After hearing Jemero’s words, Cedric remained silent for a moment as if lost in thought. However, as he walked across the spacious hall, he spoke like this.

“Even if he becomes capable of continuing his work, how can I trust him after such an incident? Tell me, what do you think? Do I need to commend him?”

Jemero raised his head after a moment of silent contemplation.

“No, Your Grace. It would be much better to hire a new head chef.”

“Exactly. I entrust it to you. I won’t give any authority to Mistress Jocelyn. You handle everything. Once the current head chef is able to function, settle his wages and send him away.”

“I understand, Your Grace.”

As he turned towards his residence, which was the mansion to the west, busy footsteps were heard behind Cedric.

When Cedric turned his head upon hearing the small, light, and fast footsteps, Ariante, whose face was brightened with joy, abruptly stopped like a carriage braking.

“Oh, Father. You’re back?”

Cedric suddenly felt Swann’s image rising above Ariante’s face, and he bit his inner lip tight. Was it because of her expression, which seemed happy to see him? He had never experienced such a thing before, but it couldn’t be anything other than an embarrassing situation.

“Yes, Ariante. Are you feeling well?”

Ariante’s eyes widened with joy. As if she wanted to cling to Cedric and express her joy, she hesitated to approach while looking flustered.

“I’m fine, Father.”

An awkward silence fell between the two women. Cedric knew that Ariante was acting strangely for some reason, but he didn’t know why.

If he had a little more mental composure, he might have wondered if she wanted to say that she wanted to play together like last time… Cedric’s gaze was fixedly on Ariante. However, he had no intention of pressuring the child! He was just waiting for her.

“Father, um…”

Ariante, who managed to open her mouth with difficulty, looked up at Cedric. He continued to maintain silence, waiting until the child spoke on her own… However, Ariante’s shoulders slumped, and she seemed to be in a sulking mood.

“It’s nothing, Father.”

At that moment, Ariante’s body was lifted lightly into the air. Not only Ariante but also Cedric and Jemero, who stood next to him like a shadow, were equally surprised.

“What are you doing!”

Ariante kicked her legs, pushing her lips out. The person who had casually lifted the child was Meiana.

She had been silently watching Ariante, who now had sagging eye corners, and as Ariante raised her, Meiana walked confidently towards Cedric.
“Duke, I’m not sure if you remember what you said to me before.”

One of Cedric’s eyebrows raised with a puzzled expression.

“What did I say?”

“You told me that you would tolerate me behaving somewhat rudely.”

He had said something like that before, Cedric thought. Jemero, standing next to him, glanced alternately at Meiana and Cedric.

Cedric said, “I remember. Why do you ask?”

“In that case, I’ll excuse myself for a moment.”

What kind of excuse? But Meiana did not give him a chance to question. Just as the words ended, she gently handed Ariante, whom she had been holding, into Cedric’s arms.

“What’s this?”

Cedric was bewildered as he tightly hugged Ariante. As her legs almost slipped down, he quickly adjusted his posture so that Ariante could comfortably snuggle against his chest.

Seeing Ariante safely nestled in his arms, Meiana finally smiled mischievously.

“That’s enough. My Lady, how many times have I told you? Even if you ask the Duke to hug you, he won’t get mad.”

“I won’t ask!”

Ariante, whose face turned red, refuted suddenly. However, Cedric’s arms holding her neck showed no sign of loosening.

Meiana looked at Cedric with a somewhat reproachful gaze. While Cedric, still hugging the joyous Ariante, sighed lightly and relaxed his expression.

“Ariante, if you have something to say to your father, you can say anything, it’s okay.”

Ariante glanced surreptitiously at Cedric. In fact, it wasn’t the first time she had heard such words.

Cedric always told Ariante, “If there’s something you want or if there’s something you want to say, it’s okay to tell me.” But for Ariante, it wasn’t so easy.

“Ariante, if there’s something your father and Meiana need to talk about, wait in your room for a while, and your father will come to see you. Is that okay?”

“Yes, Father! It’s okay. I can wait.”

“That’s good.”

Cedric gently tapped her cheek with a soft touch, and then he let Ariante down.

“Jemero, take Ariante to the east.”

“Yes, Your Excellency. My Lady, please come this way.”

Cedric’s gaze was fixed on Meiana.

“You, come with me.”

As he turned around, Meiana looked at him with a determined gaze. There was much to ask. There was much to hear…

Though her counterpart was a Duke and she was just a hired maid, she had no intention of leaving this matter vague and unanswered.