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Chapter 9
“You must not even see me. You’re tending to your own business before showing any respect to your master,” Hider said coldly.
The bright-eyed boy who’d just been watching me gleefully wield a potato peeler had vanished.
…Well, no wonder he’s the male lead.
That’s not the spirit of a 13-year-old.
“H-Hic!”
Dania hiccuped.
She stared at me with terrified eyes.
Isn’t there a skill I can use right now? Something to erase memories? Or maybe brainwash her?
No, wait…
Haah.
I tried to act calm, but cold sweat was pouring down my back. It felt like all the time I’d spent pretending to be a spy for the Duchess was collapsing.
But I couldn’t just stand here forever.
If Dania had come up here in such a hurry, something must’ve gone wrong downstairs. Someone else might come up at any moment.
I quickly scanned through my skill window, trying not to make it obvious.
Not Detox… Master of Acting? But what kind of acting would I even do? That’s not it either.
Hider was also pretending to stay calm, but he seemed just as tense as I was.
As I checked my skills, Hider suddenly spoke.
“Rani.”
“Yes?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll take full responsibility for this. It’s all my doing. You didn’t do anything wrong. I forced you with threats—”
“Wait a second, young master.”
There has to be a skill in my Ultimate Maid Skills that can fix this situation…
I checked again. Still nothing. My sweat was now practically a waterfall.
Potato Peeler Wielder? Insane. Hurting Dania would only make the Duchess more suspicious of me.
But maybe I could at least use it for intimidation. I steeled myself.
I pulled the potato peeler out of my front pocket and approached her threateningly.
“I’m someone who can hurt people with this knife.”
Dania looked at me with eyes full of scorn.
You little—
Looks like I’d have to rely on a skill after all.
Master of Acting.
“You think I’m bluffing? My older brother was actually a knight! I learned how to hurt people from him.”
To enhance the street thug vibe, I spun the potato peeler between my fingers.
Only then did Dania tremble with fear.
I held the blade to her neck.
“If I slice just right along this vital spot…”
“Hiiieek!”
Dania went pale with terror at my words.
“But I don’t like doing things like that either, Dania. How about we make a deal?”
Dania stared at me, her face ghost-white.
“I’ll give you half my monthly salary.”
Her expression instantly changed.
Long live capitalism.
“Rani, you don’t have to do this for me. This is all my—”
“Young master, thank you for saying that. But the Duchess isn’t stupid.”
Hider looked downcast. Seeing my precious favorite look so sad made my chest ache. I should have been more prepared for this.
Still, with my skills upgraded, there were plenty of ways to make money now.
I could sell clothes, socks, blankets… even furniture.
When you spend money, spend it right.
“Dania, want to hear me out?”
Dania nodded eagerly.
I looked over at Hider, who gave a melancholic look before slowly lowering his wooden sword.
Dania gasped for breath.
“R-Rani! W-what on earth was—”
“Shh. If you keep being loud, we won’t be able to help you.”
Seemed like a decent threat. Dania clamped her mouth shut and nodded.
“Listen to my offer first, Dania. Like I said, I’ll give you half my pay every month. In return, you help me and keep my secret.”
“H-How…?”
Her voice was barely a whisper. Her eyes wavered.
Looks like she’s tempted, huh?
“You won’t need to do much. First of all, just this—forget everything you saw here. Got it?”
Dania nodded vigorously.
“A-And like, do my chores or—”
“No way.”
That made my expression harden.
How dare you touch my skill points? These days, I lived for the thrill of unlocking new skills with experience.
“What if you get caught? And besides, Dania, you’ve got a family to support, right? You said your parents rely on you.”
“…Yeah.”
“Then let’s just start with keeping secrets. Sound good?”
Dania’s eyes darted around. She seemed nervous, but for someone who just had to stay quiet, this probably didn’t sound too hard.
She hesitated for a moment, then finally spoke.
“…Alright.”
That’s when it happened.
[A new function has been added. Would you like to add a collaborator?]
Name: Dania
Occupation: Fifth Lackey of the Duchess
Y/N?
What the—? A collaborator? Let’s check it out. I slyly pressed “Yes,” and the system window changed.
Collaborator 1: Dania
Current status: Fear
Betrayal Points: 10
(If betrayal points reach 15, the chance of betrayal increases. Use carrots and sticks wisely to keep your collaborator in check.)
What a convenient feature. Finally, a meaningful upgrade to the skill window. I was starting to think everything was a downgrade. Potato Peeler Wielder?
Wait—what the heck? She starts off with 10 betrayal points?
I looked at Dania suspiciously. She seemed calmer now, her eyes settling.
Yeah. She’s got the face of a traitor.
No need for carrots. Only sticks will work here.
“Dania. If you betray me, I’ll chase you to the ends of hell. I’ll tell everyone you took my money and betrayed me, and our young master won’t let you off either. Right, young master?”
Hider coldly muttered:
“If she gives me permission, I’ll do it anytime.”
Still can’t believe he’s only 13. He usually looks so gentle, but this side of him is new.
Must be the northern duke blood. That icy aura suits him perfectly.
“See that?”
“…Fine. I’ll never betray you.”
Watching her betrayal points drop to 5 made me finally relax.
Now, then…
“What did you come here for?”
“Oh! Sir Tibern has arrived, Rani! He told me to prepare the young master right away… I mean, uh…”
Dania looked at Hider from head to toe. She paused, then laughed awkwardly.
“He’s already ready. We can take him just like this.”
So that’s what this is about. Tibern was the head of the ducal family. He had such a fierce personality that even the Duchess was afraid of him. He was also the only one who truly cared for Hider.
And now he’s making his appearance?
I bit my lip.
I didn’t know when he’d show up, but it’s now?
Tibern dies not long after appearing. If he had lived and continued to care for Hider, the novel’s story might’ve turned out very differently.
Could I save him?
“Rani?”
“Ah, yeah. I understand. Young master, we have to go meet Sir Tibern now. We probably won’t use this place again, so let’s dismantle it.”
“…Alright.”
Hider nodded, still looking glum.
“Dania, go ahead downstairs and let the Duchess know everything’s fine.”
“Okay!”
“Half my pay. Remember?”
“Obviously!” Dania nodded and headed down.
I turned to Hider, about to say something, but he beat me to it.
“…I always feel like I’m no help to you.”
What the heck is this kid talking about? Not helpful? Everything about getting Dania on our side was thanks to him.
But I didn’t think I could comfort him with words right now.
“You’re already a great help to me, just by being here.”
Of course he was. No matter how he looked, Hider was the male lead of this world. The safest place to be was right beside him.
“…Just by being here?”
“Yes, absolutely.” I smiled brightly and nodded.
Because of that, I didn’t notice the way Hider’s eyes began to change.
