"This girl didn't do the job I ordered properly and acted insolently, so I gave her a little punishment, but the madam seems to have misunderstood—"
"I don't recall asking you."
It was a simple but clear rebuke. The maid shut her mouth and bowed her head.
Herdin's gaze turned to Blair. He was waiting for her words. The maids also looked at Blair.
They intended to blame this situation on Lina and wrap it up.
No matter how unfavorably Herdin thought of Blair, they wanted to avoid confronting her, the duchess and former imperial princess.
And they thought Blair wouldn't want to escalate things either, so she would go along with their words.
But Blair precisely sidestepped their expectations.
"I was punishing these girls for bullying and ostracizing the child I brought."
The maids were surprised by Blair's response, but they weren't too worried. There was no way Herdin would take Blair's side, the daughter of his enemy.
Blair also didn't expect Herdin to believe her words. However, even if that was the case, she didn't want to end this by pinning everything on Lina.
But then...
"It's my fault for failing to properly educate the subordinates. I will deal with these girls soon."
He believed Blair's words without further questioning.
The faces of all the maids turned pale upon hearing this. Blair also looked at him with surprised eyes.
Lina, who had been watching the situation, spoke urgently.
"M-My Lord. I'm fine. They were just playing some pranks, it's part of the process of getting close."
Of course, she didn't look kindly upon the maids who had bullied her. But being in a similar position, she knew better than anyone the hardships they would face after being fired.
Blair, sensing Lina's discomfort, agreed with her intention.
"Herdin. That seems... too harsh a punishment. A sincere apology and halving this month's salary should be enough."
The anxious maids also knelt down.
"We're sorry, My Lord! We were foolish and committed this thoughtless act. Please forgive us just this once."
"You should apologize to the duchess and this maid, not to me."
Herdin coldly replied, then ordered Mason, who had arrived a bit late after hearing the news.
"Mason, cut their salaries for two months."
"Herdin."
"I think this is an appropriate punishment."
Blair called his name to object to the punishment, but Herdin cut her off as if he already knew what she was going to say next.
"My Lord."
Luth, checking his pocket watch, called Herdin. It meant it was time.
"I'll be going now."
Herdin slightly pulled Blair's shoulder and kissed her flushed forehead.
Blair, startled by his unusual behavior, only realized his intention when she saw the maids standing beside her.
He was warning them. That this woman is his wife. To ensure nothing like this happens again.
Blair blankly stared at his back as he left the bedroom.
He had believed her words.
But why did she feel more empty than grateful?
The issue that had tormented Lina for three years before her regression had been resolved with just a few words from him.
* * *
That night, Lina headed towards Blair's bedroom with a silver tray filled with cold water and a towel.
'Our lady, if we leave it like this, those beautiful hands will surely bruise.'
Hitting someone is something only those who are tough can do.
Those delicate and beautiful hands, which had never hit anyone, let alone done any hard work, wouldn't be able to handle today's big shock.
'I'm sorry, Lina. I'm truly sorry for realizing too late...'
Our tender-hearted princess who apologizes even after saving me. Thinking of the tough cheek of the maid that those delicate hands had struck made her feel indignant.
"Madam, it's me. I'm coming in for a moment."
Lina opened the door with her elbow instead of her hand holding the silver tray and entered Blair's room. At the same time, she dropped the carefully carried silver tray.
"Y-Your Highness?!"
Search "child" at redcatty [.] com to read ahead up to chap 170.