The Peaceful Life Of A Maid Who Hides Her Power And Enjoys It - Chapter 308
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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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Part 2, Chapter 106
The war faction and the silence faction.
‘It’s been 8 years since the war ended, but are the factions still divided…?’
Of course, that damn factional fighting had been rampant even before the Mado War, and there were countless times during the early war period when I nearly died a dog’s death after being pushed around by their power struggles.
Liwein, who had lowered his head with a gloomy expression despite it not being his fault, glanced at me for a moment before moving back toward the front of the carriage.
‘I thought the factional fighting would calm down a bit once Natasha effectively seized real power.’
If there’s no sign of that happening at all, then there’s only one reason.
The Crown Prince’s maternal relatives.
They’re still lending their strength to the silence faction.
Originally, the current Emperor ascended to the throne by joining hands with the silence faction during the chaotic wartime situation. Even if there was a deal with Natasha behind the scenes, the force that most powerfully supported the Emperor would surely be the faction of the now-deceased Empress.
‘The Crown Prince wasn’t completely entrusted to Inastasia.’
Well, no matter how much Inastasia is royalty, from the Crown Prince’s maternal family’s perspective, she would be difficult to trust completely. Rather, she would have been closer to an obstacle in building intimacy with the Crown Prince…
While organizing my thoughts, the carriage arrived at Midwintry Station and stopped.
Glancing through the window, I could see Liwein’s face, rigid with tension. Then two voices flowed into the carriage.
“It’s been a long time, Earl Garrosh. I didn’t expect to meet in a place like this.”
“…”
“It would be nice to catch up… Unfortunately, I don’t have time right now. I’ll see you soon in the capital.”
“I’ve received orders from Duke Brugbansel to escort the Weatherwax Baroness.”
A brief silence settled at Garrosh’s cold voice.
‘Duke Brugbansel…’
Contrary to expectations, it was surprising that Garrosh’s movements were unrelated to imperial orders, but even setting that aside, it was a familiar name. It was a name that had (persistently) slipped from Raphael and Natasha’s lips throughout the Mado War.
‘Come to think of it, Duke Brugbansel didn’t show himself at all four years ago, not even at the recent hunting competition.’
Even though I may be ignorant about politics, I do remember some information about the Duke Brugbansel family.
An ancient family descended from the Central Empire.
The head of the noble council.
The leader of the silence faction.
…That was information I learned after coming to Midwintry. The image of Duke Brugbansel that was etched in my mind during wartime was actually closer to the following.
A crazy bastard to Raphael.
Shit that follows Natasha around.
A mouth of terror.
‘Such a guy suddenly sent someone to come pick me up?’
While questions led to more questions.
Garrosh firmly stated his position as if there was no need for lengthy explanations.
“From here on, I will personally escort the Weatherwax Baroness, so Sir Liwein Wokhood should return to Duke Jenail with the knights.”
Ugh. Who’s escorting whom?
Was it because of that unpleasant voice? I was reminded of the Sword Saint I had parted with inside the wall of fire.
On the day I returned to Midwintry, Jin told me:
“His Grace said there was no longer any reason to stay where you were absent, and he returned home immediately the day after arriving at Corpinium base.”
“As expected, he acts quickly. Still, he stayed one more day, so should I express my gratitude?”
“And he left a message for you…”
“A message?”
“Yes. He said that activities would become quite troublesome after the award ceremony, so don’t rampage like a beast… but think like a human…”
Jin’s appearance, sweating profusely, was so pitiful.
At the time, I thought it was half wordplay, half advice.
‘…Think.’
Does this mean Duke Brugbansel plans to make a move on me?
I owe a debt to the Sword Saint.
Recalling what happened beyond the wall of fire, following Garrosh might be the right choice…
Conversely, considering that the Sword Saint didn’t give any ‘hints,’ if I carelessly chose Garrosh and received the response ‘Hmm? Garrosh coming to meet you was at Duke Brugbansel’s request, not mine. Trying to repay your debt by just boosting my energy a little? That’s out of the question,’ my neck would be in trouble.
Before Liwein could speak, I stuck my head out the window and looked at Garrosh.
“Hey, Earl Garrosh.”
Look at that disgusting expression. How dare he make such a shitty face in front of his heavenly sister?
“This isn’t related to imperial orders?”
“…No.”
“Tsk. Your manner of speech is frivolous. Can’t you answer ‘No, it is not’?”
Liwein looked at me with bewildered eyes, but I urged him on with a rather serious expression, putting strength in my eyes.
“Quickly.”
“…”
“If you don’t behave properly, I’ll be very troublesome to you while staying at the Imperial Palace.”
I heard a grinding sound.
“No… it is not…”
Haha. My terrible little brother.
“If it’s unrelated to imperial orders, then I’ll receive Sir Liwein’s escort. He was a teammate at the Harvest Festival hunting competition, so I can’t pitifully abandon him.”
“Baroness.”
Liwein approached me with an even more flustered face. Regardless, I casually gestured toward Garrosh. Get lost.
“Please convey to Duke Brugbansel that I’m grateful in spirit. Ah, I’m confused about this, but is Earl Garrosh the heir to Brugbansel, not Berkleygraytown?”
Would you wipe Brugbansel’s ass if he asked you to? I wanted to shout and mock him loudly, but seeing what appeared to be newspaper reporters scattered about, I swallowed the words.
‘Surely such a trivial matter wouldn’t make it into an article?’
Though it might.
Garrosh, who had been glaring at my face, silently turned his back with his lackeys and disappeared into the station.
Even though I mentioned Brugbansel, it would ultimately have been the Sword Saint’s order.
It was an incident that made me feel once again that the Berkleygraytown family was a house that stood in opposition to Raphael’s Jenail family.
“…Baroness.”
Liwein whispered to me with eyes filled with excitement, relief, and clear anxiety.
“Just in case, I dare to mention… Duke Brugbansel is His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince’s maternal family, and together with Duke Hailo, he fills His Majesty the Emperor’s vacant position. He has a long friendship with Duke Berkleygraytown…”
“I know.”
Actually, I’d just heard half of that for the first time. I knew he was the leader of the silence faction, but the Crown Prince’s maternal relatives were also on that side?
Then his attempt to win me over makes even less sense.
‘The Emperor knows I’m Andert Pager, but… that man shouldn’t know my identity?’
Something feels a bit unsettling.
Liwein seemed to feel the same uneasiness. Holding Lu’s hand tightly, he followed behind me as I entered the station, expressing his concerns.
“That person… exercises tremendous influence in the capital Ragal. If you’re not careful, it could have a negative impact on your social activities…”
“So you want me to follow some stranger I’ve never even seen, instead of Raphael?”
Actually, I’d seen his face several times during wartime. He looked decent enough, but whenever he opened his mouth… Phew.
Liwein hesitated and shook his head with a dejected expression.
“No, that’s not what I meant.”
“It’s not because of you, so don’t worry about it. There are reasons for everything, so just accept it as such.”
At my words, he showed a somewhat relieved expression.
Does it put your mind at ease to hear there are reasons? Well, that’s why I said it.
Thanks to arriving at the precise time, we were able to board the train without waiting.
The train that ran without rest for quite a while soon arrived at Pen Rota’s capital, Ragal.
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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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