Contrary to Lizzy’s expectations, he did not seem to suspect Ariella. After all, she had always treated her servants with unusual kindness, and the Duke only knew Ariella as his obedient daughter.
Even if that were not the case, Ariella was still someone the Duke needed, so it was only natural for him to side with her.
To him, Ariella offered a gentle smile.
“Yes, I did.”
And without hesitation, she swung her hand.
Crack!
A much sharper and louder sound echoed in the room. Ariella’s palm had struck Lizzy’s cheek harshly.
“Ah!”
“Ariella!”
Lizzy screamed and knelt on the floor. The Duke was also startled and shouted.
However, Ariella’s face, the one who had committed the act, remained calm.
“I’m just teaching her a lesson. This is what happens when one speaks arrogantly.”
“What did she say that made a princess, who should always be demure, raise her hand! Did this girl really call you by your nickname?”
“That can’t be. It has nothing to do with the nickname.”
“Then why…!”
“Lizzy just said that whether she is the real princess or not, Aaron’s heart belongs to her, so she would also be the one to become the moon of the empire. Furthermore, if that happens, she would be able to wield the fate of Abercorn as she pleases.”
“…What?”
“I cannot let her insult both Abercorn and the Waveland imperial family without consequence. If she were to say such things elsewhere, it would be a disaster, so I tried to resolve it on my end. Correcting and teaching the mistakes of those below is the duty of a master.”
Ariella lightly shook her right hand. Perhaps she had put too much strength into it, as her palm felt numb. It wouldn’t be surprising if she had a bruise by tomorrow.
Of course, if she felt this way, Lizzy would be in much more pain. See, I told you there would be plenty of pain. Ariella conveyed with her gaze.
“I never said such a thing, Your Grace! How could I dare to utter such blasphemous words!”
Lizzy clutched her stinging cheek and cried out in protest of her innocence.
It must have been unfair for her. She had been slapped once more when she didn’t need to be. And that too, hard enough to make her head ring.
However, unfortunately, no one cared about her grievances. To her father, it wouldn’t matter whose words were true.
“Enough!”
A thunderous shout rang out. Lizzy, who had been pleading her case, finally shut her mouth.
“Both of you, stop! Eli, do you really need to create such a problem in this situation? Why are you doing something you never did before?”
“I’m sorry, Father. I will be more restrained in the future.”
“And calling her ‘that thing’? Have you forgotten my command? I did not just instruct you to treat this girl as a princess for the servants alone.”
“I have forgotten your command and committed a mistake. I will not forget this and will follow it in the future.”
Ariella bowed her head in apology. Seeing this, the corners of Lizzy’s mouth slightly lifted. She thought her plea had been heard.
“And you.”
The Duke’s gaze turned back to Lizzy. Unlike before, his eyes were now filled with a sense of vigilance.
“You must always keep in mind that I am watching.”
If what he had just said to Ariella was a reprimand, this was a warning. A warning to be careful in her conduct.
The reason he was showing such a cold attitude toward Lizzy was clear. The topic Ariella had just brought up had offended him.
The fact that even after it was revealed that Lizzy was not the real princess, the Crown Prince’s heart was still directed toward her. Or, if it turned out that Lizzy was indeed the real one, and as a result, she ended up marrying the Crown Prince.
This was the situation the Duke was most worried about these days.
In the former case, the prestige of the Duke’s family would fall. The Empress was someone who needed to rectify public sentiment, yet the woman who would take that position could not even manage her own husband.
It was common for married men to have mistresses, but it was particularly laughable for someone from the royal family.
However, the latter situation was even more serious.
Having grown up as a maid, Lizzy had no sense of belonging or affection for Abercorn and was undoubtedly the Crown Prince’s person.
With no proper education, she was dull-witted and clumsy, so it wouldn’t take long for her to be swayed by the sweet words of the royal family after marriage.
Would a person recognized as the real princess side with the royal family? This was a significant problem.
