Hailey's hands trembled as she gripped Lia's shoulders, her fingers digging in with quiet desperation. Her voice came out in a whisper, thin and trembling.
"Lia… when is the Crown Prince's fourteenth birthday?"
Her heart pounded so loudly she could barely hear herself speak. A heavy, uneasy feeling settled deep in her stomach, tightening with worry and fear.
Please… not yet.
Give me a little more time.
The thought clawed at her like a curse: What if she was already engaged? Bound to that nightmare all over again? Just thinking about it made her chest tighten with panic.
Lia blinked, confused by the question.
"The Crown Prince's birthday?" she repeated slowly.
Hadn't they talked about this yesterday?
Lia remembered how excited Hailey was because it would be her first time leaving the mansion in nearly a year.
"My lady… the Crown Prince's birthday is next week," Lia said, hesitant. "Did we not speak of it just last night?"
Hailey exhaled a slow, shaky breath of relief. Her shoulders relaxed as she placed a trembling hand on her chest.
One week.
There's still time.
Lia tilted her head, confused by her mistress's odd reaction. She opened her mouth to ask about it, but the sharp sound of giggling sliced through the moment.
The three maids near the counter, who had been whispering and laughing among themselves, had now turned their attention to Hailey and Lia.
They exchanged glances, clearly deciding it was time to remind them of their place.
"What are you two good-for-nothings talking about?" one of the maids sneered as she walked over.
"If you're busy chatting, who's going to do the chores? They won't do themselves."
"Yeah, there's plenty of work to do," another maid added with a smirk.
"Instead of gossiping, maybe try actually working."
Their voices rose deliberately. Though they pretended to whisper, it was clear they wanted to be heard.
"They're just lazy, that's all," one muttered.
"Completely useless."
Tch. Always making it harder for the rest of us.
All three snickered cruelly.
Lia's face went pale. Her hands clenched the fabric of her apron.
She already knew how this would go. This was how it always went.
Her lady would shrink, apologize, maybe even bow her head. Then the maids would walk away, satisfied.
She glanced nervously at Hailey, only to freeze.
Because this time…
Hailey didn't move.
She didn't flinch, blink, or cower like she always used to in these situations.
Lia had never seen her mistress like this.
Hailey was calm, composed, staring straight ahead with an unreadable expression.
For Hailey, their insults meant nothing.
She had once endured the scorn of an entire kingdom.
In front of that humiliation, these were just petty jabs. They were just raindrops on stone.
"Yeah, you're right," Hailey said quietly, her voice calm and even. "The chores won't finish themselves. That's what you're here for, isn't it? Get to work."
The laughter stopped instantly.
Was this… Hailey Sinclair? The timid girl they'd mocked for years?
One of the maids stepped forward, face red with rage.
"You dare talk back to me, you worthless—"
Slap.
Hailey slapped her.
The sound echoed through the room. The maid stumbled back, her hand flying to her cheek, her eyes wide with disbelief.
The other maids froze in place. The kitchen fell silent.
So did Lia.
Her mistress, who wouldn't even raise her voice, had just slapped a maid. Without hesitation.
Hailey stood calmly and dusted her hand off.
"Remember your place," she said sharply. "I am still the young lady of the Sinclair family. It seems these title-less fools have forgotten how to manage lowly maids."
"H-how dare you disrespect your master like that?" one maid stammered, her voice shaky.
"Master?" Hailey scoffed. "Who are you calling 'master'? My title-less uncle? He is only overseeing things while my brother is away."
The maids stood silent, stunned by Hailey's words, uncertain how to respond.
"Let me remind you of what your 'master' failed to teach," Hailey continued, her voice cold. "Only nobles are called 'master,' not those who pretend to be one."
She took a step closer. "My brother is still the rightful head of this house. And I am the young lady of House Sinclair. So you better know who your master really is."
The maids stood frozen, speechless, unable to challenge her.
With a final, piercing look, Hailey turned away.
"Return to your duties. And learn your place."
No one dared reply.
Hailey turned to Lia and reached for her hand.
"Let's go," she said softly.
And without sparing a single glance behind her, Hailey walked out of the kitchen with Lia.
I won't let anyone walk over her anymore, she thought, eyes burning with determination.Not this time. Not ever again.