Chapter 89. Talk with Duchess (2)
Leo’s grip on the cup tightened. Liana’s presence was no accident—Maria was toying with him. "Why’s she here?" he asked.
Maria’s laugh was cold. "A maid serves the nobles, Leonhardt. What else?"
He sipped, his voice steady but laced with danger. "Why’re you trying to kill me?"
Maria’s laugh was sharp, cutting. "Why would I? But let’s say... the first son’s privilege is a thorn in my side. My son deserves the dukedom, not some leftover."
Leo’s smirk didn’t waver. "Funny. I was already the family joke—useless, ignored. Everyone loves your boy. Why risk it?"
Maria’s cup slipped, shattering on the floor with a piercing crash. She didn’t blink, her eyes boring into Leo’s. "Girl," she hissed, not looking at Liana, "clean this."
Liana whispered, "Yes, Madam," and knelt, gathering shards with shaking hands.
Maria’s smile twisted into something vile, and she slammed her heel onto Liana’s hand, pinning it against a broken piece. Blood welled, and Liana bit back a cry. "Where were we?" Maria purred. "Oh, yes. I’m just... tidying up." She ground her foot harder, Liana’s blood pooling on the marble.
Leo’s face was stone, but his eyes burned with restrained fury. Nimbus snarled, claws flexing. "Nimbus, down," Leo growled, his voice a warning.
Maria laughed, her voice dripping with scorn. "Such a change, Leonhardt. Polite, fearless, protecting a maid you used to beat senseless." She stomped on Liana’s hand again, the crack of bone audible. Liana trembled, silent, her face pale as death. "Clean it," Maria spat.
Liana resumed, blood dripping from her mangled hand. Nimbus’s snarls grew feral, his body coiling to spring.