The Lady, the Maid, and the Master

"I—" Alicia attempted to respond but was ruthlessly silenced as the woman intervened, completely taking her by surprise.

"Do you still dare to speak back to me?" She lifted her eyebrows in a fierce challenge as she snarled at Alicia, her look piercing like razors.

Alicia glanced over to Adrien and noticed how intensely he was staring at her. She intentionally dragged out the word, as if savoring each syllable for emphasis, then said, "But..." Despite the stress hiding behind her self-assured exterior, she spoke with a tinge of nonchalance.

"I am not employed by the palace." Her tone was calm and collected as she declared, "I am merely Master Adrien's personal maid." Her smile, though seemingly polite, held a subtle challenge as her eyes met the lady's, betraying the pounding of her heart that echoed in her ears. Despite appearing calm, she was aware of how precarious her situation was, and it was evident in every word she spoke.