Now alerted, but pretending not to hear them speak, my hands continued to ramble through the goods, a silly smile stamped on my lips.

   “Her attire is so... shabby.” Another feminine voice whispered.

   “I’m sure it’s a mistake...” They were getting bold. Noticing my lack of reaction to their disrespectful comments, the young maids didn’t dare to even hide or hesitate in their insults.

   “Ladies.” After hearing enough from them, I turned around, a grin drawn on my lips. “I’m sure you must already know but, I am your master’s fiancée.” They traded mocking glances with each other, thinking they were in for a mere scolding. “Which means, anything you do to me, you do to the heir of this house.”

   Even with my threat, they remained quiet, with their heads slightly lowered, faint mocking smiles in their faces. Still not responding, they merely chuckled, causing me to proceed. “Tell me, how would my husband-to-be handle this situation?”

   Their bodies shuddered. It seemed like these ladies were familiar with Terrel’s hidden façade. The environment grew heavy, causing them to swallow down their own saliva, now fearful of actually intervening.

   “You seem to be mute. In that case, I’ll enlighten you. My dear fiancée would probably have your head cut off on the spot.” My fingers drew a line on my neck, mimicking the perfect slice of a sword. “However, the law would simply have your tongues removed. Which one would you prefer?”

   “Milady, please have mercy on this servant!” Almost instantly, they all kneeled, banging their skin onto the floor harshly. Their heads went up and down as the group begged for forgiveness, like pitiful beggars on the street.

   “I was reckless and inconsiderate. Please forgive me, milady!” Another woman said, her arms trembling with fear.

   As they prayed for my kindness to appear, a group of five maids stood at the back, calmly observing the situation with their heads slightly lowered. “Aren’t you going to beg for forgiveness?” I questioned, before sitting down on a comfortable violet divan.

   “If milady wishes so.” The woman had an appealing tone within her voice, brimming with confidence, head held high as she gracefully stood in front of my gaze, completely fearless of my pressuring stance. None of those maids had spoken; I knew it from the moment they faced me so resolutely. My attention shifted to the ladies on the floor, still begging for mercy.

   “You’re truly lucky... I am in a great mood today. However, I cannot let this matter go.” I said, allowing them to gain some hope and look upwards. As my mind studied an appropriate punishment that wouldn’t create any repercussions to my already low reputation, an unorthodox idea came to mind. I grinned, satisfied with this brand-new amusing concept. “I’ve decided. You.” My finger pointed to the maid on the right of the group, one of the tallest and strongest of the lot. “You will slap your colleagues two times each.”

   Her brown eyes blinked, confused by my commands but, after taking it in, she finally understood her task. A large, wicked smile popped on her sadistic face. Without waiting any further, she raised her hand high in the sky and then a bang ran through the room. Only one, the maid that appeared to be the weakest of the lot, quietly took her punishment. All the others screamed and screeched every time they saw the woman’s hand raise.

   After everything was done, my hands clapped loudly, satisfied with such great performance. “Good. You.” My finger pointed towards the woman next in line. “It’s your turn.”

   “My turn, milady?” She questioned, her cheeks bright red from the clashing of skin.

   “Don’t tell me you thought this was done?” My body leaned forward; a certain perversion hidden behind my amused glare. “It’s your turn to slap them two times.”

   The eyes of the first maid widened, terrified. Her fists had clenched and her teeth gritted against each other, probably due to a sudden fear of the future to come. None of the maids would give her any mercy, not after taking in full blows that would take a handful of days to heal. Did she truly expect to leave this room unpunished?

   Only half an hour later had the beaten came to a halt. Each one of the maids had slapped their peers two times. Tears gathered in their eyes; their cheeks flushed as tomatoes ready for a good harvest.

   “I was lenient this time. The same won’t happen again.” I glared at them coldly, their muscles contracting in fear. “You’re all dismissed.”

   At my words, all the servants left without uttering a word. If it were up to me, they would’ve been fired on the spot, yet, for better or for worse, such authority wasn’t mine. If I began changing the staff members on the day of my arrival, my image in the Duke’s eyes would, most likely, turn sour.

   I could already hear the rumors spreading across the mansion if such route had been taken. An egoistical brat without a shred of compassion.

   Thankfully, the same couldn’t be said to that man’s servants, my beloved handmaids, Penny and Vanessa. After years suffering with their abuse, vengeance would be sweeter than the after taste of my favorite desert.

   Finding myself alone to my own thoughts, calmer and far more rational, my body rose and headed to the small handbag I’d carried with me. Taking out the crumbling notebook and sitting on the oak desk at the end on the room, being greeted by the warm afternoon sun, my eyes rapidly travelled through the pages.