7. Bluntness and Attack
“I’m sorry.”
“That’s a lie. You’re thinking something different inside, aren’t you?”
“No, Miss.”
Trish’s eyebrows arched sharply. But Ansie, eyes lowered, remained utterly calm.
That composure irritated Trish. And not just because of this incident.
Rain always had that unreadable, emotionless face—but even as a mere maid, she exuded a kind of grace. That was what got on Trish’s nerves the most—how someone like her could act with such dignity, not knowing her place.
Even now, after being scolded for her mistake, she acted like she was calmly indulging a tantrum, rather than showing remorse.
“You think I’m a joke, don’t you?”
Trish narrowed her eyes. Without waiting for a reply, she grabbed the plate of cookies and threw it to the ground.
“…!”
The cookies scattered wildly over the sand. Ansie’s eyes widened in alarm.
Seeing that, Trish finally looked somewhat satisfied. She threw herself down carelessly on the picnic mat, gesturing to the ground with her chin.
“Clean it up. Don’t leave a single crumb behind.”
“Miss…”
“Can’t do it?”
Trish picked up a grape and popped it into her mouth. As she chewed, she stared directly at Ansie, her gaze practically dripping with mockery.
And the worst part was—she didn’t seem like she was going to take back her words.
When she gives an order, you just obey.
Ansie finally reached out toward the sand.
The cookies had shattered into pieces. Their color was similar to the sand, making it hard to distinguish without getting close.
She got down on her knees and leaned forward, scanning the ground. Her hands and clothes were quickly coated in sand as she gathered the broken bits. Trish’s occasional laughter rang out behind her.
Pushing down the emotions bubbling inside, Ansie focused solely on the task at hand.
She had just finished collecting all the cookies and stood up—
“……!”
Ansie’s gaze shook.
In the distance, she locked eyes with a man walking toward them.
His violet eyes were fixed precisely on this spot. Whatever emotion lay behind his stiff lips was unreadable.
Had he seen all of this?
Suddenly—unexpectedly—Ansie became hyper-aware of what she’d just done.
She had been crawling on the ground, trying to separate cookies from sand.
Until just now, it hadn’t mattered. It was simply something that had to be done, without emotion, without thought. But now… she felt embarrassed.
“Was it difficult?”
His gentle voice echoed in her ears.
A rush of indescribable emotion welled up. Was it shame? Or humiliation? Ansie’s cheeks flushed red.
“…I’ve picked up all the cookies, Miss. If there’s nothing else you need, may I return now?”
She just wanted to get away from here. Bowing her head, she tried her best to speak calmly, hiding her emotions.
But what came back from Trish was her usual biting tone.
“You should stay until the picnic’s over. Trying to slack off like this—how disgraceful.”
“My shift is over—”
“How dare you talk back to me?”
Trish shouted. Ansie looked up in surprise.
Trish had sprung to her feet, her face twisted in outrage, as if she’d been personally insulted. Her voice grew shrill and cutting.
“Didn’t you say your mom would die without her medicine?”
“…….”
“Am I wrong?”
Trish stepped closer, curling her lip. Ansie’s blue eyes locked with hers. The fire in Ansie’s gaze made Trish flinch.
Ansie took a short breath before replying.
“Please don’t say things like that. I don’t want to discuss my family’s private matters in this way.”
“Why do you think it’s private? It has to do with me too. Who do you think’s paying for your mom’s medicine?”
Ansie gripped the cookie plate harder.
She quickly ran through her options.
If she shot Cardian now, both she and Sophia could die. She’d always known that could be the end.
But she refused to die meaninglessly.
If she got kicked out now, could she find another job? She’d only been a maid for a year. Without a letter of recommendation, switching households would be tough—especially if she was fired over a conflict with her mistress.
Trish knew she had Ansie’s life in her hands, which is why she acted so brazenly.
No matter how much shame or injustice Ansie felt, she wouldn’t dare imagine a scenario where she crushed this brat’s head in.
“Kneel and beg.”
Ansie understood. The only viable choice right now was to apologize.
What was a little pride, if it secured her future?
And yet, the reason it was so hard—
Was probably because of the man watching her.
She could handle anyone else seeing her like this—but not Orphe’s younger brother.
“I beg your pardon, Miss. But I don’t believe I’ve done anything that warrants kneeling or apologizing.”
“What?”
She hadn’t finished thinking it through, but her mouth spoke of its own accord. And sometimes, Ansie knew, instinct made the most rational decisions.
“Though I am your maid, I don’t believe I deserve to be insulted like that. Especially not over matters unrelated to my duties at this house—”
Her mouth kept going. But even now, her ears were attuned to the approaching footsteps.
The soft sound of feet against sand grew nearer.
Carried on the warm breeze was a familiar scent.
And the moment Trish reached out to force Ansie to her knees—
“They say people in the South speak bluntly.”
A man’s voice, tinged with a faint smile, washed over her like a wave. Even though she had known he was coming, Ansie felt her heart plummet.
“Sir Damion…?”
Trish’s voice shrank. It trembled.
Damion gently stopped her hand. His movements were precise, courteous. So was his tone.
“I sometimes can’t tell the difference between bluntness and attack. I was hoping you could clarify that for me, milady.”
His soft voice made Trish feel she could answer anything. She stared up blankly, nodding—and then, Damion’s low voice cut in.
“Kneel and beg.”
His voice was icy. In his chilled violet eyes flickered something close to contempt.
Trish froze. Her eyes trembled and filled with tears. Watching her, Damion gave a playful smile.
“Was that bluntness… or an attack?”
* * *
The Ziden estate was unusually busy.
That was because Lord Orphe’s son had made a sudden visit and said he’d be staying for a while.
While he strolled the garden, the servants bustled about, preparing for their guest. Here and there, they whispered among themselves.
“Why’s Lord Orphe’s son having dinner here? What’s going on?”
“Maybe he’s interested in our young lady? It hasn’t been long since the last party and he’s already back.”
“Wow… must be. I mean, how else—”
“Shh! Quiet!”
“Rain, you were with them earlier, right? Do you think the young master’s interested in Lady Trish?”
The question turned to Ansie. Everyone’s curious eyes bore into her. Quietly polishing dishes, she shook her head.
“I’m not sure.”
But truthfully, Ansie was uneasy.
What was that man really up to?
Damion had appeared like a knight in shining armor, but afterward, he walked off calmly with Trish. That gentle tone she thought had been just for her—he used it again, for that rude noble girl.
“Sorry. I was joking, Rain. You knew I didn’t mean it, right? You can go home now.”
Trish had brushed her off with those words, her attention fully turned to the man. Her tear-streaked face was now flushed with excitement.
Ansie’s shift was over, and somehow, her plans had fallen apart. She should’ve gone home by now.
But she couldn’t leave.
What if that man revealed her identity to Trish?
Was it even love in the first place? Could someone fall in love from a brief meeting like that? No, he wouldn’t be so foolish.
While her doubts circled endlessly, the sun sank. As the sky filled with crimson light, so too did Ansie’s anxiety grow.
And then came night, with the moon high above.
Sitting against the wall of the mansion, wind in her hair and thoughts in turmoil, Ansie stood up.
She couldn’t just wait anymore. She had to go to Damion d’Orphe and settle this.
His guest room was on the second floor.
Ansie picked up a stone, about to throw it at his window—then gave up and brushed off her hands.
It would be safer, even if a little risky, to sneak up without being seen. With a heavy heart, she started moving.
“Rain.”
A large hand caught her arm.
“What did Trish say to you today?”
It was Labou Ziden, the son of the count. His face twisted with concern as he looked at her.
As he stepped closer, a strong smell of alcohol wafted from him.
