Chapter 1 – Part 8

To avoid tripping over her legs, Liese had to make every effort.

The hastily worn maid’s uniform was uncomfortable, as if it didn’t fit her body. The tray in both hands was as heavy as a thousand weights, but it wasn’t because of the teapot filled with black tea.

The main building was significantly different from the luxurious annex. It impressively displayed the history and authority of the Balthasar family, exuding the history and authority of the ducal family.

But none of this caught Liese’s eye.

As she approached the study where the Duke was supposed to be, her breath became shallow. It was impossible to appreciate her surroundings as the tension gripped her. She realized she had come to a place she should never have come to.

“Do not speak unless His Grace commands you.”

Florence handed her the prepared tray and issued a warning.

“As a descendant of a noble family, you should have acquired the proper etiquette for dealing with nobility.”

“May I ask why His Grace has singled me out?”

Although she knew she wouldn’t receive a clear answer, Liese couldn’t help but ask, bowing in courtesy. The advice and warning came from Florence, who returned from the silence.

“Please do not be disrespectful to His Grace.”

It was both advice and a warning. Of course, unless she was insane, Liese would never offend the heavenly duke.

The problem was that she had already been disrespectful.

Like a child who had done something wrong, her limbs tingled, and her face felt hot. On the one hand, she couldn’t help but want to blame the Duke, who had discarded his clothes by the lake in broad daylight.

No matter what, there was no way to take it back. All she could do now was pray that the Duke hadn’t seen her at the lake.

Yes, the chances of him seeing her were slim to none. Just when she thought she’d made eye contact with the Duke underwater, he resumed his swim, his n*ked body in full view.

Surely he wouldn’t have done that if he knew someone was watching.

I felt a little relieved. Of course, it was still unnerving not knowing why he’d summoned her.

Liese walked alone down the corridor, where the sunset began to cast its shadows. As she reached the door of the elaborately carved library, she took a deep breath. Then she raised her hand and knocked gently.

A few seconds later, someone inside opened the door. Stepping back cautiously, Liese faced an elderly man with white hair. Behind his glasses, his firm gaze and neatly dressed attire unmistakably identified him as the butler in charge of managing the mansion.

The butler gestured for her to enter. Liese took careful steps forward. As the butler left, the door thudded shut behind her. Blinking nervously, her eyes scanned the interior of the study.

The Duke’s private library, adorned with a red carpet, was almost like a small-scale library.

High ceilings held chandeliers with dozens of spherical glass shades, and the bookshelves, lined up side by side, were filled with various books.

Instead of windows, there were lamps emitting a soft light on the walls, creating an atmosphere that was profoundly closed and private.
The only window in the study was facing the doorway. Another twenty or so steps led to a large desk made of dark wood.

In front of it sat a head of blond hair, reddish in the light of the setting sun, looking down at the papers in his hands.

The hand holding the tray tightened. Liese approached the Duke with calm steps.

Even when she got close, Marcus didn’t look up at her. She glanced at him for a moment, then placed the tray on one side of the desk.

The wind shaking her hand caused a delicate sound from the fragile teacup. Liese bit her lips, then took a step back.

Since the Duke was within arm’s reach, it felt like he could hear her pounding heart.

“What are you standing there for?”

A calm voice broke the silence. Marcus still didn’t lift his eyes from the documents. Unsure of what to do, Liese, who had been standing silently, swallowed dryly.

“…Oh, I apologize.”

Approaching again, Liese took the teapot in her hand. Even as she poured tea slowly, Marcus didn’t look up. Liese had to concentrate to avoid spilling the tea.

“What’s your name?”

Without glancing at the teacup, Marcus suddenly asked. Since the Duke had spoken, it was her turn to answer.

“I am Lieselotte Brennan, Your Grace.”

Silence fell again. A faint smile appeared on Marcus’ lips as he continued to read the documents.

“Why did a lady from the fallen Brennan family end up here?”

Liese widened her eyes in surprise. How did the Duke know such detailed information about a contract maid’s personal background?

Her gaze dropped to the papers Marcus was looking at—the ones she’d given to the employment agency. It was filled with personal information about her family and where she came from.

The Duke showed interest in her. Whatever the reason, it was not a good sign. Liese decided to avoid his question by answering indirectly.

“I heard that only those who have a titled family member can work at the Duke’s residence. Thanks to the employment agency, I also gained the opportunity to work here.”

“Answer me directly; I’m asking how you came to wear a loose apron instead of a dress.”

Liese was taken aback by his blunt question. Even though she was in the position of a servant, it was too private a question to ask someone she had just met.

Even Florence did not pry into such matters, for it was all too obvious why a woman of her station would want to be a maid.

Perhaps she had fallen on hard times and lost her fortune; perhaps she was in debt; whatever the details, she was desperate.

This stern Duke seemed determined to hear the words of financial difficulty on her lips.

“Because we needed money, and I had to find work.”

Marcus finally put down the documents and looked up at Liese. There was a faint smirk on his face against the backdrop of the grayish wall. Liese felt a strange discomfort in her chest.

“A lot of money? You accepted the job because servant work pays well.”

“…Yes.”

“You didn’t hesitate. It seems like the pride of a noble was so desperate to be thrown away.”

The sarcasm continued, and Liese was stunned. For a moment, she was speechless and blinked, unable to understand why he would use such language and searching his face for clues.

Marcus sat in a haughty pose, one long leg resting on his thigh, and looked at Liese. His mouth twisted, and his eyes were still gleaming with mockery.

It was certain. He’d said something insulting and was waiting for her reaction.

Was he actually enjoying this?

Her ice-cold hand clenched the edge of the tray.

Since she overturned her life after losing all her possessions and turning the tables on the stigma of a fallen noble, pride has been pushed far down her list of priorities.

But the sight of the Duke’s face twinkling made her feel strangely warm inside. After a pause, Liese spoke up in a trembling voice.

“I am well aware of how I look in my maid’s clothes. But it was a necessary choice, and I don’t regret it, and I’m not ashamed of it.”

“You’re quite good at wrapping up the crude reality. Did your family agree with your decision?”

“No…!”

An agitated Liese raised her voice slightly. When the duke raised a rounded eyebrow, she feigned composure again. She had a hunch that she shouldn’t pique his interest by overreacting.

“My decision to work at the Duke’s manor was entirely my own, and no one in my family knows about it. If my grandfather had known, he would never have allowed it.”

“Your grandfather, unlike you, must have been a man who knew how to maintain the dignity of nobility.”

“…He values the honor that comes with a title, and I…”

Clearing her throat, Liese continued.

“It’s a world where the highs and lows of status still exist, but I don’t think a title determines everything about a person the way it used to, at least not my pride and honor.”

“Not exactly the words of a penniless, apron-wearing noblewoman, though they might have made sense if they had come from me, a man who benefits from the title system.”

Marcus snorted bloodily. Before she had a chance to protest, he continued, his voice rising with amusement.

“Or maybe you wanted to say that even though you put aside your pride and dressed like that, you still have high self-esteem.”

“Please don’t leap to conclusions. I was just stating my beliefs.”

“It sounds like you’re just trying to give yourself a little dignity you don’t have.”

Liese suppressed her anger and quietly exhaled. She didn’t know if she could make the man , who had lived a life of abundance, understand her position. It wasn’t her place to try.

She just wanted to put an end to this meaningless conversation. She wanted to escape this suffocating study right away.

“I’ve decided to work to protect my family. If that’s inconvenient for you, I’ll return to the inconspicuous annex as per your lordship’s wishes. That was originally where I belonged.”