Chapter 30
I clammed up for the second time, realizing my slip-up.
Was the stress from dealing with this system that made me want to unload everything, even Adrian?
But bringing up the madam was a step too far, a disastrous move.
“I just felt sad because she seemed different from how I remember her.”
How could I tell him, even if it were a pretense, that the Countess was singing a lullaby about peacefully dying?
Especially when he had bought shears to tend the garden for her.
He might rush off in a rage to confront her.
“Ah, I see.”
His easy acceptance made me more nervous.
What was genuine, and what wasn’t with him?
Just then, the carriage slowed down and eventually stopped.
We had arrived after spending the time in half silence, half nonsense.
The coachman called from outside, “We have arrived, Young Master!” opening the door.
The damp smell of night mist flooded into the carriage.
Adrian sat with a refined posture, gazing at me, seemingly waiting for acknowledgment.
“Um, thank you for the ride…”
“Don’t worry about thanks.”
His dismissal took me aback.
I straightened up, feeling uneasy, as if I had just left the bathroom without washing my hands.
Bravely, I faced him and asked.
“May I ask you something?”
“Go ahead.”
“Why are you doing all this for me?”
“It seems too much for just a carriage ride from the village to the mansion.”
“You wouldn’t offer a ride to every servant you bump into in the village. And you approached me first.”
“You have a talent for leaving people speechless, Hilda.”
He uncrossed his hands, resting them on his lap, and smiled gently.
“True. The Pfalzgraf estate has more servants than we can count. I wouldn’t remember everyone’s name, let alone offer them a carriage ride if we met in the village. I wouldn’t have taken the initiative to approach them.”
His sudden honesty left me at a loss for words.
It was as if he had peeled away a thin layer from the noble visage he had been wearing.
“There’s an old saying about keeping your enemies closer than your friends.”
I had heard that saying before.
As I nodded, Adrian propped his chin with one hand.
“I do tend to take special care of my enemies, Hilda.”
“Yes…?”
“Amateurs attack and harm their enemies, becoming intoxicated with a sense of victory, feeling their strength. Some display their enemies’ heads as trophies, boasting about how they annihilated their opponents. But enemies aren’t to be treated that way. They are mirrors reflecting oneself, offering powerful clues.”
“…”
“It’s better to keep them alive, close by. Even if it means cutting and bending them.”
A sinister smile overlays his neat face.
He was smiling, but his eyes were as cold as ice.
What does he mean by cutting and bending…?
I regretted asking.
Now, I was even more frightened.
Conversations with him always seemed to go in dangerous directions.
“That’s why I want to treat you well, Hilda.”
“…”
“That’s all. There’s no other motive.”
Why would I be his enemy?
Aren’t his real enemies the authorities of this world?
A clean smile followed his cryptic words.
No other motive?
He had many motives.
He didn’t need to go out of his way to treat me well.
Couldn’t he just ignore me?
“You can get out now, Hilda. Here’s your basket.”
“Ah, thank you…”
Taking the basket he offered, I prepared to leave the carriage.
With the basket on my shoulder, gardening shears in hand, and a luxurious pillow cradled in my arms, Adrian kindly pushed open the carriage door for me.
I was about to kick it open, but seeing him do it, I stepped out quietly.
Why is he doing this?
Why this unsettling kindness?
Has there been a glitch in the demon’s identity?
“By the way, Hilda. Someone is waiting at your door.”
“Pardon?”
“They seem quite angry, probably the owner of that pillow. It might be wise to deal with that before going to your room.”
How did he know someone was waiting at my accommodation?
I wanted to ask, but fear kept me silent.
I had resolved to stand up to him, and this was where it led me…
“See you tomorrow, Hilda.”
Regardless of my shock, Adrian smiled briefly and closed the carriage door.
Several realizations hit me as I watched the carriage move away from my quarters.
He could smile so unguardedly.
He had regained some of his demonic powers.
His hands had already been stained with the blood of many.
“Finally, you’re here. I’ve been waiting.”
As Adrian had mentioned, the area in front of my room was guarded by an angry Dolores and her group, including Emily and Katarina.
It seemed my room had become a hotspot in this area.
Standing in the hallway, surrounded by nearly ten servants, I felt overwhelmed by their attention.
Couldn’t they just leave me alone?
“Hilda…”
Emily looked at me with tears in her eyes.
I sighed deeply, passing my basket to Katarina.
“What’s going on? Why are you all gathered in my room?”
“Open the door right now.”
Standing right in front of my door, Dolores spoke commandingly, tapping on the doorknob.
She looked as tired as a panda.
Pandas are at least cute.
“Open it. Didn’t you hear me?”
“Why should I show you my room?”
“Because you stole my pillow! You have no idea how much trouble you caused me today!”
Dolores was fuming, her fist clenched with anger.
She was clearly seething.
As if I didn’t already have enough on my mind with the stories from the village and thoughts about Adrian.
“Open it quickly! If you don’t want to see the door broken!”
She seemed to have plenty of money, carelessly talking about breaking the door.
I had to be cautious even with the smallest items to avoid paying damages, but she was talking about outright breaking something…
But I was looking forward to the wages I would receive upon entering my room.
My critical success today should bring in more than just my regular wages.
How much more could it be?
10 gold?
20 gold?
Maybe even 30 gold?
I could become the system’s fool if I receive twice my wages.
If I get 60 gold, what should I do with it?
Invest in a rare pillow?
Though it would cost 50 out of the 60 gold, the experience taught me there was no safer investment.
Pillows are a guaranteed investment, the bread and butter, low risk and high return.
A good night’s sleep would mean more critical hits and increasing wages.
Just thinking about it made me happy.
I was almost bouncing as I opened the door.
The most enjoyable and happiest moment of the day was when my wages came in!
My heart was filled with excitement and thrill, unlike anything I had experienced before, even in first love.
“What’s with her? She suddenly looks happy.”
“She seems a bit odd…”