After the maids withdrew without results, Arasila organized the relevant documents and went to find Demian.

“I’ve put all those even slightly associated with Rosalyn and the head maid on the list of those to be fired. I’ll process it as is.”

“Yes, please do so.”

Demian nodded as he quickly scanned the names written on the paper. He seemed unfazed even though more than half of the maids who had worked in the mansion for years would be leaving.

Arasila stared at his sharp features, as if carved by a well-honed blade, and asked:

“Are you alright?”

“What do you mean by alright?”

“The head maid worked under you for quite a long time. I thought you might feel a great sense of betrayal and loss since such a person betrayed you.”

At those words, Demian’s fingers twitched slightly. He felt strange at the unexpected comment.

Indeed, the head maid who had been by his side for a long time had betrayed him, while Arasila, whom he had only recently met, was considering his feelings.

It was an odd emotion, neither sad nor touched, but ironic.

However, not showing such inner thoughts, he faced Arasila with an impassive expression.

“I didn’t know you had such a sensitive side, madam.”

“Don’t I look kind, good-natured, and empathetic at first glance?”

“You look exactly like me.”

“…If this sounds like an insult, does that mean my empathy is lacking?”

Seeing Arasila’s subtly serious expression, Demian let out a chuckle. Sitting on the windowsill with his arms crossed, he said:

“I didn’t care that much for the head maid anyway.”

“Still, the shock must have been great.”

“I’m used to it, so it’s fine.”

Used to it? As Arasila was about to ask what he meant by that strange word, Demian spoke again.

“By the way, you seem to be quite fond of that maid Audrey.”

“I adore her immensely.”

“Is there a special reason?”

While many nobles were said to have a particular affection for their personal maids, Demian couldn’t understand such emotions and was curious.

As far as he knew, maids had always been traitors.

“Audrey was the first person to recognize my true worth,” Arasila explained calmly.

“When I was young, everyone just thought I was strange, but no one understood me.”

For example, when Arasila was a child, she attended a charity event of a noble lady with her sister.

After a common storytelling session, the lady asked each child about their future dreams.

‘I want to be a splendid knight!’

‘I want to be a princess.’

‘Me! I want to be like my dad!’

‘I want to be a wise mother and good wife.’

While everyone was stating ordinary aspirations, Arasila’s answer was different.

‘I want to be the greatest magician in the world.’

At that time, being young, she wanted to become a magician first rather than a tower master.

But no one could understand the little girl mentioning such a specific profession.

They just said,

‘Arasila is unique. It’s okay, she’ll grow out of it when she’s older.’

They treated it as the nonsensical words of a child. Her peers were no different, so Arasila had no friends.

It was the result of constantly fighting with kids who often teased her for being strange.

Worried that her second daughter would grow up isolated, the Duchess brought in Audrey as a playmate maid of the same age, and that’s how they first met.

‘Audrey, when I grow up, I’m going to be a super strong magician. And then I’ll own the whole world.’

‘Really? That’s so cool, young miss.’

Unlike others, Audrey supported Arasila with sparkling eyes. She didn’t dismiss her as strange or peculiar.

‘Having a specific goal at such a young age is truly amazing.’

‘Hmm, you think so?’

‘Of course! You’re sure to become a wonderful adult, young miss. And naturally, a super strong magician too.’

‘Thank you, when that happens, I’ll give you a small part of the world.’

‘I appreciate it. Actually, my childhood dream was to be a demon lord ruling the world.’

This attitude had never changed from the day they first met until now.

‘Young miss, you can do anything you set your mind to. Always have confidence.’

So Audrey couldn’t help but be special to Arasila.

“Only Audrey consistently supported my dreams. In fact, even my sister didn’t quite understand me when I was young.”

In truth, Iris grew up as a typical noble lady, with a personality opposite to Arasila’s.

Even though she was a sister Arasila valued more than her own dreams, some things couldn’t be helped.

“Beyond the relationship of maid and master, having such a person by your side is fortunate. It’s something you can’t obtain no matter how much money you throw at it.”

“…You’re right.”

Demian agreed with distant eyes. Suddenly, Arasila wondered if he had someone like that too.

Had there ever been someone in Demian Vandermir’s life who would always be on his side, never giving up, no matter when or where?

‘Well, being such an accomplished knight, he must have had some. Just in the Red Hawk Knights, there must be several.’

Having finished her business, Arasila gathered the documents and prepared to leave the office.

“I’ll be going now. Good work.”

“Yes, you too, madam.”

Before the week was over, more than half of the maids were fired without recommendation letters. They likely would never be able to work as maids again.

The day after the layoffs, Arasila brought in a large number of maids from Duke Hugo’s household to the Vandermir mansion.

Of course, it wasn’t easy to bring them. She endured her mother’s nagging, “See, you should have listened to your mother from the start!” and even got a slap on the back before bringing them.

With the disappearance of those who led the hostile atmosphere, the remaining maids became docile.

Now, no one dared to challenge the mistress’s authority. What happened among the maids spread throughout the mansion, and other servants took notice on their own.

“This is Emma, the new head maid. I hope you all get along well.”

Arasila smiled brightly as she introduced the new head maid recommended by her mother. With this, perfect peace had arrived at the Vandermir mansion.

While she was reorganizing the mansion’s interior, Demian was in charge of interrogating the spies.

At first, both denied it, but under severe torture, they eventually spilled the truth.

“The Vandermir Duke’s family ordered us! They told us to make the master and mistress divorce by any means. Or at least find some flaw that could lead to divorce. Please, please forgive us!”

Not long after Rosalyn broke down, the head maid also confessed.

“The Duke’s family approached me saying they would pay off my son’s gambling debts. They said I just needed to help by bringing Rosalyn into the mansion… I’m sorry, master. I’m truly sorry.”

No wonder things had been quiet after the wedding; it seems they were busy plotting this behind the scenes.

Demian ran his hand over his face and laughed sharply. His sharp canines were visible between his parted lips.

‘This makes me want to find grandfather’s will even faster.’

If he could just reveal the previous Duke’s will stating that he would pass on the family to the grandson who married Hugo’s granddaughter, Demian could immediately take the official position of heir.

Then everything after that would fall into place.

The problem was that he didn’t know where his grandfather’s will was kept. So currently, he was trying to find the will.

‘The faster I move, the sooner I can end this marriage too…’

As Demian stood by the window looking outside, Arasila walking in the garden suddenly entered his view.

Her fresh face and light steps. Her lavender hair, swaying in the breeze, shone brighter than usual in the sunlight.

‘It would be hard to find a wife as smart, pretty, and capable as me anywhere else. You know that, right?’

Suddenly, he remembered what Arasila had said when proposing. He had scoffed at it then, but looking at it now, she was right.

Currently, there probably wasn’t a wife more helpful to him than Arasila.

Acknowledging this fact, Demian said as soon as Arasila entered the office:

“Let’s go on a date, madam.”

Hearing these words before she could even close the door, Arasila looked around for a moment.

There’s no one else here.

Which means there’s no need to act like an affectionate husband for show. But then why is he doing this?

‘Has he lost himself in the act after pretending for so long?’

Arasila gave him a suspicious look as she firmly closed the door and sat on the sofa. Her face showed no excitement, as if she couldn’t believe she had just received a date invitation.

“Have your ears already gone deaf with age that you didn’t hear me?”

“I’m younger than you, Demian, so talk sense. Why are you acting like an affectionate husband when there’s no one around?”

Arasila narrowed her eyes and imitated Demian’s tone.

“Have you already gotten dementia and forgotten that we’re just acting?”

“Ha, don’t misunderstand. I’m not doing this because I want to.”

Demian, slightly perched on the windowsill, furrowed his brow. She never backs down. Though he thought this was better than her being frustrating.

“I heard that Rosalyn sent a detailed report to the Duke’s family about how distant our relationship is. They might use this as an excuse to push for divorce.”

“Ah, so you want to show us dating to prevent any possible rumors, right?”

“Now you’re catching on, madam.”

Arasila thought it was quite a talent to make such a pleasant voice and affectionate tone sound so disagreeable, as she nodded.

“Alright. I accept that date invitation.”

“I’m overwhelmed with gratitude.”

Demian let out a deflating laugh as he headed to his desk. Picking up some documents from the desk, he said:

“Then, let’s have our date this weekend.”

“Sounds good.”

With his gaze fixed on the documents, Demian nodded slightly.

“I’ve said all I needed to, so you can leave now.”

My, how rude.

Arasila stood up abruptly at his impolite dismissal without even looking at her. She then left, slamming the door loudly.

Demian frowned at the sudden noise attack.

In their efforts to equally annoy each other, the two failed to realize they had just arranged their first date.

It wasn’t until two days before the weekend that they remembered about the date. Demian headed to the bedroom rather late in the evening.

He needed to confirm Arasila’s opinion today to prepare for tomorrow’s date.

Knock knock. After knocking on the door, rustling sounds could be heard from inside. A moment later, Arasila’s face peeked out from the crack in the door.

“Demian? What brings you here at this hour? Are you planning to sleep here tonight?”

“No. I came because I have something to ask.”

“What is it?”

“I was trying to make a restaurant reservation…”

Demian’s words trailed off vaguely as he unconsciously looked down. His gaze suddenly wandered in the air. Arasila tilted her head.

“What are you looking at?”

“…”

“Demian?”

He closed his eyes slightly and briefly moved his lips.

“Robe.”

“Pardon?”

“…Close your robe.”

Currently, Arasila was wearing a thin slip with a bathrobe over it.

Judging by the strong scent of bath oils, it seemed she had just finished bathing. The ends of her not-yet-dry hair were still damp.

“Oh.”

Arasila nonchalantly tightened her slightly loose robe. Only then did Demian return his gaze to normal and let out a dry laugh.

“Are you not careful, madam?”

“It’s not like I’ll die from showing this much skin.”

It wasn’t as if the robe had been wide open, so Arasila didn’t pay much attention to it.

At her brazen comment, Demian closed his eyes again and sighed before speaking.

“Would it be alright if I make a reservation at Vesta Restaurant on 7th Avenue? After dinner, we can enjoy a boat ride on the nearby lake. There will be many people, so rumors about our date will spread quickly.”

“Sounds fine. Let’s do that.”

“Understood. Have a good night.”

Demian bowed politely and left without looking back. Arasila hadn’t even had a chance to say goodbye.

Watching his tall figure disappear into the dim corridor, she clicked her tongue.

Come to think of it, she was the one who had shown some skin, but why was he running away as if he had been the one to show it?

He was truly a ridiculous man.