Chapter 7

As soon as Latrian left the office, his expression twisted in irritation.

Hailey, leaning against the doorway, was still a mess, soaked in wine. The strong smell of alcohol bothered him as much as the fact that she had been appointed his aide today. Latrian waved a hand at Denny.

“If she’s a retainer of a noble family, at least teach her to keep her attire neat. It looks bad.”

“Excuse me, but if you pour wine over someone’s head, shouldn’t you apologize first?”

“Address me as ‘My Lord’, ‘Heir,’ or ‘Lord Latrian,’ or at the very least ‘Lord Lat.’”

Latrian’s voice was firm as he pointed out Hailey’s protest.

“If you’re going to insist you’re my aide, shouldn’t you avoid rude phrases like ‘excuse me’ and ‘hey’? And why should I apologize? You said it yourself. It’s cleaner if we treat each other this way. I agree.”

He put his hands on his hips and bent down. Their eyes, which had been mismatched due to their height difference, now met directly. Latrian twisted one corner of his lips in a sneer.

“You called birds with that damned flute of yours, so consider this: I washed your head with wine in return.”

“You…! Lord Latrian!”

“You learn fast. I like that.”

Straightening up, Latrian spoke as if it was no big deal.

“Be at my office by 6 a.m. tomorrow.”

“What?”

“You said you’re my aide. I told you your work hours—do you have a problem with that?”

“Uh…”

Hailey trailed off, looking up at him with doubtful eyes.

“See you tomorrow.”

Latrian finished his farewell and turned away. Supporting his head with his interlaced fingers, he smiled faintly.

The authority to hire and fire belonged to Arcitina, the Head. Even as the heir, he could not simply dismiss someone from the family.

But there were plenty of ways to get rid of someone without firing them.

For instance, making them leave on their own.

Latrian hummed a tune, looking forward to tomorrow morning. Surely, it would be more refreshing than today.

* * *

Hailey tightened her coat. She also prepared a self-defense dagger at her waist. Mart was known for its safety, but since she’d be moving during the most dangerous hours, this much precaution was basic. After tying her boot laces tightly, Hailey opened the mansion door. The sky was still dark before sunrise, and the waters of the Grand Canal were pitch black.

To arrive at the Akrender family mansion by 6 a.m., she had to leave by 4:30 a.m. If it were sunrise, she’d have taken a gondola to shorten travel time, even if it was expensive, but before dawn, that wasn’t an option—she had to walk.

Walking along the canal, Hailey recalled yesterday’s events.

She’d left the mansion still a mess. Denny had earnestly urged her to change into new clothes, and the maid had brought a clean towel, but she refused out of the last bit of pride.

She’d thought the pay was high, but the hit to her pride was stronger than she expected. One thing was clear: Latrian had a real talent for getting under people’s skin. In that sense, Arcitina had priced this job precisely. Lost in thought, Hailey straightened her hunched posture.

Still, the 10,000 gold Arcitina promised was invaluable for commissioning tasks for the Perlo family. So…

“Then I should earn it properly.”

After adjusting her coat once more, Hailey set off energetically.

The trees rustled in the dawn wind. Hailey inhaled the cool morning air, hummed a tune to the sound of rippling water, and glanced at the ‘Star of Arahi’ as San Sieta Square came into view.

As the horizon gradually brightened, she finally greeted the mansion’s gatekeeper.

“Hello. I’m Hailey, Latrian’s aide.”

“Hello, Miss Hailey. Please show your identification.”

Hailey rummaged in her bosom and presented the family brooch. Denny had given it to her before she left the mansion yesterday. The gatekeeper nodded and opened the mansion door.

Passing through the door, Hailey checked the clock in her pocket. 5:50 a.m.—she was right on time.

Crossing the garden with a light heart, she heard the clear song of birds.

She arrived at the heir’s office, at the far end of the annex’s first floor. Hailey took off her hat and, finding the door wouldn’t open, tilted her head. She checked the time again. It was just turning 6 o’clock.

Hailey crossed her arms and leaned against the door, thinking about her superior. Seeing him drink a whole bottle of wine in broad daylight and visit a courtesan’s house, she’d thought he was a total slacker. But summoning her this early suggested he might be unexpectedly diligent.

So she waited. For thirty minutes, she leaned on the door; after an hour, she sat on the floor.

A passing maid was startled and brought her a chair, informing her that ‘he hasn’t woken up yet.’ Up to that point, Hailey tried to be understanding. Well, he’d just returned to the country, so he might sleep in.

But when she dozed off and realized two hours had passed since her arrival, her hand holding the clock trembled. She grabbed a passing maid, who told her, ‘He still hasn’t woken yet,’ making her want to grab her own neck.

After three hours, even when a passing attendant said, ‘You should go eat breakfast in the dining hall,’ she insisted on waiting. Having waited so long, she had to make it clear she’d been waiting. But a sudden suspicion made her ask the attendant cautiously,

“By any chance… what time does the heir usually get up?”

“It’s been a while since he returned to the mansion… He might be a bit more diligent now, but before…”

Hailey swallowed nervously. And then—

“He usually woke up around noon.”

The answer sent her anger skyrocketing.

* * *

Latrian woke up as usual and rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand. Next to the pillow were documents he’d read last night, and on the table, a wine bottle he’d drunk right before falling asleep.

Blinking slowly, Latrian chuckled. He could at least praise her for her bold attitude, even after being drenched in wine.

But so what? The outcome of this battle was already decided. Just as he couldn’t defy the Head’s orders, an aide had to obey their superior’s orders—even if that order was to wait for six hours straight. If he wore her down this way, she’d probably quit. Maybe she already had.

When Latrian pulled the bell rope by his bed, the door opened as if someone had been waiting.

“Just bring me some water and leave. I’m going to sleep more.”

The sound of footsteps was unfamiliar, but he didn’t pay much attention. The staff in the annex had changed a bit during his six-month absence.

Whoosh. The curtains opened, and sunlight poured onto his eyelids. Green leaves swayed in the breeze, and the scent of grass filled the room through the open window.

Latrian sat up, frowning.

Didn’t she hear him say he was going to sleep more? How could there be such a rude maid? Had the head maid’s management gotten sloppy while he was away?

As he struggled to open his eyes, someone’s face suddenly appeared. Before Latrian could recoil, a cheerful voice rang out.

“Good morning!”

Latrian’s face twisted as he met Hailey’s bright smile.

“This…”

He started to say, “What are you doing?” but trailed off, pressing his forehead. The hangover from yesterday’s wine hit him, making his already displeased face even more sour.

Meanwhile, Hailey was giving instructions to the maids. Watching her, Latrian saw wash water set out and clothes for him to change into. Hailey herself approached with a glass of water.

“This is good for a hangover. Please drink.”

Floating in the glass were lime and lemon, but why was the liquid so red? Latrian stared at the suspicious drink, then looked up, his eyes full of doubt, as if he’d been handed poison.

Hailey, meeting his wary gaze, smiled sweetly.

“Would I really give you something suspicious?”

“It looks suspicious from the color alone.”

“It’s tomato. If you blend it with lime and lemon, it’s a really effective hangover remedy.”

“Who dared tell an outsider about my condition?”

“How am I an outsider?”

Hailey exaggeratedly tilted her head and tapped her right chest. The brooch she’d shown the gatekeeper that morning was pinned there.

“I’m your aide, Lord Latriam. You personally told me my work hours yesterday, didn’t you?”

She was grinding her teeth but still smiling brightly. Her hand holding the glass shook with rage, but she was polite.

That irked Latrian. He’d summoned her at dawn, expecting her to be defeated after waiting in the hallway alone, but somehow she’d even teamed up with the mansion’s maids.

Latrian scowled and pushed Hailey’s hand away. He muttered,

“Everyone out. Never wake me until I get up.”

“Are you going to sleep again? It’s noon.”

“My head hurts.”

The maids took the hint and quickly retreated. But Hailey stepped even closer to Latrian. Latrian frowned, eyes narrowed.

“What?”

“Excuse me.”

No sooner had she finished speaking than she tipped the glass over Latrian’s head. The red, tangy, and even sweet tomato juice poured down over him.

“Puh!”

Latrian, struck by disaster, stared at Hailey in disbelief, then scowled and shouted,

“What are you doing!”

“If you don’t want to drink it, there’s another way. It’s very useful, isn’t it?”

Latrian’s vision went white. She placed a towel on his head, her voice cheerful.

“I told them to prepare water for washing, so go ahead and wash. The moment water hits you, you’ll wake up. I’ll come in when you’re ready.”

“You!”

“I waited for you until noon. Isn’t this when you usually get up?”

Even under Latrian’s fierce glare, Hailey simply bowed and withdrew.

Only then did he notice a maid with fresh sheets and a room prepared for a bath since morning.

No matter how he looked at it, the tomato juice hadn’t been meant for drinking.

After washing and changing into clean clothes, Latrian headed straight for the terrace. Without hesitation, he jumped down.