The Maid Hates Childcare (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 9
“Huh? What are you talking about…?”
“Darling.”
Darling? What darling?
I blinked, and he patiently spelled it out, syllable by syllable.
“Why don’t you call me that?”
What exactly did I just hear?
I was about to dig into my ear to check if something was wrong.
Right then, Evan stepped forward in front of me.
“I am her maid. Please talk to me instead.”
She radiated confidence beyond her apparent age of seven.
But to Kashar, she was nothing more than an obstacle.
“Get lost, kid. We’re about to have an adult conversation.”
He flashed a dazzlingly handsome yet threatening grin, baring his teeth.
Evan’s expression hardened.
Still, Kashar walked right up to the child who refused to move aside.
“Didn’t you hear? Aileen and I are lovers. We’ve been together for a very, very long time…”
“Hold on, wait a minute!”
What on earth is this man saying in front of a child!
“Evan-nim, I’ll be right back!”
I urgently grabbed Kashar’s hand and dragged him inside the building.
My mind was so scrambled I didn’t even know where I was going. When I came to, we were in the kitchen.
‘Again, here of all places?’
This kitchen was also where I’d first met Kashar.
Could he possibly be referring to that incident? My nerves instantly tensed.
But Kashar just silently stared at me without saying a word.
‘…He’s inspecting me, isn’t he?’
His eyes swept over me from head to toe.
‘He’s clearly trying to decide where to start cutting.’
Unless he’s weighing whether to dice me or julienne me instead.
“I’m sorry, Your Highnesses. I guess this is where I end.”
I never imagined I’d die even before Louis and Evan turned into villains.
I’d always dreamed of seeing the grown princes—but now everything was ruined.
“Just kill me quickly if you’re going to.”
Yet while I uttered my last words, Kashar was clearly preoccupied with something else.
“Why didn’t you wear anything?”
“…Huh?”
“The gift I sent.”
I had no idea why he suddenly brought that up.
‘Could he possibly be complaining that I didn’t receive anything?’
That was the only explanation I could think of, since most of his gifts had been wearable items.
I timidly voiced my thought.
“It wasn’t meant for me…”
“Why not? It was my repayment for your breakfast. Didn’t I say I’d return the favor?”
“You were serious about that?”
I still couldn’t believe it.
No matter how delicious my meal had been, it surely couldn’t have been worth more than the gifts he’d sent.
But Kashar gave me an incredulous look.
“So you thought I was bluffing?”
“No, just being spared is already more than enough for me.”
With my life on the line, I couldn’t help but speak earnestly.
Perhaps because I’d already survived one horror movie before, I seemed to still have a grip on my sanity.
“That’s different.”
“What’s different?”
“The gift was repayment for breakfast. Compensation for the incident is a separate matter.”
He meant those were two entirely different things.
‘What kind of twisted logic is this!’
I quickly protested.
“I didn’t receive anything!”
“One of your princes was surrounded by toys.”
His mocking words plunged me into despair.
‘Louis-nim!’
At just seven years old, unable to resist temptation, he’d broken his promise after all.
‘I really should’ve made him pinky swear and stamp it with his seal!’
No—better yet, I should’ve shown him the contract first!
But regret was useless now; the milk was already spilled.
“Don’t worry. I won’t ask you to repay me. But won’t you treat me to a meal today?”
Seeing me so despondent, Kashar openly laughed and glanced around the kitchen.
With my life already forfeit, what did gold or jewels matter?
I couldn’t help but mutter bitterly.
“…You wouldn’t have let me off anyway.”
Since he clearly had no intention of sparing me, his question only made me glare at him.
Feigning ignorance of my narrowed eyes, he asked with a tilted eyebrow,
“What if I said yes?”
“I could serve you an eighteen-course royal banquet!”
If the number sounds offensive, that’s probably your imagination!
Though I felt like I was being tossed between icy and scalding waters, at least there was still hope.
Seeing my lightning-fast shift in attitude, he chuckled and gently took hold of the end of my hair.
“Though I do crave your cooking, I actually have a different favor to ask.”
Kashar’s shadow loomed over me. He stood so close I felt I had to hold my breath.
Noticing my tension, his elegant fingers slowly released my hair.
“Let’s start with a date.”
He’d really come here for a date?
Thump. Thump. My heart pounded wildly.
But I couldn’t tell if I trembled from fear or excitement.
“I haven’t understood a single word you’ve said since earlier.”
At this point, honesty might be the best approach.
Kashar frowned as if it were my fault for not understanding.
“Because I’ve become interested in you.”
His explosive declaration made my face burn crimson.
It had to be a lie—but still.
“Excuse me, Your Grace. Making lies this thrilling should be a crime.”
He was simply too handsome for me to accuse him of being a fraud.
Kashar nonchalantly threw me into chaos while acting as if nothing were amiss.
Before I could even voice my frustration, he reached out his hand to me.
“Come.”
His large, broad-knuckled hand resembled its owner.
‘His hand is huge.’
Prominent bones and veins defined his fingers.
Gulp. Swallowing hard, I cautiously placed my hand in his.
[This is the timeline separator]
The Imperial Palace was incredibly vast.
‘If I had to describe it, perhaps like an extravagantly overflowing village?’
With the grand main palace and over a hundred smaller pavilions, carriages were essential.
Centered on the largest garden in the Imperial City, Bu-woo Street served as an exclusive shopping district for royalty and nobles.
‘Cafés, restaurants, shops—there’s nothing missing here.’
The moment I stepped out of the carriage, I scanned my surroundings.
True to its location within the palace, opulence spilled out everywhere.
In Aileen’s memories, she had visited Bu-woo Street before.
She’d longed to stroll through this street regularly, like eating meals, but everything here was far too expensive—just as the street’s name implied—leaving her only with disappointment.
‘This means even a maid’s monthly salary couldn’t cover the bare minimum expenses expected of royalty.’
A single cup of coffee cost Aileen’s entire monthly wage.
Yet it would be a mistake to assume the street was empty.
‘Are there really this many rich people in the world?’
Elegantly dressed ladies and gentlemen filled the streets.
Kashar walked down the street, holding my hand.
When I awkwardly trailed behind, he adjusted his pace to match mine.
‘This feels… strangely real.’
It truly felt like an actual date.
His back view, the sophisticated buildings, even the sunny weather—everything was perfect.
Distracted by the scenery, I tripped over my own feet.
“Aaah—!”
With an absurd cry, I tumbled forward.
Bracing for impact, I squeezed my eyes shut.
But instead of kissing the ground as expected—
Poof.
I was caught in a firm, warm embrace.
Lifting my head, I met Kashar’s eyes.
“Be more careful.”
His pleasant voice made my face flush hotly.
‘F-felt it! A handsome man’s chest!’
His shirt-clad pectorals felt scorching and solid, making me dizzy.
While I froze in place, I felt curious gazes upon us. Everyone on the street was stealing glances at Kashar and me.
‘This is too overwhelming!’
I felt like I’d vomit my heart out my mouth.
Wishing he’d help defuse the situation, I looked to Kashar for rescue.
“Everyone’s staring…”
“It’s fine. Don’t be shy.”
Instead, he pulled me even closer, gripping my hand tightly.
“Goodness, who is that young lady?”
“She doesn’t look like a noblewoman—more like a maid. Does Duke Bladis really have a lover?”
Nearby noblewomen, having overheard Kashar’s words, began fluttering and exclaiming in disbelief.
Despite his stunning looks, Kashar had never been linked to any romantic scandals.
A woman embraced by a man who ruthlessly rejected every approaching admirer naturally drew attention.
‘They say he gets violently repulsed by unattractive women.’
In fact, until meeting the heroine, he’d remained a virgin—which was precisely why I secretly preferred Kashar over the male lead.
‘Everyone, please don’t misunderstand! This man’s still a virgin!’
I wanted to shout it out loud.
Unaware of my thoughts, Kashar stopped right in the middle of the street.
“Not in a good mood today?”
“Huh? It’s not that, but…”
“Eating something sweet will help. Darling.”
Kashar’s act wasn’t over yet.
‘Darling. Darling. Darling. Dar…’
Angelic bells rang endlessly in my head.
As I stood dazed, onlookers gasped behind us.
“Look over there!”
“…That icy Duke?”
“What am I even seeing right now?”
I heard all their murmurs clearly.
Many women had set their hearts on Kashar.
They say dangerous, handsome men are irresistible.
But his cold, cutting remarks—aimed at everyone regardless of gender—usually left them in tears.
“That sly vixen…!”
A pretty noblewoman’s voice pierced my ears.
Soon, murderous glares rained down on me.
‘It’s a misunderstanding!’
I felt like I was being alternately boiled and frozen in broth.
All I could think was how desperately I needed to escape this place.
Frantically scanning the street, I spotted what looked like a café right ahead.
I yanked Kashar’s arm.
“My throat! It’s! Absolutely! Burning up! I wonder what they sell here—!”
Saying it out loud actually made my throat parched.
I practically shoved Kashar inside.
A waiter greeted us at the café entrance.
“Welcome to Golden Eden. Your preferred seating…”
“The most secluded corner, please! And if there are curtains, even better!”
My desperate plea prompted the waiter to lead us to a seat.
It was indeed the most secluded sofa on the third floor, complete with drawn curtains.
‘This is just like a private-room café.’
Glancing around as I sat down, the waiter handed me a menu.
Cakes, teas, and various items were listed—all priced so extravagantly my eyes nearly popped out.
“…Eep!”
I stifled a scream by clamping my mouth shut.
Even the cheapest item—plain water—cost 50 silver.
Even five-star hotels usually provide free water; this was outright excessive.
‘Well, I’ve already come in, so I have to order something.’
It felt like fleeing from a wild beast only to enter a tiger’s den.
Now I finally understood why Aileen had given up on Bu-woo Street.
“I’ll just have a glass of water, please.”
My voice trembled uncontrollably.
From morning till now, expenses had piled up like a mountain.
Turns Out He’s Been Secretly in Love with Me
One-line summary: He acts like he doesn’t like her but is actually playing hard to get.
Synopsis:
Xu Muzhou like her. He has liked her for a very long time, and through repeated schemes, he finally closed the distance with her.
But this is still far from enough.
He wants to be the one who stands out among her many suitors, to fight for her attention, and to make her take the initiative to pursue him.
_____
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