Did you see it?

And she did.

Dragging the massive ladder into the room had been bad enough. Climbing up and down repeatedly just to brush a section of the ceiling was pure torture. Violet grumbled under her breath, glaring daggers at the pristine ceiling as if her frustration could somehow transfer onto it. She didn't dare glance in Cain's direction.

Her misery was compounded by his indifference. No matter how much noise she made or how loudly the ladder creaked, Cain didn't even look up. She could've toppled the entire contraption, and he'd probably stay glued to whatever he was reading.

Can't I just pretend to clean it? she thought, her gaze shifting to the spotless ceiling that didn't seem to need cleaning in the first place. But the very idea sent a chill down her spine. If Cain caught her slacking off, she doubted her punishment would stop at climbing a ladder.

Her arms screamed in protest, her hands trembling from gripping the ladder, and sweat drenched her face as she climbed up and down. She dragged the ladder to the next spot, scrubbing every section with an intensity born out of fear rather than dedication.

Minutes dragged into hours, her pace slowing as exhaustion set in. The only thing keeping her going was the memory of the sumptuous meal she'd eaten earlier. The food had been so delicious that, for once, she hadn't felt guilty about enjoying it—especially given the punishment she was enduring.

By nightfall, Violet's resolve had crumbled. She'd started leaving larger gaps between the sections she cleaned, her mental exhaustion outweighing her fear of being caught. She resolved to keep up the charade for another hour before announcing she was done, even if the ceiling wasn't spotless.

Then Cain's voice cut through her thoughts like a blade.

"Clean up and go down to get the medicine from Ravon."

The command startled her so much she nearly lost her footing on the ladder. She scrambled down, her relief palpable as she rushed out of the room without a second thought.

The small room Cain had prepared for her was twice the size of her previous quarters. Violet wasted no time, hopping into the shower and scrubbing herself clean before changing into a fresh uniform. She was about to head out when Cain's voice summoned her again.

This time, she found him seated at a large table near the bar, gesturing for her to join him. Her stomach growled at the sight of the meal laid out, and she didn't hesitate to dig in. As she crunched on a piece of chicken with fervor, she noticed Cain's gaze fixed on her. It wasn't the predatory kind that Ravon had, but it was intense enough to make her self-conscious.

"What kind of woman do you like?" Cain asked suddenly, his calm tone at odds with the shocking question.

Violet choked on her chicken, her eyes widening as she stared at him in disbelief. His expression was neutral, as if he'd asked her about the weather. Meanwhile, she could feel the heat creeping up her neck.

"I-I'm just a servant," she stammered. "All I want is—"

"I thought I made it clear how much I hate being ignored," Cain interrupted, his tone chilling. Violet straightened immediately, her trembling hands gripping her fork.

"Speak freely. I've already given you permission not to kneel," he continued, his gaze boring into her. "If you keep shaking every time I'm near, I'll be very annoyed."

She nodded quickly, swallowing the lump in her throat. "Y-Yes, Lord Cain," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I might kill you later, but it won't be now," he added casually, as though discussing the weather.

Violet clenched her fists under the table, summoning the courage to answer. "I-I like women who are beautiful and slender," she blurted, choosing the safest, most generic answer she could think of.

Cain raised an eyebrow. "Someone like you?"

Her heart skipped a beat, but she nodded, hoping the answer would suffice. She reached for her fork, ready to resume eating, when his voice came again.

"Get up and leave. Get the medicine from Ravon."

The abrupt change in topic caught her off guard, but she didn't question it. She abandoned her meal, bowing slightly before leaving the room.

When Violet knocked on Ravon's office door, she was surprised to feel more confident than before. His barked "Enter!" didn't make her flinch this time, though her relief was short-lived.

Ravon was on the phone, his tone low and submissive in a way that suggested he was speaking to a superior. "Yes, yes, I won't disappoint you," he said, his fingers tapping the desk rhythmically. When he hung up, his eyes locked onto Violet, burning with barely concealed anger.

"What?!" he barked, his voice sharp enough to cut glass.

"I need Lord Cain's medicine," she replied, bowing deeply. Ravon pulled open a drawer and placed a small vial on the desk without a word. As Violet reached for it, his voice stopped her cold.

"Did anything happen? Did you see his beast?"

Her breath hitched, her heart racing as she scrambled to deny it. "Wha—what beast?" she stammered, feigning ignorance. "I gave him the vial like you asked and closed the door. I—I know nothing!"

She grabbed the vial, bowing again as she turned to leave. But just as her hand touched the door handle, Ravon's voice froze her in place.

"For your sake, I hope your spy report says the same thing," he said, his tone dripping with menace.

Violet's blood ran cold. Her mind raced as she processed his words, her fear of Cain now competing with a new threat—Ravon's suspicions. She forced herself to step out calmly, even as her legs trembled beneath her. Ravon's gaze burned into her back, and she could feel the weight of his unspoken warning.

As she hurried back to Cain's quarters, Violet's thoughts churned. She couldn't afford to slip up again—not with Ravon watching her every move. One wrong step, and she wouldn't live to regret it.