Chapter 3: A Plea for Lulona

Lulona?

Why?

Why must that child go too?

What mission would she have there? Companionship, servitude, or…

“What’s wrong with you?”

“Ah?”

It was then that I suddenly realized the Lord and Lady had long since ceased their conversation. They were both staring at me in silence, their expressions tinged with impatience.

“I’ve never seen you lost in thought for so long.”

The Lord’s emerald eyes, deep and scaled like a serpent’s, flickered as he scrutinized me.

“What, do you have an objection?”

In that instant, an indescribable force coiled around my heart. I shivered, as if a terrifying presence had locked onto me!

“Your subordinate…”

I had intended to say, ‘dares not.’ Had I uttered those words and feigned ignorance, the Lord would surely not have blamed me.

But I quickly realized this might be my only chance!

I was uncertain of Lulona’s exact assignment, or what her fate might be. Yet, if she were forced to go to that place, who could say what misfortunes might befall her?

She was too young, too naive—like a lamb led into a wolf’s den, constantly encircled by danger.

Summoning my courage, I spoke in a humble tone.

“This subordinate does, in fact, have some advice…”

I observed their reactions, noticing a momentary pause in their expressions. Surprisingly, they did not interrupt, seeming to permit me to continue.

Thus, I quickly sifted through my knowledge of the maids in my mind and began to explain.

“I am familiar with the maids His Lordship just mentioned. Bena is diligent, Mia is skilled with her hands, and Aisha is adept at pleasing others. All of them are excellent choices to accompany the Young Lady to Moon Isle.”

“However, as for Lulona… based on this subordinate’s observations, while she possesses a pleasant appearance, her aptitude is dull, her personality reclusive, and her etiquette incomplete. She is practically an uncivilized barbarian child.”

“If she were to follow the Young Lady to Moon Isle, I fear she would not only fail to assist others but would instead burden the Young Lady, causing those on Moon Isle to perceive our Coldwind Domain as poor in selecting and training staff.”

“Therefore, I believe His Lordship could choose another candidate to replace Lulona.”

I bowed slightly, clutching my chest, and concluded with these words in an exceedingly subservient tone, awaiting their reactions.

According to my predictions, my reasoning had virtually no flaws.

Both publicly and privately, I had spoken the truth. If the Lord were willing to relent, I could immediately suggest several maids capable of replacing Lulona.

While this might seem selfish, effectively casting misfortune upon another, for the sake of my own daughter, I could no longer afford such scruples.

“Hmph…”

Just as I believed success was all but assured, a scoff echoed from nearby.

A wave of astonishment…

And then, confusion?

As I lifted my head, my gaze met Lady Kachel’s. Her eyes were filled with mockery, derision, sarcasm, and a hint of…

Indignation?

“What do you think you know? Those powerful men, they absolutely adore this sort of thing.”

“I’ve long understood the nature of men. Isn’t it just about corrupting virtuous women and redeeming fallen ones?”

“To gradually paint a blank canvas, a girl untouched by the world, with their own colors—that is what those men enjoy most!”

My heart leaped into my throat as I listened to the Lady’s words. From her meaning, it truly seemed she intended for Lulona to engage in *that* kind of activity!

While the Lady’s words were an almost irrefutable truth, for my daughter’s sake, I still desperately sought reasons from different angles.

For instance,

“My Lady, I understand men quite well. In truth, men prefer a woman who is dignified and elegant…”

But I had evidently forgotten that the Lady, with her stubborn and haughty nature, possessed little patience. Moreover, the phrase ‘dignified and elegant’ seemed to be her sore spot.

“Enough!”

The Lady slammed her hand on the table and rose abruptly, like a lion roaring in fury.

“Just because you don’t think that way doesn’t mean other men don’t!”

“Don’t tell me you understand men better than I do. Understand, understand… What the hell do you understand?”

“This old woman has run brothels for decades outside. Nobles, merchants, mercenaries—I’ve seen countless men, big and small.”

“You useless cripple, what are you barking about here?! Have you ever frequented a brothel? Can you?”

Bang—

She snatched the fruit platter I had brought and hurled it to the ground. Food scattered everywhere, and the plate shattered into pieces.

My own dignity, it seemed, had become dust on the floor—unseen, uncared for.

“You’re a goddamn cripple now!”

Lady Kachel’s words, utterly devoid of reservation, brutally tore a piece of flesh from my heart.

I had once believed I had come to terms with my past. But when that incident was truly exposed to the sunlight again, I found I had merely hidden my fear, childishly pretending to be unbothered.

“You goddamn good-for-nothing!”

A wave of powerlessness instantly enveloped my entire body. My knees hit the ground with a thud.

I could not straighten my back, nor lift my face.

“Damn it, making me lose my temper with a crippled bumpkin… It’s truly beneath me!”

Her resentment seemingly unquenched, Lady Kachel strode directly towards me and kicked me in the head.

“Ugh…”

My head was slammed against the ground, and a searing pain immediately flared across my cheek.

“Dead cripple!”

“Dead cripple!”

“Dead cripple!”

After kicking and cursing me fiercely for a while, Lady Kachel’s anger finally seemed to dissipate somewhat.

I felt the pressure behind my head vanish, and the sound of her footsteps receded, eventually ending with the slam of a door.

It seemed that after all these years, the Lady still looked down on me from the bottom of her heart.

Ultimately, however, it was the Lord’s will that would determine the final outcome.

I had toiled diligently here for so many years; would he acknowledge my hard work?

“Ugh…”

Rising painfully, I watched the Lord’s reaction from the corner of my eye.

My blurry vision gradually cleared, settling on Lord Axas’s face.

That indifferent, unfeeling face, as if nothing concerned him.

He had not spoken a word from beginning to end, nor even glanced at me. He simply continued eating his own meal.

Compared to the suffering of his subordinates, the immediate pleasure before him was far more appealing.

At this moment, even though there was no breeze in the hall, a chill from deep within my heart made me shiver.

I suddenly understood: no one would help me, and no one cared about me.

I had been too foolish, presuming to exchange my hard work and eloquence for the charity of those in power. On their scales, my efforts held no weight whatsoever.

“Steward…”

At that moment, the Lord seemed to have finished his meal. He slowly wiped his mouth, finally granting me an indifferent glance.

“You have overstepped. Return to your post at once.”