Chapter 15……………………………………..
“Lady!”
Laura shouted.
“Shut your mouth.”
Psyche glared at Laura.
Ignoring her, Psyche looked at her coldly.
“A dog that does not serve its master is useless. Be grateful for your life that I am not punishing you for it. You are no longer my personal maid. In truth, you never were.”
“Are you really going to do this?”
“Go back now. Return to your rightful master, the one you so desperately wished to serve. If even that master does not want you, then come and beg me. I may, perhaps, take pity on you once.”
Psyche spoke each word with force.
Unable to contain her anger, Laura stormed off.
As she turned away, she looked at Hilie, who was trembling behind her.
Hilie, holding back tears, looked deeply pitiful.
She also seemed extremely moved by Psyche’s actions and said tearfully,
“You didn’t have to go that far for a mere maid… Thank you.”
“This mark on your cheek… Laura did this, didn’t she?”
“It’s okay! I wasn’t hit that much. Just my wrist being grabbed and a few slaps on the cheek—that kind of thing happens often.”
Hilie shook her head, insisting she was fine.
There was a strict hierarchy among the maids in the ducal household.
So a new, young maid like Hilie was likely often ignored or mistreated.
“Your wrist must hurt. There’s ointment in my drawer—go and apply it.”
“I could never use something belonging to you, my lady!”
Hilie protested, shaking her head firmly.
“It is a favor your master can grant a personal maid. Don’t refuse. It works well—your bruises will fade quickly.”
Hilie gratefully applied the ointment.
“Hilie. If anyone bullies you in the future, tell me immediately. They are just servants. Even if I am not fully respected in this house, I am still of the Benoir bloodline.”
“Yes, my lady. I will do better for you from now on. No one has taken care of me since I was new here.”
Hilie spoke excitedly, nodding repeatedly.
It was a touching moment.
Then the butler abruptly opened the door.
“My lady.”
Psyche frowned. Entering a noble lady’s room without permission was a clear breach of etiquette. The butler did so because he considered her easy to deal with.
“Must you barge into a lady’s room like this?”
“It was urgent, I had no choice.”
“Excuses are irrelevant. What if someone misunderstands? If rumors spread about an unmarried lady, I will have to hold you accountable.”
The butler flinched and lowered his head.
“I beg your forgiveness for my rudeness.”
Why couldn’t I act like this before? Even when I knew it was disrespectful, I couldn’t say anything…
Psyche bitterly reproached her past self.
She suppressed her twisted expression.
“I don’t want this to happen again.”
“Yes, my lady.”
“So, what brings you here personally?”
“The Duke wishes to see you.”
“Understood. You may leave.”
With Hilie’s help, Psyche changed into a relatively neat indoor dress and stepped into the hallway.
Though the hem was slightly worn, it wasn’t noticeable.
She walked with noble composure, though unwillingness weighed on her steps.
The previous evening’s incident made her reluctant to meet him.
Still, she eventually arrived at the office.
The knights opened the door as if expecting her.
Inside, the Duke—who was signing documents—looked up at her.
He asked,
“Do you know why I called you?”
Psyche had a rough idea.
Still, she sighed and answered calmly,
“I don’t know.”
She spoke as though she had heard nothing.
“I can’t believe I have to say this myself. Last night, Duke Ferdian carried you into the manor. The servants are all talking about it. And you say you don’t know?”
Ah…
So the rumors had spread among the staff.
Of course. The butler saw it too.
Though she didn’t want to accept it, she remained composed.
From the head of the household’s perspective, it was as if an unauthorized outsider had entered.
“I had no improper relationship with the Duke. He simply helped me because I was unable to walk.”
Psyche said confidently, meeting the Duke’s eyes.
His expression softened slightly.
“And the servants spreading rumors are clearly at fault.”
“True… However, your conduct is also important. Nothing disrespects me more than an unauthorized outsider entering my estate.”
“I have always conducted myself properly. Yesterday was an exception. At the ball, the only one who helped me was Duke Ferdian. No one else offered assistance.”
“But it was Ferdian who helped you. Do you not know that the imperial family keeps his house under scrutiny?”
“Then who exactly was I supposed to rely on? My own father does not even look at me.”
Her voice turned cold.
“Did you not know? Or did you simply choose not to?”
“Do you think I did not treat you as my child? Every moment I faced you was painful for me.”
“Then you should still have fulfilled your duty as a father!”
Her voice trembled with restrained emotion.
“I lived in a decaying room covered in cobwebs, eating leftovers from servants. Even if you could not bear to look at me, you still had a duty as a parent!”
“You are saying I failed as a father?”
“Whether you knew or not, it doesn’t change anything. The result is already there.”
Psyche’s expression twisted.
“I don’t care to understand your feelings. So continue being indifferent. It suits me better.”
Without another word, she turned and left.
It’s the worst.
She bit her lip hard enough to draw blood.
If I just pretend I don’t know anything, it would be easier.
She collapsed onto her bed.
It’s really over.
Then, a white bird landed on her windowsill.
“A bird?”
On closer inspection, there was a small message tube attached to its leg.
It was undoubtedly a messenger bird sent by Carhis.
Psyche smiled unconsciously.
If not for him, her mood would have hit rock bottom.
