SOTBW - 119

Didina kept track of the items used by the maids and servants, noting what was lacking and what was in excess. For necessary items, she always asked Maximón to make the purchase. However, if she requested too many items frequently, it would reflect poorly on her abilities as the head maid. A competent head maid would tally the items that were regularly needed for each season and ensure they were stocked in advance.

This was something that other knight orders couldn’t even dream of. The orders often had tight budgets and relied on donations, but thanks to Maximón’s skills and reputation, Romsoa received frequent contributions in both money and supplies, ensuring that their living conditions were relatively comfortable. Even when supply routes were taken over by bandits, Romsoa rarely had soldiers going hungry, as Didina always kept extra emergency supplies in the food storage just in case.

Still, precious money shouldn’t be spent recklessly. It should be used wisely for truly necessary matters. A head maid with bad intentions could embezzle funds. Though she didn’t specify anyone, there was a certain knight commander, who took great pride in being a high-ranking noble, and he was so focused on monitoring the head maids to ensure they didn’t embezzle the funds for the soldiers’ livelihood that he had a very strained relationship with them and frequently rotated through different staff.

In this regard, Maximón was an exemplary commander. He had never objected to a single request Didina made for supplies, and when additional purchases were needed, he provided the funds without complaint.

As Didina was counting the spare firewood, she grabbed her coat to go check the storage. After wrapping several layers of handkerchiefs around a heated stone from the stove, she was about to leave the office when someone knocked on the door. Instead of calling for them to come in, Didina opened the door to find Najane standing there. Always a welcome sight, but today Najane’s expression seemed a little off.

Didina quickly stepped aside to let her in.

“Is something the matter?”

Didina asked cautiously, not making assumptions, as she took off her coat.

“I tried what you suggested yesterday, but it seems like something went wrong.”

“Yesterday?” Didina tilted her head while grabbing a teapot.

“Ah, you mean the push and pull thing?”

“Yes...”

Was it such a serious issue to cause problems? Didina wondered, as she poured Najane a warm cup of tea. Najane wrapped her hands around the steaming cup, wearing a troubled expression. Seeing her like that, Didina couldn’t help but look worried as well.

“Please, take your time and tell me what happened.”

Najane hesitated for a moment before confessing everything that had happened with Maximón. As Didina listened to her, she inwardly sighed. Oh my, so Dame Schnicks got the tables turned on him...

Didina pressed her forehead with a sigh and shook her head. Maximón wouldn’t get angry over something like that. Especially not with Najane. He would calmly accept even if Najane slapped him. Though he might get a little flustered, he would never blame her or get mad.

Most people would assume that Maximón had the upper hand in their relationship, but in reality, Najane was the one who sat at the very top of his heart. Of course, Najane didn’t know that. If she were to return to her quarters with her eyes swollen from crying, Maximón would overturn the whole knight order in a fit of rage and, exhausted from comforting her, would spend the whole day in pain, holding his beloved.

Didina bitterly smiled as she sipped her tea. Maximón’s cold attitude toward Najane was all part of a planned act. What a cunning and spiteful man he was. She thought again, her face showing disapproval. Yes, truly, utterly spiteful.

Thanks to him, Najane was now constantly worrying about Maximón’s feelings, walking on eggshells around him. Once the power dynamic shifts in a relationship, Najane would continue to be tossed around by Maximón. If his expression were even slightly off, she would become restless, paying attention only to that all day. Then, if Maximón treated her kindly again, she would either feel happy or relieved...

Frustrated, Didina gulped down her tea and placed her cup down loudly. It’s fine to give all your heart to someone you love. But you shouldn’t give them the power to control you. If that person begs for that kind of control, it’s not love; it’s obsession. Love doesn’t need power. What love requires is only respect and consideration.

Given that they were intertwined as commander and knight, Najane had no choice but to maintain a submissive stance. But Najane was the only one who sat at the very top of Maximón’s heart. And that meant Maximón had given her the power to destroy him.

Sighing softly, Didina looked at Najane.

“Just as Dame Schnicks said... it seems like the commander is a bit upset. This is a big problem.”

Didina deliberately spoke in a serious tone.

“If you take someone’s hand and then pull away, it’s almost the same as insulting them by calling them dirty. That’s probably why the commander reacted the way he did.”

“…Does letting go of someone’s hand have that kind of meaning?”

“Of course. Even a child knows that. The culture in Bastronia is a bit complex. I didn’t understand it well at first, so I made a lot of mistakes myself. Especially, the meaning of ‘dirty’ here doesn’t just mean unclean… it refers to someone who sells their body... Yes, in that sense. Do you understand what I mean?”

“Ah…”

Understanding the meaning, Najane awkwardly nodded.

Of course, this was all a story Didina made up. But even though Najane thought it was quite a strange cultural custom, she felt deeply embarrassed by the idea that she had done something like that in front of Maximón. Just imagining it made her face flush. Especially when she thought about the events in the black market, her guilt only grew. Maximón had once fiercely scolded the men who mocked Najane, calling her a bitch.

Feeling guilty, Najane lowered her head, unsure of what to do. Watching her reaction, Didina thought things were going smoothly.

“For now, try to avoid making eye contact with the commander.”

Najane hesitated at Didina’s advice.

“Won’t that make him even angrier?”

“How would you feel if you kept making eye contact with someone who’s already upset?”

“…I suppose it could make me a bit irritated. Alright, I’ll try to do that today.”

“No, it’s not just today.”

“Hmm?”

“You need to do this today, tomorrow, and the day after. You should keep acting this way.”

Didina spoke firmly, unlike her usual tone. Surprised, Najane fiddled with her teacup and didn’t immediately agree.

“But…”

“If the commander’s anger subsides, it will definitely show on the outside. So, until then, it’s better to follow my advice.”

Before answering, Najane thought about the offense she had committed against Maximón. If she had known that letting go of his hand while walking had such an insulting meaning, she would never have done it.

Maybe it’s best to keep some distance until Maximón’s anger subsides. Feeling troubled, Najane looked at Didina, who had a more earnest expression than usual. Her eyes seemed to plead, hoping that Najane would agree to her advice.

Looking down, Najane absentmindedly fiddled with the handle of her teacup. Didina was such a good person. Even when she was a maid, and now, she always cared for her as though it was her own business... Najane thought that when someone tried to help others be happy, it was best to listen to them willingly. The advice about the push and pull with Maximón was also something Didina said for her sake.

“…Alright, I’ll do that.”

After hesitating for a moment, Najane nodded, and Didina silently sighed in relief.

“Good. That’s a very proper attitude. Oh, and it would be better if you slept in a separate room from the commander tonight. Usually, you share the same bedroom because of that... curse, right? Until he calms down, you should sleep in another room. Being alone will naturally help his anger subside. I’m sure in a few days, he’ll be kind to Dame Schnicks again.”

“I see. Is there anything else I should be careful about?”

“Hm, try not to talk to him too much, eat separately, and spend the evening alone until you return to your quarters.”

That sounded a bit extreme. Najane decided to follow Didina’s advice but felt somewhat anxious. She bit her lip and then released it.

“…You don’t think my actions will make him angrier, do you?”

“Not at all. Just trust me this time.”

Didina spoke in a voice full of confidence, and Najane shook off her anxiety, nodding. Pleased with her strong attitude, Didina smiled warmly.

If Najane follows the advice, Maximón’s mood will definitely change by the end of the day. Watching Najane desperately try to keep her distance will no doubt make Didina’s heart burn with impatience, but it will all unfold according to plan.

Even when she was a maid, Najane had always avoided getting involved with others and kept a distance, observing from afar. For someone like her, it took a great deal of courage to love someone.

Now, it made sense how Maximón had made Najane, who had been a maid, a knight overnight. He must have threatened her, bringing up the curse.

How could he, instead of being kinder and warmer now, dare to manipulate Najane like this? Is he not the least bit compassionate? How could anyone do that? When he saw her struggling and fumbling with the push and pull, he should have been kind, not used it to his advantage. If he had confessed to her earlier, none of this would have happened. The commander really...

At this point, Maximón needed to realize how miraculous it was to love someone. Of course, it would cause a commotion in the knights, but...

Imagining what was to come, Didina poured more tea into her cup with a restless expression. Her heart ached thinking about the people who would suffer from Maximón’s sensitivity, but if it was a passage they had to go through someday, it would be better to get it over with quickly. With trembling hands, Didina held the teacup and silently apologized to many people in her heart.

I’m sorry, everyone.

If things between them are resolved well, I’ll ask the commander to grant a reward for the achievement...