Perhaps she thought that if Cedilloi knew she had already left the mansion, he would give up. She would probably return, claiming that she had left to quickly fulfill the Duke’s order…

The voice, like a monotone recitation, with an emotionless face, was heard in the ears as if it were coming from a distance.

But this time, Jocelyn’s expectations were wrong.

“Go and deliver my orders to those who handle words well. Right now, on the fastest horse from Duke’s place, follow the carriage. Bring Jocelyn with you!”

“Oh, understood!”

It was the first time Bainti had seen Cedilloi so angry since he came to the mansion. Even the servants who had been watching nervously from various places quickly hid, afraid of his angry gaze.

This couldn’t just be overlooked. Cedilloi bit his lip. He hadn’t completely given up the plan to eliminate her, so she wouldn’t rise again. However, he couldn’t just ask and let it go…

Exiting the bedroom and closing the door, Cedilloi looked at Maeyana, who had a sobbing Arianthe in her arms.

“Father seems very angry.”

“Of course, he’s angry. If I were Lady’s mother, I would have strangled Jocelyn’s neck…”

Arianthe widened her teary eyes.

“Strangled her neck?”

Maeyana couldn’t say that she would have twisted her neck. She thought.

She wiped away the tears on Arianthe’s back gently. After giving her a glass of water, Arianthe seemed to calm down. Perhaps she found comfort in the fact that Cedilloi was so angry for her.

“I hope Jocelyn disappears.”

In response to Arianthe’s words, Maeyana, suppressing her suppressed anger, replied,

“She will disappear. Soon.”

Cedilloi, who came out of the bedroom, couldn’t calm down and paced in the empty living room.

Did such a thing happen before? Was it just something he didn’t know? Since there was no one like Maeyana to take care of Arianthe beside her, did Arianthe endure such things alone, without anyone knowing?
Twisting in pain, nausea overwhelmed Cedilloi. He felt as if he could no longer understand the human being named Jocelyn.

A heavy sigh escaped from Cedilloi’s lips as he pressed his forehead. The vivid red marks that had been on Arianthe’s neck haunted him like a nightmare.

He should have protected her. He should have taken precautions to prevent such incidents. He should have suspected the deaths of Berbou and Liria sooner… Regret was endless. Self-blame was as well. He had reached a point where he no longer knew what kind of person he was.

“Your Grace.”

Maeyana, coming out of the bedroom, gently touched his shoulder. Cedilloi, who had been suppressing his anger, turned to her with a slightly softened expression, leaning on the railing.

“How is Arianthe?”

“She seems to be okay. I’ll go and bring something suitable for the Lady to eat. Something soft. Your Grace, you should also have a cup of tea to calm your mind.”

Cedilloi, exhaling a sigh, chuckled bitterly.

“…Sure, please. No, no. You stay here. Be with Arianthe. I can ask someone else to do that.”

“I’m just going to the kitchen for a moment. What are you saying?”

“No, stay here. Ibi?”

Responding to his call, Ibi, who was tidying up the living room, came forward, adjusting her apron.

“Your Grace, did you call me?”

“Go to the kitchen and ask for warm chocolate for Arianthe. Also, ask them to make tea with lavender and honey.”

“Yes, I’ll go right away.”

Ibi, tying her apron string tightly, hurriedly descended the stairs. When Cedilloi held Maeyana’s hand, a startled Maeyana pulled her arm back.

“Your Grace, there are many eyes watching.”

“It doesn’t matter. The priority is to reassure Arianthe.”

He gently squeezed Maeyana’s hand, and as they entered Arianthe’s bedroom, he felt a bit anxious, as if someone’s gaze was sticking to the back of his head, but he shook it off.

Arianthe, who seemed to have lost her strength, was touching the sheets. Seeing Cedilloi holding Maeyana’s hand and entering, she momentarily brightened her eyes. Cedilloi and Maeyana didn’t notice the shimmering light on her clear blue eyes, like a bangle spun quickly.

Twisting her eyes playfully, Arianthe, holding onto the sheets, alternately looked at Cedilloi and Maeyana and said,

“Father, sleep with me tonight.”

Cedilloi, who had gently smiled, stroked Arianthe’s forehead, sitting next to her.

“Yes, let’s do that.”

“Me too, with Maeyana.”

At the prompt response, Cedilloi’s hand stopped for a moment. Maeyana, also taken aback, blinked awkwardly and then smiled.

“Lady, what are you talking about? How could I do that?”

“Why not?”

Arianthe, with her eyes squinted, tilted her head, and at that moment, Maeyana had a premonition.

‘It’s the eyes of an 8-month-old puppy that knows and still causes trouble…’