I carefully supported Maria to sit on a comfortable chair. Selena who was here to assist me remained standing when I also seat down.

"Please leave us," Maria motioned her hands as she asked the other servants to leave. They seemed reluctant at first but they quickly obeyed Maria.

I took my teacup from the table to take a sip. "Gabriel cannot come with me because of a family meeting," I said as I let a soft chuckle. "My brother sulked for the whole night because of this,"

Maria's face dropped when she heard about it. She is probably waiting for my brother...

"I miss him," She uttered. "Although it's been only days since we departed, it really feels like years. It's a good thing that Gabriella made her visitation today, It's enough. At least, I know that my husband will really come for me."

"Don't ever doubt us, Maria. We are your family, we will take you back no matter what," I replied with a soft smile. "Anyway, I know that the Duke assured us that you are okay, but I wanted to ask you. How are you? Are you comfortable here?"

Maria suddenly snorted. "Weird, they are weird. Especially my Father," Maria stated as if she suddenly remembered something. "I can't understand them at all."

"Oh? How weird?" I asked with a curious tone.

"Probably below Lady Gabriella's weirdness," Selena suddenly replied. I glared at her but she only smiled at me.

Well...

Can't refute her...

She's probably telling the truth...

"You're too rude for a 'Lady in waiting' Selena," Maria raised her brows at Selena. "How come that you become Gabriella's servant again? Gabriella should really fire you and bring you back to Leonardo."

"That won't happen, I am too useful for Lady Gabriella, Right My Lady?" Selena asked in a mischievous tone.

I facepalmed when Selena said that. The truth is if I can, I will really throw her back to Leonardo. However, I can't do that because she is indeed useful here.

"Indeed," I let out a sigh. Maria glanced at me with an indifferent look on her face. "It's also the reason why I asked her to come with me."

"So, y-you're really choosing her over me?" Maria asked me. My eyes went wide when tears formed on her eyes.

Huh?

"I don't! What the..." I started to panic when the tears on her face did not cease. I started to pat her head but she's not stopping. "Don't cry, why are you crying? I didn't choose Selena over you!" I said.

What the... She's crying! She's crying!

Why's she crying?

Pregnancy Hormones?

I glanced at Selena who was looking at me with a 'You're dead' look. "I'm out of this, My Lady" then she suddenly said while taking a step back. I was about to grab her, however, I failed to do that because she's fast. "My Lady made her cry for choosing me," Selena said with a grin. "I know I'm important~"

This fox! You're only making the situation worst! You're a bully!

I gritted my teeth as I glared at Selena.

I will really ask Leonardo to cut her salary!

"Shhh, Don't cry Maria, it's not what I mean alright?" I said while patting her head. "Don't worry, Selena's going home soon. I will stay here for tonight. I heard that there was a festival tomorrow. I will roam at your white dad--- I-I mean Duke's duchy"

Sh*t I almost spilled my nickname for that man!

"You're staying here? Really?" Maria asked me. I immediately nodded. I noticed that she's starting to calm down which made me breathe in peace.

However...

The fox suddenly made a move to f*cking bully me!

"Ara~ White Daddy? Are you talking about the Duke?" Selena commented. She touched her lips while acting like she's shocked. "It can't be! Perhaps Lady Gabriella did not choose me over Maria. Could it be that she chooses the Daddy over his daughter?"

What the f*ck are you talking about?!

Damn! How could you expose me like that!

"SELENA!" I shouted. However, this little cunning fox only gave me a smirk. I tried to stop myself from strangling her neck! How about I cut her tongue? Or bury her alive?! "Don't listen to her Maria. She's spouting nonsense"

"I wasn't, I almost forgot that the Duke even fetched you with the black carriage. Who knows?"

Maria who was on the verge of crying grabbed my shoulders. "W-what White Daddy?! You're calling my Father like that?" Maria asked me while shaking my body. Her eyes were wide open and I can tell that she's kinda angry...

"Nope, it's not what you think. I love giving pet names remember?" I said in a nervous tone. It's the truth! I really have a habit of giving pet names! Especially the cute and handsome-- never mind...

"Let's make a bet, Lady Gabriella has a crush on your father," Selena remarked.

"What nonsense are you--" I stopped talking when Maria squeezed my shoulder.

"GABRIELLA YOU CAN'T!" Maria shouted at me. There was a hint of anger in her expression, however, I can tell that it wasn't for me. "Don't marry my father! Do you want to be miserable?! Don't ruin your happy life!"

My eyes went into a daze while looking at her angry face. "M-marry?! What marriage?!" I asked in a surprised tone. "I'm not marrying someone!"

It was only a crush tho!

How did it turn up into a marriage?!

I swear this is a deja vu!

The face okay?! THE FACE! I only like the face! I have a crush on the face! I can only marry the face!

"Just don't marry my father! Don't have any crush on him or anything. He's a jerk, you can't marry a man who's someone like him! Just what will happen to you if you suffer? He's not capable of loving! Don't like him!" Maria shouted once more.

I became speechless.

It was a good thing that there are currently no servants or another human being here that will hear it from Maria.

"Don't marry him!" She shouted once again.

I took a glance at Selena who was speechless on the other side as well.

Damn you fox! Fix this!

I gave her a scary look that indicates 'Fix this or else you will die in my hands today'. She quickly cleared her throat while mouthing these words to me. 'Opss, I went out of the board' and all I could do is to roll my eyes at her.

"I'm just kidding, don't take it to your heart Lady Maria, but I wasn't really lying when I said that the Duke fetched her with the black carriage," Selena said as she made a money sign in her hands. "I just need money if you want more information," She suggested with a grin.

This woman! Grabbing money when she wants to!

I will really cut her salary!

"Tss! Don't mind that woman. Here drink this tea," I carefully poured a tea on her teacup and gave it to her. The frown on Maria's face vanished when received the tea.

Maria gave a glance at Selena. "5 million gold coins, if you can't give proper information within two days then expect nothing," She said in a confident tone. My mouth hung open when Maria said that without blinking.

"Maria...?" I said.

"Don't worry, I will use my Father's money," Maria replied, her tone changed when she uttered the word 'father'. "He said I can spend his money with anything that I want. He's being too generous, why would I refuse that?"

"I never knew that Maria can be this generous," Selena chuckled. "Sure My Lady, I'll give you the information that you want tomorrow, I'll give you bonus information if you want."

Maria let out a cold grin when Selena said that. "Suits you better," she said.

Focc... Am I seeing another episode of Maria being a Villainess?

"Ah, AHEM! Selena can't stay here, I am planning to send her back to our Manor later," I spoke after I cleared my throat. "I want her to inform my little brother that I am staying here until tomorrow," I said.

"That's not a problem, I can multitask," Selena assured. "As long as there is a big reward,"

"I know," then I frowned. I'm just making her suffer even if it's a little bit. Just where did this Selena will use that money? Nevermind her. I took a deep breath before speaking. "But first, I have to inform your father that I'm staying here until tomorrow--"

"You can't!" Maria shouted. "Don't talk to that man!"

"O-okay! okay!" I replied.

I swear it's her pregnancy hormones!

But anyway, I'll do it later.