May’s master, Aiden Hale, the third young master of the Duke of Hale family, was an extremely sensitive and fastidious person.

“May, hot cloth…”

From the start, he only entrusted his personal care to May among the dozens of low-ranking employees, except for his close aides who served him closely.

‘It seems the young master forgets every time that I’m in charge of cleaning….’

“Hurry.”

“Ah, yes…!”

“…You’re slow.”

His blue eyes were full of irritation.

In the early dawn, Aiden, who had come in heavily drunk, was unable to leave his bed until midday due to a hangover.

And May was busy trying to please him, responding to his calls by his side.

A warm cloth, prepared in advance, was carefully placed over Aiden’s eyes. May raised her hands and began to apply familiar pressure.

Every time she pressed firmly on his temples and brows, a low rumble could be heard from her master’s throat. It was a signal that his mood, which was often poor, was improving somewhat.

“I heard you went out?”

So when she suddenly heard such a question, May didn’t think much of it. Besides, he often showed random curiosity about May.

What did you eat? Who appeared in your dream last night? What was the title of the book you read? Such… curiosities without any particular point.

“I heard someone came looking for you. …A man, they said.”

And he liked May to answer these questions diligently.

When she would list her answers sincerely enough to make her cheeks flush, the corners of his mouth would raise crookedly as if mocking her appearance, but clear satisfaction would appear in his blue eyes every time.

It was like he was looking at an insignificant creature that had exposed its belly.

‘It’s not exactly a pleasant, but….’

Anyway, May intended to open her mouth diligently this time as well.

The lawyer’s visit wasn’t particularly a secret, and not disturbing the master’s mood was the most important thing to be mindful of as an employee.

Moreover, she had something else to say to him today. Upon reflection, his question was also related to what she was going to say.

It seemed perfect to naturally change the topic when Aiden felt satisfied with her answer.

‘It’s scary when he gets angry…. I should massage him more diligently.’

With that thought, May swallowed hard and pushed her fingers through his fine silver hair, pressing firmly on his scalp as she answered.

“Ah, yes… it was a gentleman.”

Although she couldn’t confirm the satisfaction in her master’s eyes now because of the cloth covering them….

‘If I answer diligently, he’ll surely like it, right?’

But before that thought could even fade, she was at a loss for words.

“…What kind?”

It was because an incomprehensible question was added.

What kind? After pondering for a moment on this vague question, May decided to tell everything she felt. It was a method she used when Aiden’s questions were abstruse and difficult.

“Um… handsome and smart?”

“……”

“And, um… he gave me advice too….”

“……”

“Also, he was tall. He seemed a bit scary, but… he smiled at the end. He even joked around….”

“And then?”

“…Pardon?”

But today, the end of his questioning was unusually long.

“And then.”

Moreover, the blue eyes beneath the cloth that the master had now removed himself were coldly frozen. May shuddered at his sharp gaze.

It seemed like she had given all the answers she could, but… for what reason had his mood soured? Seeing her clear face filled with confusion, Aiden furrowed his brow and added.

“How was it when that man smiled?”

Her confusion grew at those irritable words, but her lips opened diligently as usual.

“It… it was nice….”

It was natural that a smiling face was much better to look at than an overbearing one. Especially the corner of his mouth that lifted playfully when he said he would help identify scammers was memorable enough.

But even though she had faithfully expressed what she felt, Aiden’s face remained cold. No, he seemed even angrier. He soon sat up with an irritated face.

The robe he was wearing slipped down loosely, and when she tried to tidy it up as usual, her hand was sharply pushed away.

“Ah, why….”

Seeing his maid who looked so dim-witted, trailing off in bewilderment, the man laughed coldly.

“May, I’ve changed my mind.”

And then he suddenly said such a thing.

When May’s face deepened with question, he raised his eyebrow crookedly and said,

“I won’t take you on this trip. The beach walk is canceled.”

He said with quite an ill-tempered face.

“You said you’ve never seen the sea?”

“Yes….”

“…Then shall I take you this time?”

“Eh, me…?”

Why? Seeing May’s eyes widen round, Aiden smiled mischievously.

“Don’t make such a stupid face. I just thought, who else would attend to me if not you.”

He said so, but the preparations for his trip were already complete. Several of Aiden’s closest guard knights and servants, and even some noble young men he was friendly with. It meant that all the people joining the trip had already been decided.

Moreover, there were resident maids at the southern villa, his destination.

‘It doesn’t seem like I’m particularly needed….’

She wanted to see the sea, but not with Aiden’s scolding alongside it.

But she couldn’t object to something her master had already decided. Considering his capriciousness and sensitivity, it wasn’t that strange for him to suddenly decide to take her along.

“Thank you for taking me….”

So when she bowed her head, the corners of Aiden’s mouth lifted in satisfaction.

“Sometimes I have to take you for a walk so you know you have a good master.”

But then…. It was truly a sudden whim. Especially as a result of her diligent answers.

Of course, it was just like Aiden to arbitrarily withdraw his intention, just as he had proposed the trip.

‘Still, I don’t understand why he’s so angry.’

Her hand, clutching the cloth that her master had pushed away, fidgeted in confusion.

“Seeing how your mind is occupied with a man, it’s obvious. If you go outside the Duke’s mansion, you’ll just get unnecessary ideas.”

And at the following slander, May’s eyes widened.

“Ah, that’s not….”

“Wait quietly until I return.”

However, before she could say anything, an order was issued.

“Don’t even show your face until the day you see me off.”

At this, May’s face reflexively fell.

This order was a kind of punishment Aiden gave to May. Aiden was the only person May could talk to within the ducal mansion, and he knew this very well. Therefore, whenever he was in a bad mood, he used it like a weapon.

It might be nonsensical given that he was May’s master… but Aiden definitely used it as a weapon and punishment.

For a few hours, days… up to several weeks at the longest. He would leave May like an abandoned dog, and only when he felt like it would he reach out his hand again.

“Sometimes I have to take you for a walk so you know you have a good master.”

It was in a similar context. With that petty and mean intention of ‘know you have a good master’.

Walking alone like that, detached from the group of maids, when she was glumly walking, Aiden would always appear silently beside May with a similar face. Smiling, showing the mole on his left eye that stood out especially when he narrowed his eyes.

“How bored were you while I didn’t call for you?”

Asking such an innocent question.

He seemed to enjoy seeing May’s face filled with inevitable gladness.

‘But today I have something I must say….’

Her hesitant gaze turned to Aiden. Seeing her whimpering like a rain-soaked dog, he frowned for a moment, but May still couldn’t leave and looked at Aiden.

She was naturally looking-up because his body rose.

Soon, watching May’s fluttering eyelashes, he suddenly opened his eyes fiercely. Seeing her flushed ears, it seemed he was very angry at her unusual boldness.

“Even if you act cute like that, it’s no use. What are you doing, why aren’t you leaving?”

Finally, along with treating her like a dog without restraint, a sharp order to leave was issued. May had no choice but to leave the room. Of course, her steps, unable to shake off her lingering feelings, were heavier and slower than usual.