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Chapter 67
Killian’s words fell cold:
“So you’re not really saying you’ll leave Lady Millicent alone, are you?”
Riana shot back,
“Do I need the Duke’s official approval to decide whether I’ll leave her alone?”
“No.”
Killian smirked slightly.
“I’m not that free. But if you don’t leave her alone, then taking action—that’s my job.”
Riana’s caffeine-filled fists (or so it felt to her) trembled.
“So basically, if I bully Lady Millicent again, you won’t let me off—that’s what you mean?”
It sounded exactly like the kind of line a romance novel’s male lead would throw at a villainess.
“Yes.”
He answered without hesitation, as if it were obvious.
Riana’s chest tightened.
Wow. Acting like a love-struck hero already, huh? You and Deborah haven’t even had that many scenes together yet, and you’re already dying of devotion.
If she argued here, she might really trigger the full “villainess flag” and get herself killed.
Suddenly the spacious office felt suffocating. She just wanted to leave, so she nodded.
“Fine. I’ll try my best to stay out of trouble.”
But Killian caught her wording.
“‘Try your best’? You need effort just to stop bullying people?”
What kind of person even needed effort for that? Killian clicked his tongue in disbelief.
Riana shrugged with exaggerated sarcasm.
“Guess you didn’t know last night that I was that kind of person, when you invited me into your room? Do you regret it already?”
“Why would I regret it? Doesn’t matter. It’s not like I fell in love with you at first sight because you’re some saint.”
So he was still clinging to that “love at first sight” excuse. Riana snorted.
“And yet, you’re taking Lady Millicent’s side?”
He paused for just a moment, then answered,
“…She’s a rare talent among magical researchers.”
“Ha!”
Well… he wasn’t wrong. Damn it.
The two glared at each other, too focused on their own argument to notice anyone else.
Neither noticed Bastian in the corner, covering his mouth with his fist to hold back his reaction.
Neither noticed the ears pressed eagerly against the door outside.
‘Jackpot!’
It was maid Sophia, who had overheard through the crack in the door. She hopped in excitement, drawing her own conclusions.
So… the tension between Riana and Lady Deborah is because they’re rivals over the Duke?
A classic love triangle!
Sophia Jane Whisper, maid of four years, finally had something exciting at work.
And by the way—unless someone swore her to secrecy, she was terrible at keeping her mouth shut.
Inside, Riana and Killian finally looked away from each other, breaking the heated eye contact. The heavy tension eased a little.
Both of them felt stiff necks and restless blood rushing.
After a short pause, Killian spoke first, calm but pointed:
“Anyway, I’m glad you’ll ‘try your best.’ I’ll expect good results.”
His words were official, but his tone was dripping with sarcasm.
Riana gave a stiffly polite bow.
“I’ll take your words to heart, Duke. After all, I’m a capable maid.”
“If you’re capable, then please. I can forgive a maid’s looks, manners, even skills. But I do prefer my employees to keep their heads attached.”
“…My head?”
“With the way you act, I sometimes wonder if you’re trying to get yourself executed.”
Riana narrowed her eyes. Was he basically threatening her with execution for “insulting nobility”?
But she wasn’t about to surrender so easily. She smiled sweetly.
“Well, I may ignore dress codes, hairstyles, and jewelry, but I also believe my head is essential. So no worries there.”
“In that case, fine.”
Killian tilted his head dismissively.
Taking the hint to leave, Riana bowed and walked out.
Bang!
“Eek!”
The moment she opened the door, someone leaning against it jumped in shock.
“Sophia?”
Riana clutched her chest, startled. Her heart was already pounding from caffeine, and now it nearly dropped out of her chest.
“What were you doing out here?”
Sophia gave a sheepish smile.
“Oh, just… checking if the hallway needed cleaning.”
“So diligent, huh?”
She didn’t need to look for work—it would be assigned to her anyway. Yet Sophia always stuck her nose everywhere, doing extra. Truly the most “capable” maid around.
Riana patted Sophia’s shoulder and walked away down the hall.
She did notice the sly glint in Sophia’s eyes, but Sophia was always like that. Best to ignore it.
So… what now?
The rumors about her bullying Deborah again? That wasn’t the real problem.
She had been branded the “villainess” of the estate long ago. Another round of gossip would blow over eventually.
The real problem was Killian taking it seriously.
Once she stepped away from him, her reason started returning. She remembered what she had been forgetting:
She was in the middle of her grand plan—
Operation: Make Deborah Drink the Love Potion.
And for it to work, she needed Killian’s cooperation.
And yet, at the exact time when I need him on my side, he just lectured me harshly.
She rubbed her chest, thinking back.
So that’s why I felt so sensitive earlier…
She regretted snapping back emotionally instead of just keeping her head down and obedient for the sake of the plan.
After all, she had just argued with a Duke—about mistreating a noble lady, no less. Even the boldest villainess wouldn’t be so reckless.
Still, he had once said he liked when she spoke casually with him. So he probably wouldn’t punish her for this. If anything, she might use it later for leverage.
I’ll just have to see how this affects my plan. If persuading Killian gets too hard, maybe I’ll try bargaining with him instead. He needs something from me too, after all.
But right now, only one thought dominated her mind:
Forget all of that—I’m never drinking coffee again!
That cursed caffeine had kept her in a bad mood all day.
Still fuming, her heart thudding in time with her fast steps, Riana marched out of the main residence.
Meanwhile.
“Duke…”
Bastian’s wrinkled forehead looked like a dried plum. He peered up at Killian with weary eyes.
“Couldn’t you be a little more lenient with Miss Riana? She really is doing her job well as Isolation Tower maid.”
Killian scoffed.
“Because she makes decent tea? Because she lives like a monk at night? Does that automatically make her good?”
“…At least she’s better than the previous Isolation Tower maids, who spent more energy chasing lust than boiling kettles…”
“I know why you’re defending her, Bastian. But didn’t you see her attitude just now?”
Bastian shut his eyes tight. Even he had to admit—Riana’s tone had been dangerously disrespectful.
Yes, society was freer these days. But still, nobility was nobility. And “insulting a noble” was still a real crime.
“Miss Riana must’ve been upset. That’s why she reacted like that.”
But honestly, Bastian was thinking about how hard it would be to replace her if she got fired. That alone made him more forgiving.
He began defending her passionately, almost as if he were Riana himself.
“I’m sure it’s just a misunderstanding with Lady Millicent. That must be why she argued back to you, my lord.”
Killian shook his head, looking irritated.
“Did you see her attitude? Is that how someone acts when they say they’ll behave properly?”
“…Pardon?”
“What if Lady Millicent decides to file a formal complaint against her? What then?”
Killian sighed in frustration. He looked Bastian straight in the eye and muttered,
“Does that girl even think before she acts? Being unreasonable has its limits.”
“…Ah…”
Bastian blinked, confused.
He had expected Killian to use this as an excuse to fire Riana. But his words sounded more like… concern?
Then suddenly Killian’s blue eyes lit with a new thought.
“By the way, remember during that briefing about which fairy tale to donate to the royal orphanage?”
“…What about it?”
“You mentioned one where a foolish girl gets rescued by some crazy man who barged into a villain’s house—and then she falls in love with him out of gratitude.”
“…That describes half the fairy tales, my lord.”
“Do people really fall in love just because someone saved them?”
“…Excuse me?”
