Chapter 16
The sapphire necklace that the countess was wearing began to sparkle as her body trembled.
The wife’s piercing gaze, as if she might lose her composure at any moment, was penetrating Eric.
However, the momentary chill quickly passed, and she had to adjust her expression as she glanced at Isabella on her left.
In the end, as if trying to save face, the countess’s lips were forcibly pulled into a smile.
“I heard from my father. To help with the family’s business. From my father’s and Edward’s perspective, it’s truly a grateful story, but for the commander of the Imperial Guard to be away for such a long time…That seems like a hasty thought.
A thin vein on the Countess’s white neck stood rigidly.
“I will gratefully accept your intentions, but I must return to the palace as soon as possible. That would truly be the best for the family.
On the surface, it seems like they are looking out for Eric, but the underlying message is a warning that there is not a single place here for you.
The countess finally let out a long sigh and relaxed her tense shoulders.
“Mrs. Vianne, please bring out the next meal. We still have a long way to go before we can serve the food to Miss Cecil.
“Yes, ma’am.”
As the head chef and the head maid hurriedly brought out the next dish, the tense atmosphere quickly eased.
While everyone was focused on the next meal, Eric’s calm voice responding to his wife could be heard.
“I fully understand your words, Mother, but how could I possibly dare to defy His Majesty’s command?”
At Eric’s words, the countess’s brow slightly furrowed.
“What does that mean?”
“There was a royal decree for me to help my father run the family business. I will dedicate myself here for the time being until the business stabilizes.”
“Wh-what do you mean by that….Don’t you know that carrying on the family business is solely the eldest son’s responsibility?
As the lady’s voice grew sharper, the count set down the wine glass he was holding.
“Madam, we will discuss that story again later. It doesn’t seem like a conversation to have in front of guests.
“Honey, but…!
“Please refrain from any further arguments, madam.”
At the count’s coldly subdued voice, the lady’s mouth was silenced.
It was clearly something that hadn’t been discussed with him at all.
No, I just scoffed at the thought of trying to run a business that was already on the verge of collapse.
But now the argument was different. The emperor’s decree, this has become a matter related to the royal family.
I don’t know the details, but why are you giving back the business you took away all this time?
Isabella’s expression quickly darkened as she watched the Countess’s face turn pale.
I had already heard the rumors, but Eric’s influence was extraordinary.
How dare he, a mere illegitimate child, have the emperor backing him and even look down on Edward’s position?
That was an insult to Edward’s fiancée and the future wife she aspired to be.
I had to somehow turn this atmosphere back to myself.
Isabella sensed it instinctively. Feeling frustrated, she turned her gaze and saw Aria standing nearby.
At that moment, a plan came to her mind.
Isabella composed her expression and, as if to quench her thirst, raised her wine glass and downed it in one go.
As Isabella’s wine glass emptied, the Countess gave a nod to Aria, who was standing with a glass of wine.
Aria hurriedly filled Isabella’s wine glass.
At that moment, Isabella’s plate suddenly fell to the floor. It was a split-second event.
“Ah! What should I do!
Isabella exclaimed in surprise. It was something that happened before Aria’s fingertips even touched.
However, everyone’s gaze at the scene turned simultaneously towards Aria.
When the small plate shattered into pieces on the floor, Aria hurriedly knelt down and picked up the shards.
In her haste to clean up, Aria continued to pick up the broken pieces, unaware that her palm had been cut and was bleeding.
“Are you okay?
It was just a polite inquiry, but Isabella felt a great sense of relief knowing that the attention of those around her was directed at her.
The sacrifice of the innocent maid was of no concern. Even if it meant sacrificing the innocent maid, they had to turn their gaze towards themselves and Edward.
But at that moment, things started to unfold differently than I had thought.
Isabella’s expression hardened instantly. It was because Edward stood up in surprise.
You idiot How can you clear this with your bare hands How can you just swipe it away with your bare hands!
Edward’s worried gaze. That was Isabella, something I had never seen before.
As Isabella’s expression darkened, the Countess, noticing this, hurriedly called for Edward.
“Edward, take a seat!”
Edward, with a pale face, stood up while holding onto Aria’s hand.
“I think we should prioritize treatment first. The wound area is more serious than I thought…
“Edward!”
The count’s command, shouted loudly, echoed through the air. The count’s expression was fierce and resolute.
Edward sat back down with a stern expression.
Aria hurriedly tried to wipe it with her clothes, but the area cut by the shard of the plate couldn’t be easily stopped from bleeding.
Aria couldn’t lift her head due to the disapproving gazes around her and carefully picked up the glass shards with her cut hand.
It was then. A dark shadow loomed in front of me It was because of Eric, who brought that blood-soaked hand straight to his mouth.
He spat out the fresh blood and quickly tore his white shirt to staunch the bleeding.
Eric took off his outerwear and draped it over the trembling Aria.
“The other maids will clean this place, so hurry up and go get treated.”
Eric’s low voice urged Aria. But she seemed not to hear him, her wide eyes just darting around.
Eric immediately noticed Aria’s condition.
That look of being intimidated by the countless eyes staring at him as if he were a bug. Because it was something he was also familiar with.
A sigh escaped from Eric’s lips as he frowned. He took Aria’s hand and stood up.
“If I don’t need to stay here any longer, I will take my leave.”
At those words, a look of surprise briefly crossed the count’s face, but he quickly masked it and nodded.
“I’m sorry for ruining the atmosphere at such a nice gathering. I will reprimand the maid myself.
Eric greeted briefly and took Aria outside.
Aria, glancing around at the disapproving looks, fidgeted nervously before soon bowing her head and following Eric’s lead.
As soon as they left, the countess let out a short sigh and hurriedly comforted Isabella.
“The maid was inexperienced, and that’s how this happened. I’m sorry, Miss Cecil.
“No. It seems like Aria is particularly nervous today After all, it’s an important occasion. Right?
Isabella skillfully masked her expression and sought Edward’s approval.
Edward’s unfocused pupils were directed at the door for a while.
In that subtle atmosphere, Isabella nagged Edward again.
“Edward? Are you listening to me?
Edward’s emerald-green pupils finally chased after Isabella.
When he silently nodded, the countess saw this and spoke a word.
“I was worried that you might have felt even a little uncomfortable because of that mute maid who had been by Edward’s side all this time. Anyway, since Edward’s dedicated maid has already been changed, you don’t need to worry too much about the little things…”
Edward’s face crumpled at his mother’s words, which she had decided without consulting him even once.
Normally, it would be words that would pass by without a second thought, but in Edward’s heart, an inexplicable agitation began to rise.
“It’s just for a while. Once Eric leaves, I plan to bring Aria back to my side.
Edward’s firm voice resonated loudly in the dining room. The complexion of the Countess, who was sitting opposite, changed dramatically.
“That’s not like you. How many times do I have to tell you that Miss Cecil will be uncomfortable.
“It was a decision that didn’t consider my will from the beginning. This is a deeply personal matter…
“Edward, how is that a private matter? How could you be so reckless as to say something like that in front of Miss Cecil too.
“Mother, but…….”
“Are you planning to ruin the atmosphere with your performance story in such a good place? Following Aria, you too ,
The Countess’s sharp gaze pierced through Edward without hesitation. Only their gazes exchanged through the silence.
Isabella, who was sitting next to him, noticed the cold atmosphere and reluctantly parted her lips.
“May I… say something?”
Oh dear. I’m sorry for raising my voice. Is there any inconvenience?
“There are no inconveniences. I know it might be rude to say this since I’m not your servant, but I’m not uncomfortable with Aria, Count. I really liked how Aria consistently took care of her master with such steadfastness.
“Cecil, no matter what, a maid with flaws would be uncomfortable.”
“Sometimes, that can actually be an advantage. Recently, in a count’s family, a close maid was so careless with her words about the family that they were ruined. Thanks to that, the young lady, who was about to get married, suffered a great disgrace.
Oh dear. Such a thing!
Looking at the lady’s wide-open eyes, Isabella smiled elegantly.
“Yes. Because of that, the social scene was in an uproar for a while. Rather, I think it will be even more reassuring because there won’t be any secret stories leaking out through Aria. Let’s spend some time together, and if it becomes uncomfortable, I’ll let you know then.
“Oh my. What a deeply considerate woman there is!
A strange light flickered in the woman’s eyes. It seemed that he liked Isabella’s gentle and persuasive manner.
The Countess immediately looked at Edward.
“Let’s do as Miss Cecil says. There’s no need to get flustered over something trivial at such a good occasion. Today is a day to celebrate only your happiness and that of Cecil, so it would be best to focus on that.”
Edward closed his mouth with a displeased expression. He kept emptying his wine glass repeatedly, as if he still hadn’t calmed down.
Isabella glanced sideways at Edward.
