Of course, Jürgen wasn’t listening to her. Instead of paying attention to the head maid, he took a step closer to the maids who had been brought forward.

Sensing her employer approaching, the maid flinched in surprise, trembled violently, and began hiccupping.

“You probably don’t understand why I’m doing this.”

“……Y-Your Grace.”

“You must feel wronged and angry that I’m now punishing something that was tacitly allowed.”

“No. I don’t feel wronged. Really……”

When the maid hurriedly made excuses, Jürgen let out a cold laugh.

“I doubt that.”

“……”

“The Duke you’ve served until now is dead. I am your new master now. I intend to dismantle and eliminate each and every rule and unwritten law my father created.”

Addressing the maid who kept her head bowed low and dared not utter a word, Jürgen declared:

“I mean don’t dare rely on outdated rules in front of me.”

It was like a message directed not only to the maids who had directly wronged Diez but to all the servants. Now the master of the mansion had changed, and everything would be different.

The servants of the Klaus mansion weren’t stupid.

Their master hadn’t gathered them all just because some mere maids had laid hands on Diez’s belongings, not for such a simple reason.

So, this was a kind of declaration.

A declaration that Jürgen Klaus, though the son of their previous employer, would absolutely not be the same or similar person as him, nor would he maintain the familiar framework created by the late Duke.

Most of the servants already knew.

That Jürgen had shown not the slightest mourning at the late Duke’s funeral. Rather, he had looked down at his father’s coffin with cold eyes and left the place as soon as the ceremony ended, as if he had been waiting for it.

Now that he had inherited the title of Duke, everything would change.

The change in how Diez Schleicher was treated was merely the beginning.

“All three of you pack your things and leave within an hour.”

“Your Grace……”

“And don’t even think about trying to sway me with tears.”

Before their master who showed not the slightest gap, they froze completely. Even if they clung to his legs and begged, nothing would change.

Realizing this fact, the maids could only stand pale and trembling.

“You should rather be grateful that I’m letting you leave in one piece.”

They had essentially laid hands on the Duke’s property. Thinking about it, there wasn’t a single incorrect part in Jürgen’s words.

Meanwhile, Diez, who had been watching this entire scene in a half-dazed state, looked toward Jürgen. At some point, Jürgen, who had been looking down at the maids’ bowed heads with a cold gaze, suddenly grabbed Diez’s right arm.

“Don’t just stand there stupidly, follow me.”

As if there was no reason to stay there any longer, he grabbed Diez and strode away. His steps were heading toward the main gate rather than deeper into the mansion.

* * *

Jürgen left the mansion with Diez. Finally feeling the air open up, Jürgen inhaled and then sighed, leaving Diez standing awkwardly behind him.

‘Why am I doing this sort of thing?’

Still, even he didn’t know the answer.

His life had always consisted of clear choices. Who would dare confuse the young master of the Klaus duchy? He had walked a predetermined path and conspicuously taken what was clearly guaranteed and promised.

It was the same now. Inheriting the title of Duke and the family, continuing the business that had been passed down through generations of the family……

Nothing had confused Jürgen Klaus.

Only one person, Diez Schleicher, was the exception.

Having always walked a straight path, Jürgen found everything that confused him unpleasant. Right now, Diez was exactly that. He had just gathered all the servants in the lobby and made an example of them. Of course, the pretext was simple.

To show that he was a different master from the late Duke.

But was it really just for that reason?

Suddenly, irritation welled up. A woman who had shrunk due to years of mistreatment was watching his every move. That sight irritated Jürgen even more.

“It’s not like you were born lowly.”

When Jürgen shot these words in a sharp voice, she reflexively trembled. She looked just like a small animal before a predator.

“What’s the problem? You couldn’t even handle mere maids and ended up making me intervene directly.”

“……I’m sorry.”

“Enough with that ‘sorry’ already.”

At that, Diez completely shut her mouth. Jürgen also stopped pressing her. Taking out his frustration on Diez wasn’t the right answer, nor would it solve anything.

It would only make his complicated feelings toward her even more of a mess.

After taking a breath, he asked in a relatively calm voice:

“Have you been living like this all along?”

“……”

“I’m asking if you’ve lived as someone even servants look down on.”

“That was…… natural.”

At this, shadows crossed Jürgen’s face again.

“I was the Duke’s plaything, so it was natural that no one wanted to respect me. I don’t think it’s something to blame anyone for. It was…… really just natural.”

“How ridiculous. To be sold for a mere debt of a few hundred million and treated worse than a dog.”

For a moment, an unpleasant emotion flashed like a spark in Diez’s eyes. Of course, it was only for a very brief moment. She pressed her lips together and kept looking at the ground.

This is utterly frustrating. Jürgen contained his low simmering emotions while engulfed in thoughts he didn’t know toward whom they were directed.

“I was stupid to think you’d manage well on your own.”

Of course, Diez was just as confused.

She couldn’t understand why he, who had had absolutely no contact with her until now, was suddenly angry about everything.

Why is he acting like this? What harm have I done to you?

What meaning could someone like me have to a man like you……

As if he didn’t want to waste any more time, he grabbed Diez’s wrist and led her somewhere. Where could he be going? Seized by instinctive fear, Diez unconsciously tensed her toes, and Jürgen’s gaze turned to her.

“What are you doing?”

“Um, where are you going……”

“How much more frustrating are you going to make this for me?”

His cold demeanor softened briefly, and he said,

“I’ve burned all the clothes you used to wear. Unless you want to wander the mansion n*ked, you’d better follow me. I certainly don’t want to see such a sight either.”

The man who had been giving Diez reproachful looks just moments ago was now demanding that they go get clothes fitted together.

What could he possibly be thinking?

Jürgen Klaus was different from the late Duke.

He was an especially unpredictable man.

* * *

She once had days when she was a beloved young lady.

The Little Lady of Lehart, the treasure of the Schleicher family. These were all nicknames referring to Diez. Not a few noble ladies would remember her. Diez, who drew everyone’s attention by her mere existence, was herself a topic of conversation.

The only daughter of the Schleicher family was a girl who couldn’t help but be loved by everyone. Even those who had no interest in the child called the little princess had to acknowledge this fact as Diez grew up.

She was like a living porcelain doll. Her blue eyes always brimming with happiness, her rosy cheeks, and her petite frame all amplified her unique loveliness.

Little Lady. That was why Diez came to be called by this nickname rather than her own name.

She embodied the image of a princess that anyone might have pictured in their mind.

The pretty and lovely girl, like a porcelain doll, always appeared at social gatherings adorned with only the finest dresses and accessories. Even diamond accessories that might seem excessive on others looked perfectly natural when Diez wore them.

‘She must have been born with all the luck in the world.’

‘She may not be of noble blood, but would she even care about that fact?’

‘I hear there are already boys preparing proposals. I wonder which family’s son will take Miss Schleicher……’

The young lady of the Schleicher family, who received everyone’s envious glances and expectations, had now become a lady of marriageable age.

Everyone in the past unanimously declared that she would surely marry into a wealthy, high-ranking noble family. What other ending could await a girl called princess?

And now, Diez knew it herself.

She would never marry.

The princess who was wanted and loved by everyone had disappeared.

Only a vulgar and filthy existence, like a rag, remained in her place.

* * *

The very same driver who had taken Diez to town was now before her eyes. Was it because she was accompanied by Jürgen this time? In stark contrast to before when he wouldn’t even make eye contact, he now opened the car door for her with formal movements.

Diez got into the black car. Perhaps sensing that the Duke sitting right next to her was not in the best mood, the car drove smoothly to town without any bumps along the way.

Not a single word passed between them. Only when they finally reached the bustling district did Diez hear Jürgen’s first words.

“Don’t dawdle, get out.”

As she was about to follow him out of the car, she suddenly felt worried. Diez looked up at his stern face with one leg already outside the car.

He must surely be the talk of society.