Meiana looked up at her.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It’s the Lady’s words. You were sulking about being bored earlier. Still, you found a new treasure, so you won’t be bored for a while, right?”

“Oh… Yes, you’re right.”

Meiana, trying to ease the tension that had unknowingly built up, arranged several boxes neatly.

Items that seemed unnecessary were separated to one side, but to organize them, permission from the housekeeper Jocelyn was required. However, Meiana had no intention of doing so. It would be better to call Cedeloy and ask directly.

Ivy, who had been standing quietly, went outside upon hearing Bridget’s call. Purposefully appearing busy, Meiana, who had been swinging her dusty hands, sighed briefly when she saw Ivy leaving.

She was a child whose thoughts were hard to fathom… Although Ivy didn’t show it, every time Meiana recalled what she had said to Jocelyn, her heart felt chilly.

A child with a temper beyond ordinary. Meiana thought. Of course, Ivy never revealed that temperament to Ariante or any other maids.

She was generally very quiet, yet subtly matched well with Ariante.

Her strength played a part, and one day, Meiana witnessed her carrying Ariante on her shoulders and running around the wide living room.

Meiana, looking around the room after dusting off her hands, observed. Although it had been used as a warehouse for a long time, it seemed to have been a guest room or a reception room in the past. The wallpaper looked very luxurious. It also seemed to have a good texture.

By removing the boxes, laying a new rug, and replacing the curtains with clean ones, it could instantly be transformed into a splendid bedroom…

Lost in thought, Meiana stiffened her expression at the sound of a fake cough from behind. It was not Bridget or Ivy, as they wouldn’t make such signals.

As Meiana expected, the person standing behind was not one of the maids in charge of the East Wing. She had seen her face before but didn’t know her name.

The maid said, “The Duke is calling…you.”

Meiana briefly stared at her face without saying anything. The maid, glancing around as if she had been stabbed, added, “Miss Meiana, you must come right away.”

“Just speak casually. I know this mansion better than anyone since I’ve recently come in. Anyway, it’s not like I came here to make friends.”

The maid stared at Meiana for a moment and then quickly disappeared. The sound of her hurried footsteps was far from Bridget’s.

Meiana rarely mingled with other employees besides the maids in charge of the East Wing, but she was still disliked by many without any apparent reason. Nevertheless, no one dared to provoke her.

The image of Meiana, who had fought without backing down against Jocelyn, was deeply engraved in everyone’s minds.

What do I know? Meiana thought. I didn’t come here to make friends; isn’t that true? Rather, she was more curious about why Cedeloy suddenly came looking for her.

The door to Cedeloy’s reception room was open. Sounds of conversation, as if he were talking to someone, could be heard.

“The Duke called for me…”

Looking at Gémero sitting at the desk, Meiana spoke in a low voice.

“Is there a guest?”

“Go in. The Duke said to bring you inside when you come.”

Meiana smirked as if there was nothing unusual but did as she was told. Cedeloy was sitting across from a man, with his back to the door, making it impossible for Meiana to see him.
“Excuse me, Your Grace. You called for me.”

At Meiana’s words, Cedeloy and another man simultaneously looked at her. He was a handsome man with light brown hair and distinctive features, but, above all, his gaze seemed to chillingly overwhelm the one he looked at, leaving a strong impression.

“Come inside.”

Meiana, with a somewhat bewildered expression, glanced at the unfamiliar guest once and obediently entered. During this, the man observed Meiana with an indifferent expression, and his gaze… was not exactly pleasant.

Cedeloy spoke, “Allow me to introduce. This is Meiana Dawson. She takes care of Ariante. The kid follows her quite well.”

Then, he turned his gaze towards Meiana.

“This is a new home tutor to teach Ariante. His name is Ash Lauren. A friend I know personally. Since you’ll frequently come across each other, it’s good to exchange greetings.”

A home tutor? Meiana looked at the seemingly indifferent man with a surprised expression.

He appeared to be a few years older than Cedeloy. While his attire was neat, sitting with one leg folded over the other in a somewhat careless posture exuded an arrogant impression. His brown eyes, warm like his hair, lacked a friendly look due to the absence of a smile.

‘For some reason, I don’t have a good feeling about this…’

Meiana thought.

Ash Lauren, with eyes devoid of courtesy, as if enduring a boring sermon, glanced at Meiana and slowly stood up, extending his right hand as if reluctantly.

“Pleasure to meet you. I’m Ash Lauren.”