Chapter 51
Chapter 51
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: It's Frustrating, Isn't It?
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Amanda scowled. She didn't like the woman who had appeared before her. The blonde was dressed in a subdued crimson gown with muted tones.
Even so, the vibrant hue made her golden hair and flushed cheeks stand out even more. It suited her face terrifyingly well—nothing like her former plain, almost shabby attire.
“What are you doing here?”
Amanda snapped at her. The new maids behind her gaped at Daphne, hands over their mouths. Rumors must have spread that a maid had been executed because of Daphne.
The woman, Daphne, looked at Amanda. She was still grumbling. Of all the bad luck, why did that girl have to show up... How much more trouble was she going to cause? And was it even okay for her to wander around so freely?
When she should have been glued to the Emperor's side...
Lost in those thoughts, Daphne suddenly blurted out something utterly insane.
“Be my maid.”
“What? Are you crazy?”
Indeed, Amanda and Daphne weren't on good terms. She knew Amanda had bullied her. They'd even slapped each other's cheeks in their no-holds-barred(?) relationship.
“I need you.”
“Go find someone else.”
Amanda had chased away the other maids, but no one else came to mind. That's why Amanda had popped into her head. Amanda was close to Sara, and more than that...
“You know Sara's with me, right?”
“What? Her?”
Surprise flickered across Amanda's face. She and Sara were definitely best friends.
“What? She's alive? She wasn't executed?! No, tell me everything!”
Excitement lit up Amanda's features. She bounced around the room in an instant. Simple and fond of her friends as she was, the calm Sara was her most precious companion.
“Yeah.”
“Then why didn't she contact me? Oh my god. Thank you, Lord.”
Daphne spoke as she watched Amanda pray gratefully to the heavens.
“You'll come as my maid, right?”
“Me, serve you? Are you insane?”
Amanda glared at her. Being friends with Sara was one thing; this was her workplace.
With resentment on her face, Daphne sighed.
“Even if you hate me.”
“...”
“I know it's not enough to kill me over.”
When she lay in bed sunk in gloom, a passing thought had struck her. Maybe some of the maids had been helping her...
Especially someone like Amanda, who spat curses for her to get lost. Whenever she vanished, the Emperor appeared like a ghost.
Even while grumbling, she'd never once falsified any messages passed to Daphne.
Amanda's sharp tongue hurt, but oddly, being near her brought comfort—likely because Daphne had sensed that subconsciously.
Anyway, this girl was honest with her feelings. Daphne was certain she wouldn't stoop to dirty deeds out of jealousy.
“Hey, I hate you enough to kill you! What if I end up dead again just by being near you?”
“I'll make sure it never happens again. And...”
Daphne unclasped the large pumpkin brooch she wore and held it out.
“Please.”
Amanda eyed the brooch Daphne offered. Unbridled greed shone in her eyes at the sight of it.
Daphne already knew from her complaints that Amanda had become head of the household after her family rashly moved to the capital. She also wanted to send her brother to the academy. Even she wouldn't refuse this brooch.
“This is an advance payment. Gather maids from those who at least pitied me. There probably aren't many, of course.”
It was Daphne's small act of defiance. She lacked the charisma to bring people to her side. This was the only way.
First, she'd pull in the maids who were at least neutral toward her. In a group made of those not her 'enemies,' she'd win them over amid the seasoned maids as best she could.
She'd hoard as much money as possible and, when the chance to escape came, flee as far as she could. Daphne fiddled with the spot where the brooch had been.
* * *
After securing Amanda's promise and returning to her room, Sara came rushing to Daphne. Excitement and joy lit her face.
“Daphne, big news!”
“What?”
“The hunting tournament's on!”
“So what?”
It hadn't been held for years, but back when the late Emperor could still move about, tournaments happened often enough.
The event opened the secluded northwest Alon Forest, owned by the imperial family, letting nobles hunt to boost the prestige of the imperial house and their own houses. Naturally, it had nothing to do with Daphne.
“What, are they drafting me for it?”
The tournament was hectic but popular among maids. It was where handsome, popular noblemen and knights showed off their prowess. And serving those noblemen fell to the attendants—the prime husband material maids sought!
They could watch noble romances and seek their own. Escape the stifling palace for fresh air. It was nothing but good.
“No, you!”
“Me? Do I have to work there?”
Daphne blinked. Those sent to the tournament were seasoned servants. Could she even handle it?
“No one's making you work! His Majesty says he's bringing you along!”
“...”
“He's going to declare in front of everyone that you're his lover!”
Daphne didn't know if she should be happy or sad at Sara's words.
“Sara, you seem more thrilled than me.”
Sara's eyes widened at Daphne's teasing remark. She looked surprised at herself. Daphne chuckled at the sight.
Still, why was Asherad taking her along?
* * *
Asherad scanned Daphne's outfit. It wasn't anything special. Not evening wear—just a suitable dress for going out. The clothes weren't the issue. It was him inspecting them.
The loose-fitting dress was comfortable to breathe and move in. He personally lifted the skirt hem and checked for anything amiss. The problem was that this was normally a maid's job. For the emperor of a nation to check the clothes of a mere lover—and one he didn't even love.
“Looks fine.”
Daphne nodded at Asherad's words. She watched him signal Leon with a hand gesture and asked,
“Um, why do I have to go too?”
Why take her to the hunting tournament? She'd pondered it endlessly but found no answer.
Was it really, as Sara said, to declare to everyone that she was his lover?
“What do you think?”
“W-Well... Are you making me fetch game or something...?”
It was exactly the kind of thing for a hunting dog. Asherad stared at Daphne's face, seemingly at a loss for words this time.
“You're joking, right?”
Her cheeks flushed at his slightly irritated tone, and she bowed her head. Then Asherad stroked her hair.
“Don't you find it frustrating?”
“...”
“It's frustrating, isn't it?”
“...”
“Let's get some air.”
Asherad gave a faint smile. Bathed in sunlight, the man smiled softly as he once had—like the heart-fluttering image she'd loved long ago.
“Back then, I wanted to do this for you but couldn't.”
“What...”
“Let's go.”
Asherad took Daphne's hand and pulled her along. Watching his back, she thought it looked lonely. He'd clearly devoted time and effort to toying with her. Why show this side now?
Daphne couldn't understand.
* * *
The long-closed Alon Forest was opened. Encompassing a small mountain, it lay just beyond the capital. From the carriage, Daphne watched the cityscape. Aside from outings with her mother as a child and her first escape from here, she hadn't seen it.
She stared for a long time. All the life she'd never known was there.
People gawked at the imperial and noble carriages. Those uninterested hurried about their business.
One woman walked by, arms full of flowers, beaming with happiness. What kind were they? Who was she bringing them to?
Daphne followed her path with her eyes. Something so important she wouldn't even glance at an imperial carriage? Daphne envied the nameless woman.
“Find it that fascinating?”
“Yes.”
“Not scouting for another escape?”
Daphne turned at the chilly voice. Asherad, seated, wasn't looking out the window but at her.
“No...”
It really was just fascination, as Asherad said. Not planning an escape—just curiosity.
Asherad pulled Daphne's arm.
Pitching forward, she steadied herself on his thigh and looked up. Darkened eyes met hers. Soon, kisses poured down.
The carriage jolted then, and Daphne tumbled into his arms.
Asherad lifted her waist. He turned her around and pulled her into his lap. Daphne had no choice but to nestle there, as if he were a chair.
Once more, tight pressure squeezed the breath from her.
“Try running.”
“...”
“I'll show you what hell really means in your life.”
It was a slow, chilling threat. Daphne swallowed hard. His expressionless delivery was undeniably frightening. She nodded. Then she felt something behind her back.
No way.
Turning, she heard laughter. A hand slid slyly over her waist. In front of people...?
Daphne reflexively tried to stand but sank back down. Asherad rasped in a husky voice, gazing at her shocked eyes on his thigh.
“My fairy. My love.”
The rattling carriage, people through the glass slit. Noble carriages lined the procession outside. But she couldn't focus on the noise—his hand toyed with her thigh.