WOFSTF 20

Chapter 20

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His behavior was nothing but puzzling.

In the original story, he never acknowledged even a single night, so why was he suddenly curious about what happened that night?

“A seductress and a scoundrel combination. How refreshing. I’m a scoundrel who likes to rebel, after all.”

“Stop joking around.”

“There are other reasons too.”

“What are they? At least let me know the reason so I can stay here.”

“When you feel like talking, I’ll consider giving you an answer.”

But Docheop left without giving a clear answer.

And so I gained bloodless entry into this family.

***

Even after Docheop left, I held onto Junel and fumed for quite a while before dozing off in the drawing room, when someone shook me awake.

“Wake up.”

It was a maid.

“Do you know where you are, sleeping here like this? This is why uneducated people show their true colors.”

A maid who spoke condescendingly while pretending to mutter to herself.

It was exactly like a romance novel possession cliché.

‘I wish they had just put me in a romance novel instead. This level 9 housewife could easily deal with villainess types like her.’

But with the unexpected changes in the protagonist, my head was spinning too. I thought Docheop was pure and kind, so he would diligently train in swordsmanship as I suggested and awaken, which is why I followed Junel’s advice… but things got twisted.

“Ugh. Look at that drool mark. Wipe your drool.”

I wiped the drool with my sleeve while looking at the maid standing in front of me.

Common brown hair and demurely slanted eyes.

“What’s your name?”

“Geti. Remember it.”

A typical maid’s name that reminded me of black bean noodles, carelessly made up.

When I looked at her with pitying, sad eyes, she rolled her eyes.

“Don’t tell me you’re planning to boss me around just because you became the second young master’s mistress?”

“Mistress? Did the duchess refer to me that way?”

It didn’t particularly matter, but I was curious.

I was wondering myself what role I had entered this family in.

“If you, the village seductress, aren’t the young master’s mistress, then what are you?”

It wasn’t unreasonable for her to think that way.

“Fine. Call me that. I don’t mind either. Now, I’m going to live here, so what should I do?”

“Follow me.”

At my compliant attitude, Geti crossed her arms and took the lead. I gently picked up the soundly sleeping Junel and followed behind her.

Unlike the path we came in, we emerged at the end of the corridor and walked along magnificently extending pillars.

The lush green lawn and garden that stretched along the pillars were quite a sight even at night.

As I walked along the picturesque scenery in a daze, Geti suddenly stopped. The interior of the building was less splendid than the main castle, but still dazzlingly luxurious.

“Choose whichever room you want from inside here.”

“I can use any room? Really, anywhere?”

“Yes. You weren’t expecting the madam to personally decorate your room for you, were you?”

“Not at all.”

I was just surprised.

To be able to choose and use any room in this vast and luxurious manor. It felt like receiving a blank check.

“Geti!”

Just then, another maid called for Geti from afar. Geti waved at her and said to me.

“Pick a room for now. I’m not sure if I can bring it since it’s late, but I’ll try to bring you some dinner.”

“Alright, thank you.”

Perfect timing since all this talk of Geti made me hungry.

So Geti left with the other maid, and I was left alone in this wide corridor.

Since this was a building where the duke and duchess and their sons didn’t live, there were no guards.

Aside from the maid I saw earlier, there were only a few servants occasionally moving about doing their work.

‘Thanks to that, I can tour the manor very comfortably.’

I tucked the still soundly sleeping Junel under my arm and opened the first room.

Since they said I could use any room, it’s really up to me!

***

Even in the deep night, the lights in the study were on.

Unable to sleep, Francesca filled her wine glass and rested her chin on her hand.

Clearly, today’s events were no ordinary incident for the family.

It was a historic day when Bloodmere, called one of the four great hero families, brought in a commoner as a daughter-in-law.

She had expected a conflict between the brothers would break out.

She thought Docheop, having his pride, would surely fight back if his brother provoked him.

Nikolai’s reaction was as expected. Thinking he was the one responsible for the family in the duke’s absence, he tried to drive Docheop away.

But Docheop was different.

‘Brother? He definitely called him brother…’

Had Docheop ever called Nikolai brother before?

She thought carefully, but there hadn’t been. He had never called him brother, nor had he ever shown a relaxed attitude in front of Nikolai.

‘Come to think of it, he properly called me mother in front of me too.’

The one who always acted like a contrarian had even neatly changed clothes as Francesca requested.

He had clearly changed from before.

What was the reason?

Could it be because he was worried they might harm Hallara?

That was possible, but.

‘Docheop is a father now too.’

This was more convincing. People don’t change easily, but when they have things to be responsible for, they inevitably change. Honestly, she couldn’t say she didn’t regret bringing Hallara at all, but seeing her son’s change, it didn’t seem like such a wrong idea.

It would be perfect if he could get along well with Nikolai and Helbeorn too…

Bang!

“Oh my!”

Just then, breaking the silence, the shopkeeper burst in. After calming her startled heart for a moment.

“Madam, the first young master has sent a letter to the master.”

Karl, who had seen Nilson leaving with the letter, made a thunderbolt report.

“Nikolai finally did it!”

Her voice cracked as it burst out.

“I tried to stop him, but Lord Nilson said it was the young master’s urgent order and quickly rode away, so I couldn’t catch him.”

“This is terrible. If he finds out now, it’ll be the end for both Docheop and the family!”

He must not know yet.

It wasn’t just Docheop’s problem.

Not only would Docheop be expelled from the family, but the household they had barely managed to maintain would completely collapse.

She wanted to avoid that at all costs.

No matter how disappointing her son was, she wanted to give him a chance too. She wanted to somehow keep him in this family. She couldn’t bear to see the family fall apart like this.

“Shopkeeper! Why were you just standing there watching? Go now. Release the soldiers if you have to! Do something to prevent him from finding out!”

“Actually, madam, I don’t think you need to worry.”

As Francesca hit Karl’s back while getting angry, Karl slightly dodged and added.

“What? Why?”

“Actually, young master Helbeorn has gone to stop this.”

“…Helbeorn left?”

For a moment, she thought Karl had misspoken.

“Yes. Young Master Helbeorn followed after him.”

But even Karl seemed equally flustered.

“Oh my! This won’t do. I can’t face Madam like this! I’ll go myself!”

“No. I’ll go.”

Karl was stomping his feet while watching Lord Nilson’s retreating figure when Helbeorn suddenly appeared.

“What? Young Master Helbeorn will?”

“Yeah.”

“The message Young Master Nikolai sent must be asking you to stop Young Master Docheop’s marriage…?”

When Karl spoke honestly, Helbeorn scratched his nose.

“Well, yeah.”

“You oppose the two of them, don’t you…?”

“Well, that’s true, but… not right now. I have business with that woman.”

“What?”

“If I delay any longer, I won’t be able to catch up. I’m going!”

Helbeorn, who had said something incomprehensible about whether he opposed it or not, chased after Nilson.

“Young Master Helbeorn will probably catch up quickly and stop him.”

“Why would Helbeorn do that?”

“I’m puzzled by that too.”

It was incomprehensible.

Just a few hours ago, hadn’t he been trying to kill Hallara?

“Perhaps he’s looking forward to his nephew being born? Even if he doesn’t get along with the second young master, a child is a different matter.”

“That can’t be. Helbeorn doesn’t even know that girl is pregnant.”

She hadn’t told the loose-lipped Helbeorn.

In fact, she had tried to keep this news from spreading until the Duke returned.

Though she had dressed it up with the grand word of marriage, the reason for bringing in Hallara was to safely bear Bloodmere’s seed in a good environment.

After that, she planned to ask her family to grant Docheop a small dominion. If the two still loved each other, she would let them go live there. She would even hold a small wedding for them.

She had no choice but to reveal the pregnancy to Nikolai since he needed persuading, but she had tried to keep it secret from Helbeorn if possible.

But why had he blocked Nikolai, who was trying to oppose the marriage?

Helbeorn, who admired his eldest brother and followed his words like a father’s.

“Anyway, this works out well for us. If Young Master Helbeorn is on our side, we can rest easy until Master returns.”

“That’s true.”

Francesca finally relaxed her tense expression. While Helbeorn was blocking him, she had bought time to think of a way to persuade Nikolai, so that was enough for now.

“What about that girl?”

Francesca asked.

“A maid guided her to the annex, so she must be resting.”

“I hope Docheop isn’t hurt that I told her to use the annex.”

It was a decision made anticipating conflicts since Nikolai and Helbeorn were in the main building.

“Still, since you told her to choose any room she wanted, the young master will understand.”

Karl comforted her.

***

Last night.

I chose a very satisfactory room and fell fast asleep.

[What is this! This room!]

Junel, who woke up in the morning, showed a heated reaction.

[Where is this warehouse-like place!]

Junel, who had awakened from sleep, fluttered about. Looking around, he spoke in a cracked voice with a serious expression.

[Was I imprisoned while I was sleeping? These arrogant Bloodmere clan! Even if Hallara is a desirable daughter-in-law candidate, still, locking someone up for fear they might escape?]

“Calm down, Junel.”

[Do I look like I should calm down? I’m going to break down this door right now.]

“Absolutely not!”

I grabbed his small body tightly, worried he might cause trouble.

Junel struggled and tapped my fingers with his bean-sized hands.

“This isn’t a warehouse and we’re not locked up.”

[Then what? Where is this place!]

“Bloodmere. This is my room that I’ll be using while living here. How is it? Pretty great, right?”

I spread my arms wide and introduced the room. Contrary to his reaction, my face was full of proud smiles. My room that I had carefully and thoughtfully chosen when Geti told me to pick one.

Though it was a place that had been neglected for a long time with spider webs everywhere and full of dust, it was perfect for me.

[Your room? You’re saying they gave you such a shabby room?]

Shabby, he says.

“I chose it myself. Look at this view. Isn’t it wonderful?”

The large room, which seemed like three of Hallara’s houses put together, had an attached bathroom, and through the large window, you could see the garden. Junel’s gaze reluctantly turned toward the window and then crumpled.

[It looks like a graveyard.]

“It doesn’t.”

[Hallara, think again. There are so many better rooms here. How can you plan for the future in a place like this?]

There were indeed many.

They were spacious too, and every room I opened had luxurious beds with canopies. The elegant chandeliers and wallpaper seemed to be inlaid with gold, so splendid it made my eyes ache.

If I had been a cute girl possessor, I would have immediately chosen the best room.

But I’m someone who has already experienced harsh in-law life, aren’t I?

I knew better than anyone that if you take something excessive that doesn’t suit you, there’s always a price to pay.

‘My mother-in-law tormented me so much with that apartment she gave us as newlyweds.’

Those were days so miserable I wanted to move to a studio apartment instead.

In my view, this place wouldn’t be any different.

‘Besides, this is a corner where people won’t frequently come and go.’

Of course, even this room was excessively good compared to Hallara’s house.

“I like it here. Dirty things can be cleaned. The furniture is usable too, right?”

[I’m old and have no energy in corners like this….]

“I’m actually really good at cleaning, you know? You just enjoy the sword energy and play around. I’ll clean it so spotlessly you’ll be amazed. Here, use this sofa exclusively for yourself, how about it?”

I pointed to the sturdy sofa where I had slept soundly all night. Though its original color was hard to discern due to fading from the passage of time, if I just dusted it properly, it would easily last another 10 years.

Unlike me, Junel’s expression was colored with disappointment.

[There are so many good things in Bloodmere….]

“Well then, I’ll go find some cleaning supplies.”

I gently ignored Junel’s complaints and left the room.

By the way, where did Geti go when she said she’d prepare food for me?

After walking for a while outside the room, I finally spotted a maid moving around.

“Excuse me!”

At my call, the maid who was cleaning windows turned to look at me.