episode_0051

Causing a minor disturbance at the Blackwood Territory Guard, a few days later.

Fortunately, the story of me conducting a temporary training session with three rookie soldiers at the territory guard did not spread to the mansion.

Initially, there were only four people within the mansion who could possibly know about the incident: the steward, Ethan, Harold, and myself.

In other words, unless these four individuals made a fuss about it, there was no chance of rumors spreading.

Since Dietmayer was naturally tight-lipped, it didn’t bother him.

There was no reason for Harold or Ethan to cause a commotion outside the mansion.

In essence, if I remained quiet, I could prevent the events of that day from spreading within the mansion.

“I don’t have any reason to blabber around. I’m not an attention seeker.”

Drawing unnecessary attention from others would only lead to trouble, so the idea of making a scene was nonsensical.

It wouldn’t be favorable for the reputation of the Territory Guard if news spread that three rookie soldiers lost to a mere maid, so there was no need to spread it outside the guard.

In other words, I successfully leveled up from Level 5 to Level 6 without any risks.

Thanks to this, my days recently had been truly exceptional in many ways.

I could finally use the long-awaited Mana Blast.

Of course, being able to use it and being allowed to use it were entirely different, so it would remain a secret technique hidden in my heart.

But that alone was enough.

Just knowing there was something to fall back on in case of emergencies was reassuring.

It felt like becoming a regular office worker going to work after winning the lottery jackpot.

In that sense, my world after being able to use Mana Blast was filled with joyful and novel days.

When I couldn’t use Mana Blast, it felt like I was clinging onto a fragile thread of life, unsure when it might snap.

After being able to use Mana Blast, I was no longer afraid of my future.

Who am I? I am a Mana Blast user.

“Good morning, maid.”

“Yes, good morning, sir! Did you sleep well last night?”

“…M-maid…?”

In the past, just seeing the disdainful faces in the morning used to make me uncomfortable, but ever since I could use Mana Blast, it didn’t affect me as much.

“Lilith, it’s a summons from the master.”

“Yes, Mr. Dietmayer Colin Evercroft Steward! I will go right away!”

“…Lilith…?”

Even Dietmayer, who always brought bad news, was now someone whose name I could remember without forgetting.

“Did you call, master?”

“….”

And even if Harold, the final boss of the Blackwood family, summoned me to his study, I wouldn’t lose my composure anywhere or anytime…

“Lilith, it seems there was a small disturbance at the territory guard.”

“…I apologize.”

…No, scratch that. Harold is indeed intimidating.

The elation I felt over the past few days was instantly chilled by none other than the summons from the Lord of the Blackwood Territory, Harold.

As Harold addressed the issue at the guard from his private study on the third floor, I immediately bowed my head in submission and offered my apologies.

…Well, there’s no way to level up without any risks involved.

Back then, blinded by experience points, I made all sorts of excuses without thinking twice, but looking back, there was nothing as conspicuous as that foolishness.

Moreover, strictly speaking, since I ignored Edan’s opinion and acted on my own accord, most of it was my fault.

When Harold brought up that point and questioned me, I was like a flickering lantern in the wind, trembling uncontrollably.

Who am I? A commoner maid who wouldn’t bat an eye if her life were taken by a soldier, as Harold mentioned…

“I didn’t call you here to demand an apology. I heard that one of your soldiers disrespected you first.”

“…I have no words to offer, as I caused trouble for you personally in Edan’s official capacity.”

“Alright. Edan is at an age where he should handle his affairs himself, so there’s no need for me to reprimand you for your actions as his full-time maid.”

“…?”

What’s wrong with Harold?

I clearly messed up during the territorial patrol with Edan, but he’s not questioning me about it?

Is this really Harold? Is he like one of those Russian dolls where you strip off one layer and another person pops out?

“…Come to think of it, he’s been acting strangely lately.”

He used to blindly protect anything related to Edan, only thinking about his son, but now he seems a bit stricter towards Edan.

Lately, he unexpectedly increased Edan’s training regimen.

Moreover, these days, external tutors have been coming in to teach various subjects.

For some reason, Harold himself seemed to be transforming from a lenient dad into a strict one.

It almost looks like he’s grooming Edan to be the successor of Blackwood Territory…

I still don’t understand why this change occurred.

“…Did something change because of me?”

In fact, it was the most plausible possibility.

I was the only one who could alter the existing story within my scope, and for a mere maid, I had certainly engaged in various unusual activities.

The issue is, I don’t have many direct memories of causing trouble for Harold.

Most likely, my actions didn’t directly influence Harold; there was a higher chance that some indirect factor altered his attitude.

“Maybe seeing the lost Tannasia necklace made him resolve to toughen up again, or something like that.”

There wasn’t much evidence that Harold realized something directly from my actions. Or maybe there was.

After concluding a round of speculation and imagination in my mind…

Suddenly, Harold looked into my eyes and began asking in a serious tone.

“Lilith.”

“Yes.”

“I called you here to inquire about Edan’s current state. It seems like Edan’s attitude has improved significantly recently, coincidentally around the time you became his full-time maid.”

“Is that so?”

“Is there any event that comes to mind that might explain this change?”

An event that might explain this change…

If there were such an event, perhaps…

“Tell your father this: Your full-time maid Lilith acted alone and tried to assassinate you.”

“As for your meals, just let you finish them all. And please, when you eat, don’t make disgusting noises or play with your food. It’s nauseating just to watch you.”

“The type of person I hate the most is someone who stabs me with crap and then mocks me right in front of my face, a sexual harasser. They’re the worst among all men worldwide.”

…So many of them, huh?

And every time I opened my mouth, it seemed like a moment that could have cost me my life.

Thinking back on it now, in many ways, it was useful. How on earth have I managed to survive until now?

If Ethan had revealed just one of the things he had put me through to Harold, there’s no doubt my life would have been over.

“Should I be grateful for this or not?”

Should I be thankful for saving my life, or should I just continue cursing the person who provided the reason for me to be insulted?

As these thoughts naturally crossed my mind, they briefly fluttered through my head and passed.

Suddenly, Harold nodded as if he understood.

“I see. So, it was indeed you who caused it.”

“Oh, no, sir. I haven’t done anything to Lord Ethan…”

“That’s enough. There’s no need to publicly expose what happened between you and Ethan. Anyway, the person you should serve is not me but my son.”

Harold seemed to interpret my momentary silence, paused as I thought about what to say, as a different kind of response, and he waved his hand, dispelling my excuses.

For a moment, I felt a sense of confusion as we moved on without further discussion.

“Is it all settled then?”

Well, if I didn’t delve deeper into it, I welcomed the fact that it was over. If I were to inquire further, it would probably be me who ends up feeling intimidated.

Since Ethan himself didn’t seem keen on informing Harold about what had transpired between us, somehow moving on was the only option.

The likelihood of Harold just letting go of what had happened between me and Ethan was slim.

If you don’t want to end up dead, you better take good care of what’s on your neck. After all, if I endure for just two more years, I’ll be able to relinquish my position as Ethan’s exclusive maid.

Just endure for another two years. Just two years…

“It’s good to see you and Ethan getting along well. I’ll leave it to you from now on.”

“Oh, yes.”

“Well then, go inside now.”

“Yes, I will go inside, sir.”

Fortunately, thanks to Harold not probing deeply into the conversation, that day’s dialogue flowed smoothly without any hitches.

And so, another year passed by.