Meiana was a bit of an exception, but she also had no intention of scratching Jocelyn’s nerves unless Jocelyn directly provoked Arianthe. However, Ivie…

Ivie didn’t know. Although she was told not to get involved with her, for someone experiencing such a situation for the first time, the meaning of “not getting involved” might not be clear.

“Ivie, didn’t I tell you to avoid getting involved with Steward Jocelyn as much as possible?”

“I tried to do that, Miss Meiana. I really did. But she got angry with me first. I didn’t do anything, but she tried to hit me.”

Meiana sighed again as expected. Ivie was the cause, just as she anticipated. However, why Jocelyn didn’t rampage was still unclear.

“Did you confront Steward Jocelyn?”

“I just talked to her because she was trying to hit me.”

“What did you say?”

Ivie’s pupils moved slowly. The action was clear in its meaning: either Arianthe was trying to divert an awkward topic or when she was about to break something and wanted to discreetly cover it up.

“Ivie, tell me honestly. That way, in case any problems arise later, I might be able to support you.”

“You probably won’t want to support me once you hear what I have to say.”

Meiana said firmly.

“I have to hear the truth, whether you like it or not. If not, you may no longer be able to work here. I don’t have the authority to fire you, but I can inform the Duke. This isn’t an empty threat. We can’t have someone making secrets or lying around the lady. I’m serious.”

Ivie’s eyes blinked again, a bit faster this time. She seemed to be pondering Meiana’s words carefully and finally spoke.

“I said it. If she hits me, I’ll make Madam Steward fall into the well.”

Meiana’s mouth fell open in surprise.
In an instant, even though she knew that Arianthe had gone to pick flowers with Bridget, she hastily looked around. Confirming that no one was there, her heart was pounding at the suddenness of the words.

“What? Really?”

“Yes, really. I said that, and then Steward Jocelyn suddenly clutched her chest and seemed to faint. I just came up with a bucket of water. Fortunately, I didn’t have to call anyone, as I ran into Lady Kosa.”

Meiana stared blankly at Ivie for a while, lost for words. In that situation, who could say anything?

Although there were many people in the mansion who disliked Jocelyn, there was undoubtedly no one like Ivie who said such things in front of her. On the one hand, Meiana was curious about what it meant for Jocelyn to clutch her chest and faint. She had seen Meiana go out to greet Cedelloy.

Maybe it was a momentary shock, but perhaps Jocelyn was suffering from some illness that she didn’t tell anyone else about.

Anyway… Meiana, who muttered to herself, looked at Ivie again. But she couldn’t decide whether to give a stern reprimand or not.

“Ivie, if Steward Jocelyn ever talks to you, just answer with a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ and avoid her. And if she tries to harm you again, tell her that I will inform the Duke about everything. Avoid that situation.”

Ivie replied, “Running away doesn’t suit my personality.”

Meiana chuckled, touching her forehead.

“But you can’t really throw Steward Jocelyn into the well, can you? Of course, I don’t like that woman either. No, it’s more accurate to say I hate her. I hate her so much, but I never thought of sneaking into her room at midnight and strangling her with a rope. Committing murder would only harm me.”

Ivie hesitated for a moment, tapping her fingers, and then slightly lowered her head. She was protruding her lower lip a bit, more in thought than with a firm expression. Although Meiana’s words were straightforward…

Nevertheless, Ivie soon said, “Okay, Miss Meiana. I’ll do as Miss Meiana says.”

Then she added, “And I won’t do things like strangling someone with a rope, so don’t worry.”

However, Meiana didn’t pay much attention to what Ivie said next. She didn’t bother asking what she said.

Bainti, who had gone to get tea leaves in the kitchen, returned and said, “Meiana, the Duke is looking for you.”

“Me?”

Bainti nodded eagerly.

“Yeah, go quickly. Be careful, though.”

“Be careful? About what?”

“Those girls who are cleaning the west corridor today are the biggest gossipers in this house.”