Chapter 85

Perhaps there had been a time when he was hit in the back by a maid.

It was an excessively harsh criticism.

I thought to myself as I looked at Count Kwan, who was exuding an unpleasant air.

'Should I give him a beating?'

Then, I glanced at Count Serenye's face.

He was looking at me with an expression that I couldn't quite understand.

If I beat up Count Kwan, would it put that man in an awkward position?

'Considering he's a Callefa, it's unlikely.'

But Jeger's position would be different.

Jeger, despite being the second son, was discriminated against in the family, but he genuinely loved his family and was enthusiastic about helping with the family business.

If he weren't here, I would have had to go through a lot of trouble to get to the northern continent.

So, for Jeger's sake, it was right not to cause a big incident, at least not here.

'I'll beat him up after the sun sets.'

Well done, Daisy. Your patience has grown.

As I was feeling satisfied with myself, Jin approached with a stiff face, gently pulled my shoulder, and whispered,

"Senior. If it's okay with you, I can—"

"No, don't get involved."

I'll do it at night.

Andret was watching the situation with his arms crossed and a blank expression, while Dshero was staring at Count Kwan with a cold gaze.

And Jeger, who was standing between them,

"Your words are harsh, Count Kwan."

Was actually stepping forward to protect me?

Ah, this is a bit touching.

It seemed Jeger thought of himself as my protector while we were staying in Astrosa.

He added with a cold look,

"Count, you may not know, but the lady she serves is—"

"Jeger Parnula, right? You've been clueless since the start."

But his well-intentioned move was thwarted.

On the other side, Viscount Medes stepped forward as Count Kwan's assistant, looking quite ridiculous as he stroked his wrinkled chin and supported Count Kwan.

"In Astrosa, we follow the Astrosa way. And we don't introduce our hired help."

"Daisy is not just hired help—"

"Enough, enough. Being young, you can make mistakes. It's my duty as an elder to correct such mistakes. Don't lower your own status. It's a foolish thing to do."

Perhaps because Jenail and Berkleygret were mentioned, Viscount Medes' attitude toward Jeger became much more hostile.

He then spoke with a condescending tone, as if he were teaching Jeger a lesson.

"Tsk. A mere maid has the nerve to inconvenience Count Serenye. Listen well, maid. Pay attention to what I, Viscount Medes, am saying."

Swish!

A sharp sound fell at my feet.

The old man turned his gaze to me and almost simultaneously drew the riding crop from his waist.

"I'll give you ten minutes."

He lifted my chin with the handle of the black leather riding crop.

"Go into the castle and prepare ten glasses of whiskey. No, ten is too few. Prepare twenty glasses."

"..."

"If you're even a second late or spill a single drop, you'll receive twenty lashes."

Swish!

The crop hit the ground again. It was a raw threat, but—

'Hmm.'

This is really something. It's the same old story.

"That's an unreasonable demand, Viscount! Daisy is not a slave but my companion here!"

As soon as Jeger burst out, Andret and Jin, who had approached without me noticing, stood in front of me.

Count Kwan sneered at them.

"Imperial citizens are all without manners. Raising your voice in front of Viscount Medes!"

"You're the one without manners, Count Kwan. This is outrageous in front of the lord of the castle, Count Serenye!"

"Ah, yes."

Viscount Medes nodded as if he had just realized something.

"I made a mistake. The education of a maid should be left to her master."

He walked over and extended the riding crop to Count Serenye.

"Here. Why don't you, Count Serenye, give this a try? The feel of it is truly an art. It's perfect for disciplining unruly hired help. If you like it, I'll get you a new one."

Count Serenye's head slowly lowered.

His dazed golden eyes glanced at the old man's scalp, which was at the level of his chest, and then at the riding crop below.

His expression was unreadable.

The slight upward curve of his lips could be a sneer or a sign of enjoyment.

Regardless of the interpretation, one thing was certain:

Everyone in the room was waiting for his reaction.

"An art."

Did the slow, flowing voice stimulate Viscount Medes' violent tendencies?

The old man urged Count Serenye with an even more excited look.

"Yes, the feel is an art! Try it now. Servants! Bring this maid to her knees!"

Count Serenye took the crop.

Viscount Medes' voice rose even higher.

"When disciplining for the first time, it's best to restrain them. Young ones tend to run away. Once you get a good grip, you can discipline them well, cough!"

Something flew. A long, snake-like, lightning-fast something.

The realization that it was the riding crop came not because Viscount Medes fell to the ground and rolled, but because—

"Viscount!"

"Viscount Medes!"

The sight of Count Serenye lashing out at Viscount Medes was so exhilarating.

'Really well done.'

It was so impressive.

"Stop, Count Serenye! What are you doing—!"

Pushing aside the flustered Count Kwan, a few young noble men rushed to stop Count Serenye.

But Count Serenye stopped after precisely three lashes.

His short comment afterward was:

"Not bad."

His usual light tone.

A violent act. But a peaceful attitude as if there was no problem.

Perhaps due to the dissonance, the room was instantly enveloped in silence.

I was a bit surprised too.

Of course, I knew Count Serenye would stop Viscount Medes' perverse behavior. He is Rui, after all.

'But I never imagined he would go so far as to finish him off right there.'

What is this strange feeling?

Why do I feel a bit excited?

Feeling a bit warm, Count Serenye, who had unbuttoned his shirt and loosened his tie, extended the riding crop to me.

"Would you like to try it, Miss Daisy?"

"Is that okay?"

"Of course. This count gives you permission. Feel free to use it."

His smiling face showed no hint of any sinister intent.

He was sincere. So, I felt even more refreshed and smiled back.

"Thanks. But I don't need the crop."

"Really?"

Instead of answering, I pushed aside Andret and Jin, who were standing in front of me, and grabbed my left earring with my right hand.

Rip.

A white sword emerged with a chilling sensation.

I'm sorry, Count Serenye, but I prefer the sword to the crop.

Because I'm a swordsman.

"Don't worry, old man. I respect the elderly. I'll do it in one stroke."

With that, I drew my sword across Viscount Medes' head.

"Whoa!"

A hot, river-like heat enveloped and then disappeared from the viscount's head.

"Phew."

When the viscount's intact head was revealed, sighs of relief echoed around the room.

Did they think I was going to behead the old man?

The fallen Viscount Medes screamed at that moment.

"Ugh, ugh! It's hot! My, my head is hot! Water, water! Bring water!"

"Hey, maid! Go get water! Hurry!"

If you command me, I'll bring it, you fool.

Instead of fetching water, I collected the steam flying off the blade and replied,

"It'll be a bit hot, old man. I burned it down to the roots with my sword. You'll live the rest of your life bald and explore non-violent communication."

Andret, standing behind me, clicked his tongue and muttered,

"Who would have thought a sword demon would only use terrifying sword techniques."

Terrifying? But it's better than dying, right?

However, Viscount Medes misinterpreted my consideration.

Instead of being grateful for being spared, he opened his eyes wide and screamed,

"Count Kwan! Bring that crazy woman to me right now! Right now!"

Count Kwan flinched and looked at me.

Thud, I tapped the ground with the tip of my sword, and the cold sweat on the man's forehead trickled down his temple.

"What are you doing, Count Kwan! Bring her here! Anyone, anyone, bring that woman to me! Hurry!"

It was a reasonable request, but no one could drag me away.