Chapter 136
“Yes, madam,” said Lunia, “you are the Lady of the House. You have equal rights and power as the duke. However, since Count Glacia is the head of her own estate, the duke will need to consent as well.”
“Then I guess dismissal might be too much, but I can surely teach her a lesson,” decided Athyst.
“That would be much better,” said Lunia.
Athyst stood up. “Fine,” she said, “Lunia. Habe. Follow , both of you.”
Lunia and Habe did as instructed. Lunia looked calm but Habe seed terrified and confused. She was unsure what would happen now, and she couldn’t stop crying.
Athyst stopped in front of Count Glacia’s door which wasn’t very far from her own. Athyst glanced at Lunia. She nodded. Lunia knocked on the door, lightly.
“Co in,” said a voice from inside.
Lunia opened the door and stood aside. Athyst entered the room. Count Glacia seed very surprised by Athyst’s unexpected visit. She caught herself just in ti and welcod the Lady of the House inside.
“Do you have so ti you can spare?” asked Athyst, doing away with the pleasantries and getting straight to point.
“Of course,” said Count Glacia, “How can I help you?”
“I will be very clear,” said Athyst, “Did you use violence against my maid?”
Count Glacia turned her head to look at Habe standing beside Athyst. Seeing how Habe was sobbing, Count Glacia assud that the girl had told Athyst everything. It did not exactly feel as dramatic as violence to Count Glacia but she saw no use in denying it now.
“Yes,” said count Glacia calmly. But she was calculating the possible outcos of this situation in her head. She was trying to find a way to get out of this state of affairs.
Athyst looked at Count Glacia. “Since you have admitted it honestly,” said Athyst, “I will make things easier for you. Why did you hit her?”
“I didn’t know the child was your maid,” said Count Glacia, “I simply punished her for stealing my jewelry.’
“That’s not true!” sobbed Habe, “I didn’t steal anything!” Habe was so worried that it was her word against the count’s, but she didn’t want to be accused of sothing she didn’t do. Count Glacia glared at her and Habe fell silent in fear.
“A cri that she denies ever committing,” said Athyst, calmly.
“Well. I’m not sure whose words have more credibility,” said Count Glacia mockingly, “A lowly maid or myself, a count of an estate and a mber of the household.”
Athyst wanted to laugh in Count Glacia’s face seeing her pulling ranks to discredit a maid. Her origin wasn’t much different. But Athyst held her tongue. She had no intention of attacking sobody based on their past.
“I intend to listen only to facts by putting ranks aside for now,” said Athys, “For argunt’s sake, let’s say Habe stole your jewelry. If she had stolen it, and you caught her and reprimanded her, it is logical to assu you must have taken your things back. Let see them for myself. I want to see how beautiful they must have been to tempt a maid in this manner.”
At Athyst’s sudden request, Count Glacia seed taken aback. “I… I assud she must have really wanted it, so I let her… have it after I reprimanded her,” stamred Count Glacia.
“From what Habe has told , it was a necklace and a brooch, is that correct?” asked Athyst, “Yet, you let her have such valuable things despite claiming she was trying to steal them?”
“Yes…,” said Count Glacia, unsure of where this was going.
“Wow! Count Glacia you are so kind!” mocked Athyst, “She ‘stole’ such valuables from you, and you forgave her after a few slaps. Such generosity!”
Count Glacia’s face stiffened at the mockery. Lunia, Habe and the count’s maid observed the scene in silence, not daring to say anything.
“Yes,” said Count Glacia adamantly, “So what if I did? Is there a problem?”
“Oh, is there?” intoned Athyst, “Not at all, Count Glacia. Not at all. I am simply surprised by your consideration.”
Count Glacia ignored the jibe. “I am flattered by your attention,” she said.
“I think you should be careful henceforth,” said Athyst as a warning.
“Excuse ?” said Count Glacia.
“Since you are so kind, what if the other maids hear of this and try to steal more of your valuables?” said Athyst, looking at Count Glacia levelly.
“Oh, don’t worry,” said Count Glacia, “I always keep my valuables safely locked, it will be impossible for anyone to steal…,” Count Glacia trailed off. She knew she had made a horrible mistake.
Athyst smiled while Count Glacia tried to laugh it off. She felt foolish for being so careless. But Athyst wasn’t one to let things slip.
“I can’t quite understand,” said Athyst, “I wonder how Habe managed to steal your valuables which is always safely locked and impossible to access as you just said. Habe isn’t very skilled on breaking the safe and such. Perhaps you were wearing it on your personage and Habe tried to snatch it off you, which frankly seems like a stretch. You used to be a knight, and everyone knows it, so that sounds even more impossible. Unless… you willingly gave it to Habe. But then, what motive would you have in doing sothing like that?”
“She might have taken it when I wasn’t looking!” said Count Glacia, “How would you know if she is skilled in stealing things or not? You have valuables too. How do you know they aren’t missing? That child might have already nicked things and hidden them.”
“Which is even more confusing,” said Athyst, “Habe has access to my room even when I am not present. I might have more valuables in my room since I live here, and you might have only packed so. If Habe was a thief, wouldn’t it be easier and rational for her to steal from because amidst all the jewelry I might not even notice so things missing? And yet, Habe has not stolen from .”
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