Chapter 10 LILY'S POV

"Who are you?"

His voice sliced through the air like a blade–sharp, cold, and terrifying. It wasn't just a question. It was a threat. My heart thudded so hard I had to grip my chest to calm it. Maybe it was because this was my first time seeing him up close. I'd only seen him from afar–on TV, in magazines, in interviews. But in person, he was something else entirely.

Tall. Powerful. Commanding.

His blue eyes were icy and unreadable, but strangely magnetic. They held me in place, even though every part of me screamed to run. Despite the terror that gripped me, I couldn't help but notice how striking he was. Maybe it was his coldness that made his features stand out even more. Still, what was wrong with me? Anyone else would be begging for their life, yet here I was...admiring him.

"You came here to clean? Here?"

His voice cut into my thoughts.

"Y-yes, sir. I was instructed to clean the last room in the east wing."

Oh no. I'm stammering.

He took a slow step closer. "And you thought this was the last room? Are you that daft? I know you're a maid, but is your IQ so low that you can't tell this isn't the last room?"

What? Did he just insult my intelligence? Just because you're rich doesn't mean you can insult people like that! Of course, I didn't dare say it aloud.

"Sir, I'm sorry, but I didn't know there was another room. I thought I had reached the farthest end, and since there was so much space in between–"

I couldn't even finish before he let out a low, chilling laugh. The kind you hear in horror movies–right before the monster strikes.

"Are you talking back to me?" His voice dropped dangerously low. "Or are you trying to correct me?"

He stepped forward, gaze locked on mine.

Was he going to grab my throat?

"N-no, sir! I didn't mean to, sir!" I dropped to my knees immediately.

"Bring me the chief maid."

I bolted. My heart was racing so fast I thought it might explode. I found the chief maid and told her everything, still shaking.

"What? What have you done?!" she gasped. "That's his secret room! No one–not even his parents–went in there! There was a time the CEO of Smith Corporation tried to enter, and Sebastian ended their partnership and blacklisted the entire company! And you...you entered?! God help you."

My stomach twisted. If he could destroy a CEO for trying to enter, what would he do to a maid who actually entered?

"Young master, please forgive her. She's new. It was an honest mistake. I will make sure–"

"You trained her, didn't you?" Sebastian's jaw clenched. "And yet, she walked into my private space. I hope she already understands the misfortune she's brought upon herself."

I dropped to my knees again. "Please, sir. I didn't know. I didn't mean to. I'm sorry. Please..."

Just then, she arrived–Victoria.

Like a mosquito. Always showing up just to bite.

"Lily," she said, her voice drenched in fake concern. "You're here again? A mistake, indeed."

She turned to the chief maid. "Why would you hire the daughter of a high-class prostitute to work in the Kingsley mansion? Do you think just anyone can work here? A girl raised in filth? What if she steals something? The Kingsleys can't afford that kind of embarrassment."

Her words hit hard. I clenched my fists.

I'd been insulted before. Many times. But never like this. Never in front of Sebastian. Never in front of so many people.

"I would never steal," I said, barely above a whisper.

Victoria scoffed. "Of course not. But tell me-does your mother say that too before she spreads her legs for money?"

That was it. "Don't you dare talk about my mother like that!"

I wanted to slap her. I really did. I hated this. I hated how helpless I felt. I hated how much her words burned.

Smack!

She slapped me first.

I froze. My cheek stung, but what could I do? I wasn't anyone important. I just clutched my face, holding in tears.

"Oh? And what will you do about it?" she sneered. Then, turning to Sebastian, she added, "Sebastian, did you see that? She raised her voice at me! This girl has no respect. She doesn't deserve to be here."

Sebastian lifted his hand. Silence fell.

"Enough."

His eyes met mine. "What's your name?"

"Lily, sir."

"You can go. But this must not happen again."

Wait. What? Did I hear him correctly?

Sebastian Kingsley... let me go?

The staff stared in disbelief. He never forgave mistakes. Never. Yet, I was walking away unharmed.

"Everyone, get back to work."

As I turned to leave,one of the maids whispered, "You're really lucky. Who are you, really, for the young master to forgive you?"

I gave a small, confused smile. "I'm just Lily Seren."

---

That Night – 9:00 PM

That night, around nine, the young master requested fruit–and guess who was chosen to deliver it?

Me.

Of course.

I shouldn't be the one, especially after what happened. But refusing isn't an option. It's still my job.

I knocked on his door. No response.

Maybe he's not in? Either way, I just wanted to drop the tray and leave. I placed it on the table and turned to go...

When he stepped out of the bathroom.

Wearing only a towel.

I froze. My eyes widened in shock. I spun around and covered my eyes, panic rising in my throat.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry, sir!"

He chuckled. "Why are you sorry?"

"I-I didn't know you were in there!"

"Bring me my nightwear."

What?

I expected him to shout, not this.

I hesitated but handed him the clothes. "Here it is."

"Dress me."

Huh??

"W-what?"

"You're my maid. You're supposed to serve me. Dress me."

My brain short-circuited.

I gulped, then nodded. "O-okay..."

I never imagined how hard it would be to dress a grown man.

Not just any man. This man.

He was tall. Broad-shouldered. His skin is still damp from the shower. My eyes accidentally traced over his abs... then stopped at his back.

A scar.

No-not a scar. A mark. A deep scratch.

It looked like a fingernail had caused it. Brutally.

My fingers moved on their own. I touched it softly.

And that's when it hit me.

A flash.

A memory.

When I was kidnapped-I scratched someone on the back. I didn't see his face. But I remembered the pain, the fear, my fingernails digging in to escape.

I gasped.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"Y-yeah. I'm fine."

"You're not done with the buttons."

"Oh-sorry."

He leaned closer, smirking. "Or am I too hot for you, Lily?"

Hearing my name from his lips sent a weird chill through me. Warm and cold at the same time. Was he... teasing?

But then, just like that, his voice turned ice-cold again.

"Did you see anything... when you entered my secret room?"

I swallowed. "No, sir."

"You're sure?" His eyes narrowed. "Because if you saw anything... and you speak... you're gone."

A shiver ran down my spine. "Yes, sir."

"Goodnight... dear Lily."

Wait. Dear?

He turned away, but then paused.

"Did you remember anything while dressing me?"

Why would he ask that?

"No, sir. I didn't remember anything. Am I supposed to?"

"No. Just curious. You looked scared. You can go." He smirked.

I walked out, but I knew he could tell I was lying. I'm not good at hiding things.

But why did he ask that?

Who scratched him like that?

Why did I remember the night I was kidnapped?

Was it just coincidence... or was it what I feared?