"Wow, Miss Mia, this is the first time you've willingly suggested taking a nap! Normally, we have to bring up the Leader to pressure you, and even then, you'd begrudgingly agree," Tina said, chattering away as she made the bed for Mia.
Mia was about to take her nap, and little Bit wasn't allowed in the room, lest it make a mess of the bedding.
"I never used to take naps, so I wasn't used to it. But lately, I've been sleeping more, and when the time comes, I just feel like resting," Mia said, taking off her coat as she stood behind Tina. Jenny, standing in front of her, helped undo her belt.
Tina, having finished preparing the bed, stood up and grinned at Mia. "That's fantastic! Now Jenny and I won't have to waste our breath convincing you to nap."
"Exactly! Tina's finally said something sensible," Jenny nodded enthusiastically, unable to resist teasing Tina.
"Hey, Jenny!" Tina, indignant, rushed over and gave Jenny a playful shove. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"What else could it mean? Just that you don't usually make sense!" Jenny replied with a smug look, casually hanging up Mia's coat.
"Mia! Look at Jenny! She thinks she's so clever!" Tina complained, running to Mia's side.
Before Mia could respond, Jenny turned around, giving Tina a cool glance. "Being clever is better than being dim, don't you think?"
"Jenny, are you calling me a dimwit?!" Tina's eyes widened as she pointed at herself.
"Tch, I didn't name names, but it seems you're quite self-aware!" Jenny turned away, flashing a sweet smile.
"Jenny!" Tina shouted, fuming. "You're asking for it!" With that, she lunged at Jenny.
"You admitted it yourself—don't blame me!" Jenny, unwilling to take a hit, dodged swiftly.
"Let's see where you can run!" Tina wasn't about to let Jenny off without a playful retaliation.
And so, the two began chasing each other around the small room, completely ignoring everyone else.
Watching them play so joyfully, utterly oblivious to her presence, Mia didn't know whether to feel amused or exasperated.
She was happy that they felt comfortable enough around her to let loose and be themselves, but annoyed that they were so caught up in their fun they'd forgotten about her!
Oh well, let them enjoy themselves.
Mia sat on the edge of the bed, smiling as she watched them, unbothered by their disregard. Perhaps this was the only place where they could truly relax and be free. As maids, they had to constantly read their masters' moods and obey their whims, their own joys and sorrows rarely their own. Moments where they could express their true feelings were precious. Mia understood this—she had lived it—so she let them be.
Having walked a similar path, she never treated them as mere servants but as friends with whom she could share her joys and sorrows.
They were friends she would never forget, not in this lifetime.
By the time Tina and Jenny left the bedroom, it was just a few minutes before 2 p.m. Hearing no sounds from outside, Mia got up and put her clothes back on.
The Rose Garden wasn't far from Snow Haven. If she hurried, Mia could arrive just in time.
Her unsettled state of mind made dressing take longer than usual. Finally ready, Mia quietly opened the bedroom door.
She was grateful that Snow Haven was restricted to only a few people. With Tina and Jenny already in the kitchen preparing afternoon snacks, Mia could slip out unnoticed.
The Rose Garden was a place she had visited with Arthur, and sometimes with Tina and Jenny. As its name suggested, it was filled with roses. Though it was winter, the garden felt like spring, with roses of every color budding vibrantly, their beauty breathtaking.
Mia loved this place, filled with happy memories. But now, in this very same garden, she might have to face a reality that could shatter her. After walking around and seeing no one, her heart in turmoil, Mia sat in the gazebo, deciding to wait until 5 p.m. If no one showed up by then…
As she was lost in thought, a figure suddenly appeared before her. Mia stood up in shock. "Young Lady?!"
How could it be her? Why her? How could she…?
Mia had considered every possible person, even Arthur. She thought he might be testing her trust or trying to reveal the truth in some indirect way. But she never imagined it would be Anna Ivan… No, how could it possibly be her?
Anna, who had come alone, looked at Mia with contempt, her tone icy and laced with sarcasm. "I'm no longer the young lady of the Ivan family, so you don't need to call me that! And honestly, Mia, hearing you address me so formally—I can't stand it, 'Miss' Mia!"
Anna's sharp, cold expression silenced Mia, who lowered her head instinctively. It was a habit deeply ingrained in her.
Servants had to endure their masters' whims, including unwarranted scolding or punishment—it was the master's prerogative. This mindset was so deeply rooted in Mia that even living in the Moore estate hadn't changed it.
Seeing Mia's timid demeanor, Anna's disdain grew even more pronounced. "A servant is a servant. Even dressed in a queen's attire, you're still pathetic!"
Mia remained silent, knowing that resistance would only fuel Anna's anger further.
As Mia expected, Anna, standing there and seeing her motionless like a wooden post, lost interest in continuing her mockery. It would be like talking to herself.
"What? Playing mute now, not saying a word?" Anna wasn't ready to let Mia off so easily.
"You're quiet now, but soon you won't be able to speak at all." Anna approached with a cryptic smile, whispering in Mia's ear, "I called you here to see the look on your face—stricken with pain and speechless—when you learn the secret behind why Arthur Taylor keeps you by his side."
Mia's face drained of color. She had never imagined that Anna Ivan was the one who wrote the letter. Even more unthinkable was that Anna knew the secret Arthur had been hiding…
"Young Master's wife, what… what are you talking about? Arthur, he… he wouldn't have a secret…" Mia's voice trembled as she struggled to deny it. She fought against the possibility, clinging to her promise to trust Arthur. But deep down, her fear of what the truth might bring—her fate if it were revealed—was overwhelming. It was human nature to want to flee in the face of fear.
"Hmph!" Anna Ivan let out a cold sneer. Mia's thoughts were transparent to her, and she could see this was her final struggle, which put Anna in a gleeful mood.
"You can choose not to believe me now, but soon you'll have no choice but to believe," Anna said.
"Young Master's wife, what exactly are you trying to tell me?" Overwhelmed by a mix of anxiety and panic, Mia couldn't help but look up at Anna Ivan.
"Do you know about the forbidden area in the Moore estate, a place only Leader Arthur can enter?" Anna glanced at Mia, posing the question.
Her words filled Mia's eyes with confusion.
"Ha! I knew you wouldn't know about it. The secret behind why Leader Arthur keeps you by his side is hidden there!" Mia's ignorance brought a smug smile to Anna's face. She eagerly anticipated the despair and heartbreak that would soon appear on Mia's expression.
Mia's face paled, and she fell into an eerie silence. After a moment, she asked, "Young Lady, if it's a forbidden area that only Arthur can enter, how do you know what's inside?"
Mia's question caught Anna Ivan off guard, surprising her. "Not bad, you're sharper than I thought! As for how I know…" She suddenly fell silent, grabbed Mia's clothing, and, with a swift motion, leaped into the air, soaring in the opposite direction of the garden.
Mia was stunned. She had never imagined something like this could happen.
Before she could process how Anna, a pampered heiress, could fly, the rapidly passing scenery made her nauseous, and she quickly shut her eyes.
She didn't know how long they flew until Anna let out a cold, "We're here!" Mia opened her eyes.
Before her feet could touch the ground, Anna released her grip, letting Mia crash to the ground. Mia stumbled, retreating a few steps before falling hard. Fortunately, the thick winter clothing she wore prevented any scrapes, but the heavy fall left her body aching intensely.
Anna Ivan stood there, watching coldly.
They had arrived at what appeared to be an abandoned courtyard, overgrown with weeds and tree branches extending into the corridors.
It was clear no one had been here in a long time—not only because there were no signs of human presence, but also because of Anna's relaxed demeanor, as if she felt completely at ease lingering here.
After struggling to her feet, Mia was directed by Anna to look in a certain direction. "I remember you can read, right? My father hired tutors to teach you servants. Look at the sign hanging above that house and tell me what it says."