Chapter 74
Chapter 74
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: Excuse (1)
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The meeting with Ridge, the conversation with Seraphine, and even the Monster Wave.
Just half a day had passed since the imperial palace masquerade ball, where so many events had unfolded in a single night.
The palace had immediately launched its own investigation the moment the Monster Wave incident ended that day.
The Monster Wave from Lake Verdan was suspicious in every way imaginable.
Normally, a Monster Wave happening right in the capital was absurd to begin with.
The Imperial Capital Guard existed precisely to prevent such monster outbreaks in the first place.
Moreover, the sheer number of monsters crawling out from just one lake screamed intentional manipulation.
The palace would likely conclude within days that demons were behind it.
'Assuming things follow the original story, that is.'
The story had started veering off course somewhere, so it could suddenly swerve in another direction entirely.
Still, uncovering demon involvement in this Monster Wave was entirely plausible.
With the palace busy investigating, rewards for those who shone in the wave would come later.
'In the original story, Agnes got the biggest reward, followed by Orion.'
Seraphine and Agnes had performed similarly, but as royalty, Seraphine only received a formal, non-monetary honor.
Orion came next for spotting Agnes's talent and bolstering the defenses in the crisis.
Karaham, who guarded the carriage lot near the south gate, was also due rewards, but he probably skipped in the original due to his sister Ridge.
In the story, Karaham was the character who longed for his sister Ridge until the end.
'Though I can't be sure. I don't know every detail of every character.'
Honestly, I didn't know the exact rewards—probably cash or rare materials.
With Ethan and me intervening, positions shifted, so the rewards would change too.
Six people stood out in this wave, so they'd likely all be called for the ceremony.
The Moonshadow Princess Seraphine.
The Verdant Sage Orion.
Inferno Agnes.
Clueless Karaham.
Pig Prince Ethan.
And me, the Brave Exclusive Maid Lilith.
...Listing them like this, Karaham and Ethan's titles feel brutally honest.
They were villains in the original, so it couldn't be helped, but seeing it laid out made them pitiable.
For Karaham, his clueless vibe from our last encounter fit perfectly anyway.
But 'Pig Prince' didn't suit the current Ethan at all.
He wasn't a pig anymore, and showed no signs of villainy.
If this dramatic change happened in the game, his title would surely update.
Mine had already changed for sure, even if I didn't know others'.
Three years ago, when I first checked my status, it was 'Low-Class Maid'.
Now it was 'Brave Exclusive Maid'.
So it wouldn't be weird if Ethan's shifted from Pig Prince.
Not that I could check anyone's title but my own.
Titles were just a player convenience system anyway.
No one in this world could see others' titles.
'...But still, he's definitely not the Pig Prince.'
What title would fit the current non-pig Ethan?
Blackwood Scion Ethan? Too generic with all the nobles at Luminor Academy.
Son of Swordmaster Ethan? That's basically Harold's title.
Slimmed-Down Ethan, Black-Haired Ethan, Swordsman Ethan, West Gate Guardian Ethan, My Ethan...
...Realizing it now, Ethan had no catchy traits.
Everything fitting was already taken by others.
Looking back, game Ethan only had 'pig' and 'hated' as character-defining traits.
Without those, even now he felt oddly undefined.
Something uniquely Ethan's that no one else had... Hmm...
"...Wait, why am I even worrying about this?"
I had zero reason to ponder Ethan's title.
It wouldn't affect this world even if I made one up.
Old habits from my core gamer days in my past life—wondering new characters' titles when they appeared.
...But Ethan's title wasn't the issue now.
I should worry about my own safety, not his hypothetical title.
Because I'd royally screwed up in this Monster Wave.
Blasting the King Serpent with Mana Blast—a massive spell—right in front of Ethan.
'It was unavoidable at the time, though...'
Hesitating to hide my magic would've endangered me, Ethan, and Seraphine.
By the time reinforcements arrived, casualties would've exceeded the original story.
If Seraphine and Lilith died there, the world itself would have no future.
Saving the world's future long-term didn't erase my magic use, though.
Hoping Ethan wouldn't question it was unrealistic.
'How do I even excuse this...'
With anxious anticipation of his morning wake-up, I headed to his room.
Praying my apology plan would somehow work.
⁎ ⁎ ⁎
What ways does a commoner apologize to a noble for wrongdoing?
Bribery was out— a debt-ridden maid like me couldn't buy Blackwood scion silence.
Verbal deception wouldn't fly either—not after blatantly casting magic in his face.
No money, no lies worked.
With my status limiting options, only one remained against Ethan.
...Making it up with my body somehow.
-Thud!
"I have no words for this incident, Young Master Ethan!"
"M-Maid?!"
"Not only can a mere commoner like me use magic, but I've concealed it all this time. I sincerely apologize, Young Master!"
-Thud! Thud!
"W-Wait, Maid! I get it, stop! Don't keep smashing your forehead on the floor!"
Ever heard 'you can't spit on a smiling face'?
Personal opinion, but that's a flawed proverb.
Just join the Korean army—plenty spit phlegm on smiling faces.
If the wrongdoer doesn't get beaten worse for whining, count yourself lucky.
Conversely, the way to take less beating?
Prostrate and beg first, obviously.
Soft-hearted superiors lose the will to escalate once you do.
Even nasty ones ease up seeing submission.
Figuring human nature doesn't change across worlds, I groveled with maximum remorse.
After five forehead-thuds and apologies, Ethan stopped me instead.
"Hiding such a crucial fact from you, who trusted me— even confessing with my life wouldn't suffice..."
"Okay, enough already! I'm not even mad about it!"
"...Really?"
"Yeah. Let's sit and talk calmly first. Please?"
The best way to gain dialogue advantage: make them feel guilty.
Hard to dominate when feeling sorry.
...Even if Ethan had done nothing wrong.
Stopping the head-banging as told, I moved to the table per his suggestion.
Ethan met my eyes, starting by recalling last night's palace events.
"What happened yesterday was surprising."
"...I see."
"Never imagined you could cast such magic. And on that scale."
"I'm sorry again for hiding it all this time."
"It's fine. Like I said, I'm not upset. Grateful, actually."
"......"
"You planned to keep hiding it, right? But without you, casualties would've been worse. Seraphine and you saved my life too."
"Glad my magic helped, Young Master."
"Yeah. Thanks, Maid. Must've been a tough call to reveal it."
This feels kinda embarrassing.
Anyway, Ethan seemed genuinely unbothered by my magic secret.
And truly thankful for taking down the King Serpent.
Far better than my worst-case fears.
...Couldn't help thinking the initial head-banging was overkill, though.
"So, Maid."
"Yes, Young Master."
"I know this might upset you, but I have to ask."
"...What is it?"
"Are you... secretly a noble lady from some bloodline?"
"......"
There it was—the question.
Facing Ethan's cautious query, inner conflict surged again.
Should I just shake my head and bury the truth like always?
...Or trust him with Lilith's nuclear-secret?
This was a once-in-a-lifetime crossroads. I was sure of it.