Dear Contract Husband, I Didn't Know You Were Like This? - Chapter 60
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As he entered the dining room, he saw the feast prepared for Maya.
‘I haven’t even washed properly.’
He worried that someone might frown at his disheveled appearance, but it was an unfounded fear.
“Lady Maya, you’re amazing!”
“How did you manage to catch that monster? You’re a hero.”
Everyone serving the food and attending to her praised Maya.
“You must be hungry. Please, start eating.”
Everyone was interested in Maya’s accomplishments.
No one cared about her current appearance.
“Maya!”
Kendrick, who had arrived in the dining room before Tristan, was the same.
“Maya, I’m so proud of you.”
“Thank you, Kendrick.”
She felt a bit proud, as it was the first time in her life she had received so much praise.
In the past, everyone was busy belittling her achievements, saying it was expected since she was a Pendragon.
“Fantastic. I’ve separated the pieces, and you can use the fur later to make a scarf or a fur cloak.”
“Great!”
“And, is it alright if I take some parts to study? It’s the first time such a huge monster has appeared.”
“Of course.”
She was honestly curious to see what Kendrick might discover from the monster.
Seeing Maya beaming with pride, Kendrick looked pleased.
“With your skills, you could become the commander of the imperial knights. Should I suggest it?”
“No! No, I don’t want to join the imperial guard.”
Maya vehemently refused the idea. The thought alone was dreadful.
“Please keep it a secret that I defeated the monster.”
She was satisfied with the recognition from those around her for this monster subjugation.
Knowing how much Maya usually craved acknowledgment for her swordsmanship, Kendrick was somewhat surprised by her reaction.
“I respect your opinion. But it won’t be easy to downplay your feats.”
He knew well how much the mage tower and the imperial family were wary of the north.
They hadn’t sent reinforcements, hoping that the north would suffer significant damage.
And now the north had perfectly dealt with the monster without any support?
They would undoubtedly be displeased.
“They’ll try to find any excuse to criticize the north.”
“They’ll probably send more people to the north.”
Maya nodded and murmured in agreement with Kendrick’s words.
Back when Alec died, and the knight commander changed, the imperial knights and the northern knights clashed whenever they met.
Most of the time, it was the imperial knights trying to find faults with the northern knights who silently endured.
‘It continued until I went up to the capital.’
Even if she saved Alec, it was hard to believe that the harassment would disappear completely.
In fact, the harassment might intensify out of anger that it was the lord of the north who dealt with the monster instead of the imperial family.
They needed a reason to explain this turn of events.
‘But I can’t reveal myself yet.’
The emperor loved fame that he could use to his advantage.
If it were known that she had awakened the power of Pendragon, he would threaten Tristan and those around her to claim her.
He might even give her absurd orders just to exploit her abilities.
He had done so repeatedly in her previous life.
She had experienced the greedy nature of the emperor to a chilling extent in her previous life.
‘What I need is time.’
At least until Tristan’s curse is broken.
If that’s not possible, she needed to remain an insignificant daughter of House Pendragon, which had fallen to ruin due to gambling debts.
At least until she could save Kendrick.
‘Kendrick.’
She had saved Alec’s life and personally defeated the white snake.
The differences from her past were increasing.
She wouldn’t let Kendrick die this time.
“Maya.”
“Yes?”
“Shall we say that I defeated this monster?”
“That’s a good idea.”
If Maya didn’t want to reveal herself, it was right to wait until she was ready.
But to cover up this monster subjugation properly, a good reason was needed.
Kendrick decided to use himself fully.
Everyone in the mage tower knew his penchant of acting independently. They only tolerated him because of his talent.
If it was reported that Kendrick intervened in this matter, it would be resolved as an unavoidable circumstance.
In any case, the mage tower and the imperial family were in the same league, so they would welcome the recognition.
“I’ll go up and report to the Mage Tower.”
“Thank you, Kendrick.”
Maya smiled brightly.
“But Maya, even if not this time, your power will be revealed eventually.”
Just because you cover the sun with your hand doesn’t mean you can hide all its light.
“You need to be prepared.”
Maya nodded.
“I will.”
To save you.
Maya swallowed those last words as she looked at Kendrick.
