I am not your Madam.
“See, Yurika. There’s no poison. No drugs either, eat up.”
Glaring at Anton who spoke with raised corners of his mouth, I tasted my favorite fried guineafowl. I tried eating with caution, but I was glad to find out it didn’t taste strange.
If there was drugged again, it would turn into trauma and I would not be able to eat my favorite deep-fried dishes again. I wouldn’t want that.
“You ate everything, I’m glad. I was worried because you didn’t eat at all.”
“It feels weird, doesn’t it? You were busy working before, so we didn’t have a chance to eat together much.”
“Indeed. I apologize for that, it was my fault.”
Even though you didn’t care about me whatsoever before. When I said such, Anton made an awkward face. Are his apologies his true feelings? I couldn’t trust Anton again.
Anna, whom he was so intimate with before, was driven away from the mansion just like that. Is he planning on using me in some way? I couldn’t help but have such doubts in my mind.
“I don’t need your apology. It’s no use even if you apologize.”
“Yurika.”
“Thank you for the meal. The deep-fried guineafowl was delicious.”
When I stood up from my seat, Anton tried to hold me back, but I couldn’t tell whatsoever what he was thinking about. I don’t want to understand it either. He is now a total stranger who kidnapped and confined me. They are not praiseworthy actions. I thanked him for the meal and left the dining room.
When I left the room, Mille followed me. When I returned to my room, Mille lowered her head to me.
“Please forgive me, Lady Yurika.”
“What is it all of sudden?”
“Although I wasn’t in the known, I was rude to you.”
“Stop it. Even if you apologize now, you won’t be able to smooth things between him and I.”
“I know. I don’t wish to do that. I’m just apologetic for being rude to you.”
I wondered if Mille was sent by Anton to mediate between us, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.
“Master is aware of this too. I told him so.”
“And so?”
“Master told me to protect you Mada, oh no, Lady Yurika, with my life.”
“…!”
Is that why he had put her through poison tasting earlier? I felt like I got a glimpse of the bruises Anton inflicted upon her.
“Are you stupid?”
“Lady Yurika.”
When I raised my face and looked at Mille, she looked dumbfounded.
“This isn’t wartime, and being loyal is not a trend these days. Did he grasp some kind of weakness of yours? I don’t need you by my side that much. Be at ease. It’s fine to run away if you want to.”
“Lady Yurika, you say some amusing things.”
“You think so? I think you are thinking too rigidly. It’s already over, so you have no need to worry about it. I would act the same way you did in that kind of situation.”
“Thank you very much, Madam.”
“I’m not your Madam.”
Mille laughed, on the verge of tears.