Chapter 51
Chapter 51
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: A Man Depends on His Woman (1)
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A minor commotion broke out at the Blackwood Territory Guard post, and a few days later...
Fortunately, the story of me sparring with three new recruits at the guard post didn't spread inside the mansion.
In the first place, the only people in the mansion who could possibly know about it were the vice head butler, Ethan, Harold, and me—four at most.
In other words, as long as those four didn't go around blabbing, there was no chance of rumors starting.
Ditmaier was tight-lipped by nature, so no worries there.
Harold and Ethan had no reason to spread tales of their servant causing a scene outside the mansion.
So, if I just kept quiet, I could prevent the whole thing from leaking inside the mansion.
'No reason for me to go blabbing. I'm not some attention whore.'
Drawing unnecessary eyes would only bring trouble, so me gossiping made no sense.
The guard post wouldn't want word getting out that three recruits lost to a single maid either—it'd be bad press.
In short, I'd leveled up from 5 to 6 with zero risk.
Thanks to that, my days lately had been peak bliss in every way.
I could finally use the long-awaited Mana Blast.
Of course, being able to use it didn't mean I should—not yet. It'd stay my hidden trump card.
But that was enough.
Just knowing I had a backup for emergencies made my heart feel secure.
Like a lottery winner still dragging themselves to the office.
In that sense, life after unlocking Mana Blast felt fresh and fun every single day.
Before, without it, I'd felt like a fly clinging to a fragile life, not knowing when death might come.
Now? My future didn't scare me anymore.
Who am I? A Mana Blast user.
"Good morning, maid."
"Yes, good morning, Young Master! Did you sleep well?"
"...M-Maid...?"
Ethan's ugly mug used to ruin my mornings, but post-Mana Blast? Not even a twinge.
"Miss Lilith, the master has summoned you."
"Yes, Vice Head Butler Ditmaier Collin Evercroft! I'll head there right away!"
"...Miss Lilith...?"
I could rattle off Ditmaier's name—the bearer of bad news—without missing a beat now.
"You summoned me, Master!"
"......"
And even when Blackwood Family's final boss Harold called me to his office, I could face him confidently, full of vim and vigor, anytime, anywhere...
"Lilith, it seems you caused a small disturbance at the territory guard post."
"......I'm sorry."
...Scratch that. Harold was still terrifying.
The summons from the Blackwood lord himself had instantly chilled my sky-high mood these past few days.
The moment Harold brought up the guard post in our private meeting on the third floor, I bowed my head obsequiously and apologized.
...Well, yeah. No such thing as a free level-up.
I'd been blinded by EXP, shoving my way in with lame excuses, but looking back, it was the dumbest, most eye-catching stunt.
Strictly speaking, I'd ignored Ethan's input and acted alone, so the blame was mostly mine.
When Harold grilled me on it, I trembled like a candle in the wind.
Who am I? A commoner debt maid whose head could fly at Harold's slightest word...
"I didn't call you here for an apology. I heard their soldier insulted you first."
"...I disrupted Young Master Ethan's official duties with my personal actions and have no excuse."
"Enough. Ethan's old enough to handle himself now, so no need for me to scold his exclusive maid."
"......?"
What? Why was Harold being like this?
I'd botched things during a patrol with Ethan through my solo stunt, yet he wasn't pursuing it?
You sure you're Harold? Not some imposter in his skin?
'...Come to think of it, he's been oddly off lately.'
He used to blindly defend Ethan in anything related, thinking only of his son.
Lately, he seemed a bit stricter with him.
Suddenly upping Ethan's training load, and now external tutors daily for various subjects.
I didn't know why, but Harold was shifting from doting dad to strict dad.
His actions lately made it look like he was truly grooming Ethan as Blackwood Territory heir...
But what sparked the change? Still a mystery.
'...Is it because of me?'
The most likely suspect, honestly.
Within my view, I was the only one who could alter the original story.
And yeah, for a mere maid, I'd pulled off all sorts of antics.
Problem was, I hadn't directly messed with Harold much.
My actions probably didn't affect him straight-up; some indirect something shifted the doting dad's attitude.
'Like seeing Thanacia's necklace he thought lost and steeling his resolve or whatever.'
He wouldn't have some epiphany from watching me directly. No way.
Harold wasn't the type to heed anyone but his son anyway.
As I wrapped up my guesses and imaginings...
Harold suddenly met my eyes with a serious tone.
"Lilith."
"Yes."
"I called you to ask about Ethan's recent state."
"...Pardon?"
"His attitude's improved markedly lately. It lines up perfectly with when you became his exclusive maid."
"...Is that so?"
"Any inkling of what caused it?"
"......"
Inkling of what caused it...
If I had to guess...
'Snitch to your dad like this. Your exclusive maid Lilith tried to kill you solo.'
'Eat your own damn food. And stop chomping like a pig with your mouth and rubbing with your hands, smacking your lips. It's disgusting just to watch.'
'The type I hate most are guys who grope me and laugh right in my face. Worst of all men in the world.'
...A fucking ton?
And every one could've gotten my head on a pike the second it left my mouth.
Looking back, I'd been pretty ballsy. How was I still alive?
If Ethan had tattled even one to Harold, I'd be done for.
'Should I thank him for it?'
Thank him for sparing my neck? Or curse him since he gave me reasons to anyway?
As that unrelated worry swirled in my head...
Harold nodded suddenly, like he got it.
"I see. So it was you after all."
"N-No, Master. I haven't done anything special to Young Master..."
"No need. No need to air out what happens between you and Ethan. Anyway, it's my son you serve, not me."
He mistook my pause for thought as admission, waving off my excuse.
I'd accidentally let it slide, feeling a bit dazed.
'Did it... pass?'
...Well, if he didn't dig deeper, great for me. Details would spook me more.
Ethan apparently didn't want Harold knowing our stuff, so it'd slide somehow.
But Harold overlooking things between us? Slim chance.
To avoid doom, keep my head low. Just two more years, and I'd ditch the exclusive maid gig.
Two years. Just two...
"Glad you and Ethan are getting along. Keep it up."
"Y-Yes."
"Alright, you're dismissed."
"Thank you, Master."
Luckily, Harold didn't probe, so the talk flowed smoothly.
And so, another year passed.