Jocelyn’s lips tightened, and she squirmed uncomfortably. Cedilloi, reaching the limits of patience, breathed slowly.

“Jocelyn.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“You raised your hand to Arianthe. Is that true?”

For a moment, Jocelyn felt a corner of her heart sink. The wrinkles around her mouth twitched with discomfort and disdain.

When the servants came after the carriage and said that it was the Duke’s order to return immediately… She had already forgotten about Arianthe.

When she took the necklace from Arianthe, and when Arianthe overturned her room, Jocelyn’s consciousness was already blurred like a person out of his mind.

That’s why she only thought that Cedilloi was calling her because he had something to say.

However, the moment both arms were unexpectedly seized in front of the hall, Jocelyn realized that something was wrong. Only after hearing that the Duke was very angry about the Lady’s affair did she finally understand what had happened. Is the Duke going to scold me because of that pathetic wench?

‘Even so, your miserable self will soon be trembling like trash in this house.’

With arrogant eyes, Jocelyn, who had been looking down at Arianthe, bowed her head towards Cedilloi.

“Your Grace, Lady stole my belongings. It was something precious given by the late Duke, so I lost my reason.”

Saying this. Jocelyn thought. Saying this, Cedilloi could do nothing to her.
Jocelyn never admitted it to herself, and even though she treated her own son, Verbo, worse than others, she always hid somewhat in the shadow of the late Duke.

No one knew how much Cedilloi respected and followed his father as well as Jocelyn did. And she was well aware that Cedilloi knew how much his father respected and treated her, a mere housekeeper, especially.

But this time, Jocelyn’s expectations were off the mark.

“My daughter wouldn’t do such a thing, Jocelyn.”

Jocelyn’s eyes widened as if being betrayed by an unbelievable betrayal.

“Your Grace, are you saying you can’t believe my words?”

“It’s not that I can’t believe, but that I don’t believe. I know Ariante well. Ariante is not the kind of child who would do such a thing. Whatever item you received from your father, Ariante would never steal it.”

“How can you say that!”

In frustration and anger, Jocelyn raised her voice, taking out the contested wooden brush from a small pocket inside her sleeve.

“Look, Your Grace. You must know this item too, right? I’ve shown it to you, Your Grace. Do you remember?”

“Yes, I remember. It’s the wooden brush your father gave you.”

Jocelyn smiled with a fierce expression.

“That’s right. It’s very precious to me. But Lady had it. If she didn’t steal it, how else would she have it?”

Cedilloi looked at Arianthe.

“Arianthe, did you steal that from Jocelyn’s room?”

“No, Father.”

Arianthe’s rhythmic voice resonated in Jocelyn’s ears like a beating drum. Seeing the blue eyes staring directly at her, Jocelyn’s face turned pale.

“I didn’t steal it. I found it in the room Swann is using right now. When Maeyana and other maids were cleaning the room, I found it.”

“Lies! I would never leave it in such a place!”

“Enough, Jocelyn. Are you in your right mind to raise your voice in front of me?”

Jocelyn now wore an expression as if she had been struck on the head with a hammer. She had never heard Cedilloi speak like this before, not to herself, nor to any other employees. Cedilloi was different from the hypocritical and oppressive nobles who exuded arrogance. Just like the Lords of Valtermister for generations…

However, that surprise was nothing compared to Cedilloi’s next words.

“Kneel in front of Arianthe and ask for forgiveness, Jocelyn.”

Jocelyn’s head turned abruptly. The eyes, now burning like flames, had no hesitation in facing Cedilloi.

“Your Grace, to me…”

“No need for long speeches. Arianthe is my daughter and the lady who will inherit the Valtermister family. Haven’t I told you before? Reflect well on who you are and who Arianthe is. Did you expect me to overlook such an act towards the only heir of the Ducal family?”