Chapter 47: My Fault
The door opened with a soft creak as Cyruz entered the Duke’s office, his boots clicking lightly against the marble floor. His brows drew together in confusion the moment he saw Vivienne and Andrius standing on one side, the air tense, and Millie kneeling in the middle of the room, her head lowered.
His voice came hesitantly, but respectfully."I am here, Father."
The Duke, standing behind his large desk, arms crossed behind his back, nodded once. His eyes never left Millie as he asked, "Do you know this maid, Cyruz?"
Cyruz blinked, still puzzled, but answered without delay. "Yes, Father. She’s one of my maids for the past three years... the one Axelius took."
The Duke’s brow furrowed sharply. His voice, now tinged with confusion and authority, echoed louder across the room."Took?"
Cyruz let out a quiet breath, lowering his head slightly—not from guilt, but because he expected what was to come. "Yes, Father. Let me explain from the beginning... This happened a week ago, three days before Millie began serving Axelius."
He paused, his fists clenched at his sides, jaw tightening. "I heard that Axelius lay his hand in one of my maids."
"What?!"
"Yes father, Axelius slap her."
Millie quickly lifted her head. Her voice was rushed, desperate. "Duke! Young Master Axelius... he didn’t do it out of cruelty. He was teaching me a lesson. I—I was talking behind his back. I spoke carelessly. It was my fault."
She lowered her head again, guilt heavy in her tone But Cyruz didn’t let it end there.