Ever been embarrassed by your own wild fantasies? That's right, Adelle was mortified. Even though from the beginning, Calsius's arm was never wrapped around her waist, but neatly kept behind his body.
"W-wait. I have another mission to do. I'll take my punishment after I'm done," Adelle said hastily, trying to escape.
Calsius held her back again.
"I'm serious. When have I ever lied to you, right?" Adelle averted her gaze, avoiding eye contact that could make her honesty spill out. "When do I ever lie? You'll let me go, right?"
Calsius didn't answer.
"You're seriously not letting me go? In that case, please help me."
Calsius's eyes softened. "What kind of help?" he asked.
"Please gather everyone in this house. I want to check on them," Adelle replied.
"Reason?"
"You'll know later. Come on, we don't have much time!" Adelle exclaimed.
This time, she pulled Calsius's hand that was holding her back. Who told him to hold her back from leaving, so he ended up leaving too, right?
¡!¡!¡!¡!¡!¡!¡!¡!¡!¡!¡
"Everyone has gathered as per your command, Madam." Rico bowed his head slightly.
"Do that mission," Calsius said. He stood leaning against the wall behind him, right next to the doorway. His arms crossed over his chest, watching intently, wondering what mission Adelle actually meant.
Adelle observed the faces of the people, who were none other than the female servants working in the Villa. Rico had asked earlier if he should gather the guards as well, but Adelle refused and told him to only gather the female servants.
From their faces, no one looked anxious or panicked. Adelle began to speak amidst the silent atmosphere.
"I don't like to beat around the bush when saying something. So I'll just say it directly because there are two things I want to convey," Adelle said. She paused briefly, continuing to observe their eyes one by one. "First, there's a traitor here. I want you to be honest so we can both be comfortable and not waste much time."
Adelle watched them again for a few minutes. "No one? Well, I made a wrong move, I guess. It's okay." Adelle took a step, then turned her body to face Rico who was standing beside Calsius. "Check their right hands, Rico."
Rico's eyes widened. "What for, Madam?"
Adelle hadn't had a chance to answer, her answer was cut short by Calsius speaking before her. "Just do it, Rico."
Rico obeyed. He moved quickly towards the servants who were lined up. He checked them one by one, even checking their left hands to reassure Adelle, who had a sour expression. Her arms crossed over her chest, a sharp gaze, and gritted teeth.
"W-wait, Madam. What do you mean by telling us to show our right hands? Isn't that a matter of privacy, and we have the right to refuse?" said one of the servants there.
Adelle, who was initially looking serious, now began to carve a crooked smile. "My meaning? Who are you to need to know the meaning of what I command?"
The servant fell silent.
"Don't waste our time." Rico warned. The man forcibly pulled the servant's hand. Even while pulling back and forth with the owner of the hand, who refused to show her hand.
"Secondly," Adelle interrupted. Stopping their actions, drawing everyone's attention, including Calsius, who still didn't understand the direction of Adelle's words. "I'm missing a piece of jewelry, I love it so much that I'm unwilling for you to have it."
The servant's hand, which Rico was holding, was forcibly released. The servant pulled her hand back and pointed to her friend next to her. "I saw her take Madam's necklace, I'm sure!" she said.
Her friend's face showed surprise,eyes wide and mouth slightly agape to refute the accusations thrown at her.
"Joe, why are you accusing me? How could I possibly dare to take something belonging to the Lady!" the woman retorted.
"Mia, I know you must be embarrassed, so there's no need to pretend. Just confess."
"Embarrassed? You should be the one who's embarrassed!" A pause, Joe's gaze lingered. "You should realize and be ashamed of the feelings you have for Lord Duke! You shouldn't have to pretend, I know you're embarrassed!"
Joe's hand went up, almost slapping Mia's cheek, who was still staring intently at her.
Of course, the slap didn't happen. After everyone there heard Mia's words, they all immediately put on strange expressions. Some were surprised, some already knew and felt ashamed, and some had a fiery glint in their eyes. Holding and then squeezing Joe's right hand, Adelle pushed away the woman's sleeve.
Joe and the others were equally surprised. "W-what are you doing?" Joe tried to forcibly pull her hand away. But it was futile, Adelle had no intention of forgiving this person.
Adelle smirked. "See, I told you, didn't I? We'll meet again."
Mia looked at Joe and Adelle in turn. She didn't know or understand what was actually happening. Mia felt guilty for what had come out of her mouth. She should have just kept quiet. Look now, her Lady was furious and might tear this place apart.
"Lady, this is all my fault! I don't know what happened, but please forgive my foolish friend. I beg you," Mia said. Her knees buckled as she pleaded for mercy.
Adelle looked on with distaste. Her game was interrupted by sincerity, disgusting.
"How do you know what jewelry is missing without me even mentioning what kind it is?" Adelle now smiled broadly. Honestly, Joe was scared. "Not only that, this person has been spreading bad rumors about me and the Duke throughout the capital. Wait, can you even still be called a person? I'm sorry, I'm just a woman from a humble family."
Joe forcibly pulled her hand away and then knelt down. "I beg for mercy, Lady. I am at fault, please forgive me!"
Without hearing another word, Adelle stepped and turned. Approaching Calsius who was standing right at the doorway. The two briefly met eyes, especially Calsius who was still waiting for the meaning behind Adelle's gaze. Her eyes seemed to be about to cry? Ah, Calsius wasn't sure what it was because Adelle immediately walked away.
"I'll leave the rest to you, you know what you have to do, right?" Adelle didn't turn back at all. She only paused her steps to continue her words. "Tell them both to sell that necklace. Use it as capital to start a business or whatever. I don't want to see them again."
A moment later, Adelle remembered that if this was over, she would still have to deal with Calsius. This was bad! Adelle had to quickly hide! The woman quickly walked to reach her room.
Meanwhile, Calsius behind her was thinking the same thing. How could Adelle, who also made a mistake, get away with it so easily?
"Did you hear that, Rico? Take care of this matter, I have another problem." Calsius hurried away.
Rico let out an exasperated sigh. Him again, Calsius.