“Expression…?”

Hailey instinctively touched her cheek as though she couldn’t believe she was showing anything unusual. She was known for her perfect poker face. This much criticism wouldn’t break her.

“Do you have something to say?”

“No, I…”

Hailey, who had been shaking her head, suddenly stopped mid-sentence. On second thought, she felt wronged all over again. Normally, when a boss is a lunatic, the employees band together in solidarity—they have a common enemy, after all.

Thinking back to how Catherine and the maids had laughed together not long ago, it didn’t seem like an entirely incorrect theory.

But when that lunatic treats only one person humanely, exhibiting patience that doesn’t seem to exist elsewhere and enduring even humiliating moments silently… it feels unfair. Far more than expected. If he were equally terrible to everyone, it might feel less unjust. Without realizing it, Hailey voiced her frustration in a resentful tone.

“If you’d treat me even half as decently as Princess Britton…”

“Heh.”

The duke let out a cynical laugh. That’s when Hailey realized she had just stirred up trouble unnecessarily. She’d said something she shouldn’t have.

And sure enough, the duke narrowed his silver eyes, staring at her intently.

“You want me to treat you like my fiancée.”

That wasn’t what she meant.

“At last, your true intentions come to light. I can understand your desire to enter the world of high-ranking nobility by marrying me, but, Miss Hailey Salmon…”

“No, that’s not it! I just meant, treat me like a person—”

“As I’ve repeatedly told you, Miss Hailey Salmon, you are not my type.”

“And what exactly is your type, Your Grace?”

“…”

Oh no.

Out of sheer irritation, she had blurted out another reckless remark. To anyone listening, her indignant cry would have sounded like she was upset at not being his type.

“Your Grace, that’s not what I meant at all…”

Hailey’s shoulders drooped as she tried to explain herself, but it was too late. The duke’s eyes glimmered with certainty, as if he’d known this all along. He leaned back in his chair, a crooked smile forming on his lips.

Hailey let out a silent sigh, her expression screaming defeat. She shuffled to the sofa, muttering in a deflated voice, “I’ll just go back to reading my book, then.”

A strong premonition that she would soon be dismissed settled over her.

Still, I’ll take pride in holding the longest record.

“Miss Hailey Salmon.”

“Yes.”

Hailey gloomily replied as she opened the history book of Santis.

“I have no obligation to tell you my type, but let me make one thing clear. A proper lady who doesn’t climb ladders is a good starting point.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“And if I were to add one more condition, it’d be a woman with beauty and a fine figure. Intelligence and refinement are bonuses.”

Why did it feel like there was more than one condition? Probably just her imagination.

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“So no matter how hard you try, there will never be a chance that I’ll marry you. It’s better to not even look at a tree you can’t climb.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“But don’t lose hope. I’m sure there’s some fool out there blind enough to accept someone as reckless as you. If you look hard enough, you might find one.”

“…Yes, Your Grace.”

“Good. Now, go on and read.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Hailey flipped to the part of the book where she’d left her bookmark. She let out a long sigh but quickly swallowed it back down. She didn’t want to give the duke any further reason to criticize her.

Meanwhile, Tayton, skimming through his documents, had an unusually cheerful look on his face. Even the sound of the paper turning seemed unusually light.

In contrast, Hailey’s voice as she read from the history of Santis was laden with gloom. Madam Mastis, bringing in tea, paused briefly at the stark contrast between the two but soon set the teacups down as if nothing was amiss.

***

“Leave at once.”

Peter looked down at Eddie with an air of authority, his hands planted firmly on his hips. The scruffy boy, who had been lingering nervously near the gate, immediately looked aggrieved.

“I’m telling the truth! I have an appointment with a lady who works here!”

Peter snorted at the shabby boy, whose appearance was no better than a sewer rat.

“Miss Hailey entrusted you with a letter, yet you show up empty-handed. Is that it?”

“I knew it!”

Eddie fumed, clearly feeling duped by Hailey. He regretted ever considering her a saint, especially after she had cheated him out of his newspaper payment.

“Fine! I’m leaving! See? I’m going!”

As Eddie turned his back with a glare, he heard a voice call out.

“Wait a moment!”

Both Peter and Eddie turned their heads. Hailey was running toward them, her dress hiked up to her knees.

“!”

The two stared in shock, their eyes widening in disbelief. Showing her ankles was already scandalous behavior, something only street women would do. Yet Hailey was boldly exposing her shins!

“Miss Hailey!”

Peter hurriedly glanced around to ensure no one was watching, then called out to her in an urgent voice.

“Your skirt, your skirt!”

He couldn’t bring himself to shout, so he whispered loudly, his voice barely contained.

Hailey, who had finally made it to the gate, bent over with her hands on her knees, gasping for air. She waved one hand dismissively to silence Peter’s scolding.

Eddie, who had been covering his eyes with his fingers as if he’d seen something indecent, slowly lowered his arms. Once she caught her breath, Hailey straightened up and handed Eddie an envelope.

“See? I told you I wasn’t lying!”

Eddie, now looking smug, glared at Peter as if to say, Told you so. Peter scratched his head awkwardly, his expression sheepish.

Hailey also handed Eddie three coppers as his payment and a large brown bag.

“What’s this?”

“Bread.”

“Bread?”

“I went to the kitchen to grab it, which is why I was a little late. Sorry for keeping you waiting.”

When Eddie peeked inside the bag, his eyes grew wide. The bread, though cold, still had a glossy sheen and emitted a savory aroma.

In Eddie’s glimmering eyes, a flicker of complicated emotions passed. He was torn between greed and pride.

Taking the bread felt like begging, which made him uncomfortable, but refusing it reminded him of his little brother waiting at home.

Hailey spoke in an intentionally nonchalant tone.

“It’s leftover bread. No need to feel burdened.”

“Th-thank you…”

Eddie rubbed under his nose with a finger as if trying to hide his embarrassment. The freckles on his nose crinkled awkwardly. With the bread taken care of for his brother, he could use the payment to buy medicine for his mother.

Sensing Peter’s skeptical gaze, Hailey preemptively added, “I got permission from Madam Mastis.”

Peter stammered, “That’s not what I meant,” but quickly dropped his suspicious look.

“I’ll make sure to deliver the letter to Mr. Daniel Salmon.”

“Thanks.”

Eddie hugged the bag of bread to his chest and turned to leave. After a few steps, he stopped and glanced back. Hailey was smiling warmly, waving her hand gently.

Is she really a saint? Giving away bread for free? Eddie stared at her for a moment before sprinting down the hill, a wide grin spreading across his face.

***

“What’s going on? Why is everyone so busy?”

Hailey, idly watching the maids bustle about, grabbed Anna as she passed and asked. Anna blinked in surprise, as if to say, How do you not know this?

“Why, it’s because there’s going to be a banquet at the estate next week. We’re scrubbing off dirt so old our arms might fall off.”

“A banquet?”