"Are your ears for decoration?" Deidelia's voice cut through the air. "Or do you want me to show you what happens to those who do not listen?" she asked.

Quickly gathering her thoughts, the maid bowed hurriedly and exited the bath chamber, leaving her mistress alone.

Finally, she relaxed and turned her attention to a scar on her knee, gently touching it. "This brings back memories," she muttered, remembering her first maid who had lied and got her in trouble when she had no backbone—the day her father ordered her punishment.

Shaking her head, she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep. "I'll just wash myself later," she mused as she dozed off.

In her father's office, he inquired. "Do you have any excuse for the barbaric display you forced all the servants to witness?" as Listeria stood silently, pouring the Duke a cup of tea.

Biting her lower lip, she clenched the hem of her dress. "T-that maid couldn't even do her job properly," she stammered out.

"ENOUGH!" Her father's voice boomed as he stood up and walked up to her angrily. "Your behavior as of late has been outrageous. You're acting like a wild animal."

"The Steinbet name has become a laughing stock in high society. You don't even possess an inkling of charm either; otherwise, the prince wouldn't have a need to entertain himself with a commoner. I told you this before, and I will tell you this again," he said as he grabbed her cheek forcefully with his large hand and squeezed, making her yelp out in pain. "F-father, it… hurts," she forced out.

"If you fail to mend your ways, be prepared to face abandonment. I have no use for a useless girl like you. It is a wonder the prince has not called off the engagement," he said angrily as he let go of her face roughly.

"One more mistake, one more mistake, Deidelia," the Duke spoke menacingly. "Leave," he said as he turned and picked up the cup of tea and took a sip. Listeria stood silent, her head bowed.

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"A-as you say, Father," Deidelia bowed and backed out, with Listeria quietly following behind her, turning around and smiling at the maid who felt her heart skip a beat. The mistress was extremely unpredictable, but the last thing she was expecting was a smile.

"Listy," Deidelia said as the maid answered her.

"Yes, mistress," she asked. She had no idea that the mistress would give her a nickname, but she was not about to protest.

"Father was quite angry, wasn't he?" She asked. Listeria just nodded slowly, not sure what would be the correct response to that question.

"But he loves me! I know, he just has a different way of showing his affection," she explained. "Don't underestimate me based on what you witnessed," Deidelia warned as she approached Listeria, her expression growing increasingly somber.

"Many of my handmaids believe they can defy me after witnessing such displays. Lizzelle, for instance, was one of them. You must have heard about her fate," Deidelia cautioned.

'It would have been more fun to watch her and see what she does, but I can't afford another problem right now. I'll have to put my fun on hold for now,' she thought to herself.

Listeria bowed. "I would never dream of it! I will faithfully serve you no matter what," Listeria spoke with a sense of urgency.

This instant regret washed over her as she met her mistress's unsettling gaze, sending shivers down her spine.

"Then… would you give me a finger? As proof?" Deidelia asked as she gently grabbed the maid's hand. "Of your loyalty."

Listeria stiffened slightly at the question. She didn't know how to respond, but she was afraid of denying the young lady.

"Uhm…" Rolling her eyes, Deidelia grabbed her hand forcibly, grabbing one of the maid's fingers before she could answer. But Listeria quickly yanked her hand away in fear.

Deidelia merely observed as the maid regarded her with a mixture of fear and disgust. 'Aw, I thought maybe she would be different…' she thought to herself before waving her hand dismissively.

"Leave," she ordered. The maid's face was one of pure fear. Listeria quickly gained her bearings and realized what had just happened. She bowed and left before Deidelia changed her mind.

Standing alone in the corridor, she gazed at her hand in silence. She then seized her little finger and began bending it backward until a distinct crack resounded.

Flinching as she held back a yelp of pain, tears flowing freely down her cheeks. 'THIS FEELING! I feel… alive!' she thought to herself in pleasure, like a rush of dopamine.

After ten minutes of mixing pain and pleasure, the rush finally subsided. 'I should see the doctor now,' she thought to herself while wiping her tears away.