Deviating from the original plot

Chapter twenty-seven

After the eventful weekend, things mostly returned to normal. Keyword: Mostly.

"But you said he's your assistant?" Celeste asked, turning to Victoria with a raised brow.

"He is," Victoria replied absently, jotting something down in her notepad.

"Then why wouldn't he get me a cup of tea?" Celeste asked, shooting a sharp look at Damien.

"Because he's my assistant, not my servant," Victoria said flatly.

"He's working for you, isn't he? It's practically the same thing," Celeste replied, crossing her arms.

Damien frowned, clearly unimpressed. "It's not the same thing. Being an assistant doesn't mean I take tea orders. I am not a butler."

Celeste stuck true to her words and visited Victoria. But ever since she arrived, she has been a big distraction and getting on everyone's nerves. Especially Damien's.

"Oh, so you're above it now?" Celeste scoffed.

Damien said calmly, "I don't work for you."

"Damien, just call a maid for her," Victoria said, not looking up from her writing.

He frowned, clearly displeased, while Celeste smirked and stuck her tongue out at him.

With a resigned sigh, Damien turned and left the room.

Once the door closed behind him, Victoria glanced up. "Lady Celeste, you really shouldn't interrupt us like that. We were in the middle of work."

Celeste rolled her eyes. "Forgive me for expecting a little courtesy. Your assistant, though, could use some lessons in basic manners."

"Lady Celeste," Victoria said patiently, "you can't just interrupt us and make demands like that. It's rude."

Celeste cleared her throat and crossed her arms, lips pursed. "Fine. I'll be quieter."

"Good." Victoria nodded.

Just then, a maid entered with a tea tray, followed closely by Damien, who sent a sharp glare in Celeste's direction. Celeste lifted her chin smugly, unbothered.

"Your tea, Lady Celeste," he said flatly, then turned to Victoria with a pointed look that clearly said, This is your fault.

Victoria merely offered a helpless shrug before returning to her notes, and the two resumed their work in silence.

✦ ✦

Damien left earlier than usual, but before he did, Victoria walked him out. As they reached the doors, he turned to her.

"Remind me again why you let her hang around?"

Victoria replied simply, "Because she's lonely."

"I'm not convinced... she—"

"Oh hush, she's trying," Victoria cut in before he could finish.

Damien blinked. "She literally tried to boss me around like a butler."

"Please, just be patient with her—for my sake."

Damien rolled his eyes. "Fine. Only because you asked."

"Thank you," Victoria said with a warm smile.

With a final wave, Damien disappeared around the corner, leaving Victoria alone in the quiet corridor. She lingered for a moment, then turned back toward the drawing room.

"Finally, that bumbling he-child is gone. We can finally breathe fresh air," Celeste said with a dramatic sigh.

Victoria gave her a pointed look. "Lady Celeste, if this is going to work, you need to start treating people with respect—not just Damien, but everyone."