The Peaceful Life Of A Maid Who Hides Her Power And Enjoys It - Chapter 147
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
Chapter 147
Raphael observed me carefully before gently placing his lips on the back of my hand.
Raphael kissed the back of my hand. You really do live long enough to see everything.
“Yes, it’s a lovely evening. I almost didn’t recognize you, sister.”
I looked down at my half-exposed shoulder and smiled brightly.
“My shoulders are quite reliable, aren’t they?”
“That wasn’t what I meant.”
“Then what did you mean?”
Raphael couldn’t answer and closed his mouth. The Swordmaster, who had been watching, threw out a comment with an amused expression.
“Why don’t you speak honestly, Duke Raphael? That you were mesmerized because she’s dazzlingly beautiful.”
The Swordmaster’s chest was also adorned with gleaming medals no less than Raphael’s. Wearing a black uniform that contrasted with white, he exuded an even colder and more chilling atmosphere than usual.
“I heard you received the Sambo golden sculpture as the championship prize. You’re lucky, Weatherwax Baroness. It had a higher probability of becoming mine.”
I frowned and retorted.
“What strange thing are you saying now?”
“Doesn’t the demon’s share play a large part in the new hunting scores? You got an additional 4,000 points while my score remained the same. According to the records, I definitely caught similar numbers too. I suspect someone’s influence worked behind the scenes.”
Though his gaze remained fixed on me, it was all too clear that the ‘someone behind the scenes’ the Swordmaster mentioned was referring to Count Sereniye.
The combination of the Swordmaster and Count Sereniye. Just imagining it sent chills down my spine, so I quickly blurted out anything before the two could start talking.
“If you’re disappointed, shall I give you one of the three?”
“Don’t say such things elsewhere.”
“Then why did you say such a thing?”
“It’s a joke. It’s obvious that you’re this year’s hunting festival hero, so let’s laugh it off.”
Along with praise that wasn’t quite praise, the Swordmaster patted my shoulder. Anyone could see it was the attitude of praising a subordinate.
“Hero is too much…”
“It’s an undeniable fact, so don’t be embarrassed. I heard you sent Sir Liwein first. Thanks to that, we could respond quickly.”
Raphael, who caught my muttering remarkably well, gilded my face with praise.
Well… it’s basic.
“But that… your chest area looks quite complicated, is it okay to dance?”
“It is heavy, but it’s fine. I’m used to it now.”
The word heavy. It was an answer unbecoming of a hero.
Perhaps what Raphael was talking about wasn’t the inherent weight of the medals. He was speaking of the weight of the victims engraved on the medals. The weight of comrades he rightfully had to bear.
“…I’ll have to dance gently so they don’t fall off.”
“Even if they fall, you can just pick them up, so don’t worry. Sister, please try not to bend your back as much as possible.”
Just as I was about to ask why, the Swordmaster naturally joined our conversation.
“We were just discussing that matter, Duke Raphael and I.”
“What matter?”
“He suggested whether I had any intention of yielding the Baroness’s first dance to me.”
No way, he said that to Raphael too? Before I could scold the Swordmaster, Raphael opened his mouth first with a stern expression.
“Absolutely not.”
“So I asked why not.”
“Why are you trying to arbitrarily change a promised partner? Don’t be unreasonable.”
“It was puzzling. I was also curious why the Duke, who had no interest in social events, was maintaining a different attitude this time. What was Duke Raphael’s answer to that?”
“…”
“Are you closing your mouth this time?”
Raphael, who let out a small sigh, scolded the Swordmaster.
“Sister is the only remaining relative Andert left behind. If I don’t take care of her, who will?”
The Swordmaster, who slightly lowered his head, quietly swallowed a laugh.
“Sir Raphael. Every time you call Weatherwax Baroness by that title… my lungs feel so ticklish I can’t stand it.”
At those words, Raphael roughly furrowed his brow for the first time.
“I’m not curious.”
“Anyway, taking care of Weatherwax Baroness isn’t the Duke’s duty. Rather, as Sir Andert’s teacher, I’m perfect for that role.”
Why are they fighting in front of me?
The sight of two large men arguing seemed quite rare in high society. The glances from around grew more interested, but conversely, I was quickly getting tired of it.
Not because this situation was awkward. More precisely, because it was damn familiar.
In truth, these two could hardly be said to work well together. In a way, it was natural logic. One side was a rationalist who wouldn’t choose means and methods for victory, while the other was a moralist who valued justice and ethics. They had no choice but to clash over everything from small to big matters.
Thanks to that, I was the one suffering. I had to unintentionally perform the role of mediator between the two.
“Please let Sir Andert suffer a bit. That said, we can’t ask Her Highness Princess Natasha either, can we? Because it’s Sir Andert, he can argue boldly in front of Duke Jilhark and peacefully persuade Commander Raphael. I guarantee that without you, civil war would have broken out first.”
The spines of the two hedgehogs gradually softened as the war lengthened. They came to accept the fact that each other’s methods could sometimes be more right.
Just when I thought I’d suffer less, the war ended.
In the end, I’m the only victim.
“So we decided to leave it to the choice of our Sir Andert’s… sister, Daisy Weatherwax Baroness.”
While I was reminiscing about the past, the right to choose had passed to me.
I glanced to check Count Sereniye’s face. His leisurely attitude as if watching someone else’s business put my mind somewhat at ease.
‘…Cunning fox.’
Swordmaster.
By showing continuous interest in me, does he want to interfere between Raphael and me? I hadn’t forgotten what he said at the hunting festival.
“If you become my person, I’ll solve all the questions that trouble you.”
Did he notice that I was momentarily swayed by those words? Of course, when judged rationally, taking the Swordmaster’s hand wasn’t entirely a bad choice.
But I hate being manipulated by others.
“My choice is naturally Raphael.”
The ironic thing is that this contrary nature of mine is what the Swordmaster calls my unique strength.
“Why?”
“I don’t like playboys.”
The Swordmaster’s usually calm expression shifted slightly for the first time.
“That’s the first time I’ve heard such a thing.”
Of course you would. What bold fool would say to the Swordmaster’s face, ‘You’re a playboy, aren’t you?’
“Count Rosebel told me. He said Duke Berkley Greytown is an old fool who chases after young women. No matter how young I am, I don’t want to be at the center of controversy by dancing with a playboy like the Duke.”
I’m sorry, second master. What are masters for anyway? They’re beings who become meat shields for their disciples.
The Swordmaster, who had been touching his lips with a troubled expression, suddenly looked around and muttered.
“To think I’d be rejected by Weatherwax Baroness.”
But his voice was a bit loud for a soliloquy. As if he wanted everyone in the world to hear.
“Ah, what a shame, such a shame. To be rejected by Daisy Weatherwax Baroness, how terribly disappointing.”
If nothing else, one thing was certain.
This man is thoroughly entertained.
“If you’re disappointed, please leave.”
“But remember that I’m always ready to dance with you, Weatherwax Baroness. If you need me, call me anytime, anywhere without burden. I’ll come running, setting aside everything.”
After the Swordmaster left, Tara, who was somehow extremely excited, whispered to me.
“H-he said he’d come running setting aside everything! That’s almost like a confession, isn’t it?”
“Do you believe those words, Miss Tara?”
“Well, he’s not someone who would lie.”
“All playboys are liars, Miss Tara.”
At that, Tara nodded with eyes that seemed to have newly realized something.
“Ah! As expected… someone well-versed in men! A femme fatale who has enchanted four men!”
She’d faint if she knew I used to be a guy who went around shirtless scratching my head roughly.
Soon, the performance of the first song began.
Paired men and women walked out to the center of the stage. Accordingly, Raphael also extended his hand to me. Just as I was about to take that hand with an awkward smile.
“Ugh.”
A short groan was heard nearby.
The owner of the groan was Astrosain, who had been stuck like a shadow behind Count Sereniye since arriving at the banquet hall.
‘…Wait. This guy. Wasn’t he the inspector I met on the Rogue airship before?’
Did he come as part of the delegation with Lu?
“Huk!”
The man who groaned again knelt down with a pale face. As the music abruptly stopped, everyone’s eyes in the banquet hall turned toward the man. Now I could see that his abdomen was turning red.
It couldn’t be a sudden wound… Had yesterday’s wound reopened?
Count Sereniye hurriedly supported the man who was staggering and collapsing.
“Pull yourself together! What’s wrong?”
Raphael let go of my hand and knelt down on one knee beside Count Sereniye. After carefully examining the wound, he spoke to the man.
“This is a wound inflicted by a demon. Did you perhaps not receive treatment yesterday?”
On the last day of the hunting festival, the Royal Court had separately summoned those who encountered demons and assigned a military doctor to each one. This was because wounds caused by demons are difficult for ordinary people to overcome.
“It seems he was hiding his injury out of pride. What should we do about this…”
“Please don’t worry too much. Ragal has many specialists in this field. It will be treated without major problems.”
“Is that so? Phew. It’s reassuring to hear that from the hero Knight Raphael. Thank you.”
Raphael, who stood up from his seat without hesitation, looked back at me.
“Sister.”
None other than the diplomatic mission that would reconnect relations with the Northern Continent was in an emergency situation.
Moreover, since it was presumed to be a festering wound inflicted by a demon, Raphael, who was both a person involved and standing right in front of them, couldn’t pretend not to know.
“I’ll be waiting, so go ahead.”
“I’m sorry. I’ll return without delay.”
“It’s fine to be late, so don’t rush.”
“Thank you. Knight Riwein? Help me.”
“Yes.”
Right after Raphael and Riwein left, supporting the man between them.
I walked slowly toward the wall, escorted by Count Sereniye.
“You did that on purpose, didn’t you?”
That wound. It was probably most likely a fake injury.
Count Sereniye slowly suppressed his laughter.
“Of course.”
After receiving champagne glasses from a servant, he offered me one of the glasses he was holding in his right hand.
“Did you really intend to have your first dance with Raphael Jenail?”
Despite his gentle voice, Count Sereniye’s face was as cold as if carved from ice.
“Really, our Miss Daisy is naive in the strangest places.”
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————