Chapter 49

• Aria entered the kitchen, and Maria immediately noticed her burns. "Aria!" Maria exclaimed, rushing to her side. "Let me see your hands." She gently turned Aria's hands over, wincing at the severe burns on her palms and fingers. "Oh, my poor girl,"
• "No!" Aria sharply pulled her hands back, avoiding Maria's concerned gaze. "It's fine," she bit out, her voice tight with emotion and pain. "Just... just let me finish my duties." Her hands trembled noticeably as she tried to adjust her uniform, hiding the burns beneath the sleeves.
• Maria looked at Aria's stubborn face and decided not to push further. She quickly ordered another maid to take over Aria's duties for the morning. "Go sit down," Maria insisted firmly yet gently. She guided Aria to a stool near the kitchen counter where she could rest her injured hands.