C14
Bianca hadn't given it much thought even until that comment. After all, Ante wasn't wrong. Bianca's reputation among the castle servants and Zachary's vassals wasn't exactly the best. As a result, no one had defended her when Viscount Hugues overthrew her in her past life. A bitter smile marred her lips.
If nothing else, it was lucky that the conversation between her and Zachary in her room earlier hadn't leaked out. Zachary hadn't really been welcoming to her, matching the maid's goading expectations. Bianca breathed a sigh of relief. If she had gotten the word out about what happened earlier, confirming the assumptions that she was a deserted wife, she wouldn't have been able to step out of her room in embarrassment.
In any case, it would only make her look more ridiculous if she unnecessarily showed a sensitive response to these worthless gossips, and might even give the effect of acknowledging that the rumors were true. Knowing that if she continued to listen on her own she would lower her mood even further, Bianca was about to turn around when she heard something she couldn't ignore.
"I bet you'd do a better job warming our lord's bed than the lady."
"You can't say things like that. What if the lady found out? No, I mean, you shouldn't be saying things like that even if she's not here. That's insulting her!
“Hmph, but it's the truth. His body is probably as cold as his personality, like a reptile I'm sure. Also, she is skinny and unattractive. I'm better than her in every way.
Ante placed a hand on her slim waist and stuck out her butt. Her voluptuous figure was on display, unable to be hidden by her clothes, and her voice had a pompous tone.
Meanwhile, Bianca froze. She had been able to ignore and overlook all the insults towards her thus far, but she couldn't forgive what she had just heard.
Insulting and belittling me was already crossing the line, but do you dare to compare yourself to me? You, a simple girl hired as a servant?
Bianca's pale green eyes lit up. Her shoulders tensed and the corner of her mouth twitched. She remembered how she had definitely heard similar things in her past life, which she had ignored and done nothing about. However, she found that this time she could not ignore it.
Before he could contemplate why, his body moved on its own. When she came to her senses, it was after she automatically grabbed the cheeky maiden's arm and punched her cheek.
Stunned from being slapped so abruptly, Ante looked at Bianca, her eyes flickering as she tried to understand what had just happened. Her person in front of her eyes, the person who had slapped her was none other than the countess, and… and after processing what had just happened, Ante realized that Bianca must have heard her talk about it. her behind her back. While Ante was still in a state of confusion, her cheek fell victim to Bianca once again.
Bianca wasn't kind or merciful, she just found a lot of things too troublesome to get involved with. Instead of reflecting on the insults directed at her, she was the type that she gave back as much as she received. As such, Bianca waited for the other maid to return with the cane while she endured the pain coming from her stabbing hand.
Aside from the sound of Ante's sobbing, there was silence, like the calm before the storm. Bianca's lips were closed, which meant that she had no need to exchange words with Ante, while the other remaining maid remained silent, distrusting her mistress.
It wasn't long before Bianca received the cane she had asked for. The maid who brought the cane looked sympathetically at Ante, but Bianca pretended she didn't see him and instead waved the cane lightly. The sound of him cutting through the air was high-pitched and harsh.
“A thin, unattractive, reptilian-like woman, you say…
Bianca murmured as she brushed the end of the cane with her fingers.
Everyone flinched when they heard the words Bianca muttered under her breath. They wondered how much she had overheard and it seemed she had heard it all. When Bianca looked up sharply, her eyes curved and piercing like a leopard cat's, all the maids held their breath.
“Comparing me to a reptile, it seems you didn't know that my personality is more vicious than a poisonous snake. That's why you were babbling without thinking.
Blanca smiled. There was a hidden grimace in her smile. The maidens had no excuse and could only remain silent, bowing their heads.
"Do you think I'll go easy on you?"
Although her voice seemed soft at first, it was clear that Bianca had no intention of showing mercy in the slightest. And the one who was more aware of that fact than anyone else was Ante, whose skin felt like it was being pierced by the hostility coming from Bianca.
Ante started crying even harder as soon as Bianca finished her words. He turned up the volume on purpose, fully aware that Bianca wouldn't take pity on her because he wanted someone to hear her screams and come rescue her.
Come to think of it, Count Arno was present at the castle today. Before her she imagined the earl coming to her rescue, drawing her into her arms as he clucked his tongue at the wickedness of her wife. A few lashes were nothing in comparison. She could tolerate so much. The countess's wrists were brittle, so no matter how hard she might hit, she trusted that she would be able to withstand it. A flash of intrigue passed through his teary eyes.
But regardless of how her inner thoughts were, her sad and sorrowful outward appearance made her seem quite pitiful. It was to the extent that people would feel sorry for her even if they knew the whole situation. However, Bianca didn't flinch and raised her cane.
“Hold out your hand.
Since maids always did jobs that required the use of their hands, it was inconvenient for them if they injured their palms. Just thinking about immersing their sore and tender hands in cold water when doing the dishes or doing the laundry made them shiver. Before her he hesitated for a moment before finally extending his hands, having no other choice. Her outstretched hands were palm up and trembling.
Bianca lowered her cane immediately.
Blow!
Ante closed his eyes.
“This is for comparing your lowly self to your master.
Pam!
Ante couldn't help but let out an ugly cry.
“This is for needlessly meddling in the affairs of your masters.
Pam!
Ante scanned her surroundings, hoping someone would see her and help her. But they all looked away, not wanting to make eye contact.
“This is for getting your word out.
“This is for slandering your master.
There was no pause or hesitation in the cane blows. Bianca continued to lower her arm, causing Ante to cry in pain and realize that she had deluded herself into thinking that she would be able to take it. Despite Bianca's frail wrists, the cane still held momentum, splitting the air and leaving unsightly red welts on Ante's fair skin. It was only after a long while that Bianca's hand stopped, but it was only so he could catch his breath from her.
Ante's face was a mess despite her initial attempt to cry pretty and hope someone would save her. Her sore features were drenched with tears and snot. She couldn't understand what she did wrong to deserve this kind of treatment.
“Did I lie? She's only doing this to me because she's jealous that I'm prettier than her, that I'm a beautiful blonde while her own hair looks like a tree with no bark. That I am more… in anything. Please someone save me from this evil countess…”
“And this is for daring to covet your lord who is beyond your reach.
Catching her breath, Bianca raised her arm again, the cane splitting the air more menacingly than before. Before her he closed his eyes tightly and braced himself for the impending pain.
But nothing happened.
Ante opened his eyes carefully, wondering what had happened. Her eyes widened, feeling the heavens answer her prayer as she saw a man standing in front of her, Bianca's cane clutched firmly in her hand.
"What are you doing?" he questioned, sounding as if he had witnessed something absurd.
“…I'll ask you the same thing. What do you think you're doing?” Bianca retorted, irritated.
He tried to shake the cane out of the man's hands, but it didn't work out in the least. And from the way she kept her mouth stubbornly shut as he watched her, she didn't seem to back down easily either.
That was when Vincent arrived, panting and out of breath. Did he come after hearing the ruckus, or...? Bianca glanced sideways at the maid who had retrieved the cane. The maid let out a small hiik and flinched as she met Bianca's eyes.
Bianca looked back at the man standing in her way. Could she be about Zachary's age? Black hair, dark green eyes, and a familiar face.
He was definitely one of Zachary's commanders...
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