Bae walked purposefully toward the grand building, her stomach rumbling with a hunger for something more satisfying.
As she stepped into the kitchen, the rich scents of spices and baked goods filled the air, teasing her senses. She reached for a plate, her fingers brushing against the cool ceramic.
Suddenly, a sharp voice broke through the pleasant atmosphere.
"Hey, thief! Where do you think you're going?" June, a headstrong maid, rushed toward her, anger blazing in her eyes.
Bae turned to see a few other maids trailing behind June, their expressions a mix of shock and amusement.
"I just want some tasty food, that's all," Bae replied, a hint of defiance in her tone as she glanced at the gathering group.
"Well, too bad! You're coming with me to the master," June snapped, motioning for the others to grab Bae and drag her toward the grand living room.
"Leave me alone!" Bae protested, thrashing her arms violently against their grip.
Just then, a commanding presence filled the room, and the maids froze, their eyes widening in recognition.
Zanier stood at the entrance, his posture relaxed but his expression impassive, surveying the scene with a detached intensity.
"I said leave me alone!" Bae yelled, wrenching her arm free from the maids' hold.
She darted toward Zanier, her heart racing as she caught his gaze.
"Please, save me, Uncle!" she pleaded, desperation lacing her voice as she stood before him.
"Hey, stand right there!" Michael, Zanier's aide, barked, positioning himself protectively between Bae and her uncle.
Bae halted, her breath catching as she stood before Zanier, who observed the scene with a mix of curiosity and authority.
The maids lowered their heads, the tension palpable in the air.
"Uncle, I'm just here for food," she said softly, her gaze dropping to the floor. "I'm being fed food that isn't tasty."
Bae mustered the courage to meet his eyes, her heart fluttering at the sight of his handsome features. "So please, save me. I'm not a thief."
"Young lady… you—" Michael began, but his words faltered as Zanier interjected.
"You're free to leave," Zanier declared, his voice firm yet surprisingly gentle.
Michael's shock was evident, though he quickly masked it with a cold demeanor, surprised at his master's sudden leniency toward the girl caught red-handed by the maids.
"Thank you, Uncle!" Bae exclaimed, her voice bubbling with joy as she rushed out of the kitchen, her heart soaring at the prospect of delicious food.
As she walked away, she felt Zanier's gaze discreetly following her, and a smile tugged at her lips.
He's really nice and so handsome, she thought, glancing back at the kitchen door, her heart fluttering at the combination of admiration and newfound freedom.
Meanwhile, Zanier's expression turned icy as he directed his attention to the maids.
"From now on, she's free to take whatever she wants from here," he commanded, his indifference palpable as he turned to leave.
"Yes, sir," the maids replied in unison, their heads bowed in compliance.
"She certainly seems like my safest bet. But let's see," Zanier mused, a faints smirk play on his lips.
stepping away from the kitchen and making his way to the dining hall, where breakfast awaited him along with his family and the newly engaged couple.
Zanier strode down the grand hallway, the polished marble floors echoing his footsteps.
His mind raced with thoughts as Michael trailed behind, surprised by his master's unexpected leniency toward the girl who had been caught stealing.
"Schedule a meeting with her tonight," Zanier commanded coldly, determination etched on his face.
His icy demeanor belied the flicker of intrigue that had sparked within him.
"Yes, sir," Michael replied dutifully, his expression a mask of compliance.
Meanwhile, Bae made her way outside, clutching her prized food tightly as she headed toward her cottage.
Just then, she crossed paths with Lily, who halted in shock.
"My lady?" Lily exclaimed, eyes widening at the sight of Bae's overflowing arms.
"Did you steal that?" she asked, concern lacing her voice as she reached out to help Bae with the food.
"No," Bae shot back, raising an eyebrow defiantly as she sidestepped Lily's grasp.
"A nice uncle let me take it," she added, a smile spreading across her face as she thought of Zanier's unexpected kindness.
Despite his intimidating presence, she found herself warmed by his gesture.
"A nice uncle?" Lily echoed, curiosity piqued as she tried to piece together who this might be.
Bae nodded enthusiastically, and Lily opened her room door, gesturing for her to enter.
"Come on in, my lady." she urged her shock slowly giving way to intrigue.
A few hours later, Lily diligently served her lady, cleaning up after her and preparing for the next task.
As she gently washed Bae's hair in the tub, the warm water glistened around them, steam rising in soft curls.
Bae seemed to drift off into blissful relaxation, the tension in her face melting away under Lily's careful touch.
Suddenly, a sharp knock interrupted the tranquility. Lily's heart raced at the sound, memories of Penny's icy anger flooding her mind.
She glanced at Bae, who was blissfully asleep, then turned toward the door with trepidation.
"Is it Lady Penny?" she thought, a shiver running down her spine at the thought of the cruel glare she had received before.
Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she opened the door.
"Y-yes, ma'am?" she stammered, only to be met by the sight of a tall man with striking red hair and crimson pupils.
"Um, excuse me?" Lily faltered, taken aback by his appearance.
"I'm guessing this is your lady's cottage?" Michael asked, surveying the surprisingly neat room for a place that seemed abandoned.
"Yes, but… did my lady do something wrong?" Lily's voice trembled, fear creeping in.
"No," he replied, his tone direct and no-nonsense. "My master requested her for a meeting tonight if she's available."
"Oh, um, okay. I'll inform her," Lily said, relief washing over her but tinged with concern.
As Michael handed her a piece of paper and turned to leave, reality struck her.
This man was a representative of Zanier, the eldest grandson of the powerful Frankford family and son of the late Atlas Frankford, a notorious business tycoon.
"This isn't good," Lily thought, anxiety gnawing at her.
A few minutes later, Bae burst into the room, her face alight with excitement.
"Maybe my nice uncle is trying to bring me more yummy food!" she exclaimed, her voice brimming with enthusiasm as she looked at Lily.
Lily watched her lady with a mixture of fondness and concern. Bae's carefree personality seemed to overshadow any sense of caution, and it worried her.
"My lady, I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but doesn't that seem a bit strange?" she ventured, trying to inject a dose of reality into Bae's enthusiasm.
" Nope!" Bae pouted, crossing her arms defiantly. It felt to her like Lily was always trying to rain on her parade.
"Alright, fine, my lady," Lily replied, though unease twisted in her stomach. "But please, just be careful."
As she spoke, a heaviness hung in the air. Lily was the only maid aware of the secrets swirling around them, and the weight of that knowledge made her heart ache for Bae's innocence.
She wanted to protect her from the reality lurking just beyond the cheerful facade.