Epilogue 1 – Even a Crow-Tit Can Run Hard Without Tearing Its Legs

After that, I was completely knocked out for two days. Although my natural recovery and stamina were aided by the sturdy plate armor, the accumulated fatigue and the strenuous task of crossing worlds were too much for my body to handle. Additionally, Adrian confessed at my bedside that he might have fed me more blood than a human body could endure. No wonder my insides felt off.

"It's okay, you go ahead to the villa. I'll follow with Kazimir once I'm better."

On the first day of my illness, Adrian stayed by my bedside the entire day, refusing to leave. With the master not moving, the servants also remained at the hotel, except for Leticia, who seemed unaware it was because of me. This was based on the news Kazimir relayed, though I couldn't be sure of its accuracy.

"What do you mean? How can I leave you here?"

"But I can't keep delaying the schedule because of me. The lady must be eagerly waiting..."

"Saying the schedule is delayed because of you is nonsense. The schedule wouldn't have started at all without you."

"Even so..."

"Hilda, I'm barely restraining myself from taking you back right now. So please, don't think about anything else and just rest. If you get any sicker, I might actually go mad."

Despite his gentle tone, his eyes had long since turned wild, so I gave up trying to get up and lay back down in bed. Not only did I collapse again on the second day, but there was no use in pushing myself further.

Previously, I would have caused several major incidents by now, but I was relatively calm this time. Was it because the external forces hovering around me were no longer visible? I didn't confine myself by closing all the maps or go into a hidden dungeon. Though I stayed up all night with bloodshot eyes, that was cute compared to what could have happened.

After two days of struggling, my fever finally subsided on the third morning, and my body felt lighter. It must have been thanks to my basic stamina. As soon as I woke up clear-headed, a message popped up, as if congratulating my recovery.

"**Satan's blood has been fully absorbed, extending your lifespan.**"

"**Satan's blood now makes up 3% of your body.**"

"**You can now be tracked by Satan.**"

So, it was Adrian's blood that caused my illness rather than a common cold. To have 3% of my body occupied by just one drink of blood... I wondered what would happen if I drank over thirty glasses to reach 100%.

It was somewhat nauseating immediately after drinking it, but now it seemed like no big deal. Just 3%—I could spare that. And if I thought positively, it meant I wouldn't die from excessive bleeding in an unexpected accident. Moreover, it extended my lifespan. While it was an extraordinary event, it was also the most reliable insurance one could have.

As I stared blankly, the message disappeared on its own. Normally, I would press the 'close' button to dismiss the window, but after recent events, I hadn't touched the game system at all. I was already scared and creeped out whenever a main quest popped up, and after being ejected from this world and having to log back in, it had reached a peak.

I used to vaguely think that the game would end when the main quest was completed, but after being truly separated from the game and seeing the ending credits, it became undeniable. There was clearly a space disconnected from the game, and leaving that space meant returning to my previous world. The joy of returning to Adrian's side was as intense as the fear that I could be expelled from this world at any moment.

It wasn't just the main quest. Another hidden quest or achievement could eject me from this world. They wouldn't even give me the time to say goodbye to Adrian and would mercilessly kick me out.

Looking back, it was madness to answer by thought instead of pressing a button when asked which world I would choose. If the system had interpreted my decision as "Alright, I understand your choice" and sent me back to my original world, what would I have done? It must have held a grudge against me for extorting so much with my brilliant negotiations.

Even if I had pressed the button myself, it would have been the same. A single slip of the finger could have separated us. Not being able to use simple skills or check favorability lists was a natural consequence.

What exactly was the system? While lying down, I pondered over it. Considering that "Adrian's World" and "Your World" appeared as options under the 'server selection,' it seemed each world existed as its own server. And the system, which governed all servers, had moved me from my server to Adrian's. It also provided the player character (PC), Hilda.

Extracting 1 billion from such a transcendent entity made me feel quite proud of myself!

Anyway, referring to it as a player character suggested that Hilda was just an empty shell with preset values until I arrived. I often felt guilty, wondering if I had taken away Emily's friend, but now I didn't need to feel that way. In this world, I was the only Hilda from the start.

"Hilda, you shouldn't get up too quickly."

Adrian hurriedly approached me as I sat up in bed. Judging by his slightly damp hair, he must have been about to wash up before realizing I had awakened.

"I'm fine now. I'm all better."

"Really? Let me see."

Adrian came over and placed his hand on my forehead as if he still doubted my words. His touch, which had been clumsy just days before, was now quite adept, probably from constantly checking my fever while I was bedridden. He had fed me and personally wiped my sweat-drenched body. He must have never done such things in his life. The clumsy but earnest touches flashed in my mind, making my chest tighten.

"Come here, Adrian."

"..."

"Hug me. Quickly."

Adrian stared at me blankly, as if in a dream, before he lunged at me. Even as he laid me down, he carefully shielded my head from hitting the wall. I nuzzled into his chest like a child, rubbing my forehead against him.

"Hilda, are you really okay? I never want to see you collapse again. Never. So, you mustn't lie to me."

He held me lightly, as if I might break if he squeezed too hard, so I hugged him tighter. He deserved a reward for being so well-behaved all this time.

"It seems like you're the one who's unwell, Adrian. Your heart is racing."

As I pressed my ear against his chest, I could hear his heart pounding rapidly. The beat was so strong it echoed through my entire body. Despite having hugged countless times, Adrian still got excited every time, like a boy deeply in love for the first time.

"Do you like it that much?"

"More than anything, very much."

"Hugging isn't such a big deal..."

"It is. The fact that you chose to stay by my side, to hug and talk to me—all of it is significant."

"..."

"I think I was born to meet you."

His voice, soaked in happiness, tickled my ears. Feeling a bit shy, I couldn't bring myself to say that I felt the same. I lifted my hand to gently brush his hair from his forehead, trying to keep a composed expression.

"Today, you're only saying pretty things. You won't lose anything by doing that."

"If it's pretty, you should reward me, Hilda. Be even sweeter to me."

Adrian caught onto my offhand remark and his eyes sparkled. Before I could stop him, his hand slipped under my clothes, creeping up my back, and he pressed his lips to my shoulder, nuzzling and biting. As I twisted and let out a groan, he pretended not to notice and bit my collarbone. He liked leaving marks on my body, and I didn't mind it.

"Wait... We shouldn't be doing this now..."

"I'm just trying to be pretty since you said it was."

"Ugh..."

"It's been a long time since we spent time alone together. If you leave me like this, I might wither away from lack of your love. So just this once, please?"

Despite his pitiful and forlorn voice, his hands moved swiftly. His touch, gathering the flesh from below and massaging it, made it hard to breathe. Each time I tried to say no, his fingers flicked the tips of my chest, swallowing my words.

I felt a chill below. My clothes had somehow rolled up, exposing my bare skin. I knew his method well: he'd tease and bite my chest until it was wet before making his way down.

"It's been a while, so you're all tense. Cute."

"I said no!"

Human Hilda, with superhuman willpower, successfully pushed Adrian away!

While I caught my breath, Adrian's eyes lingered below. After a long moment, his gaze climbed up, meeting mine. His eyes, darkened with desire, narrowed sweetly. Though he stopped because I refused, he was filled with confidence that he could create an opportunity anytime.

"Your body hasn't fully recovered yet. Was I too hasty? I'm sorry."

"It's not that, it's just that everyone is waiting. It's unreasonable that things have been delayed because of me, and it can't be delayed any further."

"You don't need to worry about that, Hilda. It's only natural for the staff to wait for the lady of the house."

With my face flushed from the fever, I was panting heavily but suddenly stopped. Did he just say something outrageous with such a straight face?

"The lady of the house? Who?"

"Who else? It's you, Hilda. Are you trying to tease me again?"

Adrian smiled sweetly, but my eyes were still wide with surprise.

"Me? The lady of the house is supposed to be the Countess."

"Yes. Why are you so surprised?"

"What?"

"Huh?"

We stared at each other with wide eyes. Seeing my genuine surprise, Adrian was momentarily at a loss for words.

"Hilda, do you... not like it?"

Adrian's face turned pale, showing his veins. Wow, he was serious. Even though I believed he was joking, it still seemed unbelievable.

It made sense, though. The image of the Countess and I were worlds apart. The Countess, when in her right mind, was elegant and inherently noble. When I was fumbling around in my commoner's life, the Countess seemed like she belonged to some hidden elite group like the Royal Bloodline. Could I really become the Countess?

"Is it because you don't like it? Did I do something wrong? Or was our night together unsatisfactory for you?"

"Wait, why is the conversation going in that direction all of a sudden..."

"No, that can't be it. You clearly enjoyed it. You even asked for more, saying why hadn't we done this before. You loved it when I touched your chest..."

"Stop! Stop! I told you not to describe it like that!"

"Hilda, could you give me just one more chance? Whatever it is, I can change it right away."

Adrian, who had been confused, suddenly became fervently motivated. I was about to tell him that wasn't the reason but hesitated.

The devil was promising a passionate night. It didn't seem like a loss at all.

I briefly contemplated letting him continue his misunderstanding but eventually regained my composure.

"No, it's not that... But since you're offering a chance, don't forget to keep your word."

"If it's not that, then what is it? Do you dislike this mansion? If I leave this place, will you accept me? It might not be as materially rich, but Kazimir will earn enough to support us."

Adrian spoke quickly, as if to avoid being rejected. Hearing him talk about running away because of me made me laugh. Why had I been worried? I should have known Adrian would say something like this. Seeing his reaction made me feel happy and I couldn't help but laugh foolishly.

"Accept you? Without even proposing first? Surely, you weren't thinking of proposing just now, were you?"

"Pro... posal?"

"Are you seriously talking about making me the lady of the house without even proposing first?"

"No, no, Hilda. It's my fault for not following the proper order. Please forget what I said. I'll prepare something grand and propose properly."

Adrian, who had been slightly taken aback, quickly composed himself and spoke gently. It seemed he hadn't thought about proposing, but given his inhuman side, I wasn't surprised anymore.

"I'm relieved you don't dislike the idea, but Hilda..."

"Hold on, I haven't said yes yet. I'll decide after seeing how you propose."

"Alright. I'll prepare something truly grand. Something you won't be able to refuse."

"I'm quite picky."

"I'll do my best. I was really scared you were playing with me. How could you say you love me so much and then refuse to be the lady of the house? Were you planning to use me and then throw me away?"

Adrian hugged me tightly and sighed in relief. Who would leave their world for someone they were planning to use and throw away? Besides, if anyone was to be used and discarded, it would usually be the young master doing the discarding, not the servant.

"It's not that I hadn't thought about marriage at all."

"Then why were you so surprised? Can you tell me?"

Adrian asked softly as I fidgeted with my shirt collar, feeling a bit embarrassed. After a moment's hesitation, I spoke.

"Well... there's a difference in social status. No matter how genuine our feelings are, we can't ignore the reality of that barrier. I thought I might have to live as a concubine or mistress. I thought about it briefly."

"......"

"Adrian, are you listening?"

"A... mistress? Hilda... how could you think that..."

Oh, why was he silent? It seemed he was so shocked he couldn't speak. He looked even more stunned than when he thought I was toying with him.

"Did you really think that, Hilda? That I would treat you like that?"

The usually composed smile on his face was gone, and he was at a loss. I had just said something I thought was a common concern, even Leticia had mentioned it.

"I just thought it might be possible. You are now a Count, and I'm just a well-paid servant."

"Do you really think I could do that to you? Have someone else? Make you my mistress?"

"Really, it was just a fleeting thought."

"Me? Make you my mistress? Me?"

The shock must have been tremendous. Adrian repeated the same words several times. Seeing his reaction oddly reassured me, even if it was selfish.

"...I'm sorry, Hilda. It's my fault for making you think that, even for a moment. It was a reasonable thought from your perspective, but I failed to consider it."

"No, there's no need to apologize."

"No, it's my fault. Thinking about how much you must have struggled alone... Hilda, leave this matter to me. I'll make sure no one thinks of you that way. Trust me."

How would he resolve it? Unless he bought a noble title for me, it seemed impossible. But his gentle, persuasive voice melted my doubts, and I decided to trust him since Adrian knew this world's ways better than I did.

"Alright. I'll leave it to you this time. But you can't solve it by killing anyone, okay? That wouldn't be right."

"Yes, not this time, so don't worry."

"And don't use any status-altering methods either. It might not kill them, but it's worse than death."

"But Hilda, using that would make things a bit easier... Alright, I won't use it."

Seeing me staring at him without saying anything, Adrian quickly raised his hands in surrender. There was no reason not to embrace this obedient devil warmly.

"Adrian, is that the villa? We've finally arrived!"

"Yes, it is."

At the end of a quiet path, surrounded by mountains and trees, was a huge mansion with a blue roof, the only structure among the dense forest. This was the Palzgraf family's villa. Ever since the coachman had said we would arrive in half a day, I had been glued to the window, eagerly watching for it. Adrian, however, watched me with loving eyes, showing no particular excitement.

Well, that made sense. This was our first visit since the Holy Beast incident, and we were here to resolve the title succession issue. He might also be wary, thinking the Countess could be plotting something again.

But knowing how much the Countess longed for Adrian, I just hoped her feelings would reach him somehow. After all, Adrian, who had endured all sorts of verbal abuse and curses, had bought a teacup for his mother.

When the carriage finally stopped in front of the villa, Adrian opened the door and stepped out first, followed by me. The servants who got off the luggage cart behind us gave curious looks but didn't approach, intimidated by the presence of the Count beside me.

Before, this would have bothered me, but now it didn't matter. Having faced cosmic-level issues that transcended our world, love that transcended status seemed like a trivial matter.

"The master of the house has arrived, and yet not a single person shows their face..."

Adrian's voice was icy and disdainful, his eyes scanning the villa coldly. Now that I thought about it, Adrian had always valued etiquette highly, even when he was a demon. But the reason no one was here was that there was only one person working in the villa.

"Hilda! You're finally here!"

As expected, Olivia appeared right on time. I was startled to see her rushing down the stairs, making loud thumping noises, as she was usually strict and composed within the mansion. I knew she had been eagerly waiting, but I didn't expect her to greet me so enthusiastically. She must have been so excited that she called out my name without thinking.

This was so out of character for Olivia that even Leticia, who was behind her, was astonished. "Is that really her?"

"Count, I apologize for my rudeness," Olivia said, bowing her head. She had been managing the entire mansion almost by herself, which might explain the slightly soiled apron that hadn't been washed for days and her disheveled appearance. Despite her messy look, her face was full of life.

"Count, let me guide you to the dining room. Madam is waiting for you."

"Later. After I've unpacked," I replied curtly. Olivia seemed momentarily stunned into silence, as if the temperature had dropped by ten degrees.

"But, sir, Madam has been waiting in the dining room for some time now..."

"Didn't you hear what I just said, Olivia?"

"My apologies, Count," she responded, retreating reluctantly. Olivia had fallen out of favor because of the holy water incident, and when Adrian got serious, there was no one who could stop him. Even though Madam's restraint in waiting in the dining room might be commendable, Adrian likely suspected it was another scheme. Starting with such a rocky introduction, dealing with this mother and son pair wouldn't be easy.

"Leticia, please handle the rest."

"Yes, don't worry."

Leaving Leticia behind, Adrian walked away coldly. As I glanced back, Leticia waved her hand, urging me to follow him.

Adrian headed to a large room in the center of the second floor. He seemed familiar with the place, as if he had been there before. As soon as I closed the door behind us, he suddenly approached and took my hand.

"Hilda, I'm sorry you had to see that. How do you find this room? If there's anything you need, just let me know."

His eyes were gentle, in stark contrast to earlier, and I shook my head with a smile.

"No, this room is wonderful. I was just worried because Madam is waiting."

"You're concerned that the same things might happen as before. But don't worry. That will never happen again, especially not to you."

It was clear he was wary of Madam. I knew that behind his beautiful smile, he could be plotting something terrifying. I had intended to watch over things, but it seemed I couldn't just stand by. At this rate, we might leave without even seeing her face.

Knock, knock.

Just as I was about to persuade Adrian, there was a knock at the door. I quickly withdrew my hand, and Adrian, looking disappointed, turned his attention to the door. A moment later, the door opened cautiously, and I was shocked by what I saw.

"Adrian..."

The platinum blonde hair that shone brighter than sunlight. There couldn't be two women in the world who resembled Adrian so closely. She had become much thinner since I last saw her, having been on the brink of life and death, but her unique grace and beauty remained unchanged. I hadn't expected her to come here directly. Adrian seemed just as surprised.

"Adrian... Is it really you?"

As expected, she could barely walk on her own, staggering with each step. Olivia, who had followed her, quietly closed the door, sensing it wasn't her place to interfere.

Adrian's shoulders stiffened. It was rare to see him so tense, someone who could easily manipulate and kill.

"Adrian, Adrian... It's really you. Oh, thank God. Thank you..."

She staggered forward, her trembling hand reaching out to touch him. Adrian recoiled as if burned, instinctively positioning himself to block Madam's view of me. I couldn't see her expression as she was pushed away, only the ominous aura seeping from Adrian's feet, ready to lash out like thorns if provoked.

Feeling a chill down my spine, I turned to see darkness spreading through the room, reaching out like tendrils. I knew well what would happen if the darkness continued to grow. Once engulfed, time would stop, and we'd disappear from the world. This couldn't go on.

"I understand if you can't forgive me... I've done so many horrible things to you," Madam said, collapsing weakly. Her shoulders trembled, and the darkness ceased its advance.

"Thank you for coming. Seeing your face... I can die without regret now."

"..."

"I'm sorry, Adrian. I didn't do those things because I hated you."

Her outstretched hand closed slowly, as if recalling the brief warmth it had felt. Her lips, pale as lead, trembled.

"Why didn't I realize it was you from the beginning? It was always you..."

"..."

"It wasn't a change. You were always you. The goddess told me, but I understood too late..."

Her voice, barely audible, was soaked in tears. I wanted to run to her, but I knew this was not the time to interrupt.

"Why didn't I listen to you once? Why didn't I hold your hand? When you raised that small tree alone, what were you feeling..."

"..."

"I'm sorry, Adrian. I'm sorry for all those years I hated you."

With that, Madam fainted, ending the conversation. I ran to call Olivia, and soon, Leticia and the servants came to carry Madam to her room. Adrian stood frozen, unable to move, like a stray dog frozen by human touch.

"Are you alright?"

"...Hilda."

When I gently asked if he was okay, he finally came to his senses. I carefully took his hand, which was cold as ice, and continued speaking softly.

"Madam was crying a lot. She must have come here because you weren't coming to the dining room."

"..."

"She didn't seem to be plotting anything. What do you think?"

"..."

"If you're worried, we can visit her room later. She'll be very happy if we do."

Even though I gave him time to think, Adrian didn't respond. Given their strained relationship since he was six, it wouldn't be easy to suddenly reconcile. Still, this was a good start.

He gently squeezed my hand, a sign of understanding. I knew I had done the right thing, and I was grateful to Adrian for making me realize that. I stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek.

Four days later, we met Madam again. Although she woke up two days after the first meeting, she fainted again upon seeing Adrian, causing another two-day delay. On the fourth day, I went in first to announce our visit, which prevented her from fainting again, although she did cry.

"Adrian... Was it hard coming here? Were you tired from the long journey?"

"I'm fine."

"That's good to hear... How is your health? You couldn't sit for long periods before."

Madam sometimes seemed to drift into a dreamlike state but tried her best to keep the conversation going. Seeing the mother and son sitting face-to-face, drinking tea, was heartwarming. Yet, Madam's red eyes and her thin, bony hands were pitiful. She was so nervous that her teacup kept clinking against the saucer.

"I'm not sick anymore, so you don't need to worry."

"That's good... I'm talking about old times again. Silly me."

Adrian's consistent pretense of ignorance seemed to help Madam gradually calm down. Yet, her nose still turned red occasionally, memories welling up and causing her to choke up. I just hoped she wouldn't faint again.

"Adrian."

"Yes?"

"I missed many of your birthdays. So I prepared a small gift this time. Could you take it with you when you leave?"

"I will."

As the incident at Seongsu happened on Adrian's birthday, it was a sensitive topic, but Adrian answered calmly. In fact, the Countess, who was giving the gift, hesitated and wavered more than he did.

“Now that I think about it, Hilda, I haven’t greeted you. Come here and sit down.”

The Countess, whose face brightened at the mention of receiving a gift, gestured for me to come over. Adrian also turned his head, and the two identical faces looked at me simultaneously. The sunlight was warm, and usually, my heart would just thud, but this time, it pounded loudly. One face was burdensome enough, but seeing two identical ones at once was quite harmful to my heart. I should probably try to look at just one of them at a time...

“I apologize for the late greeting. If it weren't for the letter you sent, I wouldn't have been able to rest in peace even in death. After all you’ve done for me, I should have called you sooner.”

“Madam, please don’t say such things.”

As soon as she mentioned death, Olivia interjected. She seemed to speak without thinking and quickly shut her mouth, but Adrian was already focused entirely on me, so he didn’t reprimand her. The Countess affectionately held my hand without any further comment.

Although the Countess credited me, in truth, if it had been just my letter, she wouldn't have believed it so quickly. It was because of the goddess’s oracle and the priest's confirmation that everything proceeded quickly. If it weren’t for that, she might have been suspicious of my motives and tried to verify them. The Countess was a devout believer, so she must have told the truth, but this time, the temple was a great help. It’s a relief that things didn’t drag on.

“Thank you for taking care of Adrian. I don’t know how I can ever repay this debt… I’m so grateful.”

This time, her voice was filled with sincerity when she thanked me for helping Adrian. Seeing her teary eyes made my chest tighten and my shoulders rise. Of course, I took care of Adrian. I even packed emergency lunches diligently...

But does a Countess usually say such things to a servant? Serving one’s master is the duty of a servant... The expression “taking care of him” also seems odd.

“Debt? It’s nothing like that. I merely did what I should as the Count’s servant.”

“Oh, dear. You are different from other servants. To Adrian, you haven’t been seen as a servant for quite some time.”

“...”

“Actually, I feel the same way. I hope you continue to look after our Adrian. It would put my mind at ease.”

As expected, you can't hide anything from a mother. Even though we weren’t alone, she already knew everything. Luckily, Olivia seemed puzzled, so it wasn’t too obvious. You can’t underestimate the experience of the Countess.

“I don’t know how to express my gratitude. Oh, that’s right. How about taking a vacation this winter? There’s a castle I manage that’s perfect for a visit, with beautiful winter scenery. If you’d like, I’ll have it prepared. The view of the snowy mountains from the top of the castle is quite something.”

「Map Unlocked! You can now travel to Gloucester Castle.」

“There's no need to worry about Hilda's vacation; I'll take care of it.”

「The Gloucester Castle map is now locked.」

Oh, a boss who personally takes care of the staff’s vacation. If the Countess had been in her right mind from the start, my life as a servant wouldn’t have been so harsh... As expected, as soon as the Countess opened the map, Adrian immediately closed it. This feels strangely familiar.

“Adrian, I told you before. No matter how much you want to keep Hilda by your side, you have to consider her feelings too. She must feel so confined always being in the mansion. Even if she doesn’t say it, she surely feels that way.”

「Map Unlocked! You can now travel to Gloucester Castle.」

“Just knowing that is enough. I will handle the rest myself.”

「The Gloucester Castle map is now locked.」

“Hilda, don’t say anything and just listen to me. If this continues, you won’t even get a breath of fresh air, let alone a vacation.”

「Map Unlocked! You can now travel to Gloucester Castle.」

“Are you going to keep whispering so only Hilda can hear? Hilda has decided to stay by my side.”

「The Gloucester Castle map is now locked.」

“Oh dear, technically speaking, Hilda is someone I brought here. I can certainly give her a vacation if she wants.”

「Map Unlocked! You can now travel to Gloucester Castle.」

“...”

「The Gloucester Castle map is now locked.」

Oh, here they go again, opening and closing the map frantically. I’d like to ask them to leave my map alone, but they seem to be getting along so well that I decided to let it be. I do feel a bit caught between them, but... it’s much better than when they were throwing holy water and trying to kill each other. It’s peaceful, very peaceful.

“Hilda, why don’t you tell him yourself? Men aren’t attractive if they’re too possessive. I think he won’t accept it unless he hears it directly from you.”

“Don’t say strange things to Hilda.”

“Oh my, look at him trying to assert himself as a man. Do you remember, Hilda? When you first met Adrian, you asked why he spoke like that.”

“Did I really say that? I was so young that I don’t remember. Can you explain in more detail?”

“Hilda.”

Adrian tried to stop her urgently, but the Countess’s eyes sparkled as she quickly answered.

“Of course, I remember. Adrian spoke solemnly from a young age, just like someone older. Seeing him toddle around calling ‘Mother, Mother’ so solemnly was so adorable. If he hadn’t been sick, he would have been the darling of the whole household.”

“Darling... Pooh.”

“Mother.”

“Look at this. His hands were this small.”

The Countess gently traced a spot about half the size of my palm. If that’s how small his hands were from the wrist... I regretted never seeing Adrian that small. I should have been there! If only there was a ‘Library of Memories’ or something to view those moments again.

“Oh, wait a moment. Could you stay here for a bit? I think there’s a portrait left somewhere.”

“I think I saw it in the packed things. I’ll get it for you, madam.”

“No, I’d better find it myself. You both stay here.”

The Countess, who had been almost lifeless when I first saw her, stood up energetically. She hurriedly left the room, and Olivia followed, saying, “Madam, you shouldn’t walk so fast. Madam...” I couldn’t take my eyes off the door until their figures completely disappeared.

“You seem happy, Hilda.”

[ hey there, sorry for disturbing your reading! I'm just here to make sure you are reading this from my website (https://tlbyviridescent.blogspot.com/p/surviving-as-maid-in-horror-game.html) and not somewhere else where it got reposted without my permission... that's it! ]

Oops, I was smiling broadly without realizing it. But how could I not smile when I had the chance to hear stories about young Adrian and even see his portrait?

“Yes! I’m so happy. Can’t we stay here for another month? There are so many stories left to hear.”

“...Well, as long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters.”

He looked reluctant. We hadn’t even talked much, but he already seemed tired of the Countess and me chatting about him. Regardless, I was excitedly waiting for the Countess to return.

If I had known this, I would have asked the system to create a menu to view Adrian's past appearances anytime. I was too focused on tangible rewards. Of course, seeing my total wealth of ten billion gold (ignoring units below a billion) always made me feel abundant.

Crash!

While I was happily checking my digital wallet, I heard a loud noise from the next room, as if a couple was fighting. It sounded like everything was being turned upside down. Should I just leave it?

“Here it is, Hilda. It’s the only portrait left, but you can have it if you want.”

The Countess’s clothes were dusty here and there, probably from searching the next room. Olivia was busy brushing off the dust from the Countess’s clothes. I looked at the portrait she handed me, and my eyes turned into hearts.

“Of course, I love it!”

How could I not love a chubby-cheeked baby portrait? It was so adorable I wanted to bite it if it were in front of me.

“Hilda, wait, that...”

“Yes? Is there a problem?”

Adrian tried to stop me belatedly, but when I turned around, hugging the portrait, he stopped talking. Then he sighed deeply and turned his head away as if avoiding it. The Countess watched him with a smile. Olivia was the only one who didn’t understand what was happening.

The next day, I rushed to the Countess’s room as soon as I woke up and heard many stories about young Adrian that I didn’t know. I was lucky enough to get two more portraits, which she told me were drawn secretly and should never be discovered. We made a firm promise to keep each other’s secrets and giggled together.

Although the Countess was still very ill, as she spent more time with Adrian and me, she gradually regained her former vitality. Sometimes, she would shed tears, reminiscing about the past, and I would cry with her, realizing how unfairly she suffered because of the Count.

"Hilda, don't cry."

"No, Ma'am, you should stop first. My heart aches..."

"When you say that, it makes me cry even more..."

"Hic, when you say that, it makes me even sadder..."

The problem was that both of us had the tendency to cry when we saw someone else crying, and once we started shedding a tear each, it would turn into a flood of tears, as if a faucet had been turned on.

The one who suffered the most was Adrian, who had to console both me and the Countess. He always had tissues at the ready, not knowing when an outburst might occur, and when it did, he would alternate between "Don't cry, Hilda," and "Don't cry, Mother," handing out tissues one by one. Sometimes it seemed like a tough job, but I had comforted him numerous times, so it was only fair.

As the relationship between the Countess and me quickly grew closer, Adrian's jealousy seemed to quietly rear its head. One morning, he displayed a vivid jealousy, asking if I was going to see his mother again, but I brushed it off and went to visit her anyway.

I hadn't yet heard all of Adrian's childhood stories! I didn't know when we'd come back to the villa, so I had to hear as much as possible.

"Hilda, you're here. Come over and try this on."

About a week later, the Countess greeted me with an array of jewelry laid out before her. As I approached, a series of unusually impressive item descriptions appeared.

"Grace's Special Necklace

A necklace made with red emeralds mined in small quantities from the Thomas Mountains. The value has increased tenfold recently due to the depletion of red emeralds."

"Emma's Crafted Gem Earrings

Earrings that appear emerald-colored in bright places and deep ruby-colored in dark places."

"Amber's Life's Work Bracelet

A high-priced bracelet with finely processed taaffeite. Given that taaffeite is difficult to process due to its low durability, this is considered the masterpiece of jeweler Amber."

"Ma'am, all of this..."

"Oh, that bracelet suits you well. Or maybe this one would suit you better?"

"Veronica's Bracelet

A bracelet inlaid with eremeyphite cut into transparent crystal shapes. It is the largest cut mineral in the world, often sketched by jewelers who saw it."

As she tried various bracelets on me, I couldn't help but notice that these items were worth a fortune, despite her nonchalant expression. Just a few of these jewels could easily buy a mansion... Um, is she planning to give me everything?

"This one and this one look good together. And this necklace... and a ring too. Hmm, it might be good to have about three more bracelets. Hilda, would you like to choose a dress from the wardrobe now? They may be out of fashion for going out, but I've selected ones that are comfortable for indoor wear. See if there's anything you like."

The Countess, sweeping up the jewelry like a bank robber, instructed Olivia to open the wardrobe wide. Item descriptions competitively popped up as I looked.

"Ancient Dress of Evasion (White) (+3)"

"Ancient Dress of Accuracy (Navy) (+5)"

"Ancient Dress of Luck (Pink) (+1)"

"Ancient Dress of Agility (Red) (+7)"

...

As expected of the mother of the final boss, all the items were of ancient grade. Even though I've only seen mythic-grade items so far, I've never touched an ancient-grade item before. And they’re quite enhanced too! The Countess must have bought them pre-enhanced, given that she wouldn't have done the enhancing herself.

"I'm worried you might not like any of them. They're all out of fashion now, and I might have been too hasty..."

"No! Not at all! They're all such wonderful dresses that I can't decide which one to choose!"

"Really? If you can't decide, just take them all. Hilda, come over here now."

Showing an incredible generosity, the Countess, who offered to let me have everything if I liked them all, now unfolded a map. I began to feel a bit frightened by her large-heartedness. What if she’s planning to give me a castle or an estate... No way.

"Here, here, and here are my castles. To be precise, they were inherited from my father. The one in the north, as I mentioned before, has beautiful snowy mountain views, and the one below it is comfortable to live in year-round. You can always enjoy a holiday there. And this one over here..."

"Ma'am, why are you showing me this..."

"Isn't it obvious? I'm asking you to choose the one you like."

"What? But this is too much... This is on a completely different scale from jewels and dresses. Shouldn't these estates be inherited by the Count?"

I’m just a humble citizen who sometimes feels content looking at ten billion gold. Jewels and dresses aside, a castle? When I asked in shock, the Countess shook her head as if it were nothing.

"He's inheriting everything from his father. That will be enough for him."

"But still..."

"Hilda, don't feel burdened. A woman should own at least one castle. You’ll need somewhere to go if he ever upsets you. And if he comes looking for you, don't open the door. Understand? It's important to establish dominance from the start of the marriage. Although you seem to be doing well already."

Wow, a woman should have at least one castle. From today, I decided to make the Countess my life role model.

"Don't worry about it. You saved my life, after all. All these jewels and castles mean nothing to me. If you're still hesitant, how about taking just one? But it should be the largest one. Even if you have just one, it should be the best."

The Countess marked the northern castle on the map, saying that it would be best. She mentioned that the caretakers and staff could continue working as usual, and her face looked peaceful, as if she had regained a sense of tranquility.

They say a father-in-law's love is the best, but for me, it's a mother-in-law's love! At least, I was happy for that reason.

Three weeks after staying at the villa, we returned to the mansion. The initial purpose of the visit, sorting out the estate and discussing the inheritance of the title, had long been completed, but time flew by as I spent it with the Countess.

Perhaps feeling the danger of us staying indefinitely, Adrian decisively set a return date, and the Countess's expression darkened significantly upon hearing the news. However, she seemed to understand that there would be much to do once the official title was handed over, so she didn't try to hold us back.

"Have a safe trip back, Adrian, and you too, Hilda..."

On the day of our return, the Countess, despite her frail health, came out to see us off. During the three weeks we stayed, she seemed to have used up all her remaining vitality, looking pale and emaciated. It was evident that she was trying hard not to show her tears, biting her lips to hold back, but her swollen eyes from crying all night gave her away.

"Travel safely. The road is rough, so be sure to rest along the way."

"Yes. You take care of yourself too, Ma'am. We will come down again if you do."

When I held the Countess's hand tightly and offered a comforting, albeit noncommittal, reassurance, her lips began to tremble uncontrollably.

"Please take care of your health. So that next time, we can return together."

"..."

Words that I hadn't even anticipated came out of Adrian's mouth. Although their relationship had improved, Adrian still hadn't completely let his guard down because of past experiences. It was only me and the Countess who had become close, while Adrian had always kept a cautious distance, saying people could change their attitudes in an instant.

"I will come back soon."

At Adrian's first affectionate words, the Countess finally burst into tears. Watching her cry and Adrian awkwardly trying to comfort her, tears welled up in my eyes as well.

I learned before we left that Olivia had confessed everything to Harrison about the holy water incident. I had wondered how Harrison knew so much about the Countess when even the family didn't know, but now I knew the source. In hindsight, Adrian had been put in danger because of her, but hearing that Harrison had threatened her with a gun made me decide not to hold a grudge. It was all over now, and it must have been hard for her to endure.

When we returned to the mansion, there was a letter waiting for me. The sender was 'Jeffrey'. When I went down to the villa, I had sent a letter to inform him of Harrison's body location, and this seemed to be his reply. I quickly tore open the envelope and read the letter.

"To Hilda,

I have properly taken care of the Inspector and buried him in a sunny spot. There is no gravestone, but he never liked such things anyway.

I am the only one who knows about his final moments. The police department decided to handle the fake corpse created by the Inspector as the real one to quickly cover up the case since it involved a police officer committing murders.

However, not all is bad. The case has sparked a self-cleansing atmosphere within the department. Reality won't improve overnight, but it's a start.

I won't ask how you knew where the Inspector's body was. Instead, please keep my actions a secret.

If you were involved in his death in any way... it might sound strange, but I want to thank you. The Inspector wanted to stop. The man I knew was just and compassionate toward the victims. He desperately needed help, and you

 granted his wish.

If you need help anytime, anywhere, just call me. I owe you my life.

Sincerely, Jeffrey."

After reading the letter, I had a lot on my mind. But I decided to put those thoughts aside and focus on something more enjoyable. I had to prepare for my engagement.

After letting her go, I decided to take a walk and visit Samsegi, the three-colored cat. Sniffles was already following Samsegi around, so I was able to give them both the treats I had prepared. Since Sniffles had the merit of chasing Harrison away, I gave him extra treats. Though all of it ended up in Samsegi's mouth, Sniffles seemed satisfied.

Next, I checked on Rosie. As soon as I called her, she ran to the mansion, her eyes sparkling like stars, excited to share that she had grown 0.3 cm. I was worried that the wound on her arm from the Holy Water bullet might not have healed, but fortunately, it had completely recovered. Kaiden and Grover had come to say hello and cried a lot, while Avril and the children came one by one and beat Kazimir. Even Dolores came shyly to give me a pillow as a gift. Seeing everyone unchanged after nearly a month made me feel emotional.

Adrian, the most important of all, wasn't completely okay. Witnessing me disappear in front of his eyes had left a significant trauma. He would sometimes wake up in shock even while sleeping peacefully. Whenever I got up to find him touching me frantically as if having a seizure, he would be crying his eyes out.

The problem was that I'd end up crying while trying to comfort him. I'd sob, saying I didn't leave because I wanted to, and then he would kneel and beg after calming down first. Despite the situation repeating several times, Adrian's trauma didn't go away. Instead, it worsened whenever I cried. Perhaps overcoming this trauma was my true final quest? But as always, I was confident that I could complete the quest, even if it took time!

For the next few weeks, Adrian seemed inexplicably busy. I had heard that he would be busy for a while after officially succeeding to the title, but I didn't know exactly why. It didn’t seem like he was attending social events or making connections.

The only conversation we had during that time was him asking if I remembered anything about my parents. There was no way the player character, Hilda, would have real parents. After hearing that I had no memories, Adrian got busy again. A few days later, I finally found out what he was up to when unfamiliar guests were invited.

"Count, who are these people...?"

"Hilda, come and greet them. This is Marquis Archibald and his wife. They are your parents."

"My parents?"

This was news to me. There was a backstory that I was an orphan abandoned on the streets and became a servant of the Pfalzgraff family, but there was no way the player character, Hilda, had parents. Although our hair color was similar, that alone couldn’t prove a parent-child relationship.

I was bewildered, not knowing if they were my biological parents or adoptive parents, when suddenly the marquis's wife grabbed my hand.

"Oh, Hilda. So you are Hilda. You've been living as a servant in the Pfalzgraff family? You must have suffered a lot, poor thing."

"Don't you remember us? Well, it makes sense since you were so young when we lost you."

"We were so shocked back then..."

With teary eyes, she looked at me sympathetically and stroked the back of my hand. It felt too real to be an act.

"Hilda, you were actually the only daughter of the late Marquis Archibald. However, the former marquis passed away after a long illness, and the current marquis took custody of his niece. You got separated during the journey due to an accident."

I was about to question if there was a mistake, but Adrian, who had been silent, stepped forward. How could I have memories of such an accident when I wasn't myself at that time...? Adrian knew all this too, so why...

"Really, don't you remember anything? We used to see each other often, even if briefly."

"I'm sorry, we never imagined you were here. We have been desperately searching for you, not pretending not to know you. Why are you silent? Do you resent us?"

"Your Excellency, as you can see, Hilda seems confused by meeting you so suddenly. I'll talk to her calmly, so why don't you return for today?"

I was contemplating whether to say I remembered or not when Adrian intervened appropriately. The marquis couple, who were about to bombard me with questions, regained their composure and stepped back. The marquis's wife wiped her tears with a handkerchief.

"Yes... this isn't something to resolve in a day. Hilda must have been overwhelmed."

"Hilda, we'll come back next time. If any childhood memories come to you, please write to us. We will always be waiting."

The marquis left first with a somewhat somber face, and the marquis's wife left after caressing my hand for a long time. Left in the drawing room were just Adrian and me. As I was still confused about what had just happened, Adrian gently pulled me to sit on the sofa.

"I thought you would have many questions."

"Yes, first of all, who are those people? Are they really my adoptive parents?"

"They might be, or they might not be. What is certain is that the year they lost their niece, a priest found you, an orphan. The names and appearances match, but since you have no memories, nothing can be certain."

"That seems... like a coincidence. What if I pretend to be their daughter and it turns out I'm not? Wouldn't that cause a big problem?"

"Don't worry about that. The marquis couple also want you to be their lost niece. They've been criticized a lot for abandoning their only heir, so whether it's true or not doesn't matter much to them. What's important is your existence. Just like we need their title, they find it advantageous to have a connection with the Pfalzgraff family."

Whether true or not? How could they think that way? While I was momentarily stunned by their mindset, Adrian put a cookie in my mouth. It melted in my mouth, perhaps prepared to treat the marquis couple.

"I had checked various possibilities and didn't expect the Archibalds to come up. If there had been no one, I would have bribed some peripheral noble, but this turned out to be a better condition."

"So, what do I do now? Do I have to go to the marquis's house?"

"Of course not. You'll stay here as before. Instead, you'll live as the marquis's daughter, not as a servant, and as my fiancée."

After I finished the cookie, Adrian put another one in my mouth.

"You won't meet the marquis couple often. At most, once or twice a year."

"Once or twice a year."

"Nothing much will change. The only immediate change will be your room. It was a good idea to prepare the room next to mine, right?"

"Wait a minute. So, does that mean I have to quit working? Since I'm not a servant anymore?"

"You won't need to work."

Even if I had lived as a servant, if my real status was the marquis's daughter, I wouldn't have to live as a mistress or concubine, as I previously thought. I wouldn’t be disregarded for being a former servant, as Leticia feared. Although I knew raising my status was a good thing, I couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed.

Being the marquis's daughter sounded nice, but it also meant I became unemployed overnight. My job and career were gone just like that!

Moreover, not being a servant meant I couldn’t wear this legendary maid outfit anymore. I couldn’t walk around in a maid outfit when I was now an earl's wife. It was the first legendary item I got when I was dirt poor, and I felt sentimental about it. I had enjoyed the set effect from the headband, maid outfit, apron, shoes, and gloves. I had put so much effort into upgrading it. Even if I wouldn't wear it anymore, I'd still take it out to look at it occasionally.

"And one more thing. You'll need to sort out the people around you. Those you knew as a servant will now be under you."

"What? But I don't want to lose friends because of my status."

Raising my status meant that I would have to distance myself from those I became friends with while being a servant. The reason I recognized the NPCs as people and decided to stay in this world to see the ending credits wasn't solely because of Adrian. It was because of my friendships with them. Just because I was with Adrian didn't mean I could completely sever ties with them.

"Yes, I thought you'd say that."

"Originally, this isn't allowed. We might be criticized for lacking roots, but..."

"Hilda, don't you see? My foundation is entirely you. If you have no roots, then I have no roots. You know, I'd be happy to spend my whole life on a small boat drifting on the vast ocean if it's with you."

Adrian stopped offering me the third cookie and held my hand tightly. While I was glad Adrian understood, I couldn’t help but think that a comfortable house was better than a vast ocean. At sea, you couldn't avoid the sun, and there would be a lack of drinking water... But seeing the sentimental look in his eyes, I couldn't bring myself to say it.

"That's... a relief, but should we inform the madam about this?"

"I already contacted her regarding the marquis couple. She was delighted to hear the news. She said there would be a lot to help with and that she would come to the mansion."

"Really? Is it okay for her to come?"

I was already surprised that the news had reached her, but hearing about her return made my eyes widen. He paused for a moment before laughing.

"She'll be fine. I hired many

 excellent guards to escort her. We don't have to worry about Harrison anymore."

While I was relieved to know the madam would be safe, my mind wandered to what sort of changes would come with her return.

The next few weeks passed in a whirlwind of activity. I settled into my new role as the marquis's daughter, adjusting to the changes it brought to my life. My friends, who had known me as a servant, accepted the change with varying degrees of grace, but they remained my friends nonetheless. Adrian was always there to support me, and together, we navigated the new dynamics of our relationship.

One evening, as we sat in the garden, I couldn't help but reflect on everything that had happened.

"Adrian, do you think we've finally found peace?"

He looked at me with a smile, his eyes filled with warmth and love.

"I believe so, Hilda. We've overcome so much together, and we'll continue to face whatever comes our way. As long as we're together, we'll always find peace."

I smiled back at him, feeling a sense of contentment I had never known before. Despite the challenges and uncertainties, I knew that as long as we were together, we could face anything.

And so, we continued our journey, hand in hand, ready to face whatever the future held for us.

Upon her arrival, the Countess summoned me first to sort out the titles. She was now the former Countess, and since I would be the future Countess, she insisted I call her “Mother” instead of “Madam.” She said that as she was stepping back, she would entrust the household management to me but would help until I got accustomed to it.

"Hilda, I've heard that you are good at your job, but managing the household is not easy. You cannot fulfill your responsibilities just by learning through observation. It's not just about managing the household. As the Countess, you will have to attend various social events. Even though you have become the Marquis's daughter, people will still remember that you were once a servant. You need to prepare thoroughly to avoid being labeled as such. Fixing habits ingrained in you in a short time will require a lot of effort, right?"

"What kind of preparation should I do?"

"Before coming here, I sent letters to several tutors. You will receive the same education I did, without missing a single detail. It might be difficult because you have to learn faster than I did, but I believe you can do it."

The former Countess, Priscilla, consoled me with a voice that melted at the end and held my hand tightly. I felt a bit embarrassed that she noticed my hands were cold from nervousness.

"Since these are things you are learning for the first time, you might struggle, but if you work hard, the results will follow. If it becomes too hard, go to Adrian for comfort sometimes. He would prefer that to you enduring alone. Also, it's better to take medicine during your studies. If you have a baby before you settle down, things could become complicated."

"I will keep that in mind."

"Good. From today, let's go for walks in the morning, at noon, and in the late afternoon. We will gather the staff every three or four days. We can reorganize the mansion's operations, and I can teach you in the process."

"Yes."

"If there's nothing special, shall we take a walk around? I want to see how the mansion has changed."

Despite her firm voice, she was not healthy enough to move freely and had to walk very slowly with a cane. On flat ground, she could shuffle along, but on stairs, Leticia and Olivia had to practically lift her by holding her arms.

"Oh my, I apologize. I was just finishing up the garden and got caught off guard..."

"It's fine, just finish what you were doing."

A servant who was diligently pulling weeds, unaware of our approach, jumped up in surprise. He looked startled seeing Priscilla and then puzzled seeing me by her side, thinking, 'Why is she dressed like that next to the Madam?' But his eyes soon lowered awkwardly, remembering, 'Ah, she's the Marquis's daughter.' The servant continued his work without further attention, but he kept glancing at us until we disappeared around the corner.

Whenever we went for walks, we would encounter an average of five servants. Once, we even ran into a group of servants chatting loudly, who all gave me puzzled looks. They quickly bowed their heads when they noticed Priscilla.

"Hilda, do you know why I come out for walks three times a day?" Priscilla asked one day as we walked. At first, I thought it was to spend more time with me and to become closer, but after a few outings, I realized that wasn’t the case. After ensuring no one was around to hear us, I lowered my voice.

"Is it to show the staff that we are walking together?"

"You're right. I want as many servants as possible to see us together. I want them to get used to seeing us together so that it becomes a normal sight."

"So, that's why you intentionally walk where they can see us."

"You noticed that too. You're quite perceptive."

Priscilla, who looked just like Adrian, smiled beautifully. She soon found a table to sit at, seemingly exhausted even after a short walk, and I felt her walking time was getting shorter each day. I helped her sit comfortably and set her cane beside her.

"The reaction is always the same when people see us together, isn't it? Despite all the rumors about you, they still find it hard to accept."

"It's probably a matter of time. I was a servant, after all."

"You're right. But it's also an issue we need to resolve quickly. Servants are survival experts. When you officially become the Countess, they'll assess who holds the real power in the mansion. I would be thrilled if you are recognized as the one in power, but when a new mistress arrives, seasoned servants often act like they own the place. Since you were also a servant, they might look down on you. Leticia is holding things firmly for now, but she can't protect you forever."

"......"

"In such cases, the smoothest way to handle the situation is to use an existing authority figure. Someone who is stable and universally recognized. Even though I wasn't fully in my right mind, I was once the mistress of this house."

Though Priscilla seemed endlessly gentle, she had recently been appearing before the staff with the dignity of a proper mistress. She corrected wrongdoings and restored order. Even though she was frail and thin due to her illness, her innate elegance and noble intimidation were intact. As a result, the whispers about whether she had truly regained her senses or was still insane quickly disappeared.

"Hilda, make many allies within this mansion. Choose those who were closest to you, the ones who would never betray you. The more of such people you have, the better."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"Good. Are you managing your lessons well?"

"I'm doing my best."

Thankfully, I had already learned letters and writing; otherwise, I would have been hopelessly behind. The daily amount of study was enormous since I had to complete in a short time what Priscilla learned over years. Just a while ago, I was worried about being unemployed and bored, but I didn't need to worry. Besides the brief walks after meals, I was studying all the time!

I had seven tutors, and each one acted like I only attended their class, assigning a huge amount of homework, leaving no time to rest. It was an endless stream of assignments. Every time Adrian offered to help, I was tempted to push all the work onto him.

Despite the grueling schedule, I managed thanks to items and buffs. I maximized my learning speed with the "Critical Hit" sleep buff and memorized notes with the legendary pencil. For dance lessons, I wore the Ancient Dress of Agility (+7), for history, etiquette, and culture lessons, the Ancient Dress of Intelligence (+9), and for occasional tests, the Ancient Dress of Luck (+1), which ensured I got all the right answers.

Combining hard work with the advantages of items and buffs naturally led to good results.

Sometimes, I wondered why I was working so hard when I could live well as a capable servant. But since I decided to stay by Adrian's side, I had no choice. If I was going to do it, I wanted to do it right.

Priscilla smiled contentedly at my response.

"Good. The tutors are all praising you. Keep up the good work. Now, shall we go over there... cough."

"Mother, if you're not feeling well, should we head back early?"

Priscilla's health was deteriorating day by day since returning to the mansion. The doctor strongly recommended rest and stability, saying she had already exceeded her limits, but she didn't listen. She firmly refused my support and stood up with her cane. Both she and Adrian were stubborn.

"No, I'm fine. The air is just dry, causing me to cough. Besides, isn't this the time when the servants are most active? We can't miss such a good opportunity."

"But you don't look well. You seem to be in pain, let's go back now."

"I'm really fine, Hilda. There will be plenty of time to rest when I'm dead. Now, I must do what I can while I still can."

"Please don't talk like that."

"I'm sorry to upset you with such talk, but remember, I am someone who once chose death. Now, I'm living this life thanks to you. I've even had meals with Adrian recently... and I sometimes smile at him. I have no regrets even if I die tomorrow."

"......"

"Let's go back now. The sun is unusually harsh today."

Priscilla laughed lightly as if she were talking about someone else and slowly walked ahead. Despite her fragile appearance, I had come to respect her for her strong will.

Priscilla remained busy after that. Ignoring the doctor's warning that she would be in serious trouble if she didn't start taking breaks, she diligently checked the progress of her lessons and went for walks. Once a month, she hosted gatherings to introduce herself to high-ranking nobles, confidently holding lavish parties in her own name.

The looks that used to say, "She used to be just another servant like us," gradually faded with her relentless efforts, but there were still some servants who refused to acknowledge her until the end. For those, Priscilla treated them like ghosts, placing them under her command and swiftly dismissing them if they didn't listen or caused trouble.

Her murderous pace of study, reminiscent of her days as a student on the streets, came to an end after six months. While there were advanced courses remaining after separating the basic and intermediate levels, it was an immense achievement considering there were a dozen subjects in total.

Geography and history that brought tears, civil and land laws, art history, etiquette, nobility studies... It felt like listing them all, but in any case, it was all behind her now. She had vowed to burn all those thick books once she passed her exams, but upon actually passing, she felt a reluctance to do anything amidst the sense of liberation, shedding tears of emotion while holding hands with Priscilla and her teachers.

Now Priscilla could finally relax without worry! With some semblance of order established at the mansion and now able to act like a noble herself, she thought she could legally confine herself to the bed if she chose.

But just a few days later, Priscilla never woke up again. Just as she had said before, it seemed she had finished her last task.

"Doctor, is my lady going to be fine?"

"......."

"Doctor."

"I apologize, but Miss, there is nothing more I can do. Frankly, her endurance until now has been nothing short of a miracle."

"......."

"Prepare yourself. It may happen tonight."

The doctor left. Under the faint light, Priscilla's frail bones and pale face were revealed. Olivia and Leticia were crying quietly by the door, having heard the doctor say the same things as before. Perhaps worried their crying might disturb something, they retreated to the opposite wall when they saw me. I bit my lip to suppress my tears and headed for Adrian's room.

"Adrian."

"......."

"Don't you want to go see your mother?"

Since Priscilla collapsed and didn't get up, the doctor took the money for his final examination and left. Even without a detailed explanation, Adrian seemed to know the current situation. He sat on the edge of the bed with his head bowed in silence. Waiting for his response, I approached him.

"Adrian. Tonight might be the night."

"......."

"If she wakes up... she'll want to see you first."

He might be pleased if you were by his side when he woke up. I gently touched his shoulder.

"Hilda, I think... it's better if I don't go."

"What are you saying? You'll desperately want to find her."

"Because that's how she can return to the embrace of the god she has served all her life."

"......."

"At least in the end, she should accept that I wasn't close..."

After Priscilla collapsed, I wondered why he never visited even once, and why he suddenly stopped delivering even simple greetings. It was a strange reason to think about. He whispered while leaning his forehead against my belly.

"Even if she hated me... even if she despised me... I wished she could live somewhere and be happy without me. I never wanted her to die like that..."

It seemed like a moment where no words could bring comfort. That was the moment. I gently stroked his hunched back. He seemed to suffer for a long time because of the slight guilt of not living in his son's body.

I wanted to be by his side until he found peace of mind, but shortly after that, I had no choice but to leave the room. Not only could I not leave Priscilla alone for a long time, but Adrian probably didn't want it either.

"Hil... da."

Translator Notes:

- **뜨개질**: Knitting or needlework, often metaphorically used to imply incomplete tasks or plans.

- **쿠흡, 쿨럭**: Onomatopoeic expressions for coughing or choking, indicating physical distress.

- **다음 생**: Next life or reincarnation, a concept often referenced in philosophical or spiritual contexts.

---

I closed the door gently behind me, but Priscilla must have sensed my presence because I heard her voice. I should have closed it even quieter. After briefly blaming my clumsy hand, I hurried over to the bed.

"Yes, Mother. It's me. I'm sorry for waking you."

"Oh no. I feel unusually light today... I'm in good spirits. And Adrian...?"

Her once bright golden eyes, now dulled and clouded, searched through the darkness. Unable to find the right words for a moment, I lowered my gaze. I knelt by the bedside and took Priscilla's hand. It was growing cold. Sadly, I knew what this meant.

"Adrian... couldn't make it, Mother. I can't explain in detail."

"......"

"But he wanted to come. I'm not lying to comfort you. Please believe me."

Even when pressed about why he hadn't come, I couldn't explain the reasons. But I tried my best to convey Adrian's feelings. He must have wanted to rush over immediately. He must have been suppressing that urge just to set foot in this room, to send her back to the god she had served all her life.

"Well, he must have his reasons... There's no need for a guilty face, Hilda..."

"......"

"What should I do... I haven't even finished knitting... I wanted to indulge a bit more, and when your child... if they are ever born, I wanted to entrust them to you personally... *cough, cough!*"

"Mother!"

Suddenly, a rough cough shook her frail body cruelly. Even as I considered offering painkillers, the doctor's words echoed in my mind: doing nothing now is the best way to care for the patient.

"Don't cry, Hilda... I told you. From Adrian's birthday... until now, it was all a bonus. God must have given this wretched mother a chance to make amends..."

"Please... don't say such things..."

My throat choked up, making it difficult to speak.

"Instead, please tell Adrian. If there's a next life... ask if he would come find me again. And promise that... he'll make me happy... more than the love I couldn't give this time..."

Amidst her rough breaths, silence took hold as she struggled to the final moment. Phew... a long sigh escaped her body like it was escaping from everywhere. Her long eyelashes gently fell like a butterfly landing, her trembling hands and restless heart came to a halt. Even the faint rustling sounds ceased, leaving only silence.

I tried to call out "Mother," but my voice weakly closed off. Tears that had been brimming in my eyes spilled onto the blanket. I held onto her hand on the bed until all warmth had completely faded away.

After a while, I covered Priscilla with the blanket and left the room. Olivia and Leticia, who had been waiting outside the door, suddenly burst into tears when they saw me. Did they say Mother had passed away? Did they ask me to follow? I murmured words I couldn't remember and returned to Adrian's room.

Adrian must have known that Priscilla had passed away. He probably figured it out the moment she left.

"Hilda."

As soon as I opened the door and stepped in, he embraced me. His whole body trembled with poignant sorrow. I gently covered his neck with my hand, and he soon warmed up. He seemed both apologetic and grateful towards me. Either way, our grief was rooted in the same place.

Adrian held onto me as if he were clutching onto his life. Tears he shed and those I shed mingled endlessly, with neither of us knowing whose tears were whose.

"I won't tell you not to cry today."

"......"

"Tonight, we'll be together, Adrian."

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