Chapter 135
“Yes,” said the maid, hesitantly.
“How did it happen?” asked the count, “Perhaps it’s a mistake!”
“No,” said the maid, “The temple identified and verified that it was him.”
The temple was never wrong in verifying the dead. All guides of god rested in the temple in their tombs.
“How did he die?” asked the count.
“It is… uncertain,” said the maid, “So say it was an accident. His carriage overturned and crushed him. So say he fell into a river. Nobody seems to know for certain, but everybody saw his corpse.”
Count Glacia could only think of one person who could have made it happen. “Duke Skad!” she exclaid. Only he was capable of sothing like this. It was sothing he would do.
Did he really kill Dajal because he crossed his wife? Wondered count Glacia, it can’t be! Is the duke really sincere about his feelings towards…? Count Glacia wrapped her arms around herself as she suddenly felt a chill down her spine. It felt like the end of Dajal was a warning to her, too.
***
Lunia reported the happenings of the ball of the previous night to Athyst since she had left very early.
“The praise for last night’s ball is endless,” said Lunia, “Everyone complints you on doing such a good job with it.”
“I am glad everyone enjoyed it,” said Athyst, absentmindedly. She wasn’t really listening to Lunia. She looked at Habe who stood attentively with the other maids, with her head bowed. She looked downright miserable. Athyst was concerned about her bruised face and injured lower lip.
So, it was Habe after all, thought Athyst sadly. She had been suspicious since Habe had asked about her favorite flower before count Glacia bought all the baby’s breath. But she still felt bitter seeing Habe so miserable.
As the Lady of the Household, Athyst had banned the use of violence in the mansion after firing Dajal. Any kind of violence was intolerable to her. However, it was clear that Habe had been beaten. And there was only one person who could have done it. Soone who was furious that her plans were failing. The one who had approached Habe for personal information about her.
Habe is foolish to sell out information in this manner but count Glacia needs to be dealt with. How dare she lay a hand on my people? Athyst seethed in anger. As an employer, it fell on her to make sure her employees felt safe.
“Habe,” she called.
“Yes, madam?” said Habe raising her lowered head in surprise.
“Why is your face bruised?” asked Athyst.
All the maids, including Roman and Lunia turned to Habe. “I… I fell down and got hurt, madam,” stamred Habe.
“Lunia?” called Athyst.
“Yes, madam?” said Lunia.
“Do those bruises look like the ones you get when you fall down?” asked Athyst.
“No, madam,” said Lunia, “If she had fallen, her skin would have been scraped rather than turn blue like that.”
“Hm,” said Athyst, “Habe? Do you have anything more to add?”
“I am sorry, madam,” said Habe, “I misspoke. I bumped into sothing. I wasn’t looking…” Se trailed off. She knew it was futile.
“Habe, it’s a little too far-fetched that your lips got busted so badly just by bumping into sothing,” said Athyst, sadly. “If you feel uncomfortable uttering it, shall I venture a guess?”
Habe looked down, anxiously. Her knuckles white.
“You sold my information to Count Glacia, didn’t you?” asked Athyst, calmly. “You told her about the attire I was going to wear for the ball. When I opted for another attire in the last minute, she was enraged and raised her hands on you. Am I wrong so far?”
“Th-that’s not true,” stamred Habe.
“I take it that it was you who told her about my favorite flower?” said Athyst, “And other… personal matters. What did Count Glacia offer you in return?”
Habe saw that it was useless to deny it since Athyst was so calm and sure of everything she said at that instant. Habe dropped to her knees and sobbed. “Please forgive , madam,” she pleaded, “Just this once.”
“Tell the truth, Habe,” said Athyst.
“All of it is true. Whatever you said,” sobbed Habe, “She told that it would be simple and harmless information. She said it would never hurt you. I was a fool. I will never do sothing like this again. So, please forgive this once.”
“What did she offer you in return?” asked Athyst again.
“A necklace and a brooch,” said Habe.
“Did she give it to you herself?” asked Athyst.
“Yes,” said Habe, “She gave the ones she was wearing at that ti. She said it suited better.”
“I see,” said Athyst, calmly. “Do you still have them?”
“Yes, madam,” said Habe with bowed head, crying.
Athyst turned to Lunia. “Remind ,” said Athyst, “What did I say the punishnt for violence would be?”
“Imdiate dismissal,” said Lunia.
“Hm,” pondered Athyst, “Can this be applied to the extended household mbers?”
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