Chapter 1 – Part 12

“But you seemed quite casual, swimming towards me, even though you knew I was watching.”

A question popped out like a whip. It was a criticism laden with the assertion that even the behavior, whatever it was, that he seemed to enjoy so much wasn’t normal. Marcus, on the other hand, had an indifferent expression.

“Isn’t that what you wanted?”

“Even after you saw my gun?”

“You didn’t look like someone who was about to shoot and kill me. You were standing there with a look as if you were about to jump into the water, with your mouth wide open, saying it’s fine.”

Liese’s mouth dropped open at the undeniable truth, and the duke, who seemed to take pleasure in cornering her, continued in a voice laced with laughter.

“A woman who looks like she’s about to throw off her dress and jump into the water to chase me doesn’t seem like an assassin, although my thoughts changed the moment I saw you in the corridor. Well, now that I have conformed to it.”

Liese trembled in her hands.

How shameless can one be? If someone were to ask for an expression contrasting with that of a gentleman, she wanted to recite exactly what the duke had just said.

“That’s enough. Go now.”

Marcus pointed to the door of the study with a jerk of his chin. It was the command she had been waiting for. Liese bowed her head silently and tried to move.

“Before you leave, button up properly. I don’t want to be misunderstood that you were rolling around in my study.”

Liese, who was hesitating, turned to look at him. Marcus tapped his chest and gestured to her dress.

A few buttons near her neck were carelessly undone. It was unmistakable that they had come undone during the intense resistance.

Liese quickly buttoned up her dress with a red face. Just when she thought she had seen him dressed like this all along, why did he bring up the issue just before leaving?

Astonishing beauty like a piece of art and a shocking personality that could be so terrible—she didn’t want to encounter the man with such unbelievable contradictions again.

***

“You’re late. Everyone else has already gone home.”

It was Florence who welcomed Liese, who had changed her clothes in the lounge. Her face was calm, whether she had been waiting or not.

“Oh.”

Liese breathed an awkward sigh.

“I guess I came out too late.”

“It’s been over two hours.”

In response to Florence’s quiet reply, Liese lost her words for a moment. She didn’t realize that so much time had passed in the duke’s study. She had been too engrossed in controlling her fluttering emotions to catch up with the flow of time.

Suddenly, Liese noticed that Florence was observing her closely. The gaze that swept around her neck and ears was persistent, as if searching for traces of some action.

Should she make some excuse? Liese cautiously opened her mouth.

“It seems that the duke wanted to confirm something. He said I resembled someone… It turned out to be untrue.”

It wasn’t exactly a lie, but her voice, denying it, trembled a bit. However, even if she spoke honestly, it wouldn’t be of any benefit.

She can’t say that she caught the Duke swimming in the lake one day, unaware, with her hand on a firearm, and it caused him to lift up her dress and frisk her.

“He wanted to confirm Miss Brennan’s face.”

“Yes.”

“For two hours?”

Florence raised her eyes slightly. Liese couldn’t help but close her mouth as she felt the unkind gaze.

She’d be a fool not to know what her handmaiden suspected, but Liese had never done anything dishonorable in her grandfather’s name. She had to straighten her shoulders, not stiffen them.

“Also, it seemed quite interesting that a lady of the prestigious family would act as a maid. He said it was a rare sight and asked several questions.”

Florence maintained silence, observing Liese as if measuring the truth. Then, with a small sigh, she spoke.

“Anyway, good job. There was no work today, but as a small token of appreciation for coming all the way to the mansion for an interview, would you like me to give you a small reward?”

From her bosom, Florence took out a clean cloth pouch. The sound of several coins clinking together came from the pouch she received. It seemed to be the weight of at least 20 gilings.

“It was the duke’s order. He said to pay a reward to everyone who came for an interview.”
She’d be lying if she said she didn’t want to run out of the mansion after that humiliation in the study. But Liese was not strong enough to abandon the reality of her responsibilities.

Her grandfather, who had lost his estate and his fortune in a single day and was trying to carry on; her brother, who often starved because he didn’t want to eat poorly; and Mrs. Joanna, who had stayed with the family until the end.

And the orchard needed a helping hand. The Brennan family’s orchard, which would be the foundation for a better future.

Liese couldn’t take her eyes off the purse that would make all of this possible.

“As I mentioned earlier, you can start working the next day. Since it might be difficult to come up here every time, should I send a carriage to a location near your house if you provide the address on the document?”

As the main workplace was the space for servants in the annex, she wouldn’t have to see the duke anymore. Liese, having finished her calculations, nodded without hesitation.

“Yes, I would appreciate that. Although it’s a short period, I will do my best not to tarnish the honor of the Balthasar, as you have entrusted me.”

“Very well.”

Florence showed a gentle smile.

“I was worried about a noble young lady who has never done servant work, but it seems Your Excellency is satisfied with the inexperienced Miss Brennan. Thanks to that, I can trust you with other tasks.”

Liese stiffened at the words, which carried a more direct meaning than they had a moment before. Florence turned around with a calm face and called someone.

“Will you escort this lady to the main gate? Miss Brennan, the carriage has been prepared, so please return home safely.”

A guard who had been waiting near the entrance of the annex approached. Though he seemed ready to drag Liese away with his stern expression, she stood still, looking at Florence as if she had lost the will to move.

It was clear that a humiliating misunderstanding had occurred. However, she had answered the disguised inquiry truthfully, and there was nothing else she could do. Liese politely lowered her head.

“Thank you for your consideration. I appreciate it. I look forward to working with you in the future.”

“Likewise. See you on your next working day.”

With a brief bow, Florence turned and walked away, and in that moment, Liese wasn’t sure if her decision to become the Duke’s maid had been one without regret.