The Life of Maria Lewellin - Chapter 15

Excuse me, sir…. what the hell does that mean? You turn instantly cold as soon as you heard me ask for land yesterday, so what is this?

Embarrassed, I hurriedly stepped closer towards Ains and let out an urgent voice.

“Didn’t you hate it when you thought I wanted to be your concubine?”

“That’s right.”

“So why don’t you just let it go? I don’t need any land. You can just give me the building and the money, so do it. Okay?”

“I’d love to do that, but there’s something you said on the first day.”

“Something I said?”

“Yes. “

A smile still hung around Ains’ mouth.

“Did you forget? You told me to swear on the Lord’s name.”

“…….!”

“Looking at your face, you must have remember it.”

(t/n: oh ohhh, it’s backfiring akahajak)

That’s right. Apparently I said that myself.

“Your Highness, promise me in God’s name. If I cure your leopard, you’ll have to grant my wish.”

Knowing how important the promise of the Lord’s name is, I became even more devastated.

‘…..Crazy, I’m crazy. Why the hell did I do that?’

But I really hated being a concubine. If that happens, I would have to live in the palace for the rest of my life. I already feel suffocated just imagining it.

That’s why I….

I have to beg and beg.

“Can you reconsider? You just need to take out one thing. Isn’t that okay?”

Ains, who was staring at me kept silent for a minute. Then he opened his mouth.

“You hate me that much?”

“It’s not that I hate you. I just don’t like to live in a palace. I’m a free soul. I want to take care of animals and live happily.”

‘So just let it go, alright?’

Ains was reticent again. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking just by looking at his expression. Looking at him with a burning face, he finally let out his voice again.

“I don’t want to reverse what I’ve already said. But it’s not like there’s no way at all.”

“What does that mean?”

“Do you remember? There are two reasons for giving land.”

“Yes. You said you could give it to someone who would be your companion, or to someone who swore allegiance to you.”

At that moment, an idea crossed my mind.

Wait a minute. Then that’s….

As if it had come to mind, Ains asked me in more specific terms.

“Why don’t you try working for me?”

“…under Your Highness?”

“That’s right.”

He nodded briefly and calmly said;

“Glick’s been fierce for a while, and the servants were terrified. But seeing you treat Glick and take him for a walk, I think I can trust you.”

It was not a bad suggestion. I like animals, and I have with him every day as I took care of him, so I became attached to him without realizing.

But…

“I love taking care of him, too. But like I said, I don’t want to live in the palace.”

“Listen until the end.”

Ains went on again.

“As promised, a land and the building will be yours. Of course I’ll give you money as well. Apart from that, I’m thinking of paying you 300 gold a month for taking care of Glick.”

“T-three hundred gold?”

I couldn’t believe it even when I heard it with my two ears.

Maria’s parents’ restaurant earned about 100 gold a month.

To put it more simply, 300 gold can buy around 3,000 bundles of bread sold on the market. In short, it’s really a lot of money.

“And the place you’ll live in….”

‘What is it? Why did you stop talking?’

Looking at him with a look of curiosity, he takes another beat off and continues to talk.

“I can get one for you if you want, but it’ll be a hassle to come and go every day. So stay here if you don’t mind. You’re free to leave anytime.”

That’s tempting.

“Then do I have to stay with Glick all day?”

“No, you don’t have to. All you have to do is to feed him and walk him once or twice a day. You can spend the rest of your time freely.”

That’s very tempting.

It’s already obvious that I’ll say that one word out of my mouth: “Yes.” That’s not all the paraplegic suggestions.

“Ah, and did you say you wanted to take care of the animals?”

“Yes. “

“You can raise animals only in your own space if you want. What do you say, are you willing to accept the offer?”

Absolutely!

There was no reason to worry anymore.

“Yes, I accept. But is this all right with you?”

“What? “

“Aren’t you giving me too much?”

“I’m just keeping my word. I’m sure I can do this for you, considering that you’ve made Glick better.”

‘You really like Glick.’

In fact, when he was first asked if I could work for him, I thought it meant that I have to be a slave for the rest of my life.

However, he gave a land, a building, money, a high paying job, and even allowed me take take care of animals, so there was no such windfall…

It’s a bit of a deal to have to live in the palace, but…It was understandable since I have to take care of Glick closely. He said I can go out freely, so I can go out anytime I want as well.

Is it okay for things to go this well?’

At this point, I must have saved a country in his previous life. Yes, of course.

“Then shall I write the contract?”

Even though I tried to keep my dignity, I couldn’t stop smiling. I tried to put down the corners of my mouth by m biting my lips, then there was a vague voice.

“Before that.”

“Yes? “

“Thank you.”

“…….!”

“For curing him.”

Ahh….

I opened my eyes round without realizing it. Then, coming a step closer to me, Ains reached out his hand and asked for a handshake.

“I look forward to your kind cooperation.”

(t/n: okay, he’s not that bad! )

[Rohin year 26 month xx day xx]

I feel like I won the jackpot lotto today. I didn’t really won it, but I just ate it recklessly…oldest*? Ah ….anyway That’s how lucky I am.

(t/n:she’s just having trouble writing lols)

I read the outline of the agreement. I was embarrassed because there were many difficult letters, but I just nodded my head and pretended that I understood, just in case I was caught guessing up the letters.

I asked for one more thing. I said I’ll only do it for a year. The conditions are really good, but I didn’t want to stay in the palace for a long time. I want to travel around.

I got a land, a building, money. No. I got gold instead of money.

When I opened the bag, it was full of shiny gold. I thought my heart was going to explode. I asked for a safe, so I put it in there.

I also get paid monthly. Glick really is my lucky charm. Ha ha ha ha!

I really feel like I won a lotto. Why don’t I p..p..play Lotto now?]

–The Diary of Maria, on the Day of Her Wish Came True-

A huge gate opened and four people came out.

Count Cornell who’s standing side by side with his son, bowed his head towards the young man across from him.

“Take care on your way home, your highness.”

“Take care on your way home. “

With the father and son’s farewell, Ains got on horseback. The knights who are waiting in advance followed suit.

As the mansion started looking farther and farther away, Tyr, who was traveling alongside Ains, looked around and asked.

“How was it?”

“What do you think?”

Instead of answering, he answered with another question, but Tyr didn’t get flustered.

He’s used to it anyway, so he put his thoughts in his mouth first.

“There seems to be nothing different from usual from the outside. And even if there is, they’ll definitely be desperate to hide it.”

Ains’ thoughts were not much different.

It was both easy and difficult to gain a true loyalty. Even those who have pledged lifelong loyalty, he still doesn’t know what they are thinking.

So it was very important to meet powerful aristocrats on a regular basis to listen to their stories and encourage them, and to apply subtle pressure to prevent them from thinking nonsense. If you look at history, treason and betrayal are always committed by the people close proximity to the imperial family after all.

“Come on–!”

Kicking the horse’s flank, Ains picked up speed. He still have to run a couple more hours to get back to the palace.

Ains went straight to the emperor’s office when he returned to the Imperial Palace.

Fortunately, the emperor was in good health and he was able to meet him right away. After delivering what he had seen and heard during his inspection today to his father, Ains came out with brief encouragement.

Back at the Crown Prince’s palace, the maids brought warm tea. After a short tea time that soothed his tired mind and body, Ains left the study. The place where he headed was a large room at the end of the main palace.

The soldiers who recognized the crown prince, quickly untied the chains that were winded around the door. Ains stepped closer into the open door.

He stopped and looked around for a moment, then small smile appeared on his expressionless face.

Glick was seen lying on the red carpet, while facing toward the sunlit window.

“I’m here, Glick.”

As usual, Glick didn’t even raise his head. The black leopard, he’d picked up a few years ago thinking it was a cat that lost its mother, was the only one who could ignore the prince’s words, both then and now.

“Did everything go well today?”

“…….”

“Why don’t we go for a walk together after a long time?”

Then Glick raised his head and stood up, stepping straight to the ground on his four feet. Ains smiled and swept Glick’s back from the head to back.

There are two words in which Glick responds to : ‘meat’ and ‘walk’.

Even when he’s lying down, if you say, “I’ll give you meat” or “Let’s go for a walk”, he will stood up immediately. It was clear that he understood people.

He could feel the soldiers’ nervousness as he walked out with Glick.

It’s only natural because he wasn’t wearing a leash and a muzzle.

Though they do not dare to look at him openly, everything they said in his back was the same.

“He only did not raise that beast, he also dare to take it out like that without any safety measures…. If it were me, I would never be able to do it with my mind. “

“But it’s still cool, isn’t it?”

“What do you mean cool? Did you forget how scared the servants who came out from there were? I still get chills whenever I remember it’s howling.”

Whether or not Ains heard them, he calmly headed to the place reserved for Glick.

It’s been a long time since he took a walk with Glick. He was too busy these past few days since his workload increased.

The dying sun shone on the ground, creating a wonderful scene. As he was walking with Glick as the cool wind blew pass them, Ains paused and stopped in place.

Around the big tree were full of pretty flowers that seemed deliberately planted.

They were not there the last time he came here.

It was not difficult to infer whose work it was. There’s way Glick planted it.

◆◈◆◈◆◈

We got Ains’ POV already? Okay, he’s not that baaaad. And he really love Glick and only shows his true self when he’s with him (and now, Maria uwu) and bruuuu, I would die to be offered a job like that! That offer was so sexy… Money is so sexy… Srsly…

And we’ll see more of Ains POV next chapter~