‘Did I mishear it?’

Lisa felt a chill run down her spine as Ertel smiled.

To Lisa, that smile made Ertel seem like a devil. If she had known that this insignificant maid was such a terrifying person, she would never have provoked her.

Lisa spat out in a voice filled with resentment.

“Do you think you’ll get away with messing with me?”

Ertel, however, calmly responded.

“And why wouldn’t I? No matter how much of a maid I may be, I’m still someone the Duke brought into this house.”

“Wow…”

“Be more careful next time.”

Ertel patted Lisa’s frozen shoulder and turned away. Her steps as she walked back seemed much lighter.

Left behind in the third-floor hallway, Lisa’s legs gave out, and she sank to the floor.

“She’s… terrifying…”

Feeling utterly defeated, Lisa ground her teeth in frustration.

“Does the master even know that woman is a psycho?”

>><<

Night had fallen before anyone realized it.

Whenever Icarus returned from the palace, Amar was always there to greet him.

“Welcome back, my lord.”

“Thank you. It’s been a long day.”

“The air is cold. Please come inside quickly.”

As Icarus handed his coat to Amar, he naturally asked about Ertel.

“Where is Ertel now? Did she go out today?”

“I suggested she take a walk, but she firmly refused. She spent the entire day cleaning.”

“Hmm…”

“She’s resting in her room now.”

At that, Icarus’s feet automatically moved toward the stairs. He wanted to see Ertel right away.

At that moment, Lisa, who had been eagerly waiting for the Duke’s return, jumped out.

“My lord!”

“Lisa.”

“Um…”

She fidgeted with her hands as if she had something important to say. She was debating how to report the terrible incident from earlier in the day.

Should she tell him? Or shouldn’t she?

Part of her wanted him to scold Ertel harshly. But the look in his eyes as he gazed at her held no affection whatsoever.

“What is it?”

“Well, my lord…”

“Ah, perfect timing. Lisa, prepare dinner for me and Ertel.”

“…You’re going to dine with a maid, my lord?”

Lisa asked in shock. It was a breach of noble etiquette—something she had never seen before.

“Are you questioning my words?”

When Icarus’s eyes flashed coldly, Lisa quickly covered her mouth with her hands, realizing her mistake.

That oppressive air—she had felt it earlier with Ertel as well. The sudden thought that the two of them were alike sent chills down Lisa’s spine. She swallowed the complaint she had been about to voice.

“Right away, my lord.”

Icarus climbed the stairs to the second floor and knocked on Ertel’s door.

‘Knock, knock.’

A moment later, Ertel opened the door.

“You’re back.”

“Ertel.”

“My lord.”

She seemed calm, though her mood appeared somewhat subdued.

“You’ve changed your clothes.”

Earlier that morning, Icarus had commented on her maid’s uniform, and now she was wearing one of the expensive dresses he had bought for her.

“You see? A maid’s uniform doesn’t suit you at all.”

Icarus smiled proudly as he looked at her standing before him in the beautiful dress.

“Well… this is…”

Ertel hesitated for a moment. She debated whether to report what had happened earlier.

She could tell him that another maid had soaked her clothes with water, forcing her to change.

Regardless of his true intentions, he was currently pretending to court her. She could use that to destroy Lisa.

“What is it? Did something happen?”

“It’s just…”

“You don’t look very happy.”

But she couldn’t bring herself to say it. Knowing that his kindness was fake, she didn’t want to get her hopes up for no reason.

Without realizing it, Icarus and Ertel naturally sat side by side on the bed. Icarus scooted closer to her.

“Did you spend your day well while I was gone?”

“Yes. I worked hard cleaning the mansion and feeding the livestock. Before I knew it, the day was over.”

“I told you to go out and get some fresh air. Why didn’t you?”

“I can’t just leave my duties behind and go play.”

“And what duties would those be?”

“…”

“Cleaning, laundry, and greeting guests?”

“I just want to be of some help around here.”

“I’ve told you before. I didn’t bring you here to be a maid.”

Not wanting to hear his probing any longer, Ertel quickly changed the subject.

“How was your day, my lord?”

“Nothing special. Just the same routine as always.”

Though he said that, a slight bead of sweat formed on Icarus’s forehead. His expression briefly turned meaningful.

“I heard it’s been a while since you last went to work. Does that mean you’ll be going every day now?”

“Probably.”

Icarus nodded. Today had been uneventful. He had merely dropped a bombshell on the nobles trying to marry off their daughters to him.

[I already have someone I intend to marry. Once the wedding date is set, I’ll make an official announcement.]

He couldn’t forget the looks on the nobles’ faces when they heard that.

Feeling a sense of triumph, Icarus chuckled to himself. Ertel, unaware of what had happened, looked at him curiously.

Icarus had a plan. He intended to make his marriage to Ertel the wedding of the century.

A wedding that would draw the attention of the entire world required a noble status. He needed to elevate Ertel to that level.

His gaze flicked to the nape of his future bride’s neck.

The butterfly-shaped mark that had made him decide to marry her.

As he stared at her delicate skin, he made another vow to himself.

‘I can’t wait to kill this woman.’

“Is something wrong, my lord?”

Ertel asked, sensing his intense gaze.

“It’s nothing.”

‘Ding, ding.’

The sound of a bell rang from downstairs, signaling that dinner was ready.

“Let’s go eat.”

Icarus stood and extended his hand to Ertel.

Ertel hesitated. Should she take his hand?

Before she could decide, he grabbed her hand quickly.

As expected, his hand was warm.

‘Can body heat turn into smoke?’

Ertel found the thought oddly amusing.

Lisa, meanwhile, saw the two of them descending the stairs hand in hand and felt her insides twist with jealousy.

Amar, who had been watching from behind, leaned in and whispered to Lisa.

“Are you dreaming an impossible dream?”

“What are you talking about, steward?”

“Just stop.”

“Stop what?”

“She’s not just a maid.”

“What?”

“She’s a very special maid.”

With that cryptic remark, Amar disappeared. Lisa stared at him, confused.

‘What is he talking about now?’

Even so, she couldn’t stand that “special maid” and wanted to put her in her place. Unable to confront Amar, Lisa followed him out of the room.

>><<

The dining table was lavishly set with ornate candlesticks and a variety of delicious dishes.

Clear soup with vegetables and eggs, warm entrées, chicken with mayonnaise, cutlets, an assortment of baked goods—everything on the table was a feast for the eyes and nose.

Revenge was revenge, but the food in front of her was innocent.

Blushing slightly, Ertel reached for the chicken first. It wasn’t tough at all and seemed to melt in her mouth like snow.

Icarus smiled contentedly as he watched her eat.

“Do you like it?”

“Yes, it’s delicious.”

“You always enjoy your meals.”

Even as she ate with her mouth full, Ertel’s thoughts didn’t stop.

‘If I act like this, Icarus won’t suspect me.’

He might be smiling kindly on the outside, but she couldn’t let her guard down for a second.

After a while, Ertel cautiously made a suggestion to Icarus.

“I’d like to prepare a meal like this someday. It’s something I should learn as a woman. After I practice cooking, would it be alright if I made your meals, my lord?”

“You want to cook?”

“Yes, but only after I’ve practiced enough.”

Icarus stared at her intently at her question.

Even after bringing her here, there was still something about her he couldn’t understand. She insisted on taking on unnecessary hardships.

“Why? Is it because you want to fulfill your duties as a maid again?”

“That’s part of it.”

“I told you not to bother with difficult tasks. We have professional chefs here, not just maids.”

“I just want to do it.”

She had a different reason. Despite being treated so generously, Ertel was imagining her revenge.

‘That way, I can poison the food and kill you.’

Her plan was to strike when he was at the peak of his happiness.

Icarus set down his fork and mulled over her words.

“Ertel.”

His voice dropped.

“Yes, my lord?”

“Stop calling me ‘my lord,’ please.”

“…”

“I didn’t bring you here on a whim. You must have heard from Amar—I don’t take marriage lightly. Yet I chose you. So why are you so defensive? Is it because it’s only been a week since you came here? Do you need more time to adjust and get used to me?”