“Enough.”

The Duke snapped once again in irritation. Hailey still looked at him with a puzzled expression, as if she didn’t understand why he was so upset.

His voice turned sharply.

“I can’t stand it. For a lady to read such vulgar lines and not even feel embarrassed. What on earth did Baron Salmon teach you? From the way you’re wearing an outdoor dress indoors, I doubt you’ve even been properly educated at home.”

The Duke had crossed a line. No matter how angry he was, it was taboo to speak ill of someone’s parents. That was a universal taboo across time and space.

At this point, Hailey started to feel anger, even though she wasn’t Baron Salmon’s daughter. However, instead of bursting into rage, she widened her eyes.

“Vulgar lines? That can’t be, can it?”

The Duke narrowed his eyes, seemingly trying to gauge her reaction. His sharp gaze fixed on her cheek.

Hailey continued innocently, in a tone that suggested she knew nothing.

“I heard that Duke Gunner graduated at the top of the Royal Academy and that even professors couldn’t match his literary knowledge. Since it’s a book you recommended, it can’t possibly be a vulgar, trashy novel. As the story progresses, the fundamental human struggles and the tragic results of a man’s foolish choices will surely emerge, revealing the chain of consequences…”

“Leave this room, now.”

The Duke pointed to the door with his finger. Hailey, mid-sentence, stared at him.

His razor-sharp silver eyes were as cold as ice. With just his gaze, it felt as though he could strike her down immediately.

“Didn’t you understand me? Should I kick you out of this room?”

Hailey’s eyes widened in shock, but before she could react to his crude words, the Duke’s hand moved towards the cane by the desk.

Hailey’s eyes grew wide.

Could he really be intending to strike me? No, with his personality, he’d probably hit me.

Her suspicion slowly turned into certainty. At that moment, Hailey quickly closed the book and rose from her seat.

“No, I understood perfectly. Please call me again anytime, Your Grace.”

She bowed politely, maintaining an impeccable attitude, and carefully backed out of the room.

She couldn’t look away from the Duke, as she feared that the cane would strike her in the back of the head if she turned.

Click.

“Sigh.”

After the door closed, Hailey exhaled a deep sigh of relief. She gazed out the window with a glum expression on her face.

The sky was a dull, grayish hue. It seemed as though her life goal of “narrow but long” had wavered for a moment, but it was already spilled water. She couldn’t gather it back or sweep it up.

“Did I get on his bad side from day one?”

With another brief sigh, she scratched her cheek and headed toward her room. She needed to change clothes before she earned more scolding.

***

Hailey, who had been snooping around, stepped outside through the back door of the kitchen. Not far from there, there was a vegetable garden—a patch where various herbs and vegetables used in cooking were grown.

There was a familiar shadow there.

“We meet again, Bill.”

Hailey greeted him with a smile. Then, she quickly glanced around, wondering if the Duke was watching from somewhere. Fortunately, it seemed there were no prying eyes.

Bill stopped trimming the shrub with his shears and briefly met her gaze. He gave a slight nod, as if acknowledging her, then resumed his work.

Snip snip.

The leaves were trimmed neatly with the rhythmic sound of Bill’s shears. Hailey stared at the shrub, its height precisely uniform, and then suddenly spoke.

“It was the Duke’s preference, wasn’t it?”

Bill’s blunt gaze shifted toward her. Hailey nonchalantly shrugged and glanced down at the leaves that had fallen to the ground.

“The trees being exactly the same height. That was exactly how the Duke’s desk looked.”

For a brief moment, Bill’s eyes softened. But in the next instant, he returned to his usual stoic expression and quietly continued trimming the bushes.

“It’s my preference, too.”

“Wow.”

Hailey let out a soft exclamation. Wondering if anyone was around, she looked around before cupping her hands around her mouth and whispering.

“You’re amazing, Bill. To think you and the Duke have the same taste.”

Bill didn’t respond, but it seemed as if his lips curled up slightly. Hailey offered a parting smile before walking slowly toward the garden.

As she walked, the colorful flowers—yellow, orange, and red—brought a pleasant feeling to her eyes. Then, she realized, they also matched Bill’s preferences perfectly, which made her shiver in surprise. Bill’s taste was outstanding.

“Miss Hailey.”

Peter, carrying a wooden box with a handle, stopped in his tracks when he spotted her. He looked at the box with a puzzled expression before speaking.

“I was just about to fix a wobbly chair. If you have anything else you need repaired, just call for me anytime. Despite how I look, I’m pretty good with my hands.”

Peter smiled warmly, looking at her with kind eyes. Hailey returned his smile gently.

“Thank you, Peter.”

“Eh? What for?”

Peter looked confused by the sudden gratitude.

Among the people who were either grumpy, strict, cold, or blunt, Peter seemed like a rare gem—almost like a normal person in the land of Lilliputians, which made him feel even more out of place.

Since Hailey didn’t say anything, Peter straightened his tilted hat and asked in a friendly tone.

“How’s the mansion? Have you been able to get used to it? I know it’s only been a day, but still. Last year, the butler came to the capital with us, but this year, it seems like he’s staying in Whitfield. He must have a lot to take care of there. If he were here, I think it would have been easier for you to adjust. He’s a lot more lenient than Madam Mastis, you know.”

“Hmm…”

Hailey thoughtfully considered her response. But none of her answers seemed to satisfy Peter’s expectations. In the end, she opted for the most neutral answer.

“I’m not sure yet.”

At that, Peter gave a small, understanding smile.

“You’ll do fine, Miss Hailey. I just have a feeling about it.”

“Do you?”

“Yes. You’re the first lady I’ve seen who didn’t run out crying after meeting the Duke.”

“…”

Hailey let out a deep sigh. Realizing his mistake, Peter started to speak, “That’s not what I meant—” but Hailey quickly cut him off.

“Thank you, Peter. That’s really comforting.”

Peter swallowed his words, scratching his nose sheepishly. Hailey, as though she had just remembered something, looked at him with round eyes.

“By the way, how did the rumor about the Duke being cursed spread? Of course, he’s not exactly ordinary, but saying he’s cursed seems a bit much.”

“Hmm…”

This time, Peter took his time to carefully choose his words. Unable to find the right ones, he scratched his nose again.

“Well, as you saw, Miss Hailey, the Duke always wears a mask.”

Peter’s voice trailed off, and Hailey nodded patiently, her face giving no sign of impatience.

“No one has seen the Duke’s real face. Not even the servants who work in the mansion. Plus, as you know, there are many grim rumors about the Duke’s birth. So, people who love to gossip started saying that he’s the son of a witch, that there’s a curse seal on his face. You know how rumors snowball, right?”

Rumors about his birth?

She knew less about the duke than she had thought. They say that knowing your enemy is the key to victory. If she wanted to survive here, she needed information about him.

Noticing her deep thought, Peter quickly waved his hands.

“But don’t worry, miss. At first, I was worried about working at the estate too, but now I’m very satisfied. The pay is higher than in most places, and the food is delicious. Especially Madam Victor’s cooking—it’s simply incredible. I’m sure you’ll come to like this mansion soon enough.”

“Will I?”

“Of course.”

Peter answered confidently, then suddenly sighed, looking past Hailey’s shoulder. She slowly turned around.

A carriage, having just left the front entrance, was now approaching.

“Looks like His Grace is heading to a banquet. I have to go open the gates now.”

Before he could finish speaking, Peter dashed off, his wooden toolbox rattling in his hands.

Two gentle-looking horses pulled the black carriage. Against its dark exterior, a golden emblem embossed in relief gleamed brilliantly. It wasn’t overly extravagant, but it exuded an air of refined luxury.

Taking a couple of steps back, Hailey bowed her head slightly. She expected the carriage to pass her by, but to her surprise, it came to a halt right in front of her.

“?”

She slowly lifted her gaze, her confused eyes landing on Bill. Sitting high on the driver’s seat, reins in hand, he stared straight ahead without the slightest reaction.

Then, Tayton pulled back the curtain, revealing the black velvet mask beneath.

“Miss Hailey Salmon seems to have quite the sociable nature. I told you not to chatter with the coachman, and now I find you gossiping with the gatekeeper about me.”

His sharp remark made her large eyes waver slightly.

Does he have surveillance cameras or something?

Hailey’s eyes darted around, scanning her surroundings. She knew it was impossible, yet a cold chill ran down her spine at the sheer intensity of his unpleasant gaze.

A good-for-nothing parasite, living off others.

His voice echoed in her ears. Hailey grasped the hem of her dress lightly and offered a polite bow, maintaining a composed smile.

“I was simply familiarizing myself with the estate where I’ll be staying for a while. Seeing you leave at this hour, I assume you’re attending a banquet. I wish you a pleasant evening, Your Grace.”

“…….”

Tayton’s brows furrowed visibly, his cold silver eyes piercing into her.

She was different from the usual noblewomen. If someone asked how, well—exactly like this. That attitude, as if noble pride meant nothing to her.

What is she playing at?

“A place you’ll be staying for a while, is it?”

Half-speaking to himself, Tayton curled one corner of his lips in irritation.

“What a pity we won’t be dining together. I was looking forward to seeing you enjoy a proper meal after so long.”

“There will be plenty of opportunities. I look forward to the honor of dining with you, Your Grace.”

Like the grass beneath his feet, Hailey lowered herself with ease, allowing him to step on her as he pleased. Clicking his tongue in annoyance, Tayton harshly pulled the curtain shut.

He tapped the carriage wall with his cane, and Bill flicked the reins. The horses, which had been standing still, resumed their movement. Hailey watched the black carriage disappear beyond the gates before finally turning away.

“I’m definitely on his bad side.”

Her voice carried a gloom as heavy as the gray sky above. Why was it so difficult to live unnoticed, as if she barely existed? A silent sigh scattered into the air.