Hector’s bedroom had an utterly solemn atmosphere.

“Sigh…….”

“…….”

Having finished his bath, Hector sat in a chair while Charlie and Tanner stood in front of him with their heads lowered.

“Charlie.”

“……I’m sorry.”

Her hunched shoulders shrank even more.

Hector pressed his tense brow with his fingers.

“It’s my fault. I’ll make sure this doesn’t happen again.”

Tanner, sensing the mood, bowed his head.

A brief silence followed.

Hector knew they did it for his sake. He also knew it was an unexpected incident.

He wasn’t trying to blame Charlie and Tanner.

The purification being ineffective despite making eye contact could be because the woman’s holy power was low.

Of course, it might not be. It was an issue to be determined in the next purification.

But what on earth was it?

What was twisting his insides so much?

Hector, staring at the small fidgeting fingers, sighed quietly.

“Leave.”

A sigh of relief mixed with anxiety followed.

Just as Charlie was about to turn with Tanner, Hector spoke again.

“Charlie.”

“Yes?”

“Stay for a moment.”

“Me?!”

Her wide eyes blinked in surprise.

* * *

Charlie looked at Tanner as if begging for help, but Tanner quickly left the room without even glancing back.

‘That unfaithful demon bastard.’

Though she was the cause of this mess, surely he wouldn’t kill her.

After all, she was his only purification guide.

“…….”

But fear was inevitable, and Charlie swallowed dryly.

Hector rose from his seat and took deliberate steps toward Charlie.

Unconsciously, Charlie stepped back.

“I told you not to avoid me.”

At Hector’s low, deep voice, Charlie’s body froze.

Her heart pounded as if it would break her ribs.

Just as she tried to wet her parched lips, Hector reached out to her.

“……!”

When his hand grabbed her, Charlie’s body collapsed forward.

And she landed right in Hector’s arms.

“…….”

Charlie’s mind went blank as she was held by Hector.

No thoughts came to her.

She could only hear her heart pounding loudly, as though it were in her ears.

“I’m not angry.”

Hector’s hand, which was holding Charlie close, tightened gently.

Her chest, which had swelled with tension, gradually calmed down with a slight tremor.

“So don’t be scared.”

Then, Hector’s large hand gently cradled Charlie’s head.

His touch was rough and awkward.

“The purification isn’t working.”

* * *

After that day, Hector canceled all purification rituals.

Charlie was consumed with guilt, wondering if her rash judgment had only exacerbated Hector’s trauma.

Moreover, what was the point of her purification if it was ineffective?

Charlie felt sorry and pitied Hector.

But that feeling didn’t last long.

It was because of the incessant ringing of the bell, which disrupted her peaceful days.

Having to make eye contact during purification was nothing.

Ding-dong—

“…….”

If he didn’t like something, he should say it or get angry.

Lying in bed, Charlie turned her body away from the sound.

Ding-dong, ding-dong—

“Ugh…….”

She tried covering her ears with a big pillow, but the clear sound penetrated unfiltered.

Annoyed, she stomped her feet on the white sheets.

Dust, reflecting the light, scattered like rising discontent.

Ding-dong, ding-dong, ding-dong, ding-dong.

“That man, really!”

Finally, unable to bear the ringing in her ears, Charlie sat up.

[This door connects to His Grace’s bedroom. If this bell rings, it means His Grace is calling, so you can go through here. His Grace will not come in, but if you’re worried, you can lock the door.]

Once it started, the bell rang incessantly.

The first time was to bring him water.

Water that was placed on the bedside table, just within arm’s reach.

In the first place, couldn’t Hector use his special abilities?

Even without using his abilities, there were dozens of servants in this mansion.

Yet, he insisted on ringing the bell for me to bring things to him, which was undoubtedly a form of harassment.

[Attendant maid.]

Well, what could she do about her job being a maid?

At first, she accepted it. But the frequency increased, and the bell rang incessantly even on her days off.

Getting irritated and glaring at him didn’t help.

“It’s my karma.”

If she could turn back time, she’d slap herself for asking for overtime pay.

Why hadn’t she known then?

To His Grace the Grand Duke, that amount of money was nothing.

[I will provide additional compensation.]

Hector rang the bell as if he had found a good excuse.

He wasn’t a three-year-old child.

Close the curtains, open the curtains, bring a pillow, remove the pillow, and so on for various reasons.

And that wasn’t all. They even ate together.

A hellish workplace where she had to eat three meals a day with the boss, take walks together, and see each other until bedtime.

[Eat more.]

[I said eat more.]

Moreover, Hector couldn’t stand seeing Charlie eat just one bowl.

The urge to throw in her resignation letter, regardless of the monthly salary of a hundred million, surged within her.

Of course, that was impossible due to the contract she had signed.

Ding-dong-

“I’m coming. I’m coming now.”

The room was so big that just going back and forth took quite some time.

Thud-thud-thud- Her short legs crossed the Grand Duchess’s bedroom as she opened the door.

Fortunately, Hector had never come through this door.

“What? He’s not here.”

Charlie’s brow furrowed as she looked around the empty room.

Unlike the Grand Duchess’s bedroom, which was designed in pure white, Hector’s room was entirely black.

Moreover, the thick curtains were always drawn, making it hard to tell whether it was day or night.

Ding-dong-

The bell rang again, urging Charlie.

“This damn…….”

Someday, she would break that bell.

Charlie gritted her teeth with determination.

“Where are you!”

Charlie raised her voice as she stood in the large room.

Then, a black shadow spread and poked Charlie’s cheek as if to beckon her over.

‘Wasting abilities on this, and talking about purification?’

Her small fist trembled with anger.

But wait, the direction it pointed was towards the bathroom.

Charlie unconsciously grabbed her clothes and hesitated.

Ding-dong, ding-dong, ding-dong, ding-dong.

“Alright, I’m coming. I’m coming!”

Entering the bathroom, steam rose up like clouds.

The huge white marble bathtub was big enough to swim in.

It was adorned with gold decorations, the epitome of luxury.

Hector sat with his arms draped over the edge of the tub.

Thanks to that, his sturdy, wet body from his shoulders to his chest was fully exposed.

“You’re late.”

Hector looked back at Charlie.

His languid expression and sensual gaze, perhaps because he was wet, exuded a particularly decadent charm.

“Why……. did you call me?”

Charlie mumbled, trying to look away.

“My hair.”

“…….”

One thing Charlie had realized while living with Hector was that His Grace the Grand Duke didn’t speak much.

Just like now.

“What about your hair?”

“Wash my hair.”

“…….”

Hector, tilting his head sideways, stared at Charlie.

He looked so sexy that Charlie’s burning anger subsided instantly.

Who said that a handsome face could make you smile even when you’re angry?

It was a fact without exaggeration.

The mouth that had been grinding her teeth was now trying to smile.

It wasn’t just his face that was handsome.

His back, sculpted along the shape of his spine, and the muscles spreading out on both sides. His body, which could be believed to be crafted by a skilled sculptor, was a masterpiece.

Not to mention, his broad shoulders and firm chest, which felt so secure when hugged……

‘Get a grip!’

Charlie shook her head slightly as if to shake off the distracting view.

“Don’t you have hands?”

Charlie puffed up her reddened cheeks and grumbled.

“I don’t.”

“…….”

Hector brushed his hair back as he looked at Charlie. His satisfied lips curled mischievously.

“But the attendant maid has hands.”

Lately, Hector had been making subtle jokes and laughing.

Although it was just a slight lift of one corner of his mouth or a smirk.

It was a good thing that the man who always had a stiff expression was now laughing.

The problem was that it was only when he was bothering her.

Charlie glared at Hector with fish eyes.

“There are other servants’ hands too.”

“You seem to have no fear.”

“…….”

Hector tilted his head back as if to hurry her.

“Or no life.”

“…….”

No wonder they’re both the same, whether it’s the demon bastard or the demon king bastard.

“I told you not to have disrespectful thoughts.”

Charlie hurriedly looked around.

“Where’s the shampoo?”

* * *