Chapter 36

She had quite a pretty face. Her cheeks were slightly flushed from the heat of her busy work. She seemed to be out of breath, and every time she inhaled and exhaled, her upper body heaved up and down.

Anthony stuck out his tongue and licked his lower lip. A filthy lust was welling up in his head, and his body was on fire at the same time. Maybe it was the alcohol, but it felt like his body was burning even more.

‘A mere maid cannot refuse my orders.’

He was an aristocrat and soon to be a marquis, and the woman in front of him was a commoner at best. He didn’t have to even try that hard; a single threat of termination was all it took.

‘Just do as you’re told, so you don’t lose your job.’

A vile smile escaped his twisted lips.

The maid who was struggling to carry the pile of plates stopped for a moment. She bent over, set the plates down, and patted the sweat from her forehead with her apron.

At that moment, Antony grabbed her wrist tightly.

“Who…! Young Master!”

The maid, Cecile, exclaimed out loud.

Anthony’s face and the strong scent of alcohol emanating from his body quickly made her grasp the situation, and her face turned pale.

She looked around quickly for help, but there was none. Anthony approached her with a sly grin.

“You must be tired from working.”

Anthony chuckled and rubbed her wrist, squeezing it tightly. It was blatant harassment. Cecile’s face grew heated with shame. But the fear she felt was even greater.

She had heard stories of such incidents happening to servants who often worked for noble families.

In most cases, they had no choice but to accept it for fear of losing their jobs or incurring the wrath of their aristocratic masters. But she had no idea that this would ever happen to her.

“I-It’s fine.”

Cecile’s voice trembled. Anthony became even more aroused at her terrified gaze.

“I think I can help you, you know, make your life easier here.”

“No, Sir, it’s fine.”

“You don’t need to be so reserved.”

“‘I appreciate your kind words, but I really don’t mind… Ah!”

Cecile squealed at the strong force that twisted her wrist. She tried to pull her wrist, but Anthony’s grip was so strong that she couldn’t break free.

“I mind. Now, stop talking nonsense and follow me. It will be over soon.”

Cecile’s face was colored with astonishment. She struggled with a blue face, but Anthony restrained her tightly.

“Oh, no!”

“How dare you!”

As she struggled, Cecile’s head bumped into his head, making a loud thud, followed by a slap on her face that was strong enough to make her eyes twitch, and soon, her cheek began to swell.

“You’re beautiful for a maid, but where do you think you’re touching? Hitting your master? Do you have a death wish?”

Tears flowed from Cecile’s eyes as he spoke.

“Get up. I will forgive you for what you just did if you behave yourself now.”

Cecile’s body was dragged across the floor by Anthony’s grip.

“Didn’t you hear me say get up?”

Just then, in this desperate situation, Cecile sensed someone’s presence in the hallway.

As she turned her head hurriedly, she saw shadows coming from the other side.

“H-Hel… please help me!”

Cecile yelled, completely forgetting who she was and the identity of the person who held her. She was so terrified that her reason flew out the window.

All she could think of was that she had to get out of here at any cost.

“What? Who’s there…?”

Anthony’s face, too drunk to notice that anyone was coming, instantly crumpled. Following Cecile’s gaze, his eyes turned to the person walking towards them.

At Cecile’s cries, the person walking in the hallway paused for a moment, then started to walk again. The distance gradually drew closer.

And then finally, the figure of that person became visible.

A groan of despair flowed from Cecile’s mouth, while Anthony’s expression was elated.

“What are you doing? Just stand up quickly and walk; don’t scream for help.”

Anthony looked down at Cecile with one side of his mouth slightly raised. She was trembling, frightened, and began to beg him for mercy, placing her hand on his grasping wrist.

“Master…”

“Do you know what happens to people who disobey orders?”

“Please forgive me!”

Cecile’s body shuddered as she shook her head violently. Her face was already a mess of tears.

“Now, you know exactly what you have to do. Right?”

Anthony’s eyes glistened with dirty lust.

“You should consider it as an honor? How often do you get the chance to serve your master with all your heart?”

Anthony stared blankly at Cecile’s body and tugged on her wrist, which he caught, and she staggered to her feet.