The Archduke spoke those words in a friendly manner, and he even wore a smile as if he were trying to show Ines that it was all done with good intent.
"But… You did it without asking for my permission, sir," Ines refuted. She didn't know where she found the confidence to talk back to the older man, but she did, and it was too late to take back her words.
Ines tightly grasped the handle of her bag, her eyebrows knitted together as she continued her words, "You gave it to me, thus it belongs to me; you had no right to do that."
He stared at Ines in disbelief, his cold expression faltering for a split second.
"…You?" The Archduke murmured. Sitting up, he raised his hand towards Ines.
"…!" Ines stiffened and braced herself, expecting to get hit. However, the Archduke remained still and merely stared at her, his hand settling on top of her head.
"Very good," He praised, patting her head.
"…Sir?"
