Chapter 37. The Ballroom Maid Hunter
The Ballroom Maid Hunter
Beneath the dazzling chandeliers, the night was alive with the ceaseless sound of noble waltzes and laughter.
The commotion of the ball was far from over.
In the dimly lit corridors behind the ballroom, a man prowled like a beast.
Marquis Valmore.
A notorious lecher in the kingdom, infamous for using his power to prey on those beneath him. He had grown bored of the noblewomen in the banquet hall and sought fresher, easier prey—slipping into the back passages where the servants came and went.
"Hehe... I hear the Eckhart Family's maids are quite the catch."
Fiddling with a small vial hidden in his pocket—a colorless, odorless, potent sedative laced with aphrodisiac.
It was his usual tactic: during balls, he would slip the drug into a drink, offer it to a maid, and once she collapsed, drag her to a private room for his own pleasure.
Even if caught, most nobles would yield to his overwhelming influence in exchange for suitable compensation.
Head Maid Maria had strictly ordered the Count's personal maids to remain in their quarters, but...
'Just a quick peek won't hurt. The guards are posted everywhere anyway.'
Bored, Nancy had sneaked out briefly to watch the ball and was now on her way back to her room.
At a secluded corner of the annex corridor, she collided with a stranger.
A middle-aged nobleman with greasy hair and greedy eyes, his sinister appearance contrasting sharply with the opulent embroidery of his coat and the rings adorning his fingers.
"Oh? What's a pretty little thing like you doing hiding back here?"
"Ah, my apologies. I'll step aside."
Nancy bowed her head and tried to pass, but the Marquis blocked her path.
"Wait, no need to rush. The Eckhart's food isn't bad, but the water tastes off, don't you think? Or is it just me?"
With a slimy grin, he poured water from a prepared silver cup.
"Here, taste this. Tell me if my palate's gone wrong or if the water's truly spoiled. If it is, all the guests here are in trouble, no?"
But sharp-witted Nancy instantly recognized his ploy.
"I'm honored, but we're forbidden from drinking even a drop while on duty."
"You insolent—! How dare you refuse a Marquis' request? Is this how the Count trains his maids?"
The Marquis' expression twisted. Dropping the act, he flung the cup aside and lunged at her.
"Mmph—! Ugh—!"
His thick palm clamped over her mouth, muffling her scream.
"Shut it! Make another sound, and I'll snap your neck!"
Pinning her against the wall, his free hand groped beneath her apron.
Rough fingers seized her ample chest, squeezing brutally.
"Hrk—!"
"Kukuku... Just as I thought. So soft."
Still covering her mouth, he kneaded her breasts before sliding his hand lower.
"Ugh—!"
The sensation of his invasive touch through the thin fabric made her skin crawl.
"Oh? Far too fine a thing to be just a maid."
Satisfied, he hooked an arm around her waist and began dragging her toward a dark guest room at the end of the hall.
'No! If he takes me there—!'
Nancy thrashed desperately.
She had to time it right—kick him between the legs with all her strength and run.
Just as she tensed her leg—
CRACK!
A sharp, resounding snap echoed through the corridor.
The Marquis' head jerked sideways at a 90-degree angle, his grip slackening.
"Guh—! Who dares—?!"
Staggering, he turned to see a man clad in a pitch-black military uniform.
The Captain of the Guard—Lucian's shadow.
His usually stoic face was now contorted with unprecedented fury.
"Y-You... A mere soldier striking a Marquis?! Are you insane?! Do you think your master can save you now?!"
Spittle flew as he roared.
"Do you know who I am?! One word from me, and you'll be beheaded! Even Count Eckhart would have to go to war with my family to spare your miserable life!"
It was a threat, but an undeniable truth. No mere knight could bear such consequences.
Yet the Captain didn't flinch. Slowly resting a hand on his sword hilt, he replied with icy courtesy.
"If it's war you desire, we shall oblige."
"W-What...?"
"My lord, Count Lucian, would gladly permit it. Not for a lowly man like me... but to punish the filth who dared lay hands on Eckhart's women."
Shing.
The sword slid free, its cold edge aimed at the Marquis' heart.
"No need to trouble my lord. I'll take your head here and now—then gladly face my own death."
The Captain's eyes burned with lethal intent.
Titles meant nothing to him now.
"H-Hiiieek...!"
Terror drained the Marquis' face as he scrambled back.
"T-This humiliation won't be forgotten! You'll pay for this!"
Like a whipped dog, he fled down the corridor, muttering curses.
"War over a maid?! Fine! Have it your way!"
As the Captain sheathed his blade, Nancy slumped to the floor.
The killing aura vanished, replaced by an awkward but concerned gaze.
"Are you unharmed?"
Taking his calloused hand, she stood and straightened her crumpled apron and disheveled clothes.
"Y-Yes... Thank you, Captain..."
"Be more careful. Don't wander alone in secluded areas on nights like this."
Back in her room, Nancy clutched her pounding chest, trying to calm herself.
Late that night, in the study.
The Captain knelt before Count Lucian.
"Forgive me, my lord. I lost control and struck Marquis Valmore. I await your judgment."
Lucian sighed, massaging his temples.
Not out of anger—his mind was already calculating the fallout.
'The treasury's already strained from repurchasing land after the Ella incident... Now reparations?'
Fortunately, the Marquis, fearing his depravity becoming public, had accepted a settlement. Knowing he couldn't win a war against House Eckhart, he settled for a hefty "apology fee" and minor concessions.
"Enough. You had your reasons."
Lucian tossed a pouch of gold coins from his desk drawer.
"Take this as leave pay. Rest for a few days."
"My lord? But—"
"Don't want it? Then return it."
"...Understood."
As the Captain left, Sophia entered with Nancy.
Her expression was grave.
"My lord, there's something you must hear."
Carefully, she relayed the succubus Bella's words to I-seo—"You Celisians...", "Not sending intel, just interfering?"—without omitting a syllable.
"I don't wish to doubt Miss I-seo, but for your safety, I had to speak. She's..."
Nancy chimed in.
"It's true. Even that healing technique she used on Maria—no ordinary maid could do that. I care for her, but..."
To their surprise, Lucian remained unfazed.
"I know."
"You... know?"
"Don't worry about I-seo. She's a good girl. Treat her as you always have."
"...Yes."
Sophia and Nancy nodded.
In truth, Lucian had already learned of I-seo's espionage from Bella's confession.
As the two turned to leave—
"Nancy, stay a moment."
Lucian embraced her. Pressed against his broad chest, tears welled in her eyes.
"You've had a rough night. I'm sorry I wasn't there."
Sophia blinked in confusion as Lucian stroked Nancy's hair.
Once Nancy's sobs subsided, he dismissed her.
"Nancy, you may go. Sophia, remain."
"M-Me? Alone?"
Flustered, Sophia stiffened as Nancy quietly exited.
'Well... At least he's not in the mood tonight. Poor Sophia.'
Alone with Lucian, the air grew tense.
Sophia clutched her skirt, bracing for an advance—but his words surprised her.
"Sophia. I have a request."
"A... request? Shall we move to the sofa?"
"No. Must your mind always go there?"
Her face flushed.
'Whose fault is that? Hmph.'
"I need you to accompany me to Kurkan."
"Kurkan? That barbarian land in the south?"
Her eyes widened.
Kurkan—a militaristic kingdom bordering Eldonia's southern frontier, ruled by warriors who revered strength. Its king and nobles were infamous for their brutality.
A hot, humid, and perilous den of savages.
"Why there...?"
"The King's orders. We must negotiate a trade treaty... It won't be easy."
"But Kurkans respond better to 'demonstrations' than words. So..."
"I'm taking you as part of the diplomatic envoy. The King specifically requested it."
A priestess in a diplomatic mission? It was no place for her.
Yet Sophia trusted Lucian's judgment.
Priestesses were rare in this world.
His abduction of her—a former saintess—had been to harness her divine power against ancient black magic, like during Belial's attack.
Though she once believed herself tainted and powerless, that was mere superstition. Now, her love for Lucian had deepened her faith and strength.
"If it's your will, my lord, I'll obey."
[Images: Scene of the ballroom, Nancy's confrontation with the Marquis, the Captain's intervention, Lucian's study, Sophia's resolve.]