Chapter 80 - - 80: What you want to do?
As soon as the servants came back with Claudine's in tow, Matthias wasted no time in making her unveil her wound. As soon as the doctor unwrapped her bandage, it revealed a large gash on her hand, but not deep enough to hinder her from doing her duties.
Elysee couldn't help but scoff at the revelation. She sneered down at the maid, who squirmed underneath all their gazes.
"What a lazy brat, feigning illness over something so small!" she exclaimed, prompting the others to immediately agree in their assessment, even Madam Norma couldn't hold back her disapproval at the lie.
Claudine on the other hand kept her lips shut as she stared at the duke.
"Please mother, we don't know if it really is just skin deep." Matthias pointed out to his incensed mother, "Doctor, if you please?"
"Ah, of course." Dr. Etman cleared his throat and assessed the injury with an expert eye. "Well, it's a large gash, I won't deny, but the bones beneath seemed to be intact." he told everyone, "Overall, I would say it's just a minor cut."
The maid suddenly burst into tears, unable to hold back her nervousness under their scrutiny. There wasn't even an ounce of pity thrown her way.
"Oh, but isn't that absurd?" Matthias hummed thoughtfully, finally looking towards his fiance, with that glint in his eye, "My lady specifically told me her maid had been injured and thus couldn't do her job, hence employing a temporary replacement. Was she wrong?"
All eyes then shifted to Claudine, who inaudibly gulped. On the outside it looked like she was just as clueless as everyone, but anyone who would observe her closely could realize it wasn't cluelessness, but nervousness instead.
"I, I didn't know," Claudine stammered, "I honestly believed she was unable to do her work." she reasoned out, casting a nervous glance at her sobbing maid.
At this, Matthias drew closer to the maid and took her hand from the doctor's, and caressed her gash just right beside it. "Well if that's true then," he eyed the maid coldly, "It must be the maid who lied to my Lady after all." he pointed out, and there was an uproar amongst the nobles with them.