Anna hesitated. "I'm still learning the rules. I'm afraid to affect the young master's mood."

The young man, with a stern face, said, "The young master specifically requested you."

Anna, already mentally prepared, saw that resistance was futile and agreed.

It was already noon. Most of the lunch preparations were already underway. Since Young Master Parish woke up late, the kitchen always had his breakfast ready. With no special instructions, Rebecca asked Anna to take the breakfast to him.

After Anna left, the maids, who had been subtly observing her, gathered in small groups to discuss her.

Anna, focused on learning, didn't feel the pressure from these rumors. Carrying the food box, she followed the boy who introduced himself as Vodo, thinking about how to deal with the demon.

It wasn't hard; she just needed to firmly refuse.

Anna met "Master Parish" again in the sunroom of his residence.

The glass in this world was not much different from what Anna remembered. Transparent glass with a few bubbles was pieced together to tightly enclose the outward-extending balcony. Sunlight streamed through the glass, creating rainbow hues from different angles.

Master Parish, dressed in a white shirt, was bathed in the sunlight, giving him an almost angelic appearance with his handsome features.

Of course, this was what others would see. Anna, however, saw the demon's malevolent aura beneath the handsome exterior and quickly lowered her head, avoiding eye contact with the demon.

She cautiously walked forward, opened the insulated food box, and took out the breakfast items on delicate porcelain plates: Orlando sausages, warm Misa Highland sheep milk, white bread made from fine flour, and meat sauce as a dip.

Anna arranged the food on the table where the demon was sitting and then stepped back to the side. During this time, she felt the demon's gaze on her but kept her eyes on the table, not daring to look up.

Following the etiquette Rebecca had taught her, she had to wait til the demon finished eating to clear the table and leave unless he gave other instructions.

Rothgar did not avert his gaze.

Last night, Earl Wilson held a banquet, but Rothergar did not attend. He despised socializing with those hypocritical humans and had no interest in other activities, so he went straight to sleep. He was somewhat surprised to wake up today, as he usually slept for years at a time.

It seemed the bet with Balan was weighing on his mind.

The Abyssal Tree Seed was something he had to obtain. Since Balan was so generous in making it the bet, how could he let Balan down?

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Speaking of the bet...

Rothgar looked at Anna, his lips curving slightly.

It didn't mean he was happy.

On the contrary, he was very, very annoyed right now.

Why couldn't she just accept his proposal, then endure endless torment over the years until she took her last breath?

Why she had to play so many tricks?

Rothgar tapped into Parish's memories, propping his elbow on the table, his face wearing a charming smile, his gaze lightly falling on Anna. "My beloved girl, how are you doing in the kitchen? If anyone bullies you, you must tell me. I will protect you."

Listening to this "confession," Anna couldn't help but think, this demon really doesn't know her name!

Of course, she didn't see the need to remind him. It was absurd to say "beloved" without knowing her name.

She respectfully said, "Thank you very much for your concern, Master Parish. I am doing well in the kitchen; everyone takes good care of me."

Rothgar smiled, pointing to the seat next to him. "May I have the honor of inviting you to dine with me?"

There were many suitable lines to choose from in Parish's memories, which Rothgar found quite satisfactory. If the first human woman he had encountered wasn't the scheming one before him, he might have already won the bet.

Killing this human woman outright or ignoring her to find someone else might both be better choices, but either option would be a humiliation to Rothergar.

Getting a deceitful, despicable human woman to accept his proposal should be extremely easy, but encountering this anomaly, he saw it as a provocation.

The bet had only just begun; he had plenty of time to respond to her provocation.

Anna kept her head down and responded, "Master, I am just a maid. Please do not put me in such a position."

If this demon appeared before her in his true form, she might indeed be too frightened to resist, but since he was inhabiting another's body and seemed to be restrained by certain rules, she intended to take full advantage and openly "resist" him!

Rothgar, looking at Anna's seemingly harmless demeanor, couldn't help but sneer.

Humans, indeed, were disgusting. No matter their vile intentions, they could disguise themselves as pure as unicorns.

Rothgar's fingers tapped lightly on the table.

"If you didn't want to tarnish my reputation, you shouldn't have accepted my help yesterday."

"…I'm sorry. I was too selfish, wanting so much to work in the kitchen that I overlooked this," Anna said sincerely while thinking.

Anna couldn't let this demon flip the table and stop playing. She didn't know what he would do, and she didn't have the courage to find out... So, should she try to placate him now?

Anna mustered the courage to look at the demon. Sure enough, he was staring at her. She controlled herself not to look away, holding her breath until her face turned a bit red. Then, she lowered her head and said, "I'll clarify things to everyone so that they don't misunderstand anymore."

She needed the demon to misunderstand and think she had some feelings for him. He should still believe he had a chance!

Rothgar observed all of Anna's behaviors and came to the exact conclusion Anna hoped he would... partly.

There was no doubt that this human woman was already infatuated with this body and Parish's status and power. She was simply too ambitious, wanting more and being smart enough, but unfortunately, she had used her wits on the wrong person.

Her tactics might work on human men, but she was unlucky to have encountered him.

Rothgar concealed his own expression, replacing it with Parish's charming smile, and said affectionately, "Of course, you don't need to, my dear. I only said that to make you realize you do have feelings for me. You might not have noticed it yourself, but I can sense it."

Anna kept her head down and said, "Perhaps you are right, master. But I am just a maid and do not wish too much from you."

On the surface, Anna was respectful, but inside, she couldn't help but complain.

He changed his face so quickly. Even if she couldn't see the demon hidden within him, only someone crazy would like him!

Rothgar was finally satisfied and withdrew his gaze.

At least there was some progress; he was not in a hurry.

When she felt that everything was foolproof, she would naturally respond to his "proposal," and by then, he would give her a "surprise."