Chapter 43

What the fuck did he just say?

And why would I be embarrassed? I’m just irritated that those perverted bastards constantly ogle me with their filthy eyes.

If anything, Daisy was proud of her body. She was as beautiful as a goddess.

“There’s nothing to be ashamed about. It’s those bastards that are to blame for having no respect. How could any of this be your fault, Izzy?”

“I–I said it’s not… I’m not embarrassed—”

“Just say the word, and I’ll gouge out every last one of their insolent eyes.”

“I’m telling you, it’s not like that.”

But the problem wasn’t just the inappropriate question he had asked.

“Haah… And for God’s sake, stop wearing such tight undergarments. That’s why you’re always so uncomfortable and bloated.”

Snap. A sound followed, sending a cold shiver down her spine.

His infuriating fingers had unclasped her bra. Again.

“If you don’t have better ones, we’ll get you new ones custom-made. The most expensive ones, in every color.”

Here he goes again, this crazy bastard.

At least this time, no one else could see what he’d done, so only Daisy was aware, but that didn’t make it any less infuriating.

That aside, how the hell had he noticed she was wearing a bra size too small? She wore it on because it was the only one left after doing laundry.

He was annoyingly observant. True, with her bra now unfastened, the tightness around her chest had eased, but still, how dare he reach for her underwear in front of others? She refused to let that type of behavior slide.

Daisy clenched her jaw, eyes narrowing in warning.

“Don’t ever do that again. I seriously hate it when you do that.”

“I’m sorry. I won’t.”

“If you’re sorry, then you can also— haah… let go of me.”

“Just one more second.”

Ignoring Daisy as she squirmed in protest, Maxim looked down at her with a sickeningly sweet expression, his eyes practically sparkling. He pulled her close again, pressing a soft kiss to the crown of her head.

“I missed you, Izzy.”

They had only been apart for two days, but Maxim acted like he had come back from war to see her again. All longing and tenderness.

Did the top of her head really smell that good?

As if confirming he was as much of a pervert as she suspected, Maxim inhaled deeply against her temple and let out a dazed little laugh, as though he were drunk off her scent.

‘Haah… God. Please. Stop. If he gets hard again, I’ll be the one left completely humiliated.’

Maxim never seemed the least bit embarrassed about getting a stiffy in public.

And knowing Rose, that damn loudmouth would tease her like a lunatic. The thought alone made her blood boil.

Determined to avoid making any contact in that vicinity, she subtly pushed her hips back, her posture awkwardly duck-like.

At the same time, she pushed against his chest just enough to create some space between them without making things too awkward.

“Anyway… who is that?”

Seizing the opportunity to escape her predicament, Daisy swiftly changed the subject.

Now that she thought about it, Maxim hadn’t come alone. He’d brought company.

Reluctantly, Maxim let her go, flashing Daisy a grin and wrapping an arm around her shoulder.

“Oh, that? I figured you could use a personal Karen of your own, so I made arrangements.”

Even while introducing someone, Maxim spoke as if referring to an object.

A Karen meant she was supposed to be a maid.

The brown-haired woman, with her innocent expression, was tall and broad-shouldered.

‘Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone look so out of place in a maid’s uniform…’

There was a certain unyielding air about her. She looked more like a soldier than any maid.

“Your mistress is curious about you. Introduce yourself.”

And strangely, Maxim handled her as though she were one of his subordinates.

“Greetings, Your Highness! My name is Mary Gold, appointed as Your Highness’ personal handmaiden. I pledge my utmost loyalty to you!”

Even her introduction was executed with perfect discipline. There was no way she wasn’t a soldier.

And “personal handmaiden”? Her choice of words sounded strangely formal, almost archaic. It felt odd compared to just saying “maid.”

Where on earth had Maxim found her? Daisy grew curious, and a little uneasy, about her origins.

Seeing the ever-dutiful Mary Gold, Daisy couldn’t help but let her expression turn a little sour.

“Uh, Max? When she says ‘personal handmaiden,’ surely she just means ‘maid,’ right?”

“Ah, she must’ve misspoken. She’s a shy one, you see. Mary Gold, pull yourself together!”

Maxim’s tone was sharp, and Mary Gold instantly snapped to attention like a trained soldier.

“My apologies, Captain— I-I mean… My lord!”

“Flat on the ground.”

With a cold glare, Maxim snapped, and Mary quickly dropped flat.