Power And Enjoys It - Chapter 131
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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 131
The circumstances are simple.
The Weatherwax Baroness mentioned the weakened financial state of the Weatherwax family and was searching for a noble who could restore the family’s glory.
However, the marriage partner the Weatherwax family wanted for Liwein was not me.
“Weatherwax is… to be honest, it’s quite burdensome to be connected as in-laws in many ways. We have to be mindful of Duke Jenail’s opinion.”
“I understand that Sir Liwein is the vice-captain of the Jenail Knights. Is there something to be concerned about?”
“That child originally belonged to the Berkleighton Knights. Due to internal circumstances that are difficult to explain, his affiliation was forcibly transferred, and as a result, he hasn’t been able to fully integrate into either side. Duke Jenail doesn’t completely trust that child either. After the war ended, our family became isolated… We were stripped of our assets as an example and became unable to receive protection.”
So there were such circumstances.
With the Weatherwax Baroness’s bitter voice behind me, I recalled the members of the strike force.
‘Liwein wasn’t among them.’
So the Weatherwax Baroness’s explanation wasn’t false.
‘What exactly are these internal circumstances?’
Thus, the first strategy the Weatherwax Baroness proposed was for Liwein and me to form the same hunting group.
‘It seems she planned this quite meticulously before coming to find me.’
Preparedness.
Pass.
“Then what benefit can we gain by selling publicity to the Weatherwax family?”
“The special benefit I can offer to the Baroness is…”
The Weatherwax Baroness’s eyes flashed coldly as she continued.
“Nothing.”
Boldness?
Immediate pass.
“Instead, I can deliver information about the Berkleighton family through ‘that person.’ This is also a matter that ‘that person’ proposed to me first.”
That person.
Before I could even form doubts, the Weatherwax Baroness pulled out a thin letter from deep within her bag.
As soon as I received the letter, I tore open the envelope and checked its contents.
『Suspicious circumstances related to the Berkleighton family and the imperial family will be delivered through this channel from now on.
If you have a brain, you should reasonably accommodate the Weatherwax Baroness’s requests.』
There’s only one person with such an insolent tone and insolent handwriting.
Garrosh.
‘Suspicious circumstances. Is he planning to dig up something while staying with the Berkleighton family?’
It was fortunate that he returned safely from Loqwe, but it was quite a sudden change in attitude.
Hadn’t Garrosh lived as Berkleighton’s heir for over four years after losing his memory?
‘…But he’s not the type to set such troublesome traps for me either. The fact that he’s trying to communicate through the Weatherwax Baroness shows he’s obviously moving secretly behind the Swordmaster’s back.’
Garrosh has a strong sense of self.
It seemed he had undergone a significant change of heart after experiencing something I didn’t know about in Caliphate. As a result, it was a proposal I had no reason to refuse.
Then there was only one thing left.
Whether or not I could trust the Weatherwax Baroness.
“…There’s one thing I’d like to ask.”
“Please ask anything.”
“What do you think is the reason this person chose you?”
The Weatherwax Baroness answered skillfully without stumbling over her words even once.
“As I mentioned, Weatherwax is precariously walking a tightrope between the Berkleighton ducal house and the Jenail ducal house. Moreover, since we’re not part of the noble council, our supporting roots can hardly be considered solid. The Baroness is connected to the Jenail family, and ‘that person’ is linked to the Berkleighton family. There couldn’t be a more perfect connecting link than Weatherwax.”
“That doesn’t sound very convincing to me.”
After pondering for a moment, the Weatherwax Baroness carefully opened her lips.
“…I mentioned earlier that there were internal circumstances, didn’t I? To put it briefly, the Berkleighton family once led biological magic procedures. Liwein was a child who benefited from those procedures, and ‘that person’… though not procedures, received mental treatment through similar techniques. It was treatment for post-Mage War trauma. That’s where the connection with ‘that person’ began.”
Procedures. And treatment for post-Mage War trauma.
Half of this was already known to me. So it wasn’t false.
‘Garrosh received mental treatment. Something… seems within reach but not quite.’
What was I missing?
“Just the very brief romantic rumors between the Baroness and Liwein would give me justification to approach the Baroness more actively. It will also facilitate future movements. Moreover, Liwein’s value will rise too, so it will bring mutually beneficial results.”
My deliberation wasn’t long.
I shook hands with the Weatherwax Baroness and promised cooperation.
From just our brief conversation, I could tell what a wise woman she was, so I was confident that she could help me in other ways beyond just being a link to Garrosh.
Regardless of the process, the priority partner selection right fell into my hands, and Liwein couldn’t refuse.
It was somewhat unfair to Raphael, but… when you think about it, he had also forcibly attached himself to my side from the beginning.
The chamberlain had eyes that wanted to ask me ‘why?’, but couldn’t bring himself to do so and concluded the nomination.
“…The first group has been decided. Then again, Duke Raphael Jenail. With whom would you like to form a group?”
Instead of nominating a new partner, Raphael turned to look at me.
“I have one question.”
The gazes of people expressing curiosity about what conversation we would have pierced my face like spears.
Fortunately, Raphael’s voice was quiet enough for only me to hear.
“Do you perhaps find me disgusting or dislikeable?”
What?
I was so surprised that I quickly straightened my posture and answered.
“That’s… quite a bewildering self-deprecation.”
“Otherwise, you couldn’t reject me to this extent.”
“I swear on my remaining life that the person I trust most in this place is you. Moreover, you were Andert’s most precious friend, weren’t you? How could I possibly hate someone like you?”
“…”
“But this is a slightly different matter. Put yourself in my position. Such burdensome situations are not welcome at all. The tournament partner isn’t such an important factor anyway.”
Even without being bound by such things, we were already closely connected through the strike force.
“Besides, I have separate reasons for cooperating with you anyway. We don’t need to move together anytime, anywhere, in any situation…”
“Just at times like this.”
Red eyes looked down at me fiercely.
“Should I act like Andert?”
“…”
What did that mean?
However, Raphael’s nomination came faster than my question.
“Gern Rosebel.”
…Rosebel?
‘A member of the Rosebel family?’
After that, Raphael didn’t speak to me.
Thanks to that, my heart became a little more uncomfortable than I had resolved.
“The second group has been decided. Again, Duke Jilhark Berkleygrayten.”
A leisurely answer came from somewhere in the distance.
“Keyton Ezanel.”
A short scream of joy burst out from somewhere.
Judging by the woman’s voice, it seemed to be from the owner of the name Keyton Ezanel that the Swordmaster had nominated.
The nominated Keyton was covering her mouth with both hands, not knowing what to do. Judging by her crescent-shaped eyes, it wasn’t negative at least.
At some point when the remaining groups were also being decided one by one.
Count Rosebel, who had lit a cigar, bowed his head toward me and began speaking.
“It seems the Baroness has ignited Duke Raphael’s competitive spirit. My nephew didn’t participate in last year’s hunting competition due to personal circumstances, but he’s quite an outstanding talent in many ways.”
Ah, so Gern Rosebel was Count Rosebel’s nephew.
“I’m sorry about that.”
“There’s nothing to be sorry about. Maybe it’s because I’m getting old, but I find this kind of thing quite entertaining too. Ah, and after the competition ends, see me briefly. I have something to say about the assets to be handed over to the Weatherwax family.”
Assets… I think the Head Maid mentioned something similar when she revealed the identity of the Weatherwax family.
“When the current Count Rosebel passes away, all of the Rosebel family’s title and assets will become your property.”
She had said that his only child was the previous Weatherwax lady of the house.
‘Right, there was that issue too.’
Come to think of it, I was quite complexly entangled with Count Rosebel as well. Since I had become the new Weatherwax Baroness, it was also a relationship that needed to be definitively settled.
Count Rosebel, wrinkling his nose as he swallowed the wine, glanced sideways at Raphael before whispering in an even quieter voice.
“Since we’re on the topic, let me give you one warning – be careful of Duke Berkley Greytown.”
“…Is he someone who would harm the Secret Society?”
“Well. I don’t think I have anything to say about that part. I was simply telling you to be careful of him as a man. He has many women, you see. Even when it doesn’t seem like it, he’s quite hated by noble ladies with daughters. Though that also means they find him quite desirable.”
What?
…
‘Heh. That’s quite an exaggeration. The Swordmaster is just a bit fox-like but an endlessly serious man. He’s not the type to be called a Casanova at his age.’
Even if he’s a bit annoying, he’s practically my number one teacher.
So number two teacher, stop insulting number one teacher!
“This year’s hunting competition victory will be mine, so I should pray that Duke Berkley Greytown’s rational charm doesn’t suddenly fade.”
Haha. Count Rosebel chuckled softly.
“You’re quite similar to your sibling, Viscount. Bold and well-spoken… quite entertaining.”
I’m not particularly entertaining though. Being compared to someone like Andert? Of course, that Andert probably isn’t that Andert…
“If you want to protect yourself, I hope you continue to remain unshaken as you are now. In either direction.”
Having left his meaningful advice, Count Rosebel focused on his wine again.
After those endlessly boring two hours passed.
The 【Glorious Harvest Banquet】 came to an end.
With the Emperor never showing himself until the very last moment.
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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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