Chapter 144
Chapter 144
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 144
Chapter Title: The Princess's Bewildering Proposal
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“Your Highness...”
Her Highness's proposal itself was truly sweet, but precisely because of that, I couldn't comprehend her intentions or reasoning at all.
Why is she offering me such leniency?
Why choose something so risky that could shatter her own reputation?
“Why?”
“I'm truly sorry, but I don't understand a single word Your Highness has said from start to finish.”
“Where?”
“......”
Her Highness tilts her head innocently, eyes wide as if she genuinely has no idea, and it chokes the breath right out of me.
In my life, one person reacting like he truly doesn't grasp basic common sense is plenty—the Young Master.
I shot Sera a desperate glance.
Please, help me. Guide your blind mistress back to the right path.
“......”
But Sera just mouthed 'Sorry.' before turning her head toward the window, avoiding my eyes.
If she'd done her job properly, none of this would have happened. I never trusted her to begin with, but failing to even pretend to intervene felt like a profound betrayal.
Our stations may differ, but I thought there'd be some bond between those serving the same master...
“Hehe~ Just kidding.”
As betrayal and humiliation made my body tremble, Her Highness let out a light laugh.
“I know full well that every thought from one to ten is utterly abnormal. It's not like I'm taking a lover myself—allowing a mistress to someone far beneath my station? That's insane talk, right?”
“Yes...”
“But that's only in the general case.”
“The general case...? Isn't creating a mistress an abnormal situation in itself?”
“It's more common among nobles than you'd think. Two or three out of ten chase those illicit, abnormal trysts. It's the dark underbelly of political marriages, where family interests tangle like a web.”
“......”
In the world I've observed, centered on the Hume Count's family, such a horrific shadow is unimaginable.
If the Young Master or the Young Madam ever pulled something like that, the Madam would end the line herself.
“But the Young Master would never do such a thing.”
“True enough. William would respect me to the end. Unless I mess up first, he'd even treat me like a friend. But Emily, aren't you forgetting one key thing?”
“Pardon?”
“You said you'd step aside obediently, but why assume William would simply let you go?”
“If I tell him myself, surely...”
“Are you certain?”
“I'm cer...”
I should affirm it confidently.
But memories of the Young Master's actions toward me flood back, stealing my words.
The meaningful words he shared while giving me the necklace.
The arm that gently encircled my back without pushing me away when I threw myself into his embrace.
The languid expression and upturned lips every time our eyes met.
To think he'd release me easily after all that would make me the fool.
Of course, facing the Imperial Family, he'd withdraw in the end. But I was certain the process wouldn't be smooth.
“That man, even in danger, always shielded you specifically. At the Founding Day eve festival, in the carriage just days ago—he kept you behind him as if it were the most natural thing. So seamless it sparked jealousy.”
Speechless, my lips twitching, Her Highness pouts as she recalls the past.
“That was merely consideration for me, as a woman...”
“Emily.”
I tried downplaying those moments to lessen their weight, but she frowned in clear displeasure at my words. Calling my name, she raised her right hand, signaling me to stop.
Her eyes, dimly laced with anger, fixed on me as she spoke in a low voice.
“Noble etiquette does have 'ladies first,' but it's strictly for ladies. Nobles couldn't care less about a commoner's honor. The Hume Count's folk are famously indulgent with their own, but they wouldn't butt heads with fellow nobles over it. They'd offer insincere apologies up front, feigning proper servant management. But what did William do?”
“That was...”
I naturally recall the Young Master glaring ferociously at the noble viciously slandering us, my shoulders trembling in fear.
The atmosphere was so savage I had to restrain him, dreading the fallout.
“And at such a grand event, how many bring a commoner maid right into the banquet hall? With a personally knit dress and a necklace he himself fastened around her neck.”
Her Highness tapped the necklace at her own throat—eerily similar to mine, like twins—then fell silent for a moment.
This time, envy and jealousy swirled in her gaze, her jaw visibly tightening.
“So stop playing coy. You know damn well William's behavior toward you isn't just for a capable servant, don't you?”
“Yes...”
Her words stabbed deep into my chest's core, leaving me bowed in silence, unable to retort.
Even I found my denials grotesquely excessive.
To her, it must seem like outright deception.
Under the guise of caring for both, I'd committed grave discourtesy.
“It might look to you like I'm flailing wildly, but this is the conclusion of days of careful deliberation.”
Seeing my dejected stare fixed on the floor, she defended her logical process with a aggrieved tone.
“I-is that so...?”
“Naturally. I could walk you through the reasoning.”
Unable to believe such an outcome stemmed from deliberation, I stared in bewilderment. She smirked, one corner of her mouth lifting as she crossed her arms.
She raised her right hand, extending one finger, and continued.
“Removing you from William's side as you imagine would be idiotic. I'm no lovesick maniac craving monopoly at the cost of his hatred.”
“Then, manufacture a fait accompli to isolate him? Shackle him with guilt and duty? When I learned he lacks mana, that shadowy path tempted me briefly. But I want the driven William, not some puppy on a chain.”
“Fait... accompli...?”
She'd uttered something utterly chilling with perfect calm. My head snapped up, eyes round as I gaped at her, but her finger jabbing straight at me sealed my lips tight.
“Or just leave you be? Not a bad option, honestly. I'd keep a solid rapport with William, witness his proactive side. But I'd live in constant dread, haunted by the chance you'd secretly devour him.”
“I'd never even consider such a thing!”
“Emily, love twists people in ways no one predicts. Who could've foreseen I'd end up like this over a man I barely knew?”
“Your Highness, isn't that excessive worry...?”
“Besides, every scenario sidelining or ignoring you paints me as the thief stealing your place. Makes me feel like some novel's villainess. Though... not entirely inaccurate.”
“Haha... Hic...!”
Since the thought had crossed my mind, I nodded unwittingly.
Realizing my blunder too late, my face drained pale as I jerked my head still—but the motion was done, and she shot me a glare, lips curling downward.
“Shouldn't you at least politely deny it in moments like that?”
“S-sorry...”
“Whatever... I do have a conscience. What's the point of an apology here?”
I bowed my head toward the table in contrition to her sulking form. She didn't hide her discomfort but averted her gaze, perhaps tinged with guilt.
“Anyway, short of erasing you flawlessly without William noticing, I can't pry you from his side. Letting you be breeds anxiety. But if I swallow a bit of pride and embrace you? Then everyone's happy.”
“Even embraced by your boundless magnanimity, wouldn't it differ little from neglect?”
It would only definitively greenlight my touching the Young Master.
The absolute worst for her reputation too.
Fine for me, but I couldn't grasp why she'd call it happiness from her vantage.
“Sharing William with you is tragic, sure. But the difference? We align on a common goal, cooperating. No mutual suspicion or checks—just the two of us fully conquering William alone.”
“Conquering the Young Master?”
“Emily, what have we been up to now? I couldn't approach him rashly, clueless on tactics. You knew exactly how but status barred you.”
“You're right...”
The uncomfortable truth drew my first reluctant nod, unease plain.
I recalled those moments: right beside him, victory a hand's reach away, yet forced to observe from one step back like a spectator.
The instant I woke him in the morning.
Bidding goodnight each evening.
Post-bath, shaking damp locks with that drowsy smile...
Ache blooming in my chest, heart racing—yet feigning utter nonchalance.
“I can grant you the agency status denied you. Lets you touch the William you've only watched. And I gain your firsthand knowledge and experience of him that I lack.”
“Agency...”
With Her Highness, did it mean reclaiming all those daily moments I'd forsaken?
Could I shed the dutiful, meek maid and become an Emily baring her love for the Young Master unreservedly?
“A few concessions from each of us, and William is unequivocally ours.”
“......”
Two women sharing one man? Utter madness.
I knew it was the devil's whisper, seductive poison.
A shaky alliance teetering on collapse, morally bankrupt.
Yet.
Watching that forsaken chance flicker back to life, I strained against the siren call—knowing I shouldn't, but listening all the same.
“Just staying by his side is enough” was a lie.
I'd always craved more.
To whisper in husky tones against his skin, savor the press of flesh, mingle our warmth.
“I fully understand Your Highness's words now.”
“Then, your answer?”
I softly lifted the corner of my mouth.
“Ask me anything. Whatever I know, I'll answer.”
I was ready to serve my future mistress with all I had.