---

How was I expected to feed creatures that normally required the personally trained guards of Westwond? Those beasts would tear me apart the moment they laid eyes on me.

Without thinking, I dropped to my knees and hurried after Madame Marsala before she could leave.

“Wait. Madame Marsala. T-this assignment… I will die,” I said, biting hard into my lower lip until tears finally welled and slipped free.

She merely looked down at me and shifted her foot out of my desperate grasp.

“Then consider it ill fortune if you do,” she replied coolly. “A guard will accompany you, but do not expect assistance. The rest is your responsibility alone. Perhaps this will teach you not to indulge that obstinate and willful temperament of yours.”

She turned to leave, then paused just long enough to add over her shoulder, “These are additional duties only. Your regular assignments remain unchanged. I will not tolerate neglect of either. If you fail, do not resent me later.”

Then she was gone.

I collapsed onto the ground in despair. Why did this have to fall upon me?

I had done nothing wrong. Nothing at all.

Those girls…

My gaze snapped toward them in fury, but they stood scattered and dazed, some already wiping foolish tears from their eyes.

I released a long breath and pushed myself upright. There was nothing to be done now. Complaining would change nothing. I would have to gather information about these so-called beasts and prepare myself as best I could.

Before that, I looked down at my disordered state and shook my head.

I could not return to the Rosethorn Parterre like this. Yet I had no choice but to walk all the way back to the servants’ quarters to change.

I must have looked like a rabid hound broken loose from its chain.

—

“Clare?”

The voice came from the side. I turned slowly, my eyes dull with fatigue.

Then they brightened in surprise. It was Nic.

Only then did I realize I had wandered far from the manor grounds. The stables stood nearby, and Nic appeared to be heading there with an armful of hay.

He dropped it at once and rushed over, gripping my shoulders as he examined the bruises on my face.

I offered an awkward smile and tried to push his hands away. He was pressing far too firmly.

“What in the world happened? Who did this to you?”

“It’s nothing, Nic,” I said lightly. “Just a small quarrel with a few colleagues.” I managed to pry his hands free.

“They did this? Those pampered slumps?” he scoffed. “That’s beyond cruel. Aren’t there rules for the inner servants?”

So that was how the outer servants spoke of us.

They were not entirely wrong. Those pampered slumps carried their pride like a badge of honor.

“It’s fine, Nic. I’m all right. It doesn’t hur—”

“Ouch!”

I clutched my cheek and glared at him. He had pressed directly against the swollen bruise without warning.

“That is what you call fine?” Nic laughed, folding his arms and tilting his head as if inspecting a damaged artifact. “Have you seen yourself?”

“So what would you have me do?” I snapped. “It’s already done. All I can do now is regret my foolishness.”

Because I had been foolish. I had walked straight into the snare they laid, letting their taunts chip away at my patience until I broke. 

Had I endured, I would not be standing here bruised and humiliated.

And now, in this miserable state, I still had a life-threatening task awaiting me soon.

I sighed.

“You should apply ice at least,” Nic said thoughtfully. “Especially there. That bruise looks pitiful indeed. Honestly, how reckless of you. You’ve ruined such a fine face.”

“As though I don’t know that,” I retorted. “Now get away. I have work to do.”

I shoved him aside and began to walk off.

From behind, Nic called out, “And if you value your life, do not go anywhere near Cole. We both know how he would react if he saw you in this condition.”

“You’re impossible,” I shouted back, though I winced slightly at the sting in my cheek as I continued on, rubbing it more gently now.

I was in no condition to return to the Rosethorn Parterre. By now, the news of the fight had surely reached Flores and the others. I hoped they would be kind enough to invent an excuse on my behalf.

I changed out of my uniform into plain attire and walked the grounds freely. Along the paths, I saw other inner servants enduring their punishments.

Passing them, I felt an unexpected satisfaction despite their resentful stares.

They had cheered while I was being cornered. This was only fair.

My new punishment would begin tomorrow. The hounds had already been fed, and I would have to wait until nightfall to find Albert.

He was the only personal guard I knew. Perhaps he could offer information, if not aid.

I sat on the ground, staring into nothingness, until distant voices caught my attention.

I turned toward the sound. I was far from the main paths. Did people truly wander this deep into the grounds?

Then I heard the unmistakable rhythm of hooves striking earth.

Nobles?

It had to be. Servants were forbidden from riding the horses of Westwond. Liam had learned that lesson the hard way when he once tried. The memory made me snicker softly.

“Oh? Young Duke Calvin,” a teasing voice said nearby. “There seems to be a little creature hiding behind that tree. Shall we investigate?”

I froze.

Calvin? 

The young duke?!!!

What were they doing here?

You can check me out on patreon.

I update early over there. 

Patreon/Angelostories 🫶🏻