Chapter 30: The maid (2)

The maid's face flushed even deeper crimson, her breath catching in her throat and her hands trembling at her sides. The awkwardness in the air intensified, but she could not take her gaze away from Gabriel, as if his question had stolen her ability to concentrate.

"I... I thought you might remember, my lord," she stammered, barely audible. "The... the nights we were talking until sunrise. The night we... shared a bed. I was your personal attendant then. I remained here as a maid waiting for you. I hoped for your return." Her voice quivered with nervousness, and her eyes darted around as if searching for any escape from the uncomfortable situation she had created. Tears started to form in her eyes. 

Gabriel raised a brow, his lips curling into a wry smile. He didn't recall anything about such a maid. Nobody except his family seemed to know that even if he did not remember something, he could tell whether it was true or false. 

"A personal attendant, you say?" he repeated, the mockery clear in his voice. "You waited for me in such a low position. Should I feel bad for you?"

She flinched, her hands knotting together in a desperate gesture for reassurance. "I... I wasn't…! I made the decision to do this, but the thought of you forgetting me breaks my heart."

Gabriel's gaze remained cool, unbothered by her discomfort. He had dealt with far more imposing situations, and while he didn't care much for people who tried to manipulate their way into his attention, this one was clearly too naive for such cunning.

It was laughable, really. The von Jaunez family had strict rules about personal relationships with their household staff. Their butler, Joseph, had been with them for years, along with a few other senior servants, but Gabriel had never been particularly close to any of them, let alone a maid young enough to still be in training when he left.

"You're making it worse by not leaving," he said, voice quiet but stern. "Now, either you step out of this room, or I will make you."

Her eyes widened, and in a panic, she rushed to curtsy—though it was badly executed—and backed out of the room, her cheeks still burning with embarrassment. Gabriel watched her retreat, his face betraying little emotion. 

This was something he didn't expect, but this maid reminded him that many other opportunities will try to use his loss of memories to put their hands on von Jaunez wealth or power. 

Gabriel's expression remained unreadable as he leaned back in the tub; the water was getting cold and he waited for the woman to leave.

Before she could turn and leave, Gabriel's voice rang out, sharp and commanding. "Wait."

The maid froze, her hand already gripping the door handle. She glanced back, her face still flushed, but her nervousness now mixed with a tinge of uncertainty.

"What is your name?" Gabriel asked, his tone breaking the silence.

The maid hesitated, clearly taken aback by the question. She wasn't expecting him to ask for her name after such an intense exchange. Her voice wavered, but she answered quickly.

"I'm... I'm Linnea, my lord," she stammered, her hands clasped tightly in front of her, still avoiding his gaze.

Gabriel studied her for a moment, his gaze piercing. "Linnea," he repeated slowly, as if tasting the name. There was a flicker of something in his eyes, but it was gone before she could decipher it.

He exhaled deeply, leaning back against the rim of the bathtub, his eyes closing briefly. The heat of the water had long since done its work, and yet he found no peace in the moment. The entire incident had only served to heighten his tension. He had hoped for solitude to gather his thoughts, but that had been ruined.

Linnea," he repeated slowly, as if rolling the syllables over his tongue. His gaze lingered on her for a beat longer than necessary, searching for cracks in her facade. "You're either incredibly foolish or incredibly bold."

Linnea swallowed hard, but before she could respond, he leaned forward slightly, his tone shifting to something more pointed. "Tell me, Linnea, do you think I am an idiot?"

Her breath hitched, her fingers twisting in the fabric of her uniform. "No, my lord, I would never..."

"Then what exactly is your goal?" His voice was soft, but the undercurrent of danger was unmistakable. Gabriel enjoyed playing games with people like her, but she had the audacity to strike while he was already in a bad mood. She should be ready to reap what she has sown. Linnea will not work for von Jaunez due to her motives. 

Linnea's eyes darted towards the floor, but then something changed. Her posture straightened just a fraction, and for the first time since their encounter began, she looked him in the eye.

"I have information," she blurted out, her voice trembling but determined. "Things even your family doesn't know."

Silence stretched between them.

Gabriel's expression didn't change, but internally, his mind sharpened with suspicion. Was she bluffing? Testing his reaction? Or did she truly possess something worth listening to?

He leaned back, tilting his head slightly as he considered her. "Is that so?"

Linnea's fingers clenched at her sides. "It is," she said, her voice steadier now. "But if you want to hear it... you have to let me speak."

Gabriel let out a slow, quiet breath. She was playing a dangerous game, and she knew it.

Still, he couldn't deny that she had managed to pique his interest.

He lifted a hand and flicked his wrist in a lazy, dismissive gesture. "Very well. You have five minutes."

Linnea's shoulders relaxed, but the determination in her eyes didn't waver. She had taken a risk, and now it was up to her to prove she was not lying.

As she stepped forward hesitantly, Gabriel remained still, his dark brown eyes watching her like a predator assessing its prey.