Chapter 137
Athyst chuckled. “I an if you were a thief, would you find it logical to steal one or two valuables from a number of them so that it won’t be very noticeable?” said Athyst, “Or would you steal a brooch and a necklace from soone who would notice it instantly?”
“That… it…,” stuttered Count Glacia.
“If you want to weigh the worth of the jewelry,” continued Athyst, “I am sure the jewelry Alec gifted can’t be compared to what you currently have. He recently gifted an entire shop’s worth of jewels and accessories which I haven’t even had the chance to open and keep track of—”
“Lady Skad!” exclaid Count Glacia, “What is it that you are trying to say?”
“I am here to warn you,” said Athyst, “If you ever raise a hand to the people in this mansion who work under , I will not sit back and watch. This ti, I am letting it go but I hope there will not be a repeated occurrence of such behavior. I am sure you are very smart, and you are able to understand and rember this.”
Athyst glared at the count and the count glared back at her. Neither of them seed willing to budge. Surprisingly, it was Count Glacia who relented after a while.
“I will, Lady Skad,” said Count Glacia. She knew that she shouldn’t cross the line, especially not in the presence of Lunia, who was once the duke’s aide.
“I am glad you understand,” said Athyst, “I am thankful for your ti.” She directed a comforting smile at the count and turned to leave. Lunia hurried ahead to open the door for Athyst.
Count Glacia was filled with rage. She flung the vase on the table which shattered against the wall in a thousand tiny pieces. The beautiful flowers fell on the carpet. Count Glacia stomped on them reducing them to a ss. She believed she could destroy any flower she liked, but her belief was challenged today. Athyst seed more like a weed, unbreakable. At this state, she would lose everything if she didn’t find a solution. She tried to calm herself and contemplated her options.
“Count…” said her maid cautiously.
“I need to repack for the hunting match,” said count Glacia.
“Sorry?”
“A dress!” said count Glacia, “The dress that I didn’t wear for the ball would be good.”
Count Glacia had previously bought a very beautiful dress especially for the ball. She had chosen the other red one to embarrass Lady Skad and left the dress untouched.
“Of course, count,” said the maid.
“This will be my last chance,” said Count Glacia, “We need to prepare thoroughly for the hunting match.”
“Understood,” said her maid, and hurriedly left to make the necessary arrangents.
Count Glacia thought that if she couldn’t break the flower, she will have to ruin it so that the butterfly would never seek it out. Never. Perhaps if a new better flower was by the butterfly’s side, it would relent and give in to the wiles of the flower one day.
***
Habe followed Athyst closely as they left the count’s room. “Madam,” she said, “Thank you so much. Thank you for believing in , I will never—”
“I think you have misunderstood sothing, Habe,” said Athyst, “I never said I have forgiven you.”
Habe looked frightened. She silently followed Athyst to her room. The duchess sat on the sofa. Habe stood in front of her anxiously while Lunia stood next to where Athyst was seated, awaiting her decision. At a short distance, Roman stood silently with the other maids.
“Lunia?” said Athyst.
“Yes, madam?” said Lunia.
“At tis like this, what is the most suitable punishnt?” asked Athyst, pressing her temples as though the whole affair was causing her a bad headache.
“The most suitable punishnt would be dismissal, madam,” said Lunia.
Habe looked downright miserable. “Please madam!” she got down on her knees and pleaded, “Give another chance. I will never disappoint you again. Please, I beg of you!”
Hearing Habe plead didn’t make Athyst feel too good. “I see,” said Athyst, “I will terminate Habe’s contract.”
“Madam, please,” sobbed Habe.
Lunia was taken aback. “Sorry?” she asked. Athyst had never taken a drastic asure as dismissing an employee before. She had assud Athyst would either suspend or cut so percentage of pay for Habe.
“Is sothing wrong with that?” asked Athyst, looking at Lunia.
“Not at all, madam,” said Lunia hurriedly.
“Dismissing you on the spot would be unfair,” said Athyst to Habe, “So I will give you three months. Habe, you should find a suitable job within these three months. After which, I would like you to leave this mansion.” Athyst turned to Lunia. “Lunia, have a retirent fund prepared for Habe’s years of service, and until the duration of the festival, pick another maid.”
“Understood, madam,” said Lunia.
Athyst looked at Habe still on her knees. “Habe, I would like you do go back and work in the side buildings and stop working in the main mansion.”
“Please madam!” pleaded Habe, miserably, “Please forgive this once.”
Athyst sighed. “Habe, please get up from there,” she said to the maid still on her knees, “Doing this won’t change anything. You have to take responsibility for your actions. You should have thought about this when you bargained with the count. I am already giving you a chance by not having you dismissed imdiately.”
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