Ace stepped into the garden.
Lily was seated in a lotus position atop a smooth stone.
But the moment she sensed his presence, she shot up.
"Master!" she beamed, already reaching for the kettle and cups. "What brings you here?" Her voice was sweet and innocent.
"Look at me," Ace said.
She paused, teacup halfway to being poured. Then turned, her bright blue eyes locking onto his cold blue ones.
"Did you do anything after I left?"
"I… I did a lot," she admitted, voice soft.
Ace blinked. "A lot?"
She nodded, hands now nervously fiddling with the teacup. "I—I made the villagers earn their food! Not slaves! Definitely not slaves!" she added quickly, as if the words had been rehearsed.
Ace raised an eyebrow.
"I pay them in gold!" she blurted. "And with that, they buy food, shelter, protection, the essentials! See? It's a fair system!"
"Lily," Ace said her name, low and firm.
She froze.
