I felt a small knot of unease tighten in my chest as I stepped onto the perfectly manicured lawn. The grass was trimmed so evenly it almost looked unreal, like something meant to be admired rather than walked on. The mansion loomed ahead of me—tall, cold, and imposing—its white walls gleaming under the daylight. Everything about this place screamed wealth, order… and pressure.

I barely had time to take it all in when a sudden loud noise shattered the calm.

Shouting.

Angry, sharp, and full of irritation.

I turned toward the sound just in time to see a boy storming out of the mansion doors. His face was flushed red, his brows drawn together in pure rage. A trembling maid stood in front of him, her head lowered, hands clenched tightly in her apron.

“I told you I wanted my room cleaned before I came downstairs!” Rian bellowed, his voice echoing across the lawn. “Do you not understand simple instructions?!”

The maid stammered an apology, her voice barely audible, but it only seemed to make him angrier.

“Excuses again,” he snapped. “You people are completely useless.”

He brushed past her roughly, muttering under his breath, while the maid remained frozen in place, eyes glassy as she tried not to cry.

I stood there, stunned.

This was him?

This was the young master I had been assigned to look after?

I had expected someone spoiled, maybe a little rude—but not this.

As Rian’s sharp eyes finally landed on me, I felt a chill run down my spine.

Something told me this job wouldn’t be easy at all.