The Maid Hates Childcare (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 14
A dark night, in the Empress’s palace.
Inside the shadows, screams never ceased.
“P-Please spare me, Your Majesty the Empress!”
A maidservant with a bloodied forehead desperately clasped her hands together.
But her master showed no mercy.
“Who dares let a beast make noise here!”
“I—I was wrong! Please… please…!”
Thwack—!
“…Aaahh!”
The silver candlestick swung by Wayeno struck the maid squarely on the forehead.
The maidservant never rose again. Attendant courtiers swiftly dragged her unconscious body away.
The opulent chamber was in utter disarray.
She was the third person carried out from the Empress’s bedroom today alone.
Yet still unsatisfied, Wayeno fumed for a long while.
“How dare that bastard mock me?!”
She had personally arranged a woman for that filthy, lowly man.
Yet the Duke had come all the way to the meeting place prepared by the Empress—only to turn right back around.
‘I even gave His Majesty advance notice! Am I the only one being made a fool of?!’
Wayeno played the role of a gentle, affectionate woman before the Emperor, because that was precisely his preference.
‘Your Majesty, I intend to find a suitable match for the Duke. It would be too pitiful if he remained alone for life.’
‘…Very well. Arranging worthy companions for members of the Imperial family is indeed part of the Empress’s duty.’
Arranging marriages for unmarried royals was one of the Empress’s privileges.
Already throughout high society, rumors spread that the Empress was matchmaking for the Duke.
But then—
‘What in the world is going on?’
On the evening of the very night Kashar broke his promise with the Empress, claiming he already had a lover,
the Emperor came to Wayeno and blamed her.
‘To force an engagement upon someone who already has a beloved—that’s unacceptable.’
‘…Your Majesty? Whatever do you mean?’
‘The boy came to me himself. He said you insisted on the match even after he explained he already had someone he intended to marry. Why would you do such a thing?’
Stunned by the Emperor’s exasperated tone, Wayeno was left speechless. She had known nothing of this.
The next day, rumors swept through high society that the Duke was sending endless gifts to the Cold Palace.
At every gathering, talk centered only on the Empress, the Duke, and his hidden lover.
‘Have you heard? Because of Her Majesty the Empress, the Duke’s beloved was left in tears!’
‘They say she’s a maid of the Cold Palace. He’s sending gifts day and night, begging her forgiveness.’
‘I actually know more details. The truth is… the Duke has been hiding a lover, but Her Majesty insisted on forcing her own preferred woman onto him!’
‘Oh! So that’s how this whole mess came about.’
‘Her Majesty has always shown unusual interest in the Duke’s enterprises. Moreover, the lady she tried to introduce was the daughter of House Enders.’
Everyone knew House Enders was firmly aligned with the Empress.
Empress Wayeno was now infamous as a scheming woman trying to seize the Duke’s power through the Enders heiress.
Worse still, the reckless actions of the Enders heiress herself had dealt Wayeno a devastating blow.
‘Good heavens—even now, after all this, the Empress still won’t give up?’
‘They say Her Majesty ordered Lady Jayana to meet the Duke. When the Duke’s lover appeared, she wept bitterly. The Duke then comforted her with a kiss… ahem, ahem.’
‘A kiss, you say!?! Rumors even claim they’re already married!’
The love story of the century—plus a tragic backstory for the lovers.
‘What’s more, they say the Duke’s beloved is caring for the ill-fated Princes with the utmost devotion.’
‘Because of the Princes, she cannot leave the palace. That’s why the Duke comes to the palace himself.’
The Princes, long abandoned in the Cold Palace, were once again being spoken of—thanks to the Duke’s lover.
‘Truly, she must be an angel! Her name is Aileen Hallen, they say?’
The only woman who had embraced the children even the Emperor himself had turned his back on.
While rumors about Aileen spread like wildfire, the Empress’s reputation sank deeper each day.
“Why was that scoundrel ever granted a dukedom?!”
Unable to contain her boiling rage, Wayeno trembled violently.
She had endured so much humiliation to ascend to the Empress’s seat.
“If only I’d died alongside that woman back then…! How dare she, how dare she…!”
Former Empress Viviana.
She had been the perfect woman—gentle in nature and genuinely loving toward the people—a true Empress in every sense.
The Emperor had adored Viviana… until she lost her mind.
Empress Viviana locked herself away in the palace, rejecting even the Emperor and the children she herself had borne.
Wayeno, then a mere consort, saw this as her opportunity.
Every day, she visited Viviana—who was being mocked as mad—and pretended to be her closest friend. To the Emperor, she claimed she would be the bridge to reconnect them.
‘Your Majesty, it seems a demon has taken hold of Her Majesty the Empress.’
She whispered into the Emperor’s troubled ear, calling the Empress—who the Emperor himself could no longer recognize—as good as a devil.
After years of careful scheming, Wayeno finally seized her chance.
‘The Forbidden Tome.’
Initially, she had planned to use its dark magic to kill Kashar and frame Viviana for the murder.
But the spell failed. Instead of dying, Kashar went mad and slaughtered palace attendants.
A madman could never become Emperor.
Using this as pretext, Wayeno accused both Kashar and Viviana of demonic possession and succeeded in deposing them.
Viviana died imprisoned in a tower, and Wayeno ascended as Empress.
Yet the knowledge that Viviana’s bloodline still lived filled her with unease.
‘Perhaps that woman holds something of value.’
That maid whom Kashar had claimed as his hidden lover—
There was no way they could truly be lovers.
‘How can that madman stay so composed? Why keep that woman close?’
Everything needed to be investigated in secret.
The Emperor favored gentle and virtuous women. She might recover her image this once—but if such incidents repeated, she’d surely earn the Emperor’s hatred.
‘Ah—Tuberosa’s party is coming up.’
Earlier that afternoon, Marchioness Tuberosa had casually mentioned inviting the abandoned Princes to her Olloze party.
Remembering this, the Empress seized her pen without hesitation.
Her letter to the Marchioness carried a clear command: invite Aileen Hallen, the Princes’ governess.
‘I must see that infuriating face with my own eyes.’
Wayeno’s eyes burned with fury.
Everyone serving her tensed, wondering who might be carried out next.
“Your Majesty, Crown Prince Valentid and Seventh Prince Mikael request an audience.”
Hearing the voice beyond the door, Wayeno lifted her head.
She quickly composed herself and stepped outside.
In the reception room, a man with crimson-gold hair and violet eyes awaited her.
“Oh, my son Valentid!”
Wayeno embraced Crown Prince Valentid tightly.
Her face shone with bright, cheerful smiles—as if she’d never caused any trouble.
“I rushed over as soon as I heard you were unwell. Are you feeling better?”
“Ah, Valentid… I have only you, my son. Those vile rumors have wounded me deeply.”
“Don’t worry—I don’t believe any of those rumors. That malicious Duke is surely spreading lies to tarnish your honor.”
Reassured by his words, Wayeno’s eyes filled with tears.
But something caught her eye—something displeasing.
Her gaze shifted past Valentid.
Seventh Prince Mikael—the Empress’s second-born son.
“Why did you come?”
At her icy words, Mikael’s shoulders hunched inward.
Smaller than the Crown Prince, with near-platinum hair and vivid blue eyes, Mikael resembled a fragile porcelain doll.
He made a sad face and murmured softly,
“I… was worried about you, Mother…”
“Stop your foolishness and focus on supporting Valentid. That is your duty and your purpose!”
Wayeno’s treatment of Valentid and Mikael was starkly different.
This had begun the moment the Emperor’s attitude changed upon her second pregnancy.
‘If only I’d never borne that child—I’d still look ten years younger!’
After Wayeno gave birth to Mikael, the Emperor distanced himself from her bed.
Wayeno believed his coldness stemmed from the physical toll of bearing her second child, and grew anxious. That anxiety manifested entirely upon Mikael.
Even the youngest prince was strikingly beautiful—as if he’d stolen all of Wayeno’s own beauty.
No wonder Mikael’s nickname was “Crystal Rose.”
‘Crystal Rose, indeed. Useless, talentless wretch.’
Wayeno sneered coldly.
Even now as an adult, Mikael had yet to manifest any royal ability—
no magic, no physical prowess, nothing at all.
“Good-for-nothing.”
That was what Wayeno always said when looking at Mikael.
Mikael obediently lowered his head.
His mother remained as unyielding as a cliff—unchanging. And Mikael himself, lacking any royal talents, had grown accustomed to shrinking into himself.
“Valentid, share a cup of tea with your mother.”
Wayeno linked arms with Valentid and led him to a seat.
As the two chatted warmly, Mikael remained standing where he was.
Valentid briefly glanced toward Mikael.
In that fleeting moment of eye contact—
He smirked. Mocking him, as if to say: your place is right there.
“…”
Mikael stared only at the floor.
Thus, each of their nights deepened further.
[This is the timeline separator]One week had passed since signing the fake lover contract.
It was one week before the Olloze party.
Worried something might go wrong, I’d been anxious—but Kashar moved faster.
“Aileen, you have a guest.”
“Okay! I’ll be right out!”
There was no need to ask who Emma meant by “guest.”
I rushed outside and saw a black carriage blocking the main gate.
‘The red serpent emblem.’
The serpent engraved on the carriage was the symbol of House Bladis.
Soon, the carriage door opened, and Kashar appeared.
“Welcome!”
“I’m glad you’re so happy to see me.”
Our eyes met, and Kashar’s widened slightly in surprise.
Of course he was happy—he had something I’d been waiting for eagerly.
“Naturally—I had to wait for you.”
My eyes drifted to the brown envelope in his hand.
Noticing my gaze, he playfully waved the envelope. My eyes and head followed his hand’s movement eagerly.
Kashar’s eyes narrowed.
“You weren’t waiting for me—you were waiting for this.”
“Oh, don’t say such sad things! How much I’ve missed you, Your Grace!”
I’ve missed your beauty and your muscles!
I grinned broadly with genuine delight, and the corners of his mouth lifted in response.
“Really?”
“Of course!”
As I nodded vigorously, the document rose higher into the air.
‘You scoundrel!’
I reached for it, but it stayed just out of reach.
Finally, I rose onto my tiptoes—and heard him chuckle. Frustrated, I strained harder, only to lose my balance.
“Ahh—!”
My nose slammed squarely into his chest.
I clutched my burning-red nose, grimacing in pain. His pecs were so hard they felt like wrought iron—enough to make my nose bleed.
“If you wanted to hug me, why didn’t you just say so?”
Kashar chuckled cheekily as he wrapped his arms around me from behind.
‘A back hug.’
His forearms around my waist were so solid no needle could slip between them. My heart leapt again, wildly.
They say only those who’ve tasted good food truly appreciate it. Apparently, my body hadn’t yet adjusted to contact with such a handsome man—and was reacting strangely.
Then, a hushed, awed gasp reached my ears.
‘The maids?’
Maids from another palace happened to pass by the back path and were now staring our way.
“Oh my, goodness me…!”
They hastily hid behind a tree, peering out with only their eyes visible.
Such stares were as unfamiliar now as they’d always been—but they were something I’d have to grow used to.
I closed my eyes tightly and silently shouted inside my head:
‘Enjoy it, Aileen. Enjoy this moment!’
Right here, right now.
Male lead is a Love-Obsessed Merman
When he discovers she has gone, he risks everything to pursue her on land, enduring agonizing pain to transform his tail into human legs…
One-line summary: Male lead chases female lead. The male lead’s love is a bit sick, an invincible love brain.
Synopsis
During a voyage at sea, Jiang Yang accidentally captures a merman.
Servant: I heard that mermen are fierce and brutal.
Jiang Yang looks at the merman obediently rubbing her palm like a puppy: “You call this fierce and brutal?”
Servant: I heard that mermen have no human nature.
Jiang Yang looks at the merman with wet puppy eyes, obsessively calling her ‘A Yang’ like a childish infant: “You call this having no human nature?”
With great difficulty, she releases the merman back into the sea and returns to shore.
Who would have thought that in less than half a month, the merman, who should have been freely wandering in the South China Sea, would shed his scales, endure the pain of losing his tail, transform into human legs, and come ashore to find her?
He kneels at her feet, rubbing her palm, with merman tears rolling down: “A Yang, don’t abandon me.”
_____
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