"What did you just say," she replied, turning to face me with her eyebrows raised in surprise. I was fully aware that she was acting as if she had no idea what was happening, and for some reason, it really annoyed me when she pretended to be ignorant.

"You know exactly what I am referring to," I blurted out, but my tone came out much harsher than I had anticipated. The maids surrounding us gasped in shock as they exchanged worried glances, clearly frightened by my sudden outburst.

I ...