Chapter 6
“Duke, I’m sorry.”
‘Ha! I knew it!’
Inside, I wanted to leap onto the bed and break into a crazy dance. I even wanted to laugh right in Caesar’s oh-so-handsome face, but I held it in. Valérie still hadn’t made her rejection completely clear.
“…Sorry?”
“Yes. I’m truly grateful for the offer you’ve made me, but I intend to stay here.”
It was an unmistakably firm refusal. For the first time since entering this room, Caesar’s expression faltered. He probably hadn’t even imagined Valérie would reject his goodwill.
Understandable, in a way. He was the kind of man everyone catered to, who’d probably never been refused before. And to be turned down by nothing more than a maid, at that.
‘Caesar, no matter how amazing you think you are, you’re still just a game character. I’ve been playing this for over a month, memorizing every character profile and storyline—you can’t win against me.’
I wanted to burst out laughing in his face, but instead my lips only twitched as I struggled to control my expression.
I just blinked innocently between Valérie and Caesar with wide, doe-like eyes that said, “I don’t know anything.”
“…”
Our eyes met, and I saw Caesar’s face twist in irritation. Well, fair enough. Even I would find myself insufferable at this point. But so what? He started this fight.
‘Why try to steal someone else’s maid? Valérie’s mine, got it? I practically raised her myself, replaying again and again to unlock every ending.’
“I’ll promise you three times your current pay.”
“…!”
Just when I was feeling smug, something shocking came out of his mouth.
“You’ll also be free to take three days off each week as you please. During festivals or the new year’s holidays, I’ll give you extra time off.”
…Right. He was rich, wasn’t he?
I saw Valérie’s eyes waver. Triple salary and a three-day workweek. Even in real life I’d never had such a luxury. Who wouldn’t be tempted by such outrageous conditions?
‘Damn it, desperate measures then.’
I suddenly collapsed onto the bed where Valérie lay. Burying my face into the sheets, I looked up at her as pitifully as possible.
“Ah, my head hurts so much again…”
“Are you all right?”
‘No, not at all. Valérie, you’re not going to abandon me, right? You’re loyal, aren’t you?!’
“I… I can’t remember anything.”
“Oh dear…”
“Where is my mother? I’m so scared.”
“You’re far too old to be calling for your mother. You’re not seven years old. This is ridiculous.”
‘Ah. So this isn’t amnesia, it’s age regression.’
Caesar’s sarcastic remark stung, but I chose to brazen it out.
“Valérie, take me to Mother. Where is she?”
“The Duchess passed away a long time ago.”
“Then what about my brother or sister? Do I have any siblings?”
“No. Only Duke Kainan remains…”
“Then I’m truly alone…”
Pretending not to know the family details made me feel guilty, but guilt didn’t matter when survival was at stake. As I muttered blankly like someone lost, Valérie seemed to come to a decision and nodded firmly.
“Duke, forgive me, but I’ll stay by the lady’s side.”
“Miss Valérie, can’t you see she’s just acting—”
“Ah! My head! It hurts! I want my mom!”
Caesar’s protest was drowned out by my dramatic cry. He stared at me clinging desperately to Valérie in disbelief.
“You’re not going to abandon me, are you?”
“Lady, I haven’t finished—”
“You won’t leave me, right? Valérie? You won’t?”
“…Yes. I won’t.”
Even as cold sweat beaded her brow, Valérie smiled gently at me. She looked so angelic that I felt like absolute trash.
But her next words eased my guilt.
“You saved me earlier, after all.”
“The lady?”
Caesar glanced at me with a doubtful look. That’s right. Now you get it?
“Yes, Duke. When you tried to strike me earlier, the lady protected me.”
“…Impossible.”
“She not only laid me on her own bed, but she stopped you from striking me yourself.”
“!”
“Lady Tricia is truly my lifesaver.”
Overwhelmed, I clasped Valérie’s hands tightly and swore deep in my heart: I’ll make sure you’re happy no matter what, Valérie!
“And now that she’s even lost her memory, I feel I must stay by her side.”
“So, you would refuse my offer?”
“Yes. I’ll remain with the lady.”
Bzzzt!
[Valérie has chosen “Exclusive Maid to Lady Kainan.”]
With a vibration, golden text appeared brightly in the air.
[Congratulations! A hidden route has been unlocked.]
[Main route “Employee of the Lawini Hotel” has been replaced with hidden route “Exclusive Maid to Lady Kainan.”]
‘A hidden route? This… this was actually huge! I was right all along!’
Relieved, I praised my own quick thinking.
[Due to the hidden route, hidden quests are now available.]
Another window popped up on top of the previous one.
[TIP: Collect the “decisive fragments” required to begin hidden quests!]
The golden notices blinked and then vanished.
What those “decisive fragments” were, or how to find them, seemed to be up to me to figure out.
“If that’s Valérie’s decision, then I can’t force her.”
“I’m sorry, Duke Icarude.”
“No need to apologize. It seems I judged her character well.”
Caesar straightened, dusting off his crumpled cloak. A faint, bitter smile flickered across his face before disappearing. Then, from inside his cloak, he drew something out and handed it to Valérie.
“…What is this?”
A clear glass vial filled with red liquid shimmered.
‘That’s… a health potion. And the highest grade, at that!’
Caesar uncorked it and offered it to Valérie. For all his cold appearance, his gesture was surprisingly careful.
“Just think of it as medicine. Drink it now.”
Hesitating, Valérie drank it down in one go. At once, a pink character status window floated up.
[Character Status Window]
[HP: 5 >>> 999]
Royal Blood Potion—the very highest grade of healing potion. Made by temple magicians, it wasn’t considered ordinary medicine but a magical item. Since it restored health completely, it was exorbitantly expensive, nearly impossible to buy. In my countless playthroughs, I’d only ever obtained it through rare random events. For him to just hand one over…
‘Okay, maybe this game does have some standards. Sorry for cursing it earlier.’
“…Although, something bothers me.”
Suddenly his sharp gaze swung toward me. I flinched but forced a smile. No big deal. I’ve unlocked the hidden route—what’s the worst that could happen now?
“In the middle of winter, after being submerged in seawater for so long, why does the lady look completely unharmed?”
…Sharp bastard. I blinked innocently, saying nothing. Sometimes silence is the best defense. I couldn’t exactly say, “It’s a system error compensation, idiot!”
“Was this whole suicide attempt… an act?”
“…What?”
“A ploy to attract the Grand Duke Twollun’s attention, perhaps?”
‘The Grand Duke Twollun? Why is Dorian’s name coming up now?’
Could it be… I was connected to Dorian somehow too? I wanted to ask, but forced myself not to. Better to keep quiet than give him reason to be suspicious.
‘I need to redirect his focus.’
Resolute, I met his eyes head-on.
“You’ve been rather rude for some time now, Duke Icarude.”
“!”
“I’m grateful you saved my life, but I don’t appreciate you making such baseless judgments about me.”
His sculpted face contorted in shock. He looked even more taken aback than when Valérie refused him.
‘What, surprised the worm can bite back? Maybe you shouldn’t have trampled it so much then.’
Though I longed to fire back more sharply, I restrained myself. Instead I calmed my voice and stripped the anger from my expression. Making an enemy of the empire’s wealthiest man was the last thing I needed.
“As you’ve heard, I can’t remember anything after falling into the sea. I don’t even know why you dislike me so much. Perhaps I once offended you, but if you treat me this way, I suppose it must have been something serious.”
Apologizing for something I didn’t even remember stung, but I swallowed my pride for the sake of clearing the game.
“I was wrong. I’m sorry.”
‘There, now ease up. We’ll be crossing paths often because of Valérie anyway.’
Whether on the main route or the hidden one, Caesar’s help was essential. The story progressed through him—from securing jobs at his Lawini Hotel to gaining access to the Imperial Palace.
For now, bowing my head was the smart move.
“…I only came to ensure there was no injustice.”
“Excuse me?”
“But since it seems there isn’t, I’ll leave rather than cause unnecessary fuss.”
‘Wait—that’s it? You’re not even accepting my apology?’
When I lifted my head, Caesar was already heading for the door. That arrogant jerk. As I cursed him under my breath, he suddenly turned sharply back.
‘Crap, did he hear me?’
I shrank back nervously, but instead something was thrust toward me.
“This is for you, Lady.”
It was the same health potion he’d given Valérie. He must have brought two from the start.
‘Wait—was one of them meant for me all along?’
…Nah, surely not.
“Thank you.”
I accepted the vial with both hands like it was an imperial gift. It looked a little silly, but who cared?
‘Such a precious thing. I’ll save it and use it for Valérie when she needs it most.’
“And this was found in your clothing. I thought I should return it.”
He placed a soggy slip of paper into my palm.
“I’d advise you not to read it.”
