“Please, Miss Hailey… I beg you.”

Hailey looked down at the top of Anna’s head, lost in thought. Afraid that Hailey would refuse, Anna quickly added in a trembling voice.

“Just once… Please help me, just as you helped Jessie. Grant me your kindness. Please.”

Why is she so terrified? No matter how frightening the rumors may be, anyone living in the same house long enough would realize that no such curse exists.

Hailey couldn’t understand her. But Anna was genuinely afraid of the duke. What could be making her tremble with such fear?

At the same time, Hailey noticed that it wasn’t just fear—it was something closer to rejection, even aversion.

Anna was rejecting a being outside her fence, someone different from herself. Perhaps that was the root of her fear—the dread that he might not be human.

With a short sigh, Hailey reached out her hand. The sharp gleam in her eyes softened slightly.

This wretched habit of mine just won’t change.

“Give it to me.”

“!”

Anna gasped, eyes widening. As if afraid Hailey might change her mind, she hurriedly handed over the tray.

Without looking back at Anna, Hailey stepped into the morning room. Behind her, she heard a tearful whisper, “Thank you, Miss Hailey,” but she pretended not to hear.

“The tea is ready, Your Grace.”

Hailey spoke in an even tone.

No one was watching, yet the duke, who had been sitting with perfect posture, suddenly let out a cold chuckle. The soft velvet mask wrinkled, forming deep creases.

“You’ve taken another bomb upon yourself.”

“As you know, I volunteered this time as well. It’s an honor to serve Your Grace’s tea.”

With a composed smile, Hailey poured tea into a floral-patterned teacup. The duke brought the bitter tea to his lips, without milk or honey.

His taste is as unpleasant as his personality.

Hailey faintly furrowed her brows but swallowed her thoughts. Just then, the duke motioned toward the newspaper on the table with his eyes.

“As I said, I have no interest in feeding and housing those who don’t work. Read today’s newspaper in Santier, Miss Hailey Salmon.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Hailey obediently nodded and picked up the newspaper. It was a morning far too exhausting for someone who supposedly hadn’t worked, but she refrained from commenting.

The duke’s gaze sharpened slightly. His silver eyes studied her in contemplation. Among the eight noble children who had passed through this mansion, she was by far the most docile and obedient.

And yet, there was something inexplicably unsettling about her. It felt as though her attitude wasn’t entirely sincere.

Hailey neither submitted to Tayton’s status nor feared his curse. And yet, at the same time, she did submit to his status and fear his curse.

As Tayton pondered this, Hailey began reading the newspaper in her usual tone.

“A charming man from Santis captivates all the ladies of Aislin.”

“What a vulgar headline.”

Glancing sideways at the duke, Hailey continued reading the next lines.

“The opera singer Andrei Lermont from Santis has successfully completed his third performance in Aislin. The opera house was packed with noble ladies eager to see Andrei Lermont, who is now considered the most attractive man in Aislin.

Unfortunately, young ladies who couldn’t secure tickets lingered around the theater, hoping to catch a glimpse of him as he arrived. Meanwhile, His Majesty’s daughter—”

Hailey suddenly paused. Unconsciously, she glanced at the duke.

Tayton, who had been raising his teacup to his lips, cast her an indifferent look.

“What’s the matter, Miss Hailey? If I recall correctly, I told you that my time is far more valuable than you seem to think.”

Tayton spoke in fluent Santier. His pronunciation was so flawless that a tutor was hardly necessary.

“Ah, no, it’s nothing.”

At the Duke’s sharp question, Hailey turned her head back and continued reading the rest of the article.

“It has been confirmed that Princess Irene Britton, daughter of His Majesty the King and fiancée of Duke Gunner, also attended the opera. Furthermore, according to sources, she exchanged brief pleasantries with Andrei Lermont backstage.

Witnesses who saw them together could not withhold their praise, saying the two looked like a perfect painting. On the other hand, Princess Irene continues to avoid public appearances with Duke Gunner, drawing attention to their relationship.”

Hailey subtly glanced at the Duke again. However, he remained motionless. Although it was difficult to read his expression due to the mask, his exposed silver eyes showed no particular interest.

The Duke’s fiancée.

Hailey found herself unexpectedly shocked by this fact. Of course, arranged marriages were common among nobles, so having a fiancée wasn’t surprising. But the idea that he, of all people, was getting married was hard to believe.

And to a princess, no less.

The King and Queen of Aislin had only one child—Princess Irene Britton, the one mentioned in the article.

Which meant that whoever married her would be the most likely candidate for the next King. And the lucky man was none other than Duke Gunner.

The next King… What a terrible prospect.

As Hailey was lost in thought, Danny entered the room to announce that breakfast was ready.

Tayton rose from his seat, and Hailey quietly followed behind, contemplating the fate of the kingdom.

***

“Thank you, Miss Hailey. For waking the Duke in my stead.”

Jessie, who was carrying a tray, stopped in her tracks upon seeing Hailey. Her shy gaze flitted between Hailey and the floor, and a slight blush colored her cheeks.

“It’s nothing compared to your kindness, Jessie.”

At those words, Jessie widened her eyes in surprise.

“Kindness? When was I ever—!”

Hailey simply smiled at her flustered reaction, offering a friendly expression. Jessie averted her gaze, looking embarrassed.

Noticing the tray in her hands, Hailey casually asked, “What’s that?”

“I’m bringing soup to Madam Mastis. She hasn’t eaten anything yet. I hope she’ll have at least a little.”

Jessie’s eyes quickly turned from bashful to concerned.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Hailey looked at her.

“Would you mind if I took it to her?”

“Not at all!”

Jessie handed over the tray without hesitation.

“Thank you.”

Taking the soup, Hailey headed straight to the lady’s bedroom.

Knock, knock.

“It’s Hailey, Madam Mastis.”

“Come in.”

A hoarse voice, slightly feverish, answered from beyond the door. Hailey had briefly wondered if the lady had been asleep. She quietly turned the doorknob.

As she stepped inside, a warmly furnished room came into view—neatly arranged bedding, a checkered tablecloth, two chairs, and a well-maintained cabinet and wardrobe.

Taking in the surroundings, Hailey approached the bed. Madam Mastis was propped against her pillows, waiting for her arrival.

Placing the tray on the bedside table, Hailey spoke gently.

“Jessie prepared some soup for you. Even if you don’t have much appetite, please try to eat a little. Jessie has been very worried about you.”

“Thank you, Miss Hailey. I’ll have some later. But more importantly—”

Madam Mastis brushed a strand of hair away from her face and turned her gaze toward Hailey. Her stern eyes belied her illness.

“I heard you attended to the Duke?”

“Yes.”

“That must have been difficult.”

“Yes.”

Hailey nodded without hesitation, as if she truly had endured much hardship.

Madam Mastis’ brow furrowed slightly. She seemed displeased by Hailey’s lack of humility.

“That’s why I hope you recover soon. If only for my sake.”

“…I see.”

A complex emotion flickered in Madam Mastis’ voice. Hailey could guess what it was—perhaps sympathy for the Duke, or gratitude toward her.

Surely, Madam Mastis was aware of the maids’ fear of the Duke. No, it was precisely because she understood that she took on the responsibility of attending to him herself.

Come to think of it, wasn’t she once his nanny?

Recalling the gossip she overheard from the maids the day before, Hailey studied the sharp features of Madam Mastis.

The woman who had once entered the mansion’s gates as young as Jessie was now well into middle age. Silver strands streaked her hair, and wrinkles framed her eyes—evidence of the years she had spent by the Duke’s side.

“Mmm.”

Hailey groaned, trying to recall what the Duke was like as a child, but no clear image came to mind.

It was strange. She had no trouble imagining an alien she had never seen before, yet she couldn’t picture the childhood of a man she had met and even spoken with.

Had he worn a mask back then too? Or was there a specific reason he had started wearing one?

For the first time, she found herself genuinely curious about the Duke. Cutting off the trail of thoughts that threatened to spiral further, Hailey pulled up the corners of her lips and stood up.

“Well then, take care and get plenty of rest.”

“Thank you, Miss Hailey.”

“Oh, it’s nothing. I’m only doing this because I don’t want to attend to the Duke myself. He’s so fickle that if I had to serve him even twice, I’d probably leave before he had the chance to throw me out.”

This time, Madam Mastis’ expression visibly twisted.

Uh-oh.

Before she could scold her, Hailey quickly made her escape from the room. She thought she heard a sigh from behind the closed door.