Paula had a mocking smile on her face after hearing these words.

'Of course, it would be because I was a maid's daughter and was easy to boss around.' She surmised that these were the reasons for being chosen as the Viscount's daughter's maid.

However, her thoughts varied from the answer she received from the now Countess St. Claire.

"First, you were the only one close to my age so you were the obvious option." She explained and without giving her time to retort, she revealed the second reason as well.

"Second, because your mother had asked me to take you as my maid." She uttered without changing the expression on her face.

Paula was blaming her for the decision she had made in the past but what she had done was at the request of her nanny.

She was attached to her nanny and when the lady had asked for a favor, Raylene did not have the heart to refuse her.

"Why would…" Paula muttered in disbelief that her mother would do something like that.

"There was a shortage of servants at the Plantation. You were set to be sent there." Raylene revealed something that she had kept a secret all her life.

Paula's eyes widened when she heard these words and she shook her head in ardent refusal.

Butler Limo and the other maids, along with the little girl who was peeking from behind the tree were bewildered when they saw how this arrogant maid was now shuddering in fear.

Raylene did not wish to ever speak of this matter but her maid had forced her to reveal this.

"T-they wouldn't!" Paula stuttered, refusing to believe this, and glared at her Mistress in fierce anger.

"Ray is speaking the truth." Rutherford's confirmation made her eyes widen as she knew that he wasn't one to lie.

The Earl was also aware of the 'Plantation' as he had once visited the Viscount's estate for matters related to it.

However, this was a long time after Paula was accepted as Raylene's personal maid so how did he know about this matter?

The answer was, Raylene had once confided in him after she had married him and moved into this Mansion along with the same maid.

The little girl who was watching from the sidelines rolled her eyes when she noticed the soft pink bubbles of love emanating from the Earl and Countess who were now gazing into each other's eyes.

'Focus on the matter at hand!' She snarled and shook her head at their shameless behavior.

"Master, what is this plantation?" Butler Limo had interjected so that the happy couple did not get distracted.

Yvonne gave a thumbs up to the Butler as she was sure that no one was watching her actions in this secluded spot.

Rutherford turned his eyes to his Butler and even though he was mad at the servant for he had failed to follow his orders earlier, he did not keep this information away from him.

"Plantation was the place where Ray's father, the Viscount, ran his business." He disclosed this information to those around him.

Of course, Raylene and Paula who lived in the small fief of the Viscount knew all about it but the Butler and the maids were ignorant about it.

The little girl who was also included in the list of ignorant people paid attention to what was being said.

The fief under the Viscount was small and the only remarkably prosperous business that he had was the iron mill where all the iron-related materials needed in the fief were made.

This mill was called the 'Plantation' as it was surrounded by a large banana plantation which was another farming business he owned.

As Iron was widely used in the Kingdom, his business was booming but with the success of the business came many obstacles.

Competition among the nobles was a common instance but the other aspect that plagued this land were bandits.

It was a common occurrence for the Plantation which was in a secluded area to be attacked by these vicious bandits whose only purpose was to loot the materials and the money there.

The people working there feared for their lives as many times, the servants had lost their lives during their robberies.

"Each time there was an attack on the Plantation, my father would recruit new people to work there." Raylene continued where her husband left off.

The dangers were many so the pay was also high but people trembled at the thought of losing their lives.

Only the brave young men were sent to work at the plantation and women as chefs and caretakers of the people who worked there.

Paula was also supposed to be sent to this place on the outskirts of the town to help the servants who lived in the quarters adjacent to the plantation.

When the list of servants who were supposed to be sent there was being prepared, the Butler had added Paula's name in it as they needed younger employees.

However, when the nanny heard the news of her twelve-year-old daughter being sent to such a dangerous place, she pleaded with the young miss to accept Paula as her personal maid.

The Viscount who doted on his child would never let her bear any grievance and would agree to let Paula stay behind.

"So I agreed to your mother's request and appointed you as my maid to serve me rather than watch you lose your life at the Plantation." Raylene concluded after recounting the events of their past.

Yvonne was stunned that there were such dangerous places where her mother lived as a child and was glad that she stayed in such a safe and secured estate.

Paula, on the other hand, was trying hard to find ways of refusing the claims that her Mistress was making.

'Listen to your Mistress' words, your life belongs to her.' She recalled her mother's words every time they spoke to each other.

She had always scoffed and argued with her mother for repeating these words but they were now beginning to make sense to her.

Raylene shook her head at the flash of understanding that was now donning in her maid's eyes but it was already too late.

"So tell me, how exactly did I ruin your life?" She questioned once again as she stared at the other woman.

Paula's mind was still trying to compute the words that were falling on her ears when she heard more coming from the Countess.

"I treated you kindly since I respected your mother." Raylene sighed.

She was always tolerant and allowed her to do as she pleased when they were younger and that continued even when they moved to this Mansion.

"You started to learn your duties and I never complained or nitpicked about the way you did your tasks because you were doing well." She did not forget to praise her for the times she worked well.

Just like her mother, Paula was a good aide so Raylene was more than happy to keep her by her side.

Her affection for her Nanny had projected onto Paula as she felt the same sense of familiarity from her.

However, it struck her now that all of the special treatment she had given the maid for their past together and their connecting links seemed to have gone to her head.

"After everything that my family has done for you, you tried to destroy mine?" She whispered in a low and depressed voice.

Paula had remained silent until now but she shook her head again as she glared at her Mistress.

"Mistress was the one who took everything away from me so why is it wrong that for once I want to take something away from you!?" She retorted as her volume increased by many levels, contrary to the soft voice of the Countess.

This lady had taken her mother's love away from her.

She had taken her freedom to choose the type of life she desired to live, the type of job she wished to do.

She had also taken away the attention that was supposed to be hers during their childhood and had done the same throughout their lives together.

So why was it wrong that, for once, she had the desire to take something from her Mistress?

She had done the same so why was Paula wrong for doing it this time?