The most distressing thought was that her clothes had been changed by the very person who had hurt the young master!
If that were true, not only had her identity as a woman been exposed, but her body had already been defiled!
Watching the rapid changes in Kanae's expression, Byakuya could guess she was letting her imagination run wild.
"I... I will never submit to you!"
Kanae's expression was one of someone prepared to die—as if Byakuya had designs on her body.
In her agitation, she'd even spoken in German.
German was her native language; she was originally from Germany.
Her features carried that dignified, striking quality characteristic of German women. As for her purple hair—that was another matter entirely.
"Don't speak a language I can't be bothered with. Speak the local language when you're in a place."
Byakuya's expression was flat.
The system had granted him fluency in all languages from the beginning, so he actually understood her German perfectly. But this self-important fool was too ridiculous to deserve a polite response.
However, Kanae seemed unable to hear what Byakuya was saying anymore. Still speaking in German, she said with intense indignation: "You've already defiled my body—are you planning to trample my dignity next? No matter how you humiliate me, I will never—"
Midway through, Matsumae—realizing Kanae had misunderstood something—immediately cut her off. "Kanae, calm down. The Master didn't do anything to you."
Those words brought Kanae back to her senses. "He didn't do anything? Then my clothes...?"
"I changed them for you. And these clothes were borrowed by the Master on our behalf. You should be thanking him, not being so disrespectful."
Matsumae lectured her again.
She sincerely hoped Kanae would be more rational. If she accidentally angered this young man, the Master's sacrifice would be in vain, and the entire Tsukiyama family would...
Only then did Kanae lower her head. "I... I understand..."
"Then why haven't you apologized to the Master for your rudeness? And don't forget to thank him for the clothes he borrowed for us."
Matsumae's requirements were strict.
In truth, back in the Tsukiyama household, servants had followed similar protocols—only now the object of service had changed from the young master to their new master.
For someone as rational and absolutely loyal as Matsumae, she could sacrifice everything for the young master, the Master of the house, and the entire Tsukiyama family.
But Kanae's rationality and resolve were far inferior to Matsumae's. Right now, she was deeply reluctant, her heart still struggling.
"Did you not hear me?"
Matsumae displayed the authority she wielded as the Tsukiyama family's Head Maid.
Kanae had no choice but to comply.
"Mas... ter... I was disrespectful just now. I... I hope the Master will... forgive me..."
She said this with extreme reluctance, her expression stiff.
Not only was it painful for her to say, but Byakuya found it rather uncomfortable to hear as well.
He hadn't forced her to call him "Master" or demanded an apology—Matsumae had taken it upon herself to do all of this.
"Alright, that's enough."
Byakuya spoke coldly. "I'm not forcing you to call me 'Master,' but the fact remains that you're now in my hands. Know your place—especially you, you self-important woman."
That last part—"you self-important woman"—was clearly directed at Kanae.
Feeling Byakuya's cold gaze, Kanae realized he was talking about her.
Hadn't the Head Maid changed her clothes? How did he know she was a woman?!
To prevent any more self-important assumptions, Byakuya spoke first: "Your pathetic attempt at cross-dressing couldn't fool my eyes. Take some time to come to terms with your current situation. After that, do what I tell you. Try anything funny, and you won't like the consequences."
With that, he turned and left.
After Byakuya had been gone for a while, Kanae asked Matsumae in a subdued voice: "Head Maid... Are we really at this human's mercy now?"
"Yes. Accept this reality and do what needs to be done. Don't disappoint the young master and the Master of the house."
Matsumae sighed softly.
She'd sensed that the young man had already become somewhat displeased—Kanae's words and actions just now had been truly rude.
Fortunately, his temperament seemed reasonable; he hadn't been provoked.
"Alright..."
Hearing the mention of the young master and the Master, Kanae gritted her teeth and forced herself to endure.
"Head Maid, can you tell me what happened while I was unconscious?"
She wanted to fully understand the situation.
Matsumae then explained everything: how Mirumo had appeared, and the conditions he had agreed to in order to save the young master's life.
Only then did Kanae understand everything.
"So we're now slaves to that guy... Damn it..."
Kanae was deeply unwilling to accept this.
"Stop that. If the Master were still in this room, I absolutely wouldn't allow you to show such disrespect."
Matsumae's tone was stern.
"I was wrong..."
Kanae immediately admitted her error.
She understood why the Head Maid was being so strict with her—it was all for the young master. Only their sacrifice could ensure the young master's safety.
"Head Maid, for the young master's safety, I'm willing to sacrifice everything I have."
Kanae then spoke to Matsumae with complete seriousness.
It was a declaration of her loyalty to Shuu and the entire Tsukiyama family.
"Good. No matter what happens, never forget that everything we do is for Young Master Shuu."
Matsumae smiled slightly with relief. Now she could feel somewhat more at ease about Kanae.
Still, she felt some unease about what might come next. She knew almost nothing about this young man, only that he was a ghoul investigator who seemed to get along quite well with the ghouls at Anteiku.
But who knew if he had some terrifying other side...
"Yes!"
Kanae nodded firmly.
She had made up her mind. No matter what happened—even if she was humiliated, abused, defiled—she was willing to sacrifice everything for the young master!
...
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