Chapter 111: Chapter 19. An unforeseen situation

Meanwhile, in the study of the northern Duchess.

— Your Grace, I’m sorry... But I really can’t accept it!

— what?

Selina de Loon frowned. Admittedly, she was somewhat puzzled when this maidservant, whom she had pardoned and released of her own free will, returned just to say this. After her words, Runny’s maid carefully pulled out a sparkling mother-of-pearl ring from her front pocket and placed it on the Duchess’ desk.

— What’s all this about? — the woman asked.

Selina couldn’t understand the scene that was unfolding in front of her right now. After all, she had already shown unprecedented mercy when she decided to turn a blind eye to her husband’s infidelity and refuse to properly punish these two instead of execution.

In the end, she even decided to give away the ring that Jeremy Seibel had given her for her birthday. That’s because the duchess came to the conclusion that this ring should belong to a woman whom the young man really loves. That was why she told the butler to give this ring to the maid whom she secretly allowed to leave the castle.

But instead of just accepting her grace properly and leaving the northern lands, this reckless girl actually chose to return here! Risking his own life, Runny would eventually return to the Edelweiss Residence only to return the ring that belonged to the mother of the baron’s youngest son.

— Your Grace, actually, all this time I’ve been trying to tell you that you really misunderstood everything! — The maid exclaimed desperately when she even dared to take her eyes off the floor and look at the person in front of her.

«That’s enough,» the Duchess cut her off abruptly, «I’ve already shown too much leniency towards you two in this situation. So, did you come back to keep bothering me, or because you decided to die?

The maid involuntarily shuddered and trembled.

«Your Grace, but the young master and I really have never been in any relationship!»

«I don’t want to hear it.»

Runnie pursed her lips.

— If that wasn’t the case, then why would I come back risking my life for it? — the girl sobbed.

— How do I know what thoughts are in your head? — Selina let out an exasperated sigh as the whole situation continued to bore her.

— I...I just didn’t want the young master who treated me well to be unfairly accused! — continuing to sob, the maid fell to the floor and began to bang her head on the floor, — Your Grace, please... Reconsider your decision!

For a while, the northern Duchess just watched this sight in silence. At one point, she touched her head to massage her temples.

«There’s no need to make a scene here,» the woman said coldly, «It won’t change anything anyway. Unless you really want to die right here and now... Then get out of here and go back to your «beloved» master.

At that moment, Runny cautiously raised her head.

— Your Grace... what... What do you mean? — she asked.

The eyebrows of the mistress of the Edelweiss Residence furrowed.

— You should be together now. Is not it so?

Runnie was momentarily speechless with surprise.

— But... The young master and I haven’t met since then, — she said timidly.

— what?

«When I got to the place where the coachman dropped me off, there was no one else there,» she said carefully.

«...»

Selina was also silent for a while.

«what? How is this possible?» The thought flashed through her in the blink of an eye.

If this maid really wasn’t lying now, then this was something that clearly wasn’t in her original plans.

According to the laws of the north, the husband of the northern duchess who betrayed her, as well as the maid who participated in this sinful adultery, should have been immediately sentenced to the most severe punishment. Since the reputation of the de Lune family depended on it, Selina couldn’t openly forgive and let them go. Neither her people nor her servants would understand that.

Thus, the woman decided to act differently.

Having played out the death of the maid, which in fact was nothing more than a performance, Selina, not fully realizing her own motives, nevertheless let her go. After her arrest that night, the girl actually secretly left the north castle. And Jeremy Seibel was also supposed to secretly follow her.

After they left the north, the two were supposed to be taken to the same place in the south, where they could start a new life together. Therefore... These words of the maid now clearly came as a surprise to the Duchess.

However, the moment Selina decided to ask the maid about it...

— Your Grace!

Another visitor suddenly burst into the office of the Northern Duchess.

The head of the northern merchant guild disregarded the rules of etiquette and entered the Duchess’ office without even warning. That’s because he was in a hurry to deliver this extraordinary news.

— Sir Hubert? Why are you here?

Selina, who was somewhat puzzled by this man’s sudden visit, soon noticed that the guild leader had been injured for some reason. He also looked very tired and haggard.

— Your Grace, for me... — The merchant stuttered, — It was not possible to fulfill your order!

After these words, the man bowed low in front of her, expressing his deepest regret.

The woman’s bluish violet eyes flew open.

— What... What do you mean?

The head of the merchant guild still did not dare to look at her. He only said timidly:

— Halfway to the border of the north, our carriage was suddenly attacked by the northern wolves. I have specially chosen the safest route, where you usually won’t find these creatures. However... It still happened, — he swallowed, — Because it was an emergency, I had to let the prince go to protect him. However... After that, I couldn’t find him anywhere. Or rather... Only his horse came back.

Selina de Loon’s pupils involuntarily widened even more. It was as if she couldn’t believe what was happening and just froze.

«This guy... Where is he now?!»

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read