SWS CH 26

Chapter 26

“Young master, that place is a punishment cave meant for criminals who committed grave sins or traitors. What on earth did you do to deserve this…?”

“I’ve committed plenty of sins. I’m a parasite living off the family, aren’t I?”

“If you enter that cave, it’ll be hard to come back alive. A ‘Crag Bear’ lives inside. That rock-like bear monster enjoys tearing apart weak humans.”

“I know.”

It seemed Nikolai had given him an order. Either to receive punishment inside or to be driven out altogether.

Docep placed a hand on Moldorf’s shoulder and spoke.

“See you again.”

“Young master…”

“Rest, Moldorf.”

He waved lightly and turned away.

As I stood there, stunned, he started walking.

“What are you doing?”

He jerked his chin, motioning for me to follow.

***

I trailed after Docep, asking nonstop.

“Kern Hall? Punishment?”

Just hearing Junel ramble excitedly about it made my head spin. If a one-star like him went in, he might really die.

No, according to Junel, he wouldn’t even last an hour before his body was torn into a hundred pieces.

“Is this because of me? Did Young Master Nikolai give that order because you brought me here?”

“If I go in and come back out, no one will be able to say anything about you anymore.”

“You have to come back! If you don’t, I’ll be the one who killed you!”

“Why? Are you worried?”

“Of course I am!”

The one remaining hope of this family was about to die. How could I not be worried?

“If this is because of me, you could just abandon me. Why risk your life?”

I truly didn’t understand. To avoid Nikolai’s anger, he could just throw me out. Then there’d be no punishment at all.

“You know the answer better than I do.”

“I don’t. I really don’t know.”

Docep stopped walking and looked down at me. Then suddenly, he bent down and met my eyes at the same level.

His gaze was intent, as if he wanted to see straight through me.

Reflected in his eyes was me.

Too pretty.

For just a moment, I almost thought,
‘Did he fall for me?’

But I erased that thought immediately. Who was Docep? A textbook fantasy protagonist designed so his heart wouldn’t flutter in front of women.

“…Because you want attention?”

So my answer veered that way.

“Attention? What’s that?”

“You know. Wanting people to care. Making others worry so you can get attention.”

Given how deprived of affection he was, maybe that wasn’t impossible.

I expected him to laugh it off, but instead, Docep considered it seriously.

“Maybe you’re half right.”

“Are you insane? You’re trying to die just to get attention?”

“It’s a process I have to go through to live. I don’t have a choice.”

He said it so calmly. I was the only one worried.

“Halara.”

He called my name in a low voice.

“What?”

“Wait for me in front of it.”

“If I wait, will you come out?”

“I will.”

There was confidence in his voice. Like he truly believed it.

“Can’t you just pretend to go in?”

“I’m still a man. I have pride.”

“Pride doesn’t put food on the table.”

“You’ll feed me.”

“Even now, you’re joking?”

“Being serious won’t change anything.”

Docep didn’t hesitate even once.

He finished eating the last yakgwa with satisfaction and walked toward Kern Hall.

***

Around that time, Geti was having a meeting with Head Butler Karl in the main house.

“Nothing unusual?”

Karl spoke first.

“No. This morning, I explained the layout of the main house and delivered her meal. That’s all.”

“She didn’t complain about wanting to go home or leave this place?”

Just yesterday, Halara had been hesitant about entering. They had persuaded her, quickly preparing quarters in the annex, but her mind could change again.

“What do you mean?”

Geti genuinely didn’t understand.

How could a common woman dare complain?

She was allowed to choose her own room and received high-quality meals without lifting a finger. She wasn’t a noble lady, just a village commoner enjoying luxury. Complaints were unimaginable.

“In truth, she originally refused to enter because of her status. The lady and the young master persuaded her.”

“What? Wait, I don’t understand. Are you saying the lady and young master told her not to enter, and she barged in anyway?”

“No. The opposite.”

That was absurd.

“Then why go that far for a mistress?!”

Her words were blunt, but Karl understood. He hadn’t expected this either.

“She’s not a mistress.”

“…Not a mistress?”

“You should call her ‘young madam’ from now on. I need to correct myself as well.”

“Y-Young madam…?”

Karl sighed and nodded.

Young madam.

A commoner becoming a madam?

Geti’s effort to understand Halara completely shattered.

“Why? How? Why should I do that?!”

Karl replied heavily,

“She’s carrying the young master’s child.”

***

After leaving Karl, Geti wandered aimlessly, then suddenly gathered the annex maids.

“I should’ve told you this morning, but things were hectic. Don’t be shocked. The wife of Young Master Docep is living in the annex.”

They needed to know first.

“I heard. Chef Hatsen’s been worrying about it.”

“Yeah. But who is she? I heard she’s a commoner. Is that true?”

Geti nodded gravely.

“The problem is she’s a commoner, but not a mistress. She entered as a legitimate wife.”

She wanted to shout that the woman just got lucky by getting pregnant, but she couldn’t.

“This is something only you, her assigned maid, may know. It must remain absolutely secret. Until the lady gives permission, no one can know about the pregnancy.”

“But if she lives in the annex, her belly will grow. Everyone will find out.”

“There won’t be a formal wedding. She’ll stay quietly in the annex, and then once the child is born, she’ll be sent away. Until then, please make sure nothing happens.”

Meaning she’d be kicked out after giving birth.

Even so, Geti couldn’t understand any of it. Why she, a maid of the proud Bloodymary family, had to call such a woman ‘young madam.’ How a commoner could enjoy such luxury. And why someone from a servant family that had served this house for generations had to serve a mere commoner.

Burning with anger, Geti had gathered the annex maids.

She assumed they’d feel the same.

“Wow, really?”
“Chew, chew.”

But contrary to her expectations, the maids were more focused on chewing what they held.

“What are you all eating?”

She wanted to ignore it, but the sweet scent was overwhelming.

“This? Apparently the chef’s researching snacks for Young Master Docep’s wife. The lady ordered desserts prepared here, so a new maid made them.”

“A new maid? Who?”

“I don’t know the name. Just heard it. Want one? She made some for us too.”

The glossy pastry smelled of cinnamon.

Her mouth watered, but Geti refused.

“Why did she make food for the maids too?”

“All I know is she made a huge amount and left it for us. The chef went crazy, saying she used up all the ingredients, but she ran off.”

“She’s completely selfish.”

If that had happened in the main house, the head maid would’ve punished her.

Geti clicked her tongue inwardly, thinking how undisciplined the annex maids were compared to the main house.