“What is this…”

He was about to ask what she was doing when Luna, with all her strength, slapped Carlton’s cheek again.

Slap-!

“Wait…!”

And once more, with all her might, she slapped him on the cheek.

Carlton, who had been slapped thrice without understanding why, looked as if he was about to be slapped again. Luna raised her hand to strike him.

“What on earth are you doing!” Unable to tolerate anymore, Carlton attempted to retaliate but Antes, who hurried down the stairs, grabbed Carlton’s arm.

“Who do you think you’re raising your hand to now?”

“Argh!”

It wasn’t a simple grab; Carlton screamed and fell to the floor because of the pain.

Seeing this unimaginable situation, Royer, who was trying to calm Laura, looked pale. The other servants just stared in horror.

With a look of anger, Luna picked up the papers Carlton had dropped and began reading them with rage.

“Tasks handled in the morning: 10 pieces of clothing laundered, 13 blankets washed, 15 pillows cleaned, 1st-floor corridor and hall cleaned, water fetched…”

The list of mundane tasks went on and on. The servants, who knew what this meant, started to look at each other.

After reading the long list, Luna crumpled up the papers and threw them at Carlton.

“Is it so annoying to report things? To report every single thing because I told you so? Why, because I’m not a high-ranking noble? Am I that laughable!?”

Antes and Royer recalled the previous night’s incident. Carlton had said he would make full reports from now on but did such a thing. It was clear he intended to harass Luna.

“You said there was no need to treat the servants well because I bought a mansion? A noble who lived in a pathetic Baron’s family would never have experienced such treatment in their lifetime? So you also harassed Emma!?”

Carlton quickly defended himself with a shrill voice.

“No! I only did as you instructed! I reported everything as you said! Why are you doing this!?”

“Did I tell you to harass Emma? Did I tell you to handle things without my permission? Did I tell you to gather the servants and disrespect me!?”

“I only tried to make things easier for you because it seemed you were uncomfortable with us!”

With what right was he acting so defiantly? Luna slapped Carlton’s cheek again. Regardless of his excuses, the fact that he had acted as the mansion’s owner without acknowledging Luna remained unchanged.

“Miss!”

Just as Luna was about to slap Carlton again, Emma, who had arrived late, ran up and hugged Luna’s waist.

Emma’s hands were still so cold that it felt as if Luna’s heart was being twisted. Unable to contain her anger, Luna glared at the kitchen staff.

“Carlton and all kitchen staff, pack up and leave. I don’t want to see any of you again. And also…”

Luna paused and then continued, addressing the other servants gathered in the hall.

“All of you are fired. I don’t need servants who don’t even know who their master is. Just get out.”

Gasps and sounds of astonishment spread throughout the room.

“I, I did nothing wrong! Why would you fire me…!?”

“Don’t you think standing by and watching is also a sin? Why didn’t you tell me if you knew? Who do you think is your master? Were you planning to deceive me forever?”

Being a passive observer was as guilty as active participation. If they knew of Carlton’s misconduct, they should have informed Luna.

“I am innocent! And have you forgotten that our employment contracts were renewed indefinitely when you signed the mansion’s contract!?”

Carlton, still in disbelief, retorted, insisting that the contract protected him. The contract stipulated that firing without a valid reason would require a hefty severance.

Luna lost her temper.

“Do you not know that if the reason for termination is on your side, I don’t need to pay a penalty?”

Of course, if there was a valid reason for termination, there was no need to pay a penalty.

That’s how the Empire’s laws were.

Still, Carlton argued back.

“As I said before, I am innocent! If you fire me, I will officially protest based on the contract! Ah!”

Thump!

Antes, who had been holding back his frustration, kicked Carlton from behind.

“You’re insane. Truly.”

Rolling up the sleeves of his shirt, he kicked the fallen Carlton again.

“Argh!”

It was only two hits, but the opponent was Antes. If he struck with all his might, even a single blow could be lethal. As Antes began to resort to serious violence, Royer quickly stepped in.

“Master Antes! Please calm down! Please! You might kill him!”

But if Antes was the kind of person who would be easily restrained by someone’s words, he wouldn’t have such a notorious reputation.

Luna then stepped in front of Antes. She too didn’t want Antes to become a murderer.

“Stop it!”

Thanks to Luna intervening, Antes, who was about to throw a punch, stopped in surprise.

Luna, who managed to calm Antes down so easily, issued an evacuation order to the stunned servants.

“You have an hour to leave. Anyone left after that will be sent to jail according to the law. So, pack your belongings and get out if you don’t want to stay.”

There was no choice left. At the same time, screams rang out. Amidst this, Carlton, still filled with malice, cast his final curse.

“Do you think you can get away with this violence!?”

“Why, are you going to sue me? Go ahead. Even if I beat you to near death, I’d at most get fined. Also, do you think I’ll just stand by? I’ll make sure you pay for deceiving me and wrecking the mansion.”

No matter how lowly their family was, nobility remained nobility. Striking a commoner a few times wouldn’t be a big issue. Moreover, Carlton trying to deceive Luna was a bigger crime than Luna slapping him. Given the differences in their status, the outcome was clear.

Luna left those words behind as she moved to the glass greenhouse, holding Emma and Antes’ hands.

Antes, surprised at his suddenly held hand, looked down and allowed himself to be led by Luna.

Amid the servants hurriedly packing their belongings and crying, Carlton thought of the Marquis who had hired him and their butler who was a close friend.

He had to seek their help. He was certain they would help if he voiced his grievances.

* * *

“Miss… I’m sorry. If I had behaved better from the start, none of this would have happened…”

Luna frowned as Emma, burying her face in her palms, shed tears.

“Emma, you’re the victim. Why are you blaming yourself? The ones who created this mess are the real trash.”

“But I still feel sorry…”

“If that’s the case, I should be the one apologizing for being born into such a poor family. Do you want to hear that?”

Startled by Luna’s self-deprecation, Emma quickly shook her head.

“So, let’s drop this topic. I’ve fired them all now. In the future, we just have to hire decent people and live well.”

Luna didn’t want to talk about them anymore. Merely thinking about them made her blood boil.

If they did sue, she could just handle it using the power of law, status, and authority. This was far more effective than getting angry in person.

“Looking at your expression, you don’t seem remorseful. If you’re going to be sued anyway, wouldn’t it be better to break at least one bone?”

Antes, suggesting they should go back and break an arm or leg, got up from his seat, but Luna grabbed his hand and made him sit down again.

“Stay still. If there’s any hitting to be done, I’ll do it. And if things get resolved by just hitting, you’d be the protagonist.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Confused by Luna’s sudden mention of a protagonist, Antes furrowed his brows.

In response, Luna hurriedly made an excuse and somehow brought up Royer.

“Didn’t you see Royer’s expression? Every time something goes wrong, he becomes more horrified.”

Everyone’s gaze turned to Royer, but unexpectedly, he was focused elsewhere: on Luna holding Antes’ hand.

“What’s with that sour face?”

Upon Antes’ sharp criticism, Royer’s gaze left Luna and Antes’ interlocked hands.

“No, I was just thinking how fortunate I am to have such connections. But Luna, your hand…”

Royer pointed at Luna’s hand.

“It’s so red it looks like it might bleed. Are you okay?”

“…!”

Suddenly feeling intense pain from her palm, Luna’s face turned bright red.

“Ouch! It hurts! It hurts so much!”

“Miss!”

“Laura! Get cold water now! And a towel!”

Just a moment ago, everyone was ready to kill, but now, everyone was in a panic.

Watching Antes quickly searching for something cold, Royer couldn’t help but smile. This situation might truly be worth looking forward to.

“Instead of smiling, you should bring some water too.”

Of course, Royer was scolded by Antes and hurriedly followed Laura out of the greenhouse.