“I’m sorry.”

“Lies. You’re thinking differently on the inside, aren’t you?”

“No, my lady.”

Trisy’s eyebrows rose. But Ansi, with her eyes lowered, remained calm.

Trisy didn’t like that. It wasn’t just because of this incident.

Rain always had an expressionless face that made it impossible to know what she was thinking, but despite being a mere maid, she exuded a sense of dignity. It was utterly irritating that she didn’t know her place.

Even now, after being reprimanded for a mistake, she was acting as if she was indulging a tantrum.

“You’re looking down on me, aren’t you?”

Trisy’s eyes narrowed. And before an answer could be heard, she picked up the plate of cookies and threw it on the ground.

“……!”

The cookies scattered and rolled across the sandy beach. Ansi’s eyes widened in surprise.

Seeing that, Trisy finally felt a bit satisfied. She sat down carelessly on the picnic mat, gesturing towards the ground with her chin.

“Clean it up. Leave no crumbs.”

“My lady.”

“Can’t you do it?”

Trisy picked up a grape and put it in her mouth. As she chewed the grape while staring intently at Ansi, there was even a sense of frivolity about her.

The important thing was that she showed no intention of taking back her words.

If she orders me to clean it up, I have no choice but to do so.

Ansi finally reached out towards the sand.

The cookies had shattered into pieces when they fell. Moreover, the color of the sand and cookies was so similar that she had to look closely.

She knelt down on her knees and examined the ground. Her hands and clothes became covered in sand as she picked up the scattered and broken cookies. Occasionally, she heard Trisy’s laughter.

Suppressing the unnecessary emotions swirling inside her, Ansi focused only on the task at hand.

When she finally stood up after picking up all the cookies, it happened.

“……!”

Ansi’s gaze wavered.

In the distance, her eyes met those of a man walking towards this place.

The man’s purple eyes were fixed precisely on this spot. It was impossible to tell what emotion was contained in his tightly pressed lips.

Did that man see this scene too?

Suddenly, truly abruptly… Ansi found herself reflecting on what she had just done.

Surely, she had been crawling on the ground, distinguishing between sand and cookies.

It was strange. Until just now, it had been something she didn’t think twice about. It was just something she had to do without judgment or thought… But now she suddenly felt ashamed.

His low voice seemed to echo in her ears.

An indescribable emotion welled up. Was it shame, or perhaps wretchedness? Ansi’s face turned red.

“…I’ve picked up all the cookies, my lady. If there’s nothing else you need me to do, may I go back now?”

Ansi wanted to leave this place as soon as possible. She spoke calmly, keeping her head down and trying her best not to show her emotions.

However, Trisy’s response was still a sarcastic voice.

“You have to stay until the picnic is over. How can you try to slack off like this?”

“My work hours are over…”

“How dare you defy my words?”

Trisy shouted loudly. Ansi raised her head in surprise.

Trisy, who had jumped to her feet, looked as if she had been insulted. She raised her voice and spat out sharp words.

“Your mother will die if she doesn’t take her medicine, right?”

“……”

“Am I wrong?”

Trisy took a step closer and twisted her lips. Ansi’s blue eyes met hers. Trisy flinched for a moment at the intense light in those eyes.

Ansi took a short breath and replied.

“Please refrain from such remarks. I don’t want to discuss my family’s private matters in this way.”

“Why do you think it’s your private matter? It’s related to me too. Who do you think is paying for your mother’s medicine?”

Ansi’s hand holding the cookie plate tightened.

In her mind, she weighed what would be the best response she could give right now.

If she shot Kardian with a gun, both Ansi and Sofia might die. She had always been prepared for such an outcome.

But she didn’t want to die a meaningless death.

If she were to be kicked out of here right now, could she find another job? It would be difficult for her to go to another house without a letter of recommendation, having been a maid for only a year. Especially if she was kicked out due to a conflict with her employer.

Trisy must be so confident while being unreasonable because she knows she holds Ansi’s lifeline.

No matter how much shame Ansi felt or how unfairly she was treated, this immature and rude young lady couldn’t imagine an ending where Ansi smashed her head in.

“Get on your knees and beg.”

So she knew that the best choice now was to simply apologize to the young lady in front of her. Those knees, there was nothing she wouldn’t use them for if it was for her future plans.

But the reason why it was so difficult was…

Probably because of the enemy’s brother who might be watching her.

If no one else, she didn’t want to show a servile appearance in front of Orphe.

“Forgive my impertinence, my lady, but I haven’t done anything that warrants kneeling or apologizing.”

“What?”

Her mouth had drawn its own conclusion before her thoughts were finished. But sometimes, Ansi knew, what instinct does is the most rational decision.

“Although I am your maid, my lady, there is no reason for me to endure such insults. Especially regarding my family’s affairs, who don’t even work at Jiden…”

Her mouth continued to speak. Even at this moment, her nerves were focused on the approaching presence.

The sound of soft sand being stepped on grew closer and closer.

Carried on the warm wind, a familiar scent enveloped her body.

And just as Trisy reached out to force Ansi to her knees.

“I’ve heard that the way of speaking in the South is quite direct.”

A man’s voice, tinged with a faint smile, washed over her like a wave. Despite knowing he had approached, Ansi felt her heart sink.

“Lord Damion…?”

Trisy’s voice became small. Her voice trembled at the end.

Damion, who had stopped Trisy’s hand, gently lowered it. His hand movements were neat and polite. His following voice was the same.

“I seem to have trouble distinguishing between directness and aggression, so I’d like to ask the young lady.”

At his gentle voice, Trisy felt as if she could answer any question he might ask. As she nodded blankly, Damion’s low voice settled over her.

“Get on your knees and beg.”

The man’s voice was chilling. Even contempt could be felt in his cold purple eyes.

Trisy’s body stiffened. Her eyes wavered and soon filled with tears. Seeing this, Damion playfully narrowed his eyes and smiled.

“Is this directness or aggression?”

The Jiden baronial mansion was several times busier than usual.

This was because the young master of Orphe had suddenly visited and said he would stay for a while.

While he was taking a walk in the garden, the servants were busy moving around in their respective places, preparing to entertain the guest. They didn’t forget to exchange opinions about this situation in between their tasks.

“The young master of Orphe is staying for dinner, what could this be about?”

“Maybe he’s interested in our young lady? He’s come back so soon after the last party.”

“Oh my, that must be it. How on earth…”

“Shh, shh!”

“Rain, you tell us. You were with them earlier. Does it seem like the young master is interested in Lady Trisy?”

The question was directed at Ansi. Gazes filled with interest poured onto her. Silently wiping dishes, Ansi shook her head.

“I’m not sure.”

She said that, but Ansi was inwardly anxious.

What on earth could that man be planning?

Damion, who had appeared as if he were a knight coming to her rescue, walked away with Trisy, seemingly not caring about her at all. As if his lowered voice had been an illusion, the voice addressing the baronial family’s daughter was gentle.