Internally savoring this, Camilla turned to Rebecca with a sympathetic look.

“It’s sad, isn’t it? How things turned out. My heart aches for you, Duchess…”

“Oh, really?”

Having set the whip aside, Camilla moved next to Rebecca and linked arms with her.

“Call me Camilla as usual, Duchess. ‘Countess Dmitri’ sounds so formal between us.”

Camilla spoke sweetly.

But for some reason, Rebecca just looked down at her, silently.

‘Why is the Duchess acting like this? Something is odd…’

As these thoughts surfaced, Rebecca withdrew her arm and stood up from the sofa.

“You returned from your vacation earlier than planned?”

“Yes, a few days early. I was supposed to return later, but I couldn’t wait to see you…”

Camilla tried to shake off her unease and stood up from the sofa, resuming her soft, smiling demeanor.

“We’re like sisters, after all.”

Rebecca was a woman starved for affection.

Camilla had used this fact to manipulate Rebecca, the Duchess, to her liking.

‘There must be something she’s upset about… But mentioning how I missed her and saying we’re like sisters will surely smooth things over quickly.’

As Camilla slyly smiled, about to continue, Rebecca unexpectedly spoke.

“…Just a few days of precious vacation.”

“…”

“It would have been better for you to rest at home, for both our sakes.”

Confused, Camilla blinked.

“What…?”

“And it’s quite rude to visit the Duchess’s mansion without notice, even if you are my maid.”

Rebecca’s red eyes clearly condemned Camilla’s impertinence.

‘Why is she acting like this? Something’s really off…’

Realizing the situation wasn’t going her way, Camilla quickly changed the subject.

“Just now, when I arrived, this child was lying, so I was giving her a punishment.”

“Ah…”

Rebecca nodded slowly, seemingly deep in thought.
Camilla interpreted this as a sign of attentive listening.

“Of course. Nothing beats uniting against a common enemy to escape a tough situation.”

Her voice grew more confident.

“I told her to leave because I couldn’t stand being in the same space, but she kept insisting she’s your personal maid – utter nonsense.”

“Camilla, I…” Mina began.

“Look at her! Still talking back with that vulgar mouth! Such a venomous creature!”

“I’m not lying! Duchess, please say something…!” Mina cried out.

Rebecca’s gaze on Mina started to become even fiercer.

‘…Now’s the time.’

For a brief moment, a sly glint shone in Camilla’s eyes.

She started to feign distress.

“I, Camilla Dmitri, am so proud to be your maid, but… it’s just too hard to endure this torment at the hands of these disgusting half-breeds!”

“…”

“If I have to see these monsters act so brazenly, I might have no choice but to resign!”

It was an ultimatum. She expected the foolish Duchess to immediately punish the ‘disgusting monster’. Maybe even in a more severe way to prove their friendship.

Camilla confidently awaited Rebecca’s next move.

Sure enough, Rebecca quickly responded.

“Do you really mean that?”

Camilla, barely suppressing a smile, nodded pitifully.

“I have no choice.”

Rebecca, speaking in a whisper, approached Mina.

It seemed the time had come to properly punish the monster.

Rebecca observed Mina in silence, then spoke evenly.

“Did you enjoy it?”

Her voice was slow like lava, yet filled with intense anger.

Camilla, her lips curling smoothly, approached Rebecca’s side.

She began to scold Mina in a louder voice.

“You, you! Why can’t you answer the Duchess? How dare you lie to me and enjoy it?”

At that moment, a thrill of excitement ran through Camilla’s chest.

Rebecca’s face slowly turned towards Camilla.

“No.”

“…?”

“…I mean you.”

Camilla’s smile instantly faded.

Rebecca’s eyes, filled with blatant hostility, were undoubtedly focused on her.

“Duchess?”

As Rebecca approached, a slight tremor appeared on Camilla’s lips.

“Answer me.”

Once they were close enough to hear each other’s breath, Camilla gasped at Rebecca’s chilling voice.

“Damaging my property while I was away…”

“…”

“Did you find it amusing?”

Camilla trembled, her face reflecting disbelief.

“Duchess, surely you jest! Wha-What kind of joke is that…!”

Ignoring Camilla, Rebecca turned and ordered the maids outside the door.

“Come in.”

The situation was unfolding in a way completely contrary to expectations.

Camilla anxiously darted her eyes around.

“Make Camilla Dmitri kneel before me,” Rebecca commanded coldly to the entering maids.

They didn’t hesitate to grab Camilla’s shoulders firmly.

“What is this about! Even if you are the Duchess, you can’t do this to me…!”

Her outcry was short-lived.

Camilla’s face contorted with disgust at the maids’ touch.

But as a human, she was no match for the strength of the half-breeds.

Though humiliated, Camilla was eventually forced to kneel before the half-breeds.
“I… I don’t know what you’re planning to do, but if you don’t stop this instant, I’ll let the whole world know about it!”

Camilla, her pride wounded, made a final desperate threat.

‘I won’t allow even the Duchess to treat me, Camilla, like this! If she doesn’t want to be isolated in the northern social circle!’

Camilla reassured herself with this thought.

However, for some reason, Rebecca still appeared relaxed.

“That’s right, Camilla. You could let the whole world know about this incident.”

“…….”

“…if you can leave this place alive.”

Finally, Camilla’s jaw began to tremble in terror.

“I’ll… I’ll scream!”

At that, Rebecca suddenly burst into laughter.

After a long moment of laughter, Rebecca slowly leaned towards Camilla, who was still on her knees.

Rebecca’s red lips smoothly curved upwards as she locked eyes with Camilla at close range.

“Camilla, didn’t I tell you earlier? Apart from my servants…”

“…….”

“No one else comes here, right?”