Baron Kelly told the nobles to go eat. Annan went over to Miranda and asked softly, "You're Miranda?"
Miranda nodded, then asked hesitantly, "You... went into the city?"
"Yeah."
"Then..."
"No. I only went to buy food."
Disappointment showed on Miranda's face before she hid it again. She understood. The man who called himself a baron was a madman, and a powerful one. Anyone who defied him died.
Suddenly, a hand ruffled her hair, and a reassuring voice sounded beside her ear. "Don't worry. I'll find a way to make the baron let you all leave."
A faint blush touched Miranda's still-pale, haggard cheeks. "Thank you... I still don't know your name..."
"Call me Annan."
Miranda couldn't help smiling. "Then I'm Young Miss Olmedo."
Annan rose and returned to Baron Kelly's side. The baron hurriedly wiped the eavesdropping look from his face. "You like that girl?"
"I'm not interested in women." Annan shook his head. "I only want to save my uncle. As for that girl, how else would I get her to cooperate?"
Baron Kelly thought Young Miss Olmedo was denying his feelings. What boy didn't want to play the hero and save a damsel in distress? "My promise still stands. Help me finish my work, and I'll let you rescue them and become Mond's hero. I'll even help you win her love."
"Oh."
Annan was unmoved. The baron still hadn't realized that Annan now held the upper hand.
You're offering to give me what's already mine?
The nobles rested well that night. The next day, the nightmare resumed.
Annan hadn't lied. He really could help Baron Kelly.
The gardeners and maids had been wiping and trimming the same spots over and over? All they had to do was move around. The maids carried buckets along set routes, changing