The Peaceful Life Of A Maid Who Hides Her Power And Enjoys It - Chapter 194
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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 194
Lu stood leaning against the wide-open window.
At that moment, I felt as if I had returned to 160 years ago.
His ominously smiling figure against the not-particularly-dark background created a thrilling tension reminiscent of when I first confronted the demon.
As I swallowed dry saliva, his eyes, which had been rigidly hardened in contrast to his lips that habitually curved into a smile, narrowed even thinner.
He leisurely lifted his chin as if to say ‘speak if you have something to say,’ and I didn’t miss that opportunity.
“I’m sorry!”
I immediately regretted it a little. It was too loud a shout, making it seem less sincere.
After clearing my throat quietly, I stood beside Lu in the most gentle and respectful posture possible, looked up at him, and spoke.
“There are things I want to apologize to you for. Will you listen?”
One of Lu’s eyebrows twitched like a wave. It meant to go ahead and try.
“The information that souls lose memories when they collide… you’re right that I deliberately hid it. But I had no other intentions. I just thought it would be fine to lose them temporarily since we’d meet again as time passed. I admit my consideration was lacking. I’m sorry.”
In truth, I had been pondering this throughout the entire journey to the Imperial Palace.
If Lu pointed out my endlessly hesitant behavior since he awakened, how should I defend my attitude?
However, when I imagined the opposite situation, I couldn’t use the word ‘defend’ at all.
He had risked his life to save me, yet all he got in return was cold treatment without even a greeting, wasn’t it? When I thought about how absurd, disappointed, and anxious Lu must have felt, my heart ached.
No matter how much I agonized, there was ultimately only one way.
To apologize with my sincere heart.
“As for why I couldn’t visit you immediately after you awakened… there are various complicated reasons. It’s difficult to explain in words because various emotions that are hard for me to sort through were chaotically mixed together… but simply put, I was ashamed. You almost disappeared from this world because of me, after all.”
“…”
“I was also ashamed of myself and felt pathetic. It’s not something to boast about, but in truth, even in this vast Empire, inspectors as strong as me can be counted on one hand. Since I knew this fact, I think there was a part of me that was secretly arrogant. The fact that I almost had to say goodbye forever to someone I love due to my arrogance and mistakes… even someone as shameless as me found it hard to bear.”
As I continued speaking, I felt as if deep, heavy emotions were gradually rising up my throat.
The more my explanation continued, the more I felt my sincerity was turning into excuses, but since I had started the story, I thought I should see it through to the end and didn’t stop.
“So this time, I wanted to finish all the tasks given to me before coming to you. Rather than just receiving help from you, I wanted to become someone you could rely on now. Since we’ll be together forever from now on, I thought it would be fine even if it took a little time. But I think my approach was a bit wrong. If I had just said one word asking you to wait a little, you wouldn’t have been disappointed in me.”
As I said those words, I also newly realized.
“…Actually, I think I was afraid to even say those words asking you to wait.”
That I’m this shaken by Lu.
That this wavering has gone too far to turn back now.
Throughout listening to the story, Lu, who had been meeting my eyes with an unwavering, cold gaze, tilted his head and parted his lips.
“So?”
At that point, I couldn’t bear it without touching Lu.
Without warning, I spread both arms wide to embrace Lu, buried my face in his chest, and mumbled my apology.
“Thank you… and I’m sorry for making you come to me first again this time. Next time, I’ll definitely find Lu first, even if it kills me…”
How much silence had passed?
As soon as I heard a long sigh, a large warmth embraced me. It was a fierce and rough embrace as if he would stuff me inside his ribcage. Lu, who filled me tightly in his arms as if he would never let go, whispered in my ear.
“There won’t be a next time, Daisy. You and I can never be separated now, even in death.”
We kissed.
It wasn’t a gentle kiss at all, but even that was good.
This person who was caught up in intense emotions because of me was so lovable. The fact that Lu, who had always been relaxed and carefree anywhere and everywhere, could no longer be so in front of me was delightful.
Was that why? Strangely, laughter kept leaking out.
Lu’s breath, which had been persistently following my sporadically parting lips, also began to flow with matching laughter at some point, then pulled away as if he couldn’t help it. Lu, who had long stroked my moistened lips with his thumb, reproached me with sparkling golden eyes.
“You need to be more romantic.”
“But what can I do when I’m so happy? The fact that you’ve returned so perfectly intact feels too much like a dream to me…”
“Hmm. Though I hate to admit it, the effectiveness of shock therapy has been proven to some extent.”
“Shock therapy?”
“There’s no other way to express it. The content of memories I had forgotten for a full 160 years was so shocking that the balance of my scale tipped to the opposite side again, bringing me back here.”
Ah.
Lu leaned his forehead against mine with a hazy gaze, as if tracing old memories.
“Well, judging only by the results, it was a process with no loss from my perspective. Whether it’s a side effect of the scale tipping too drastically, or whether I crossed the fifth wall that I hadn’t recognized before… I no longer need to be aware of or worry about the existence of the scale.”
I haven’t yet entered the complete realm of divinity, so I don’t know the exact meaning of balance.
But if the fifth wall truly exists as Lu suspects…
‘It means we can love each other more freely, right?’
But what does loving more freely mean here? I couldn’t picture it well, but I figured good things are good things.
Above all.
“Then you don’t have to leave for Calepa anymore?”
“Probably not.”
When I smiled brightly and embraced his neck, Lu, who smiled so tenderly it could melt my heart, lifted my body up.
Eventually, he buried his head in my nape, took a deep breath, and lamented.
“…Damn it. You make me too pathetic. I came here to properly scold you this time… but seeing your face, I can’t say anything.”
That’s the same for me too.
“It took too long.”
“Yes.”
“You shouldn’t agree so simply. It took too long, Daisy.”
I gently stroked the back of Lu’s neck to comfort him.
“I thought I had forgotten it myself because I wanted to abandon my miserable past.”
“…”
“To think it was all for this mischievous fate. …This is exciting in its own way, isn’t it?”
A mischievous voice fell as he bit my chin firmly. Exciting? What kind of excitement?
I tried to escape from him, scolding ‘I don’t know what you’re thinking, but don’t think anything,’ but since Lu wouldn’t let me go, I had to sway back and forth while tightly embracing his head.
‘…But why are we doing this here?’
Ah.
“W-wait, Lu! What about the Emperor? You definitely said you were holding the Emperor hostage?”
Lu, who stopped his mischief, answered indifferently.
“What’s the point of tormenting a half-dead undead? I only got what I wanted from him and put him to sleep. He looked like he was about to faint if I kept him nearby.”
Merciful… consideration?
“But why did you come all the way to the Imperial Palace?”
Lu was someone who would make a commotion at the Imperial Palace just to drag out one person, me… but if it was ‘specifically’ the Imperial Palace, considering that point, there could well be other reasons.
“I remembered what I promised you.”
Lu moved toward the table inside the room while still holding me.
On the table with antique wood grain patterns elegantly carved, there was a sheet of stiff paper and an old fountain pen, and the words I glimpsed looked very familiar.
“But no matter how much we promise eternity, my heart needs to be at ease.”
I got down from Lu’s arms and picked up the paper.
“Marriage consent form?”
I immediately felt irritated.
As expected of the Emperor. He’s excellent at ruining happy people’s moods.
‘Is this the fourth marriage decree the Emperor prepared?’
Then Lu came here to demand the cancellation of this marriage decree! With a pleased expression, I checked the name of the fourth partner.
『I consent to the marriage between Daisy Weatherwax, head of the Weatherwax family, and Lord Calefa Lu.』
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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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