While carefully collecting scattered fruit pieces around , I had one certainty. The reason my father t my mother was undoubtedly based on her formidable strength.
Even for an ordinary adult, let alone a trained adult man, crushing fruit barehanded is extrely difficult. Again, I emphasize, not cutting but crushing.
Its challenging for even the most skilled experts to make fruit burst out as if it were crushed by so press. Is it possible in a fantasy world? From what Ive heard, my mother has never engaged in any training. According to my father, she was a simple country girl.
The hypothesis that my mother was influenced while sharing affection with my father seems the most plausible, but I didnt bother to inquire. The most urgent matter was the 20th volu of Xenons Biography.
If I release the 20th volu without modifying the story, that fruit could beco an allegory for my future. However, I cant change the story like that. In the 20th volu, Jin is pierced through the chest by Beelzebub, but he doesnt completely die. It serves as a foundation for the very common awakening cliche.
Why? Its a story where another presence within awakens in a mont of crisis and saves the protagonist. Especially since Jin is a hybrid of human and demon, different from other demons, I scattered hints throughout the Xenons Biography. So, Jin wont die right away.
Although whether I can survive until the 21st volu is questionable. If my mother decides to target , taking a brief refuge might not be a bad choice.
What are you thinking about?
Suddenly, my mother, who had washed her hands and sat back down, asked a question. While gazing at the fruit pieces I had carefully gathered, I quietly opened my mouth.
I almost spilled the contents of the 20th volu that were in my mind, but I managed to suppress it.
I didnt know you were this strong, Mom. How can you burst fruit with just one hand?
Its just the basics.
If thats basic, Im in big trouble.
My not-so-serious joke made my mother cover her mouth with her hand and smile gracefully.
Im just kidding. Where I lived, there werent many people, so everyone helped with all kinds of work, regardless of gender. I had to do everything from milking cows to carrying hunted animals. Oh, I even moved a bear once.
Didnt you like writing when you were young?
Thats separate from work.
Although she said that, talent doesnt change. So people work hard until they die, and their strength remains the sa, since simply doing manual labor doesnt increase strength.
Perhaps Nicoles innate strength was not inherited from my Father.
I, too, underwent a belated transformation. Despite receiving only basic knight training, my stamina was exceptional.
Knock knock
Its Adelia. May I co in?
Around the ti when I was dwelling on mothers past and talents, Adelia knocked on the door. It seed like she had freshened herself up and changed into clean clothes.
When mother permitted her to enter, Adelia, dressed casually, revealed herself. Despite changing clothes, she still wore a shirt and leather pants. It seed she hadnt given much thought to what to wear, probably because she didnt expect to et my mother.
Co in. Sit next to Isaac.
Yes. Understood.
Adelia moved in accordance with mothers instructions. I observed her expression as she approached. Her face seed slightly tense, probably anticipating what the conversation might entail. It was evident from her tightly sealed lips.
I had provided enough explanation to mother, and Adelia had spoken as well, but it was inevitable for her to feel nervous. Even though she claid to be satisfied just by watching from a distance, mothers perspective might differ. Especially for Adelia, the biggest obstacle was none other than her status.
I feared that revealing Adelias true identity would lead to trouble. Sotis, its better not to know, and I did it to avoid burdening Adelia. I was the author of Xenons Biography.
And Adelia loved not because she loved Xenon, but because she held feelings for a person nad Isaac.
Tick tock
Ive heard the story. You want to beco Isaacs concubine and his exclusive maid at the sa ti?
When Adelia sat down next to , my mother calmly began slicing fruit and went straight to the point. Adelia, though montarily taken aback by the question, nodded heavily and answered.
Yes.
Have you also received permission from Marie and Princess Cecily?
Yes.
Alright. Then, take good care of our Isaac.
Yes. About that um, yes?
Adelia replied confused, not expecting such an easy pass. She had no choice but to inquire. Mother easily accepted it, making the tense atmosphere feel foolishly unnecessary.
Why are you making that expression? Youve already got permission from Marie and Princess Cecily, whats so difficult about it?
No, its just that, Madam. As you know
That youre a royal bastard from the Kingdom of Ters? Our family doesnt care about such things. My husband was a commoner who later beca a noble, and I, too, beca a noble after marrying him. Since youve already confird your feelings for each other, theres nothing I can say or do.
In response to Mothers relaxed answer, Adelia, still stamring, continued with more questions to satisfy her curiosity.
But soday, there will co a day when a big decision has to be made, right?
The day will co when she has to make a big decision. Judging by the fact that I havent heard those words before, it seems like it was sothing that ca up in a personal conversation with my mother.
Upon hearing the question, my mother shifted her gaze to and smiled faintly. Then, she neatly placed sliced fruits onto a plate.
I feel like youve already made a decision, havent you? If the Ters Kingdom asks you to co back, will you go?
No. I absolutely swear that wont happen. I realized that just because we share the sa blood doesnt an were all family.
Adelia grimaced at the thought, as if she felt repulsed even imagining it. She had already let go of any lingering feelings through her sparring with Hiriya. Besides, even if I revealed that I was Xenon, she wouldnt return to her biological family. I had promised to make sure of that.
Thats settled then. What more do you need? Make sure to excel in your maid classes, and dont forget the duties of a guardian knight. Ill leave the education to Dana, so study hard starting tomorrow.
Adelia, unable to grasp what to do in the conversation flowing like a snake over a wall, wore an expression of confusion. It was a perplexing situation even for . When I picked up a piece of fruit with a fork, Adelia cautiously spoke.
Um Lady Baroness.
Yeah, speak up.
Is it really possible? I have nothing like those two do
Adelia lowered herself, using Marie and Cecily as examples. However, at the sa ti, it was realistic. Unlike the ntioned two, she only had a trained body.
Marie is a daughter of Duke Requilis, and Cecily is both the princess of Helium and the next demon king. From Adelias perspective, she must feel endlessly plain. Thats probably why she asked such a question.
In response to the question that contained deep aning, mother answered with a characteristic warm smile.
Even if you dont have much, you can still help Isaac. Our Isaac is smart, but his body is relatively weak.
Its not that weak, though.
Keep your mouth shut. Learn to read the atmosphere.
I tried to intervene to lighten the mood, but ended up getting scolded. I should just eat so fruit.
But Princess Cecily can also help Isaac.
But that child isnt with Isaac every day, is she?
Instead of Cecily, a knight dispatched from Helium protects . However, Adelia doesnt know this fact, so lets move on.
But you are different. As a dedicated maid, you can watch over Isaac closely. Moreover, you can protect him right away in case of an ergency. Why do you say you have nothing?
Dont lower yourself too much. Its not that you have nothing, you just dont know what you have. Just rember that.
Yes.
Adelia choked up in response to mothers warm kindness. I lowered my head slightly and examined Adelias face.
Tears were on the brink of falling as moisture gathered in her sharp sky-blue eyes. Despite her outward cheerfulness, she was a delicate and tender person on the inside.
It was a characteristic shared by many who had endured deep wounds. Adelia had carried countless scars in her heart since childhood, and even a slight touch could trigger tears.
I havent revealed everything yet, but
While Adelia was calming her emotions, I exchanged glances with mother. Mother just smiled and nodded, indicating that it was enough for now.
Even if I revealed that I was Xenon, it didnt seem to matter. I pondered over it while idly picking at the fruit.
From the current situation, it was evident that Adelia had no intention of returning to the Kingdom of Ters. I could be sure of that.
She had fallen for , and with mothers approval, there was no longer any reason to hesitate. This would likely remain the sa even after I disclosed my true identity. If anything, being cherished by soone like Xenon might make her feel a sense of superiority.
However, its just my opinion, and considering Adelias personality, as I ntioned earlier, she might find it burdenso. The status of Xenons Biography is soaring as if it would pierce through the sky.
So, if I dont want her to feel burdened
Theres no choice but to make it official.
I must stamp the proof of my ownership on it. If that happens, Adelia should be able to relieve so of the burden little by little.
Of course, it wont be possible right away. Theres also the issue of the exhibition, and during the vacation, Marie and Cecily will be teaming up, leaving little room for Adelia to intervene.
If one of them were to yield, it might work. However, their greed for is so overwhelming that its not an easy task. Even if I want to persuade them, it seems difficult even to co up with sothing to say.
While I was silently contemplating useless thoughts, my mother spoke to Adelia.
Then its better to start taking maid lessons from today. Youll need to schedule knight training too. And plan your working hours.
Huuh. Um, isnt a personal maid supposed to be by ones side from morning to night?
Huh? What are you talking about? Even for a personal maid, there are strict working hours. Usually starts from 7 in the morning until dinner ti. There are also breaks for personal als, so it wont be too difficult.
But, but in the books, it says they work through the night
At Adelias bombshell statent, my mother blinked her eyes a couple of tis, then tilted her head with an expression of confusion, wondering where she got such knowledge.
Adelia, too, shifted her gaze towards , perhaps sensing sothing strange from the reaction. Why are you looking at ? You self-taught from the book you received from Marie, right? Despite my feelings, Adelia spoke quietly with a skeptical tone.
Oh, no? In the book, it said to take the night shift to relieve the owners fatigue. The owner should be very satisfied
Hmm Isaac.
Mother, exhaling a sigh filled with complex feelings, called . In response, I awkwardly smiled and replied.
Yes, Mother.
Wait outside until I call you again.
Following Mothers instructions, I silently got up from my seat and went outside. It seed like the intention was to instill common sense and manners in Adelia.
During this ti, Adelia looked increasingly uncomfortable, as if wondering if she had done sothing wrong. She resembled a golden retriever on the verge of being scolded by its owner. Still, I ignored it because it was necessary.
After a while outside, Mother instructed to co back inside. Upon entering, I imdiately checked Adelias condition.
Adelia noona, are you okay?
Not really, huh. Adelia, with both hands buried in her face and her head bowed deeply, caught my eye.
Along with that, her ears were flushed red. I dont need to see her face to know how it looks.
Even though it was incorrect knowledge, she even said she would listen to my night requests, so the embarrassnt must be overwhelming. Shes soone with a refreshing personality, but in monts like this, she subtly shows a clumsy side, adding a charming twist.
By the way, why did Marie recomnd that book to you?
Probably because of Maries personality, she wanted to tease Adelia noona. But since Noona doesnt know her well
That could be it. We should talk about it when we et later.
What are we talking about?
In response to my question, my mother, still looking at Adelia who couldnt lift her head, smiled broadly.
She recomnded a really good book.
Ugh
This was the first decisive blow.
So, Noona, when will you listen to my night requests?
Ugh You
With this, I delivered the second decisive blow.
Theres nothing cuter than Adelia being embarrassed.
Translators note:
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