Chapter 20

Chapter 20

“Please take it off.”

What the hell is she saying? In the Commander’s office, Hizen’s handsome forehead frowned.

The red-haired maid was smiling in front of him. There was a finely pressed black uniform in her hand.

Her professionalism occasionally made him feel uncomfortable.

It was the same today. She asked actively.

“Would you like me to take it off?”

“I’ll do it.”

“Oh, you haven’t taken a bath yet. Would you like me to help you bath?”

“That’s enough.”

After answering coldly, Hizen slightly loosened his white gown. Leasis admired his slightly exposed body. Things that she had never seen before caught her eyes. Well-shaped muscles, with burn marks noticeable on his arms and legs. They had turned white, but it was clear that they had been deep.

‘You must have been injured a lot…’

Hizen took the black uniform from her and went into the bath. Behind him, she said annoyingly.

“I’ll be right next of you, Count Dratius-nim. Please let me know if you need anything while bathing!”

“That’s enough!”

He was cute again today. Leasis turned around holding back her laughter. Hizen became a different person only with her. Having no emotional expressions, he nevertheless expressed joy and sorrow with his whole body in front of her.

Leasis folded seven fingers of her wide-open hands. It had already been a week since she became his direct maid. For some reason, the war of nerves between them, which seemed to never end, had disappeared. Of course, it was a one-sided harassment of Hizen.

He had changed. He was accompanied by her in everything except for the training of the Imperial Elite Knights. Max even asked carefully what had happened between the two.

Hizen, who he always sat right next to, was not a tight person. He was lacking when it came to living with others, but he was straightforward. Leasis was originally good for Hizen, but it got better. He was not the perfect hero from the books, but he seemed much better than before.

He gave Leasis free time when she finished her maid work early. Thanks to him, she was able to meet Owen and the employees of Liduré every day. He also secretly paid the medical expenses of some knights who were short on money. There were all sorts of rumors about him, but he did not complain. He was a good man.

Leasis was getting a little easier by his side. When she first became Hizen’s maid, she could not live without digestive medicine, but now half a pill was enough.

Their tangled first meeting felt more than half resolved. That alone was overwhelming.

“Move.”

“Yes!”

Anyway, she’s a weird girl. Why does she like the word ‘move’ so much? After taking a bath, Hizen looked nervous.

After he had changed his clothes, Leasis attached the prepared decorations on his left chest. Nine Silver Bird Medals sparkled.

A good scent. She smiled. When she was near Hizen, it always smelled sweet. She found it interesting because it smelled like the macarons from Liduré.

It was strange. She thought hard instead of putting on the medal. Hizen slightly lowered his head at the sight.

She did not react even though he would be close to her nose if he leaned down just a little more. Hizen asked low.

“What are you thinking about?”

“Count Dratius-nim. I always feel that Count-nim smells good.”

She had said he was dirty. Hizen was dumbfounded. She tilted her head slightly.

“Hmm. It smells like Liduré’s macarons…”

In a panic, Hizen grabbed her hand and put it on his left chest.

Badump. Leasis opened her eyes wide. Her fingertips were thrilled. She could not move because it was her first time feeling it. It was like a broken clock.

“What are you doing not putting it on?”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

She moved her hand hurriedly. Ten Silver Bird Medals sparkled on his chest. Leasis glanced at it and smiled.

“As expected, Count-nim looks good in silver. No, no. I think all accessories would look good on you. I think you can do more…”

Hizen went to the door, listening to her words. Leasis looked at his back and lowered her eyes. She was alone again today. He was training more than three times a day, but she could never go with him.

Meanwhile, Hizen felt absurd while looking at her. She was so disappointed that she could not watch the training. He did not want to look at her who was like an abandoned puppy.

Hizen held the doorknob and hesitated. He asked a little bluntly.

“Are you that free?”

“Oh… no.”

“If you’re going to sit around without doing anything… Come with me.”

“Huh? Are you serious?”

Thud.

She heard the door closed instead of an answer. But the end of the door was slightly open. It was so subtle that she had to squint to notice it.

Leasis, who was left alone, opened her mouth.

*

Leasis was crossing the refreshing dawn. Max reached the top, amazed to find her following him.

“Hey, Miss Leasis is a good mountaineer.”

Leaning on the tree, Hizen looked indifferent. He spit out his words bluntly.

“Because she’s always following like a dog.”

In other words, she was like a loyal dog. Leasis’ red eyes bent finely when they found Hizen.

It’s coming. Hizen counted in his mind.

One, two, three, four…

“Count Dratius-nim!”

“M-Miss Leasis… Take me with you. Ohh…”

As expected, she stood in front of him before he could count to five. After her, a pale Jason followed. He could not properly control his body and fell on the floor.

“M-Miss Leasis…”

“Jason, are you okay?”

Surprised, Max approached him. He seemed to be completely exhausted with his gasping appearance. Why didn’t he straggle? Jason grabbed the dirt on the ground and said.

“Huff… V-Vice-Commander-nim…”

“Huh?”

“I want all of my sons and daughters to look like their mother…”

“What?”

“Oh, my God, Miss Leasis… To have such a perfect physical strength… I think she’s the greatest bride of this era!”

What was he saying? Max looked down at him with pathetic eyes. Having already made a perfect plan for his retirement, he was laughing a lot. A pink marriage with Leasis unfolded before his eyes.

“Jason-nim, are you all right?”

“O-of course.”

Leasis raised Jason up. The wind showed how dirty the skirt of the maid’s dress was.

Hizen clicked his tongue at the sight of her dirty skirt. Did she manage to run in those clothes? Watching the conversation between Jason and Leasis, he whispered low.

“Max.”

“Yes, Commander-nim.”

“Prepare a new training suit. Big enough.”

“Huh? Commander-nim, don’t tell me Miss Leasis…”

Max’s brown eyes were curious. This was Hizen, who had been going on without a maid. Did he like her enough to even take care of her training clothes?

“Don’t get me wrong, it’s not funny. It’s just… a fair price for an excellent maid.”

*

A famous figure of the Imperial Palace emerged like a rising star. She was Count Dratius’s maid, and was liked by many. She was said to have excellent personality and skills, had learned how to write, and had an excellent sense of tactics. She had stood firm against Princess Ashley, who was scarier than a tyrant, and made her realize the rules of the Imperial Court.

“That’s an exaggerated rumor! Owen, you can’t do that.”

“Hehe.”

Leasis, who was chatting by the pond, became a little embarrassed. Owen, one of the sources of the rumor, smiled brightly.

“It was a shame that I didn’t see you, but I’m happy that you’re doing so well.”

“Thank you, Owen.”

“Oh my. A red-haired maid? Are you the direct maid of the famous Count Dratius-nim?”

Before she knew it, there were a lot of maids who came to the pond. Leasis nodded happily.

“Yes, my name is Leasis, serving the Count-nim.”

“Oh my. I guessed it right!”

“Awesome!”

The maids were all delighted, and clapped their hands. They asked her how she felt when giving Princess Ashley a blow, or asked about Hizen.

Owen’s shoulders went up slightly while watching from the side. She was proud of Leasis, who was being recognized.

“How is truly the Count-nim? He’s handsome even when he’s sleeping, right?”

“Yes, he’s very handsome. He’s a lot more angelic when asleep.”

He was a perfect handsome man when he closed his mouth. Leasis smiled awkwardly, as she recalled Hizen’s usual self. She prayed these ladies would not have to see the true image of Hizen.

The maids, who knew nothing about this, were very happy. Count Dratius, unmarried, was the best husband for all women in the Empire. When it came to him, even the trivial things were interesting.

“I envy you, I envy you!”

“What’s his favorite food?”

“I don’t know…”

“What? A maid doesn’t know that?”

Hizen was expressionless no matter what he ate. There was no food or drink that he was looking for. Leasis nodded.

“Yes. I don’t think he’s interested in food.”

“Hmm. But why didn’t he have a maid all this time?”

“Well, I don’t know.”

The maids stared at Leasis. They held her arms affectionately.

“You know, honey.”

“Yes?”

“Can I ask you just one favor?”

“A favor?”

An unbelievable word was heard through Leasis’ embarrassed ears. Their request was to get Hizen’s hair trimmed.

“Don’t cover up that handsome face and clean it up!”

“Make his eyes look good, too!”

The maids were out of control. They could only calm down a bit after Leasis said she would try.

“Thank you. Please make sure the Count-nim’s face is clean.”

“I like the Lagent cut that’s popular these days. Whoa.”

The maids’ tastes were very specific. The Lagent cut was a hairstyle named after the imperial hairdresser Lagent. One’s straight forehead and features would be revealed, and it was hard to make it look good except for the most handsome people. At the same time, it was difficult to trim without an excellent hairdresser. As Leasis’ expression darkened, the maids clung to her again.

“Please, huh? Pleaaase.”

“That’s my last wish! No, of all of us! Make his eyes look good too!”

“I’ll try… I’ll try.”

“Hurray!”

The maids liked it already, even though she said she did not know how it would turn out. As Leasis sighed, Owen patted her on the shoulder.

Leasis left after a small greeting with Owen.

At that time, a maid tilted her head.

“Leasis? But the name of Count Dratius-nim’s dead fiancee was…”

*

She looked like a puppy who needed to pee.

Hizen glanced at the restless Leasis in front of him. She said she came to do the laundry, but her face was full of worries. In addition, there were suspicious scissors in her hand.

I don’t think it’s for assassination. Hizen put down the documents he had in his hand.

Thack.

“What do you have to say?”

“Well, that’s…”

His blue eyes shone coolly, like blaming a sinner. She avoided his gaze.

“I… I would like to ask for a favor…”

“A favor?”

“Yes, yes…”

Was she going to ask for money? Or was it this nonsense again to ask him to let her join the Knights?

Hizen was speculating, when he heard a sudden compliment.

“I think Count Dratius-nim is the most handsome man in the world!”

“…What?”

“No one is more handsome than Count-nim in the world! And you’re a good swordsman, and you have a good personality.”

He was a little puzzled. This kind of compliment used to be annoying because he heard it all the time. But today was not as bad as usual. His mouth slightly loosened.

“Yes. I am naturally handsome.”

“…What?”

“I’m naturally handsome.”

“Oh… Yes, yes! H-Handsome! Of course! O-of course!”

His calm response was somewhat shameless. Leasis, embarrassed, fiddled with the scissors in her hand.

“Well, but there’s a good way to be even cooler! If you change your hair style…”

“That’s enough now.”

“But…”

It was difficult. He could not believe she was tearing up like this without notice. Hizen sighed as water accumulated in her red eyes.

“…Do it quickly.”

“Thank you!”

Hizen put down a feather pen that looked like an old ladder with all its feathers missing. Leasis approached him with the scissors.

He somehow had an uneasy feeling, but he tried to ignore it. He closed his eyes and left his head in Leasis’ hands.