n

n

nPriscella shook her head, signaling the maid to stop overreacting.

n

"But… But…

" The maid stammered and acted very flustered as if she had been the one on whom the hot tea was poured.

n

"Stop it, Michelle. We are guests here. Let's not be rude to his highness. It's just a small burn.

"

nPriscella smiled and asked the woman to back down, instantly calming down the situation.

n

"You too kind, my lady.

" The maid bowed and put down the whip.

nSylvia couldn't understand the woman's motives but she sighed in relief nevertheless.

nShe quickly hurried to serve another cup of tea to the Lady, when the maid interjected her and served the tea herself instead.

nSylvia did not care though. She now understood Jane's warnings better.

nLady Priscella was surely not as simple as she looked. The tea was warm but it was not piping hot and it couldn't have possibly hurt her seeping through the thick dress she was wearing and the corset underneath.

nBut still, it was only normal for the lady to have whipped or at least slapped her. The fact that she didn't do so made Sylvia very wary of her.

nShe had a feeling that she might pay for this sin of hers later on. But for now, she nervously bit her lips and stepped back hoping that this incident would be over.

nHowever, it looked like the devil had his own plans. Mikel cleared his throat loudly.

n

"Heh… Who said you can leave?

" His lips curved upwards.

"We can't possibly let this slide so easily now, can we?

"

n

"After all, Miss Priscella is my personal guest and you have foolishly injured her. This kind of clumsy behavior should not go unpunished.

"

nThe devil looked at Sylvia sternly and mumbled.

"Kneel down for the rest of the night.

"

nHe then casually went back to sipping his tea, once again gazing out the window, leaving behind a weird silence.

nBoth Priscella and Sylvia were taken aback by the man's severe words.

n

"Aha ha ha.

" Priscella awkwardly chuckled, filling the silence.

"You are too strict, your highness.

"

n

"I am alright. Look at that. The poor slave girl is trembling in fear. I don't think she deserves such a big punishment. Aha ha ha.

"

nWhat the hell? Since when did I tremble in fear? Sylvia blinked, as she quietly followed the man's instructions, kneeling down on the marble floor in the corner of the hall where she had been standing previously.

nShe didn't care about the outcome of their conversation even though she was the subject of it and simply did as she was told.

nThe marble floor was smooth and clean and kneeling down on it wasn't that uncomfortable. So Sylvia was more than glad to accept this punishment. Maybe now the scores were settled?

nHowever, after the kind and gentle-natured woman finished saying her piece, Mikel lightly chuckled and opened his mouth once again.

n

"You are too kind, Lady Priscella.

" He repeated the same words that the maid had spoken earlier, a subtle sarcasm in his voice that was not very obvious.

n

"Everyone needs to know their place. If they are not aware of exactly who they are and what they mean to me, there will only be trouble later on.

"

nPlacing the cup of tea back onto the dining table, he raised his brows, and gazed back at the woman questioningly, making her wonder if there was any deeper meaning in his sharp cutting words.

n

"Today it was just a cup of tea… Tomorrow… Who knows… ha ha ha

" Mikel then added, with a soft chuckle, making Priscella relax immediately.

nFor a second, she couldn't help but doubt if the man was talking about her rather than the slave. However, in the end, it looked like he was only talking about the annoying slave.

nHer eyes flitted momentarily to the young woman who was already kneeling in the corner.

nHer silver hair beautifully cascaded down to her hips and her blue eyes were obediently looking down, with a subtle pout.

nShe looked irritatingly adorable even in those unflattering clothes and Priscella hated it.

nIt was almost time for her to leave and how could she be at ease knowing that such an alluring woman was right next to her man all the time.

nShe knew that such a thing was very common and most men in high society had at least a couple or more mistresses on the side, but Mikel was different.

nDespite his charming nature, the man had an aloof arrogance about him.

nHe was always polite and endearing but never crossed any lines. He was this same way with other women as well.

nNo matter how many vultures flirted and fawned over him, he kept everyone at an arm's length, never letting them come even an inch closer than his bottom line.

nBut still… it was not prudent to throw a match in a heap of dry logs unless one wanted the heat.

nSo Priscella clenched her dress tightly under the table and tactfully mumbled.

"Your highness… in that case, it would be my pleasure to offer my help.

"

n

"My obedient and excellently trained maid Michelle can serve you for a while.

"

n

"I can take the lively inexperienced one off your hands and train her personally for a few weeks.

"

nShe then turned around to even playfully wink at Sylvia.

"Don't worry. I will be much gentler than his highness.

" She chuckled.

nSylvia silently gulped, her gaze still lingering on the marble floor, not in the least bothered to look up.

nSure, the woman was spewing out a bunch of nonsense. Beneath all the fake niceness, it was not too difficult to see through her real intentions.

nIf she in fact gets her way and took Sylvia with her, there was no doubt that she would probably be subjected to a lot of torture.

nBut Sylvia was not scared. She already knew what was going to happen. The devil would never let her go. She was sure of it... maybe?

n