Home/How That Extra Maid Survives/ch33

Chapter 33

"This seems to be your first time coming this far."

Rahan looked alternately at Vinet and me with a smile that seemed genuinely pleased.

As warm as the gentle weather, his eyes held a kind warmth.

"I wanted to see you train, Brother. Were we disturbing you?"

The words flowed smoothly.

"Not at all. I'm delighted you came all the way here."

They truly looked like a loving sibling pair, the kind anyone would recognize.

It was a stark contrast to my own memories of being chased away by Yoo Hyun-sung for being a nuisance whenever I teased him about studying.

'Should I be nicer to him when I go back?'

I wavered for a moment, then shook my head.

'No, let's not.'

To me, it's the future, but to Yoo Hyun-sung, my sudden change would be unfamiliar and confusing.

Honestly, even a bit of sentimentality probably wouldn't last half a day after I returned.

If I did, it would become a lifetime's worth of teasing material.

I should just treat my sister-in-law and future niece or nephew well, as usual.

"I believe I mentioned this before, but if it's hard, be sure to speak up. Don't overdo it."

His gaze, which had been on Vinet, shifted to me.

Even though it wasn't Vinet, his rounded eyes were full of trust.

The more so, my heart pounded with unease.

"Yes, Sir Rahan. Thank you for your consideration."

"Just tell her to rest more…."

Vinet, still unable to let go, grumbled discontentedly. Rahan smiled awkwardly and soothed his sister.

"Sometimes movement is what gives you strength. I thought it would be fine since you're by her side, Vinet."

His tone was like coaxing a child, and Vinet's face, which had been unconsciously pouting, flushed bright red.

When Vinet covered her face with a plop, a flustered Rahan appeared.

'He's completely believing my lie.'

Seeing the two siblings handling me like fragile glass made my conscience prick slightly, but since it's for their benefit anyway, I decided to let them misunderstand.

Turning away from the two siblings who didn't know what to do, I saw Rebecca frozen like a statue.

"…Rebecca? What's wrong?"

Rebecca muttered stupidly.

"Name… name… not Sir Rahan… but Your Grace."

Rebecca quickly corrected herself.

It must have been quite a shocking address.

Come to think of it, I'd never seen a servant call Rahan by his first name.

'He didn't seem drunk.'

Then was it just an expression of familiarity?

Or had he lost his mind because death was near?

Another omen?

Recalling various possibilities, I narrowed my eyes and carefully observed Rahan.

---

As the conversation between the two seated women continued, one face grew progressively redder.

And then it finally burst.

"You're backing out…? Now? Listen! If you're going to help, you should help to the end!"

Cardela raised her voice, pointing accusingly at the woman before her.

It had been a trivial remark.

The timing had happened to coincide, so she'd only asked, wondering if perhaps Princess Vinet was the culprit behind the murders.

"Oh my! That's so true!"

"Right! Exactly!"

Those who agreed chattered like sparrows, and the spreading rumor gradually gained flesh, turning Vinet into a murderer.

Cardela, the originator, became the center of attention wherever she went, gossiping in front of other nobles.

Thanks to the help of the woman before her, the stories grew richer, cleverly mixed with truth to captivate audiences.

And now she wanted to wash her hands of it!

"It would make me a liar!"

When the real culprit was revealed, Cardela had to face the finger-pointing.

"I knew it."

"There's no way Princess Vinet could be the culprit."

"How could someone unfamiliar with the area commit and conceal a murder?"

They'd listened with interest before, but now they were ostracizing Cardela.

The flood of invitations stopped abruptly, and she was treated like a ghost wherever she went.

This wouldn't do.

Princess Vinet had to be the culprit.

"Now, calm down. I may be stepping back from this, but I won't abandon you, Lady Cardela. You've worked so hard for us. Of course, we should help you."

"Right? I knew you'd say that! Do you know how much I've done for Ambrose? Honestly, it was you who wanted to frame the princess in the first place."

Cardela shifted the blame.

It was amusing, but the woman didn't show it, continuing calmly.

"The princess isn't the culprit. But phrases like 'I knew she was that kind of person' or 'I had a feeling, and sure enough'—aren't those rather effective? Lady Cardela's words wouldn't be complete lies. Because she's someone who could commit murder in the future."

Uttered with a perfectly composed face, the words sent a chill down Cardela's spine.

Gulp. She swallowed.

What expression was the woman beneath the robe wearing now?

Only now was Cardela beginning to fear the organization called Ambrose, but it was too late to turn back.

Having experienced a life where everyone paid attention to her, Cardela didn't want to be forgotten.

"…Th… that's fine. That's great. I'll leave it to you."

"Hoho, don't worry. Just leave everything to us."

A sweet, demonic whisper enchanted Cardela.

---

If asked to choose the harshest place in the vast empire, one would undoubtedly point to the North.

Surviving in the barren, snow-covered environment year-round wasn't easy, and they had to contend with hungry monsters invading their territory each year due to food shortages.

And that wasn't all—the North also served as a passage connecting the empire to neighboring countries, so harsh winters of fighting invaders in the unclaimed borderlands were a yearly occurrence.

People used to dismiss the North as uninhabitable, but that was all in the past.

Since Count Nordic began protecting the North, some leisure had come to the region.

Of course, they still had to periodically cull monsters before winter, but after that season passed, everyone could rest.

"Count, you called."

A large-built man entered Count Nordic's office.

"Go to the capital."

Finally finding time to organize documents, Count Nordic's hands moved busily.

His eyes fixed on the paper, he gave the order. A prompt reply followed.

"Yes."

At the firm answer without question, Count Nordic's hands stopped.

"Do you know why you're going?"

"No."

"Aren't you curious?"

"Should I be?"

"…You… never mind."

He almost said, 'Would you die if I told you to?'

Though his son, he was the kind of man who would actually do it, which was frightening.

He was the only one who could unsettle Count Nordic, who feared even the Emperor.

"Go to the Rohambriga Ducal Residence."

"The Rohambriga Ducal Residence…?"

For the first time, his voice carried life.

Count Nordic briefly wondered if this was the right decision, but he himself guarding the North was safer than sending his son.

"There's a princess there who hasn't yet entered high society. You'll do a good job escorting her. Once your use is done, the Duke will send you back."

Adren didn't fully grasp his father's orders, but knowing his deep character, he assumed there was a reason.

"Yes. I will serve to the best of my ability."

He was a knight with a knighthood, and Count Nordic was his lord before he was his father.

He simply did his best with given orders.

'I need to train more before I go.'

He'd reacted with joy to the mention of a ducal residence.

He quickly composed his expression, but Adren dismissed it as a lack of discipline and blamed himself.

As his son silently blamed himself, Count Nordic was also lost in thought.

'…I hope he's at least half as skilled as the Duke in conversation.'

They could communicate, at least.

Count Nordic despised the insidious nature of nobles, but for now, he was earnest.

He had no idea what his oddball son, obsessed with knighthood, was thinking.

As if his head hurt, Count Nordic waved his hand dismissively and returned to his documents.

---

Lady Boreita's lessons resumed.

"Lexi, I heard about the unfortunate incident. I'm glad to see you looking well."

"Thank you for your concern, Lady Boreita."

I might have dismissed it as mere courtesy, like Ailet's remarks, but I could feel a trace of worry fading from Lady Boreita's eyes.

'So this is noble dignity.'

Both Rahan and Lady Boreita. If only nobles like them existed, the world would be much more beautiful, but reality isn't so simple.

"Now, let's begin the lesson."

Even though it was only a short break, the lessons had progressed quite a bit.

"Don't overdo it."

Ailet, waiting nearby, smiled with her eyes and expressed concern, but I wasn't the type to fall for that kind of lie.

She could think whatever she wanted—I just got lucky.

Watching me look flustered, I could see Ailet sigh in relief.

'Our noble lady's ego is about to rise again.'

Of course, I wasn't about to let that slide.

'Ah!'

At that moment, a good idea struck me.

Hiding my true feelings, I smiled back and whispered.

"Thank you for your concern."

As soon as the routine schedule ended, I left the clinging Vinet behind and went straight to find Rahan.

"I have something to tell His Grace."

"Wait a moment."

Perhaps thanks to Column's increased favor, he knocked on the office door without prying.

"Come in."

At Rahan's permission, Column opened the door.

"What is it?"

His desk was piled high with documents.

'…Come to think of it, didn't Rahan also die from overwork?'

Given Rikael's precedent, it seemed like a plausible theory.

He worked later than anyone every night and rose earlier than anyone to start his day—it was remarkable he held on.

Of course, Rebecca had comforted the worried Vinet, saying "His physical abilities are on a different level, so this much is nothing," but still.

"Sir Rahan told me I could think about what reward I wanted."

"Yes, I did. Anything within my power, I'll grant. So speak freely."

At most, Rahan's reward to me would be lavish gold and silver treasures.

But right now, I needed something more than money.

"Then, may I ask for Sir Rahan's time?"

"Time?"

Rahan asked back, his face full of question.

"Yes, time. I had Lady Boreita's lesson today, and catching up on the parts I missed was quite difficult. It reminded me of the help you gave me recently."

As I answered, Rahan's head gradually lowered.

He covered his face with one hand, bowed deep.

'Even if it wasn't anything serious, it's embarrassing enough.'

I understand.

For someone not used to acting that way, showing such behavior while drunk must be mortifying.

"It was a great help back then."

I hurriedly soothed Rahan, who was berating himself.

Indeed, it was thrilling enough to see Ailet's pale face.

I'd learn properly from Rahan and crush Ailet's ego again.

Besides… .

"And… since I'm learning anyway, I want to learn properly. It's not easy to get an opportunity like this, right? Just that alone is an honor."

I made a fuss, saying it would be something to boast about for generations.

Learning proper etiquette takes a considerable amount of time.

That meant if Rahan allowed it, the time I could stay here would also increase accordingly.

'Even if I'm kicked out, it gives me a reason to keep meeting him.'

It was ironic that Ailet was the one who gave me this idea, but it was a satisfactory excuse.

Since Rahan tended to reward good deeds generously, I calculated that this much would be accepted.

"Th… then I shall do so."

It took me a moment to process his voice, which had come out as fast as if played at double speed.

"Excuse me…? Ah! Yes!"

"Ahem! Since you're learning anyway, it's better to learn properly. You had a good thought."

Clearing his throat, Rahan showed oddly restless movements.

"So, which part are you stuck on?"

He even rose from his seat, rolling down his sleeves and neatly fastening his cufflinks.

"…Are you going to teach me right now?"

I didn't expect him to start immediately.

My gaze passed over Rahan to the pile of documents.

"This is a daily occurrence—nothing to worry about. It'll be over quickly."

No, you won't finish quickly.

Someone like that can't possibly be the one who sleeps late every night.

Death by overwork.

The warning light in my head, for the nth time, went off.

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