Surprisingly, the whole ordeal with Aria killing the bandits ended well, but…

There was one tiny detail bothering Maria, and that was…

‘‘She was the one being blamed for everything!’’

When the Count had said not to stir up any trouble, he was clearly looking at her—not at Aria, who had done it all!

‘I shouldn’t dwell on it… better to think about food instead!’ Maria thought, trying to lift her spirits after the sour taste left by how the Count had treated her.

Suddenly, the carriage came to a halt with a slight screech in front of the shop where it had all begun.

Maria hurried to help Aria get down, but she descended quickly without any assistance.

Aria was increasingly looking like an adult lady rather than a four-year-old girl.

The attendant, who had been with them throughout the trip without saying a word, finally spoke:

“Miss Aria, would you mind if I borrow your maid for a few minutes? There’s something I need to discuss with her.”

Aria tilted her head slightly, observing the woman in silence for a moment, letting the tension hang in the air, before responding in a low, measured voice:

“Five minutes. No more. Maria, don’t take too long.”

Maria blinked, surprised at Aria’s reply. Before she could say anything, the attendant gently took her by the arm and led her back into the carriage.

“What do you want from me?” Maria asked in a low voice.

The woman chuckled softly, covering her mouth with one hand.

“Ah, Maria Glutten… I never thought I’d find you here, let alone working as a maid.”

Maria felt a chill run down her spine at the sound of her full name. She took a small step back, shaking her head.

“N-No idea who you’re talking about. You’ve got the wrong person…”

The woman stared at her for a moment, as if evaluating her reaction, before bursting into a deeper laugh.

“No need to play coy with me, dear. Your face is unmistakable. Almost every employee at this shop knows it from the portraits your father had painted. Ethan Glutten, the great merchant, never stopped showing off his daughter at every important gathering. Did you really think you could go unnoticed?”

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‘Damn.’

Maria squeezed her eyes shut, cursing silently.

‘The portraits! How could I forget that blasted detail?!’

‘Damn it, Dad… why do you do this?’

Even though Maria wanted to keep up her charade, clinging to it when the attendant claimed to have proof was just plain stupid.

“Fine,” Maria finally muttered, her shoulders slumping. “Yes, I’m Maria Glutten. But please, don’t tell my father I was here.”

The woman raised an amused eyebrow.

“I’m afraid that’s impossible, dear. Even if I kept quiet, it’s too late. My staff are quick with rumors. I’m sure your father will know you were here before the day is out.”

Maria gritted her teeth, her fists trembling at her sides.

“There has to be something you can do! Please, I don’t want him to know…”

The woman shook her head, smiling with a hint of pity.

“The time to fix this passed when I accompanied you to that meeting with the Count. It’s like trying to gather spilled water now—there’s no going back.”

Maria murmured something incomprehensible, her voice barely a whisper as she looked at the floor.

The woman stepped closer, placing a hand on her shoulder.

“Tell me something, Maria. Are you planning to go back home? You’ll be eighteen soon. Wouldn’t it be a good time to return and celebrate with your family? I’m sure they miss you.”

Maria lifted her gaze, glaring at her.

“I’ll never go back to that house full of crazy merchants.”

The woman sighed lightly and withdrew her hand, crossing her arms.

“Even if you speak ill of your family, you know they’d always be willing to help if you needed them.”

‘What a load of nonsense!’ Maria thought angrily.

Maria shook her head repeatedly, her tone filled with resentment.

“That’s impossible. I don’t need their help now, and they don’t need to know anything about me. So, please, keep quiet about my work with Miss Aria.”

The woman chuckled softly, shaking her head.

“Maria, dear, if I can’t even stop rumors, how do you expect me to keep this a secret? And your words are unfair. You know it’s not easy to control all my employees.”

Maria pressed her lips together, exhaling in frustration.

“Then you’re useless… At least it’s good to know I’m not the only incompetent one here.”

The woman was about to respond, but before she could, firm steps sounded outside the carriage, followed by Aria’s cold voice:

“The five minutes are up.”

Maria and the woman exchanged one last glance before the latter leaned slightly toward the door.

“It was a pleasure helping you, Maria. And don’t worry. If your father says anything, you can always blame it on the circumstances.”

Maria growled softly but said nothing.

As she stepped out of the carriage again, Maria turned back to give a small bow.

“Thank you for testifying on Miss Aria’s behalf.”

“It was no trouble,” the woman replied with a kind smile. “Have a safe trip back.”

Maria hurried after Aria toward the spot where the carriage was parked.

The driver, standing near a tavern and watching them from a distance, immediately got up when he saw them. He said goodbye to the other men he’d been chatting with and ran toward them.

“Is it time to leave?” he asked, bowing slightly toward Aria.

Aria nodded with her usual indifference as she opened the carriage door.

“Yes. Prepare everything for the return.”

Maria barely had time to breathe before a cold, slightly mocking voice sounded behind her:

“Maria, dear. What did you talk about with that human?”

Maria tensed instantly.

Although she’d remained in Aria’s shadow, Esmeria had finally started speaking again, and this time about the one topic Maria least wanted to discuss.

“That’s… none of your business,” Maria replied curtly, trying to keep her composure.