Chapter 35: Chapter 35

Looking on as Kirsec took out a handkerchief from his vest and wrapped it around the back of his hand, I realized what made his presence so unbearable for me. I hated the sense of superiority that permeated his entire body. Though ours was a world that was founded on the idea of a social hierarchy, so it could be said that his attitude was the natural one.

However I was terrified of this principle that sought to naturally force me into the category of being a noble, not allowing me to be anything more than that. This was a hangup that couldn’t easily be overcome.

Even so, maybe because this was my second time experiencing such a situation, I didn’t feel like I was about to faint.

“I am very sorry. I will immediately return with a fresh tray.”

As she said this, holding back her tears, Kirsec tossed his handkerchief into the maid’s face.

“You, aren’t you the one who also made a mistake last time? As someone who’s only capable of this level of service, who gave you this job? Old man! Someone call the old man over!”

Now then, who was this ‘old man’? As this question popped into my head, the maid got down on her knees and started pleading. At this act, my heart began to pound.

“I am so, so sorry. Please forgive me. I apologize for my mistake, really. I’m begging you. Please forgive me!”

The maid pleaded desperately with tears pouring from her eyes. I was having so much trouble trying to understand why she was doing this that it was giving me a headache.

After a while, the door opened and the butler who had guided me here entered the room.

Even though he should have already noticed the strangeness of this situation, the butler calmly asked, “What seems to be the matter, young master Kirsec?”

His attitude made it seem like all of this wasn’t a big deal.

“How can we keep on such a person who can’t even pour a single cup of tea right? Look at this! She even splashed some onto me!”

“I am very sorry. I will give her a good talking to.”

“Talking to, what talking to? I got splashed right here. And I’m telling you, it was hot! Have her whipped and then kick her out!”

Just like what happened with the caretaker of the stables last time, Kirsec showed no hesitation at ordering others to be corporally punished.

Sparing a glance at the crying maid, the butler softly replied, “Understood. I will have it done right away.”

A gasp leaked out of my mouth at the butler’s reply. This time as well, the other person seemed to acquiesce far too easily to Kirsec’s demand.

This time, I knew for certain that what was going on was wrong. Since my body was in better shape than when I had passed out last time, I could clearly see how Kirsec was abusing his higher social status.

Truthfully, I had held no intention of interfering as long as things didn’t start directly causing me grievous harm. Because each time I felt like doing something, I remembered the unignorable fact that my father was part of the Grand Duke’s household.

However, after thinking about my future, I knew I couldn’t just leave things be. If I didn’t end up leaving this country, I would one day end up living in a country ruled by Kirsec.

Could such a person properly rule this country? The answer was no. I needed to nip this in the bud. Change things from the ground up.

Male servants soon entered the room as if they had known that something like was going to happen. Seeing this, the panicking maid crawled over to Kirsec and begged him while clinging on to his trousers.

“Young master! I made a mistake, I know I did, but please! Please forgive me, just this once!”

“Darn it! What do you think you’re doing?”

The moment that I realized that the annoyed Kirsec was about to kick the maid who was hanging on to his leg, my body flew into motion. I couldn’t wait any longer.

I ran over to him, drawing Kirsec’s surprised gaze, and swung my hand at him with all my might.

It would have been nice if there had been a loud cracking sound, like when a villainess strikes the female protagonist. But unlike this hypothetical villainess, I only had short, plump fingers.

Thanks to this, when my palm met Kirsec’s cheek, a sound halfway between a ‘crack’ and a ‘pom’ echoed through the drawing room.

Because it was a surprise attack, Kirsec’s head spun away from the blow without any resistance. Even so, perhaps because I had struck with all my strength, a tingling sensation began to spread from my palm.