**Chapter 2: A Storm Unleashed**

As Hanji's anger continued to escalate, I knew I had to act fast to prevent things from getting out of hand. I buried my face in his chest, trying to calm him down with gentle whispers. My hypersensitive ears picked up the sound of the maid's sobs, the creaking of the wooden floorboards as the guards shifted their weight, and the soft hum of the chandeliers, which only seemed to amplify the tension in the air. "Hanji, please...don't hurt her," I begged, my voice muffled against his chest. The smell of his cologne, a familiar scent that usually brought me comfort, now seemed overpowering, and I felt a wave of anxiety wash over me. Hanji's chest heaved with suppressed rage, but he seemed to be listening to me. His grip on my waist tightened, and he took a deep breath before turning to face the maid. The sound of his heavy breathing was like a ticking time bomb, and I could feel the vibrations of his growl through his chest. "Summon the steward," he ordered, his voice still low and menacing. "I want to know why this...this..." He spat the words out, as if they tasted bitter. "This monster was allowed to work in my household." The guards quickly scurried off to carry out his orders, while Hanji turned his attention back to me. He gently lifted my face, examining the bruise on my cheek with a critical eye. His touch was tender, but I could sense the underlying tension in his body. "Does it hurt, Princess?" he asked, his voice a little softer now. The concern in his eyes was a balm to my frazzled nerves, and I shook my head, trying to downplay the incident. "It's just a little sore," I lied, trying to minimize the situation. But Hanji's eyes narrowed, and he pressed his lips together, clearly unconvinced. As we waited for the steward to arrive, Hanji's anger seemed to simmer just below the surface. I could feel the tension in his body, the coiled energy waiting to be unleashed. The air was thick with anticipation, and I knew that the consequences of the maid's actions would be severe. The steward arrived, bowing low to Hanji. "Your Highness, I apologize for the incident. I will make sure to investigate and take necessary actions." But Hanji was having none of it. "See that you do," he growled, his eyes flashing with anger. "I want that maid gone, and I want her to never set foot in this estate again. And as for you..." He turned to the steward, his voice dripping with disdain. "You will make sure that all the staff understands that my little princess is under my protection. Anyone who harms her will face my wrath." The steward nodded hastily, backing away slowly. Hanji's guards returned, escorting the maid away in tears. The sound of her sobs echoed through the foyer, a stark reminder of the consequences of her actions. As the commotion died down, Hanji turned his attention back to me. He swept me up in his arms, cradling me like a child. The warmth of his body, the familiar scent of his cologne, and the gentle rhythm of his heartbeat all combined to calm my frazzled nerves. "Let's get you to a quiet room, Princess," he whispered, his lips brushing against my ear. "I need to calm down, and I need you to be safe." I wrapped my arms around his neck, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. As we walked out of the foyer, I knew that Hanji's storm was far from over. But for now, I was safe in his arms, and that was all that mattered. The soft hum of the chandeliers, the gentle rustle of the curtains, and the warmth of Hanji's body all combined to create a sense of peace, a temporary reprieve from the turmoil that had erupted in the foyer.