The Peaceful Life Of A Maid Who Hides Her Power And Enjoys It - Chapter 132

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

Chapter 132

Why didn’t the Emperor show himself?

The Head Maid, who heard about the banquet at the town house, didn’t look far for the cause.

“Displaying a monarch’s well-being is one of the important means to enhance national unity. The fact that they didn’t explain the Emperor’s absence from the hunting festival means that the reason probably wasn’t positive. But it wouldn’t be anything critically fatal either. If it were, they would have given a more definitive explanation, even mixing in lies.”

“Then is it indeed a health problem? I heard the Emperor has been ill for a long time.”

“Probably so. Brother Ashneike has been frail since he was very young.”

I thought of the empty imperial dining table and asked her.

“All the other seats besides the Emperor’s were empty too.”

“Her Majesty the Empress passed away before my brother’s coronation, and His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince is still very young, so he only appears at official occasions like New Year’s gatherings.”

I heard the Former Emperor left over ten children, but it seems Emperor Ashneike couldn’t do the same.

Emperor Ashneike, whom I confirmed through portraits in the Imperial Palace, was an excessively flamboyant figure like a male peacock.

Especially his sharp and clear eyes that could influence his entire impression reminded me of Natasha, making me want to meet him in person at least once.

“Actually, there’s something more important than that.”

The Head Maid, who muttered as if to herself, raised the newspaper she was reading a bit higher.

Thanks to that, the provocative headline of the daily newspaper was fully exposed in my direction.

『The Man Chosen by the Woman of the Hour, Daisy Weatherwax Baroness?』

The four faces prominently displayed below… well, it’s obvious without naming them.

Through the quietly fluttering newspaper, narrowed eyes turned toward me.

“If you have something to say, say it.”

Don’t glare at me with such fierce eyes.

The Head Maid opened her lips as if she had been waiting.

“There’s a saying in Pen Rota’s social circles, my lady. The most beautiful flower of the year withers the earliest that year.”

“Sorry, but I’m not a flower. I’m more like herbicide, if anything.”

Since I completely slaughtered the demons.

“I’m not talking about flowers in the dictionary sense. It means women who receive unparalleled attention are more likely to fall.”

“What kind of curse is that? You’re saying something different from yesterday. Didn’t you say I should receive all the attention possible?”

“There’s such a thing as moderation in everything. And this… has exceeded the bounds of that moderation.”

Exceeded the bounds of moderation.

‘Actually, it’s not really like that if you look closely.’

It’s three men and one woman, but one side is a master-disciple relationship, one side is comrades-in-arms, and one side is just… a relationship slightly better than strangers.

But to outsiders, it probably looks like a major romantic scandal.

‘Journalists always write things so sensationally.’

Well, propaganda never ceased even during wartime. Compared to then, this level would be cute.

The Head Maid, who folded the newspaper with a short cough, asked slyly.

“So you really do prefer… the younger type?”

Would I?

I left the bedroom before the Head Maid could ramble more enthusiastically. And just like yesterday, I headed to the Imperial Palace, attended by the Assassin Butler and the Bandit Maid (servant).

Inside the carriage was another newspaper the Head Maid had prepared for me to read in advance.

Among them, there was one article that caught my eye.

『…This year’s hunting festival will exceptionally have the Astrosia Kingdom of the North Continental Union attending as invited guests. This is the first time in four years since the end of the Demon War that a diplomatic delegation from the North Continental Union has visited, drawing attention to whether this will be an opportunity to reopen the tightly closed diplomatic doors of the Northern Continent.』

It seemed like Lu was among the invited guests who would participate in the hunt from the second day.

Abandoning the identity of Morian Sereniye and returning this time as Alpen Sereniye?

‘Still, he spread the information in advance for me to see.’

Should I be grateful for this, or find it annoying?

‘Still, since he’s coming anyway, I wish he’d come quickly.’

He said he’d always stay by my side. Why are the days he’s away longer?

I leaned back comfortably against the chair, recalling the amusing first meeting with Count Sereniye, the Northern Continent’s greatest beauty, Alpen Sereniye.

* * *

The first day of the hunting competition.

Those who attended last night’s 【Glorious Harvest Festival Banquet】 gathered again in riding attire.

Magnificent thoroughbred horses, polished to perfection, lined up as if showing off, becoming the main attraction flaunting their owners’ wealth.

Among them, my horse was very ordinary.

An ordinary horse for whom bloodline and such didn’t matter as long as it was healthy.

“Weatherwax Baroness always favors black horses.”

While waiting for Liwein, someone spoke to me for the first time.

I turned my head while flexing and straightening my slightly uncomfortable new leather gloves. The Swordmaster, sitting on a magnificent white horse, was observing my horse’s appearance.

“The you in my memory always seemed to be with black horses too. I can hardly imagine you riding any other horse.”

…Was that so?

“I don’t particularly prefer black horses. It’s just a coincidence.”

“Is using only black leather gloves also a coincidence?”

“No. It’s practical. Blood stains don’t show easily.”

“You mustn’t hunt people here.”

“Is that so? That’s disappointing. It’s my specialty.”

Don’t you know that about me?

As I mounted the saddle, the Swordmaster’s gaze lingered near my wrist. On the white magical device bracelet provided by the Imperial Palace.

“It would have been amusing if you had worn that bracelet and followed behind me obediently. While I expected it to some extent, I didn’t expect you to reject even Lord Raphael. Do you perhaps prefer much younger men?”

That damn younger man talk again. I looked at the Swordmaster with suspicious eyes.

“Why do you ask such things?”

“I thought it wasn’t the case, but I wondered if I was wrong.”

“If I must answer, those who are too young make me uncomfortable.”

“Indeed, the young knights were quite envious and jealous of you. Gender is truly amusing. Though you then and you now are similar in age… now you receive courtship instead of envy because you’re a woman.”

When I didn’t answer and just stared with narrowed eyes, the Swordmaster shook his head.

“Don’t stare so blatantly. What’s bothering you now?”

“Your Grace knows me too well, which makes me uncomfortable. Even if you were like a master to me, I think I chattered too carelessly in front of Your Grace.”

“Hmm.”

After a brief silence, the Swordmaster clicked his tongue softly and turned away from me.

“Acting too familiar isn’t charming either. I made a mistake.”

Then he passed by me, continuing on his way.

As soon as he moved away, I watched his back as people surrounded him, then looked down at the white bracelet fastened like shackles on my right wrist.

Hunting assistant.

As could be inferred from that mysterious name, the role was truly mysterious as well.

Giving water to the hunter, taking care of game, bringing towels to wipe with, recording, praising, managing arrows, etc…

‘In short, they’re telling me to act like a servant.’

Each of those actions is even recorded by the magical device and scored automatically.

I can see very well how this is used politically. It’s perfect for officially humiliating someone you dislike.

‘My role is to fetch water for my junior.’

How relaxing and nice.

“Weatherwax Baroness!”

My name was called from not far away.

Recognizing the owner of the voice, I turned my horse’s head with a pleasant smile.

“Weatherwax Baroness.”

“How is your condition today? I’m worried my son might cause you trouble, Baroness. Please take good care of him.”

“Don’t worry about that. Liwein Wokhood is a wonderful knight.”

The interested gazes of the noble ladies glanced toward us.

While exchanging brief pleasantries, the Weatherwax Baroness, who had been riding alongside me, lowered her voice at some point and asked.

“So what was that about at last night’s banquet?”

“That?”

Ah, the partner designation.

Come to think of it, from the Weatherwax Baroness’s perspective, it must have felt somewhat burdensome…

“I somewhat expected Duke Raphael, but I never dreamed Duke Jilhark would step forward too. Oh, to think that this year’s hunting festival’s greatest star, who received courtship from those two gentlemen, would choose our Liwein? Did you see how Duke Raphael’s expression changed the moment you called my child’s name? You didn’t see it, did you? It hardened quite menacingly. I felt guilty enough myself.”

“….”

“No, that’s not what’s important. So, Baron. What is your choice? The young hero? Or the Emperor’s sword? You were just talking with Duke Jilhark, surely not him….”

“Our Baroness Weatherwax is saying things that will make people misunderstand. What I chose is Sir Liwein. So Sir Liwein will be by my side.”

“Oh my.”

So please stop asking such things.

At my evasive answer, Baroness Weatherwax looked disappointed yet secretly satisfied.

And not long after, my lovely hunting competition partner stood beside me.

With a face that was extremely stiff and rigid.

“You’re unexpectedly quiet, Sir Liwein. Did you hear the situation from the Baroness?”

After a moment of silence, Liwein spoke in a quite calm tone.

“I can only be grateful that you accepted my mother’s unreasonable request.”

“Yes, live your whole life feeling indebted to me. If you marry well, it’s thanks to me, and if you can’t marry, it’s your fault, so keep that in mind.”

“…Yes.”

Clang.

The bell announcing the start of the hunting competition rang.

“Well then… let’s go work like dogs, Sir Liwein. I want to be your exclusive assistant, so it would be best to raise our score as quickly as possible.”

“Yes.”

“Keep this in mind. If our team misses first place in this year’s hunting festival.”

“….”

“I’ll propose to you in front of everyone.”

Liwein’s eyes wavered greatly.

He squeezed his eyes shut and opened them, answering with difficulty.

“I will keep that in mind.”

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