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chapter 06
“…You?”
Bailey looked at Elizabeth in shock.
It was Elizabeth who had always spoken to her politely and used honorifics.
But now, for the first time, she was speaking down to her.
Bailey could hardly believe her ears.
“Yes, you. Who exactly here is more insolent than you?”
“Miss, have you gone mad…!”
“The one who’s mad is you, Bailey Henton. How dare you speak like that to the heiress of Liernet?”
As Elizabeth cut her off again and spoke coldly, Bailey’s face turned completely pale.
Watching her reaction, Elizabeth felt both a thrill and irritation.
To be this shocked over something so obvious.
This situation itself was absurd.
“Go outside and ask anyone. Do you think it’s insane for the heir of Liernet to speak informally to a maid? Just how lightly have you been treating the heir of Liernet all this time?”
Bailey had nothing to say. Because everything Elizabeth said was true.
“Until now, I tolerated your arrogant attitude quietly. But I no longer need to do that. Bailey Henton, from now on, watch your words and your behavior carefully.”
“…You’re not even a real young lady anyway!”
Bailey shouted.
Of course, rationally, she knew Elizabeth was right.
But the pride she had built over ten years refused to accept it.
“A fake—someone like you—how dare you order me around…!”
Slap!
Without hesitation, Elizabeth’s hand flew.
Bailey’s head snapped to the side, a red mark appearing instantly on her cheek.
“Eek!”
With a short scream, Bailey collapsed to the floor.
For a moment, she couldn’t comprehend what had just happened.
The woman she believed would never dare lay a finger on her had just struck her.
Bailey stared at Elizabeth, stunned.
“You…!”
Slap!
Once again, Bailey’s head was turned aside.
Now she looked almost faint.
The other servants watching nearby also looked horrified, as if they might collapse themselves.
But Elizabeth remained expressionless, as if nothing at all had happened.
“Show proper respect to your master, Bailey Henton. Where do you think you’re running that insolent tongue?”
Elizabeth said calmly in her refined, noble tone.
“I am still the ‘heiress of the great House of Liernet.’ Fix your attitude.”
“I—I’ll report this to the Marquis…!”
“Go ahead. Try it.”
Elizabeth smiled faintly and knelt slightly, looking down at Bailey.
Seeing her trembling uncontrollably was satisfying.
“You think your father will take your side after hearing that a maid has been insulting her lady and speaking so disrespectfully?”
Bailey couldn’t answer immediately.
Elizabeth sneered.
“You seem to be misunderstanding something, Bailey. I didn’t stay silent for ten years because I was afraid of you or because you were pretty.”
She paused briefly.
“Because you were the nanny of the real Elizabeth who died.”
The real daughter had died, and a lowly imposter had taken her place.
I can’t say I didn’t understand why she hated me so much.
But Bailey had crossed the line long ago.
“Your hatred for me, born from not being able to forget the real Elizabeth… if the Marquis finds out, do you think he will be able to keep you here? How painful would that be for him?”
She didn’t want to be compared to the real Elizabeth again.
If the real Elizabeth were alive, none of this chaos would exist.
She didn’t want her father to think such things. It would be too miserable, too shameful.
“But things have changed now. So Bailey, behave properly from now on.”
“I… why should I…!”
“You’ll have to. Otherwise, I’ll take you with me when I leave here.”
“You think you can do that to me?!”
“I can.”
Elizabeth smiled calmly.
“At the very least, I can take you with me, Bailey. Surely you wouldn’t deny the last wish of the girl who was your daughter for ten years.”
At that, Bailey ground her teeth in rage.
But that was all she could do—she chose to endure it for now.
The Marquis is on my side anyway. He would never side with a fake like her.
The man who had taken her in when she was born and raised her like a daughter would never cast her out.
Once the Marquis returned, everything would be settled.
Then she would take her revenge.
And I’ll be able to slap that ill-mannered girl’s face as much as I want.
Bailey was confident.
Until a guest arrived a few hours later—one who would shock everyone at the Liernet estate.
After disciplining Bailey for the first time, Elizabeth ordered dinner to be prepared and returned to her room.
I should have done this much earlier.
How many times had she wanted to do exactly this?
Everyone’s stunned reactions to her suddenly restored authority were almost amusing.
I only stayed quiet thinking things would stay peaceful if I endured alone.
She resolved not to live like that again.
Then came a knock.
“Miss, I’ve brought your meal.”
“Come in.”
Soon, a tray was placed in front of Elizabeth.
But the moment she saw it, her expression hardened instantly.
What on earth… are they trying to feed me?
Hard bread, stale and blackened as if burned.
Jam that smelled sour, likely spoiled.
Fruit and vegetables that had browned or dried out from long exposure to air.
The fish dish looked completely overcooked, dry, and nearly burnt to ash.
There were many more problems, but the conclusion was simple:
It was inedible.
Elizabeth let out a dry laugh. The maid smirked slightly.
“Is something wrong with it?”
“Is something wrong, you say?”
Elizabeth was stunned by her attitude.
“Yes. This doesn’t look like food meant for a human being. Did you really bring this for me?”
“I only brought what was made in the kitchen.”
“Then tell the kitchen clearly. Tell them to make it properly.”
Elizabeth coldly tossed the burnt bread at the maid’s feet.
Only then did the maid flinch slightly—but still muttering in dissatisfaction, she left.
Left alone, Elizabeth snorted.
It seemed they had all decided to unite against her.
…Well, when weren’t they like this?
When she first came to the estate, she had been grateful just to have a place where she wouldn’t be beaten.
So she had always treated both her family and the servants kindly and gently.
But for ten years, none of the servants ever treated her as a real member of House Liernet.
They restrained themselves in front of the family, but when the family wasn’t around, they ignored and looked down on her.
I was too afraid to fix it.
Afraid that her father might disapprove of her lack of authority and disown her.
She had always been desperate not to upset him.
The only safe place she had ever known had felt too precious.
So she endured everything, no matter how unfair.
And that habit had hardened into her life.
But I don’t need that anymore.
She would live a life where she was fully respected.
“Miss, your new dinner has arrived.”
“Come in.”
Elizabeth inspected the new dish carefully.
It looked like a fairly decent chicken dish.
She picked up her fork.
But…
“Ugh!”
After one bite, she immediately grabbed a napkin and spat it out.
Even after spitting it out, the foul smell lingered in her mouth, making her stomach churn.
This is…
Clutching the napkin, Elizabeth stood up with a furious expression.
She strode toward the maid, who was watching with a faint mocking smile, and raised her hand.
Slap!
With a sharp crack, the maid was sent flying.
