Translator and Editor: Gina and Elnie
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Chapter 47
“Oh, no!”
Fortunately, the tray and cup didn’t hit the floor, but his clothes got wet.
“Oh no… what should I do!”
Hannah’s face turned pale.
“Ah, this…”
Water with a sweet and refreshing scent ran down his thighs, drenching his pants.
“Sorry… I’m sorry… Wh-what should I do…”
Hannah quickly pulled a handkerchief from her waist pocket and started wiping his body hastily.
“N, no th–!”
Her hand, which was tapping his chest with a handkerchief while wiping Janssen’s pants dry, came down to his thigh.
Jansen’s body stiffened. Hannah rubbed his thigh hard, without thinking.
“Ah! It’s really okay… Ah! No, until that point.”
Before reaching a dangerous place, he barely grabbed her wrist and pulled her up.
Only then did Hannah come to her senses and realized what she was doing and where she was touching.
“Ah… I-I apologize!”
Seeing her pale face, Jansen felt more worried for her than his wet pants. As Hannah ran away, Jansen, startled, tried to call her out.
“No, Miss Hannah!”
Left alone in the hallway, Jansen was confused about what the hell was going on.
He went into the office and took off his top, which was now drenched and completely clinging to his body. He reflected on the previous situation.
Why was she so restless? Why didn’t she knock on the door right away? Even though she was usually shy, he thought that Hannah would at least be able to do that.
‘I did something wrong… How could you surprise her by sneaking up and not making a sound?’
Regretfully, he lightly touched the area around his chest. He recalled her little fingers running along his body and wiping away the water.
Suddenly, Jansen felt a strange tingling sensation in one corner of his heart.
“What? Oh, come on! What’s wrong with me?!”
If it wasn’t a side effect of the medicine he had taken earlier, it was clear that the medicine had expired.
He hurriedly opened the drawer while looking for the medicine to check it.
* * *
“Ugh!”
Hannah, who ran to her room without stopping nor looking back, fell to the floor. She planned to simply bring a warm cup of tea to him, who was sick.
…But it was completely ruined.
* * *
“My Highness.”
[tl-n: usually the correct expression is ‘your highness’ but here it implies how affectionate the greeting is.]
A woman with fine gray hair held Maxim’s hand as if she had met her grandson.
“Your Highness, the Queen.”
Perhaps because she felt Rose’s gaze, Marianne bowed and greeted her politely.
Rose quickly got up. It was definitely the first time they saw each other and yet, Marianne’s gray eyes looking at her were full of joy and warmth.
‘What is this woman to Maxim and what is Maxim to this woman?’
Rose became curious about her identity after seeing a pair of eyes full of affection that not even his uncle, who was Maxim’s real family, had.
“It’s getting cold. Come on, Your Highness, come this way.”
Marianne led Rose into the house.
“I made dinner with Anna. This old granny wanted to show off her skills for a long time.”
In a simple two-story house, Marianne seemed to be living with a maid named Anna.
Together, they went to a small table and sat down.
Although it was nothing extravagant, the table full of dishes served with sincerity had a delicious smell.
“Marianne has served as a maid in the Lancert family for two generations since her grandfather.”
It was then that Maxim introduced Marianne to Rose.
“You were a veteran maid. So, were you there until Miriam became a maid?”
Rose looked at her with twinkling eyes.
“That’s right. I also witnessed His Majesty Maxim’s birth.”
Marianne had a sad look in her eyes as she looked back on the past.
“I should have kept looking after you from the side, but I left the castle when His Majesty was still young.”
“Why did you leave the castle? Could it be that Madam Katrina had chosen Miriam as the new maid?”
When Rose pointed out Katrina’s name, Marianne shook her head quickly in embarrassment.
“No. It’s all because I’m not good enough. Hurry up and eat before the food gets cold.”
Marianne hurriedly changed the subject, but her unnatural reaction made Rose feel curious. If she had watched from the side until Maxim was born, this woman would have been a great strength to young Maxim Lancert as his mother.
Marianne must have been a great strength to Maxim Lancert.
‘Why did Katrina change such an important maid at a time like that?’
“Still, I feel grateful that His Majesty did not forget this old granny and comes to visit me like this every year. I don’t know how much longer I will live, but I have such a beautiful companion that I don’t have any time to die today.”
Rose smiled at Marianne’s words and took her hand gently.
“What do you mean by that? You still have to see Maxim II and even his grandchildren.”
Hearing Rose’s words, Marianne smiled so deeply that her eyes narrowed until they were unnoticeable.
“I’m happy just imagining it. If he resembles His Majesty, he will be very handsome. Of course, I also would like to see a pretty Princess as beautiful as the Queen.”
Rose glanced at Maxim and gave him a triumphant look.
‘This should be enough regarding the fake wife you mentioned before.’
Maxim ignored her eyes and said bluntly to Marianne.
“It’s winter now, so it’s better to have one servant. There will be a lot of repairs here and there, and it’s time to chop firewood. You won’t have enough workers.”
“Don’t say that. Anna and I are getting along well enough, and secretary Janssen sends people from time to time to take a look.”
“Janssen?”
“Not long ago, he sent his servants to clean the chimney and do everything to fix it. Thanks to him, I think I’ll be warm this winter as well.”
‘I guess there are things that even Maxim doesn’t know about.’ Rose was once more surprised by secretary Janssen’s skills.
He, who was busier than anyone else in the castle, was even taking care of such careful things.
‘Come to think of it, he said he wasn’t feeling well, but is he okay now?’
While Rose was lost in thought for a while, Marianne’s happy voice was heard.
“The room you are staying in has been warmed up in advance. So that you two can sleep comfortably tonight.”
Rose raised her head startled.
‘Huh? What? Have a good night’s sleep?’
Rose looked at Maxim with embarrassed eyes. She never thought they would spend the night.
‘What do you mean?’
She tilted her head at him and asked for an answer with an intense look.
Maxim looked at Rose and said, slowly wiping his mouth with a towel.
“I’m just going to eat and go home today.”
“Pardon? But Your Majesty stays here every year…”
Marianne’s wrinkled face clearly showed a sad and disappointed look. It was her pleasure to wait for His Majesty Maxim, who came every year at this time and stayed for one day.
Prepare dinner, take care of his cozy bed, and make soup and bread by hand for breakfast.
Every year, as she saw him off the next morning, she was relieved that the year passed safely.
“Ah…”
Rose was rather restless, seeing Marianne so discouraged and sad.
Maxim said straight forwardly.
“She will be uncomfortable. She might find it annoying to spend the night outside.”
Marianne looked at Rose and nodded slightly as if she couldn’t help it. She overlooked the fact that he was now married and the Queen was with him.
Realizing that she was being greedy, Marianne spoke to Rose with apologetic eyes.
“That’s right, Your Majesty the Queen, you mustn’t feel uncomfortable. This old granny was being thoughtless, please forgive me.’
“N- no! I–!”
Rose fell into awkward silence, unable to finish her sentence.
She felt as if she had forcibly taken from the poor old woman the joy of receiving a precious guest. Rose looked at Maxim, wondering why he was making her so troubled.
And perhaps she had imagined it, but she saw a smile creep across his lips.
Rose let out a short sigh.
“Would it be okay? As long as I don’t bother Marianne, I’ll be indebted to you for letting me stay a day or so.”
At her words, Marianne’s wrinkled eyes were wide open and her face brightened like a flower in full bloom.
“What do you mean! This old granny expects only one day in a year. This year, I am even more honored to be able to host the Queen. How can the Queen be so considerate?”
Marianne was so moved that she even had tears in her eyes. Maxim stared at Rose, wondering if she would be really okay.
She, on the other hand, ignored his gaze and unnaturally scooped out the soup and forced it into her mouth.
* * *
“Call me anytime if you need anything.”
The maid quickly left the room, leaving only Rose and Maxim inside a small and cozy room. Since the fireplace was lit for a long time, the room felt warm enough.
A large bed was next to the fire, and a small sofa was placed below the window on the opposite wall.
Rose eagerly waited for the words, ‘I’ll sleep on the sofa, so you can lie comfortably in bed.’ to come out of his mouth.
But unlike what she had hoped, Maxim stretched out naturally and strode towards the bed. He leisurely took off his shirt and lay down.
‘Yeah, right. What was I thinking? Expecting some consideration from a man whose kindness is as little as an ant?’
Rose felt foolish for hoping for something even for a moment.
As she stood awkwardly in front of the door without doing anything, Maxim said,
“Is someone going to eat you up? Are you going to stand guard all night in front of the door?”
Rose grumbled and eventually walked to the sofa rather than the bed. A muffled voice was heard.
“It must be cold there.”
“If you won’t change with me, then it doesn’t matter.”
“Why don’t you just come here? The bed is spacious too. It’s a waste to use it alone.”
“…”
“Don’t worry. I won’t even touch your fingertips.”
Rose stared at him, realizing that he was teasing her.
Laying down by the roaring fireplace, he seemed drowsy and relaxed, as if he didn’t even care about her.
Rose nervously unfolded a small blanket on the sofa.
‘It’s uncomfortable, but I’ll be able to survive one night. It’s only one night.’
“That’s why you should have agreed when I said we were going back to the castle earlier.”
“Shut up.”
She faintly heard Maxim giggling. He, who was lying on his back with his arms crossed over his head, glanced at her.
She lay as if dead, wrapped in a blanket.
He grinned as if foreseeing what was to come.
‘How cold is it under that window?’
It was almost amazing seeing her still holding up.
‘Whatever, do what you like.’
Translator and Editor: Gina and Elnie
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Chapter 47
“Oh, no!”
Fortunately, the tray and cup didn’t hit the floor, but his clothes got wet.
“Oh no… what should I do!”
Hannah’s face turned pale.
“Ah, this…”
Water with a sweet and refreshing scent ran down his thighs, drenching his pants.
“Sorry… I’m sorry… Wh-what should I do…”
Hannah quickly pulled a handkerchief from her waist pocket and started wiping his body hastily.
“N, no th–!”
Her hand, which was tapping his chest with a handkerchief while wiping Janssen’s pants dry, came down to his thigh.
Jansen’s body stiffened. Hannah rubbed his thigh hard, without thinking.
“Ah! It’s really okay… Ah! No, until that point.”
Before reaching a dangerous place, he barely grabbed her wrist and pulled her up.
Only then did Hannah come to her senses and realized what she was doing and where she was touching.
“Ah… I-I apologize!”
Seeing her pale face, Jansen felt more worried for her than his wet pants. As Hannah ran away, Jansen, startled, tried to call her out.
“No, Miss Hannah!”
Left alone in the hallway, Jansen was confused about what the hell was going on.
He went into the office and took off his top, which was now drenched and completely clinging to his body. He reflected on the previous situation.
Why was she so restless? Why didn’t she knock on the door right away? Even though she was usually shy, he thought that Hannah would at least be able to do that.
‘I did something wrong… How could you surprise her by sneaking up and not making a sound?’
Regretfully, he lightly touched the area around his chest. He recalled her little fingers running along his body and wiping away the water.
Suddenly, Jansen felt a strange tingling sensation in one corner of his heart.
“What? Oh, come on! What’s wrong with me?!”
If it wasn’t a side effect of the medicine he had taken earlier, it was clear that the medicine had expired.
He hurriedly opened the drawer while looking for the medicine to check it.
* * *
“Ugh!”
Hannah, who ran to her room without stopping nor looking back, fell to the floor. She planned to simply bring a warm cup of tea to him, who was sick.
…But it was completely ruined.
* * *
“My Highness.”
[tl-n: usually the correct expression is ‘your highness’ but here it implies how affectionate the greeting is.]
A woman with fine gray hair held Maxim’s hand as if she had met her grandson.
“Your Highness, the Queen.”
Perhaps because she felt Rose’s gaze, Marianne bowed and greeted her politely.
Rose quickly got up. It was definitely the first time they saw each other and yet, Marianne’s gray eyes looking at her were full of joy and warmth.
‘What is this woman to Maxim and what is Maxim to this woman?’
Rose became curious about her identity after seeing a pair of eyes full of affection that not even his uncle, who was Maxim’s real family, had.
“It’s getting cold. Come on, Your Highness, come this way.”
Marianne led Rose into the house.
“I made dinner with Anna. This old granny wanted to show off her skills for a long time.”
In a simple two-story house, Marianne seemed to be living with a maid named Anna.
Together, they went to a small table and sat down.
Although it was nothing extravagant, the table full of dishes served with sincerity had a delicious smell.
“Marianne has served as a maid in the Lancert family for two generations since her grandfather.”
It was then that Maxim introduced Marianne to Rose.
“You were a veteran maid. So, were you there until Miriam became a maid?”
Rose looked at her with twinkling eyes.
“That’s right. I also witnessed His Majesty Maxim’s birth.”
Marianne had a sad look in her eyes as she looked back on the past.
“I should have kept looking after you from the side, but I left the castle when His Majesty was still young.”
“Why did you leave the castle? Could it be that Madam Katrina had chosen Miriam as the new maid?”
When Rose pointed out Katrina’s name, Marianne shook her head quickly in embarrassment.
“No. It’s all because I’m not good enough. Hurry up and eat before the food gets cold.”
Marianne hurriedly changed the subject, but her unnatural reaction made Rose feel curious. If she had watched from the side until Maxim was born, this woman would have been a great strength to young Maxim Lancert as his mother.
Marianne must have been a great strength to Maxim Lancert.
‘Why did Katrina change such an important maid at a time like that?’
“Still, I feel grateful that His Majesty did not forget this old granny and comes to visit me like this every year. I don’t know how much longer I will live, but I have such a beautiful companion that I don’t have any time to die today.”
Rose smiled at Marianne’s words and took her hand gently.
“What do you mean by that? You still have to see Maxim II and even his grandchildren.”
Hearing Rose’s words, Marianne smiled so deeply that her eyes narrowed until they were unnoticeable.
“I’m happy just imagining it. If he resembles His Majesty, he will be very handsome. Of course, I also would like to see a pretty Princess as beautiful as the Queen.”
Rose glanced at Maxim and gave him a triumphant look.
‘This should be enough regarding the fake wife you mentioned before.’
Maxim ignored her eyes and said bluntly to Marianne.
“It’s winter now, so it’s better to have one servant. There will be a lot of repairs here and there, and it’s time to chop firewood. You won’t have enough workers.”
“Don’t say that. Anna and I are getting along well enough, and secretary Janssen sends people from time to time to take a look.”
“Janssen?”
“Not long ago, he sent his servants to clean the chimney and do everything to fix it. Thanks to him, I think I’ll be warm this winter as well.”
‘I guess there are things that even Maxim doesn’t know about.’ Rose was once more surprised by secretary Janssen’s skills.
He, who was busier than anyone else in the castle, was even taking care of such careful things.
‘Come to think of it, he said he wasn’t feeling well, but is he okay now?’
While Rose was lost in thought for a while, Marianne’s happy voice was heard.
“The room you are staying in has been warmed up in advance. So that you two can sleep comfortably tonight.”
Rose raised her head startled.
‘Huh? What? Have a good night’s sleep?’
Rose looked at Maxim with embarrassed eyes. She never thought they would spend the night.
‘What do you mean?’
She tilted her head at him and asked for an answer with an intense look.
Maxim looked at Rose and said, slowly wiping his mouth with a towel.
“I’m just going to eat and go home today.”
“Pardon? But Your Majesty stays here every year…”
Marianne’s wrinkled face clearly showed a sad and disappointed look. It was her pleasure to wait for His Majesty Maxim, who came every year at this time and stayed for one day.
Prepare dinner, take care of his cozy bed, and make soup and bread by hand for breakfast.
Every year, as she saw him off the next morning, she was relieved that the year passed safely.
“Ah…”
Rose was rather restless, seeing Marianne so discouraged and sad.
Maxim said straight forwardly.
“She will be uncomfortable. She might find it annoying to spend the night outside.”
Marianne looked at Rose and nodded slightly as if she couldn’t help it. She overlooked the fact that he was now married and the Queen was with him.
Realizing that she was being greedy, Marianne spoke to Rose with apologetic eyes.
“That’s right, Your Majesty the Queen, you mustn’t feel uncomfortable. This old granny was being thoughtless, please forgive me.’
“N- no! I–!”
Rose fell into awkward silence, unable to finish her sentence.
She felt as if she had forcibly taken from the poor old woman the joy of receiving a precious guest. Rose looked at Maxim, wondering why he was making her so troubled.
And perhaps she had imagined it, but she saw a smile creep across his lips.
Rose let out a short sigh.
“Would it be okay? As long as I don’t bother Marianne, I’ll be indebted to you for letting me stay a day or so.”
At her words, Marianne’s wrinkled eyes were wide open and her face brightened like a flower in full bloom.
“What do you mean! This old granny expects only one day in a year. This year, I am even more honored to be able to host the Queen. How can the Queen be so considerate?”
Marianne was so moved that she even had tears in her eyes. Maxim stared at Rose, wondering if she would be really okay.
She, on the other hand, ignored his gaze and unnaturally scooped out the soup and forced it into her mouth.
* * *
“Call me anytime if you need anything.”
The maid quickly left the room, leaving only Rose and Maxim inside a small and cozy room. Since the fireplace was lit for a long time, the room felt warm enough.
A large bed was next to the fire, and a small sofa was placed below the window on the opposite wall.
Rose eagerly waited for the words, ‘I’ll sleep on the sofa, so you can lie comfortably in bed.’ to come out of his mouth.
But unlike what she had hoped, Maxim stretched out naturally and strode towards the bed. He leisurely took off his shirt and lay down.
‘Yeah, right. What was I thinking? Expecting some consideration from a man whose kindness is as little as an ant?’
Rose felt foolish for hoping for something even for a moment.
As she stood awkwardly in front of the door without doing anything, Maxim said,
“Is someone going to eat you up? Are you going to stand guard all night in front of the door?”
Rose grumbled and eventually walked to the sofa rather than the bed. A muffled voice was heard.
“It must be cold there.”
“If you won’t change with me, then it doesn’t matter.”
“Why don’t you just come here? The bed is spacious too. It’s a waste to use it alone.”
“…”
“Don’t worry. I won’t even touch your fingertips.”
Rose stared at him, realizing that he was teasing her.
Laying down by the roaring fireplace, he seemed drowsy and relaxed, as if he didn’t even care about her.
Rose nervously unfolded a small blanket on the sofa.
‘It’s uncomfortable, but I’ll be able to survive one night. It’s only one night.’
“That’s why you should have agreed when I said we were going back to the castle earlier.”
“Shut up.”
She faintly heard Maxim giggling. He, who was lying on his back with his arms crossed over his head, glanced at her.
She lay as if dead, wrapped in a blanket.
He grinned as if foreseeing what was to come.
‘How cold is it under that window?’
It was almost amazing seeing her still holding up.
‘Whatever, do what you like.’
