Transmigrated as Baron, Married with my Lovely Maid-Chapter 48

"My dear...what’s wrong?"

Countess Azalea asked Duke Archer with a worried look.

Specifically, she worried that I’d been discovered.

But Duke Archer didn’t reply immediately.

He continued to stare at my direction where I currently standing.

No, there’s no way he can see me.

I shouldn’t have been visible with this invisible cloak I was wearing.

I remained completely still, unmoving, worried that Duke Archer would become suspicious if I moved an inch.

The few minutes that passed felt like hours, and I felt my heart stop as the duke’s gaze remained fixed on me.

But after thinking about it, I realized that he might not have been looking at me specifically, but at the eastern cave wall, which should have had a hole in it because Terra had destroyed it.

Fortunately, that hole had now been covered by the golem’s own body as I instructed.

Because the eastern cave wall was dark, without sufficient coloration, and the golem’s body resembled the cave’s rock structure, most people wouldn’t have realized that it was Terra the golem covering the hole.

But I didn’t expect Duke Archer seemingly to know something was different on the east side of the cave.

Damn it, if he finds out Terra is in this cave, then all the secrets I’ve built will be exposed!

"Dear... if there’s anything I can do to help, I can—"

"Shut up, Azalea!" Duke Archer suddenly snapped, making Countess Azalea jump in surprise.

"I just felt something was strange... but that’s it. Just a feeling. Why are you so damn noisy?" Duke Archer said harshly.

"P-please forgive me, dear, I—"

"Call me Duke Archer. I’m not just your ’dear’, but also your leader...! Your king...!"

"Y-yes... forgive me, Duke Archer..."

I saw Duke Archer turn his face away in annoyance, flapping his red robe.

His steps were haughty, and his eyes were filled with arrogance.

On the one hand, I was grateful that he didn’t continue to suspect Terra’s presence blocking the eastern side of the cave.

But on the other side, I was quite shocked to see him so harshly treating his own wife.

Well, I knew Countess Azalea wasn’t his primary wife, but I couldn’t justify such violence.

Not only was he arrogant and conceited, Duke Archer didn’t even question Sheiza’s absence to greet him, completely unconcerned about his own daughter.

No wonder Countess Azalea was so depressed living in this luxurious golden palace.

She and her daughter lived like pawns, treated like inanimate objects, not as part of the family.

I watched Duke Archer continue walking until he finally stopped about 30 meters in front of King Bahamut’s sealed body.

He pointed his right palm, emitting an aura of magical power that allowed him to quickly detect any damage to King Bahamut’s seal.

Countess Azalea and I had anticipated this possibility.

Countess Azalea, using her magical abilities, had repaired the flow of magic reinforcing King Bahamut’s seal to ensure it remained intact.

Previously, King Bahamut’s seal had been severely damaged due to Terra, me, and the Great Wyvern’s invasion of this secret cave, which of course, had caused it to damaged.

But now that risk had been mitigated by Countess Azalea’s swift action.

A few minutes passed, and Countess Azalea simply stood there, staring blankly at her husband, who was still concentrating on checking King Bahamut’s seal.

Honestly, I found Countess Azalea’s blank stare strange.

I’d never seen Countess Azalea look at someone so depressed before.

WHOOSH!

A fragrant breeze blew briefly, signaling that Duke Archer had stopped his magic.

"Nothing strange. The seal magic still strong and firm as ever. I’ll return to my own palace," Duke Archer said coldly.

He didn’t even look at his wife.

What an asshole.

But well, at least this makes my plan easier.

Duke Archer will be coming back to this place for the next seven days, and I have enough time to formulate and execute a strategy to build up strength for a rebellion.

I didn’t expect Duke Archer’s surveillance to be this simple and so quick.

If it’s like this, I’ll—

"Wait a moment, Duke Archer," Countess Azalea said suddenly, grabbing her husband’s hand.

"Why the rush? Does Duke Archer have other plans after this?"

Oh my.

I can’t believe Countess Azalea asked that!

What the hell is she doing?!

Isn’t our goal to have Duke Archer return quickly so he’s not strolling around the palace, finding something suspicious about the golden palace, or even the damn golden mountain Aaren?!

"Yes, Azalea," Duke Archer said curtly.

"I-is it urgent? I-I mean... I want Duke Archer to rest for a while before moving on to the Duke’s next agenda. We’ve prepared plenty of glasses of the finest wine!"

Oh God!

What is Countess Azalea doing?!

Why is she inviting Duke Archer to drink wine?!

I wanted to shout, reminding Countess Azalea not to do something beyond our goals like this, but it would be raise his suspicion.

Damn it.

Is Countess Azalea betraying me?!

"Wine, huh... it’s been a long time since I drank wine in the golden palace of Aaren...", Duke Archer muttered.

"Well... isn’t this the perfect time to enjoy the wine you’ve been longing for, Duke Archer?" Countess Azalea replied teasingly.

"Okay... just a moment, but..."

Oh, shit.

Countess Azalea walked toward the magic power escalator and Duke Archer following behind her.

I almost screamed, wanting to be angry and annoyed that Countess Azalea was just increasing the possibility of Duke Archer suspecting this golden palace of Aaren!

But I couldn’t scream or give Countess Azalea any signal.

As silently as I could, I followed Countess Azalea and Duke Archer behind.

I entered the magic power escalator with Countess Azalea and Duke Archer and found them both remaining silent without further conversation.

I really couldn’t fathom why Countess Azalea was still inviting Duke Archer to drink wine despite his arrogant and rude attitude?

Ah, just thinking about it makes me dizzy!

I had to know what Countess Azalea really wanted with this crazy plan of hers!

Upon arriving at the top floor of the palace, the two of them walked toward the throne room.

Duke Archer glanced around the entire way, but didn’t comment at all.

However, from his gaze, I could sense that Duke Archer was observing every side of the palace hallway as he passed.

His gaze sharpened as we entered the throne room.

He paused and looked around with a suspicious expression.

Even after Countess Azalea had walked to the middle of the throne room, Duke Archer still stopped in front of the throne room door, motionless.

"Azalea...What do you want?" Duke Archer asked suddenly, breaking the silence.