Greta abruptly led Meiana to the center of the living room, gripping her wrist. For some reason, her restless demeanor seemed unlike the usual Greta, but Meiana couldn’t figure out why.

Greta said,
“You know, I’m not sure if I should say this…”

Meiana lifted one hand, as if to cut her off.
“Go ahead and say it.”

“Well… I overheard something earlier. It’s about Vainty…”

“What about Vainty?”

Greta twitched her fingertips as if she had been interrupted. Despite the suffocating atmosphere, Meiana calmly squeezed her shoulder.
“Tell me, Greta. What about Vainty?”

“Vainty… was talking about you to the other maids.”

Meiana spoke with a frustrated tone.
“What was he saying? Be clear, Greta.”

Greta looked at Meiana as if she was being blamed, then her eyebrows relaxed, realizing that wasn’t Meiana’s intention. She quickly whispered,
“Um, Vainty said you’re a thief who stole her stuff… and that you’re trying to manipulate the Count by using the princess.”

Meiana burst into a sudden laugh.
“What?”

“Yes. She said she must tell Butler Jocelyn immediately, otherwise you’d end up even in the Count’s bed…”

Meiana didn’t react right away. Greta cautiously shook Meiana’s arm.
“Why aren’t you saying anything, Meiana? Are you shocked…?”

Shocked, maybe. Meiana smirked at the thought. She had had enough of hearing such nonsense back at Povec Manor.

“I understand, Greta.”

Greta’s round eyes blinked innocently.
“What do you understand?”

“Thanks for letting me know. I’ll handle it from here.”

“How will you handle it? The rumor will spread throughout the manor by tonight.”

Meiana looked at Greta with a mocking expression.
“So should I go strangle Vainty right now?”

“What? No! I didn’t say that!”

“Or should I resign and throw my resignation letter at Butler Jocelyn because I can’t bear this humiliation?”

Greta’s pupils moved faintly, her expression filled with worry. Meiana gazed at Greta before letting out a sigh with a gentle smile, as if she was dealing with Ariante.

“Don’t worry, Greta. That won’t happen. The princess needs me.”

“Yes, that’s true… Don’t worry too much. Vainty’s rumor is baseless. Right?”

“Yes… exactly.”

Meiana, arms crossed, looked down and kicked the floor lightly as she muttered to herself.
“Yes, it’s baseless.”

When it was time for dinner, Ariante whined that she wasn’t hungry and didn’t want to eat anything. It was understandable, given that she had been stuck in bed all day.

“I’m not hungry!”

Ariante shouted at the maid who had brought food into the bedroom. Meiana, who was preparing medicine for Ariante outside, hurriedly wiped her hands and entered.

“Your Highness, what’s the matter?”

“I don’t want to eat! I’m not hungry!”

The maid looked helplessly at Ariante, her expression saying ‘here we go again.’ Ariante couldn’t have been unaware of it.

“Take it away!”

When Ariante threw her spoon, the bowl of soup tipped over. Fortunately, no one got burned, but the tray was ruined, and the sheet was stained.

“Your Highness.”
Ariante glanced sharply at Meiana. Irritation was vivid in her round, blue eyes.

Meiana sent the maid away for the moment. She closed the bedroom door, pushed aside the messy tray, and sat in front of Ariante.

Only then did Ariante realize that Meiana’s expression was slightly different than usual and closed her mouth. She wasn’t being obedient, just taking stock of the situation.

“Didn’t I tell you earlier that you should eat on time for your ankle to heal quickly?”

Ariante furrowed her brows.

“I’m not hungry. I don’t want to eat.”

“You don’t have to eat it all. I will get a new soup, so just have a piece of bread, half an omelet, and half the soup.”

“No! Why do you decide what I should eat when I said I won’t eat?”

Meiana exaggeratedly dropped the corners of her lips while arching her eyebrows.

“Well, why indeed? Perhaps because if you eat and sleep well, we can go catch the bandits sooner. If you’re stubborn like this, they might get away.”

“I’ll get better even if I don’t eat.”

“Alright, then don’t eat. I suppose I’ll have to eat it.”

Ariante looked surprised. But Meiana no longer begged Ariante to eat. She pulled a chair to the table and began to eat, as if flaunting it in front of Ariante!

As she broke the warm bread, the scent of savory butter wafted through the air. Meiana spread a spoonful of honey on half a piece of bread and took a bite.

“Oh my!”

Upon hearing Meiana exclaim loudly, Ariante looked at her, clearly wanting to ask why but refraining due to pride.

Meiana glanced sidelong at Ariante and deliberately exclaimed loudly.

“What’s this? This honey tastes different than usual. It has a slightly tangy flavor but it’s sweet like candy. Plus, the bread today is baked so well. Look, it’s crispy on the outside and moist inside. Delicious!”

Ariante still kept her lips sealed. However, her gaze was fixed on the honey-smeared bread that Meiana held. When Meiana swiftly ate the remaining piece of bread, Ariante slightly twitched her shoulders and pursed her lips.