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nChapter 9: A Nobleman’s Pride and Dignity

n“…What?”

nThe Count was dumbfounded.

n“Once you calm down and have a quiet and proper talk with Lady Rihannan…”

n“You bastard!”

nCount Alessin clenched his teeth.

nThe old butler was a knowledgeable and nagging man that had always a pain to his neck, but he kept him around because of his loyalty. He was good at his job and his wife and daughter loved him.

n“You’re saying that you’ll betray me and take her side?”

nHe scoffed.

n“Alright. I’ll kick both you and Rihannan out!”

nThe Count walked up the stairs in frenzy. In one fell swoop, he waved his hand at Rihannan. And she, expecting it, closed her eyes. She knew it would come to this, but it was fine. His assault would make it easier to kick him out.

nBoom!

nBut instead of the burning tingling sensation she should feel, the sound of someone rolling on the floor occurred instead. When she opened her eyes, Rihannan saw Mary lying on the floor.

n“Mary!”

nThe Count clicked his tongue realizing he’d beaten the maid, not Rihannan. Mary suddenly stepped in the middle and he hit the wrong person without knowing. He sighed and raised his hand again, but this time, the old butler stopped him from what he was about to do.

n“Count Alessin, stop!”

nMeanwhile, Rihannan tended to Mary. She was bleeding a lot. So… if Mary, an adult, was inflicted with damage to this extent, what more if she’d been the one to receive it? Rihannan took out a handkerchief and wiped the blood from Mary’s cheek before giving the Count a cold stare.

nCount Alessin was never a violent man. Sure, he had his faults but he wasn’t that kind of man. He was, after all, a man of great importance. The people held him as a man of culture and decency. It was expected of a noble. He would keep his basic manners with Rihannan’s mother whenever out in public. Those who did not know their story would have thought they were a match made in heaven.

nIn truth, the Count had a great deal of obsession with wealth and the estate he thought belonged to him.

nRihannan’s mother never saw his greed and lust for wealth, only seeing his charming side. And so when the biggest opportunity of a lifetime came knocking on his door, he, the son of a humble and lowly nobleman snatched the opportunity and gained far greater wealth and fame than he could ever imagine.

nWhen it seemed like what he thought was his was to be taken away, he had suddenly lost all reason.

n“Count Alessin, why do you act this way?”

nAt Jeffrey’s rebuke, the Count realized he had momentarily lost his composure and dignity. He was ashamed for he had ruined the honor of a nobleman.

nThe Count took a step back.

nJeffrey quickly formed a blockage between Rihannan and the Count.

n“If you find anything at fault, then we can discuss the laws civilly in court, with truth and honor as our backing. Count, this is the virtue and pride of an Arundell nobleman. Moreover, you had beaten a woman, and a child no less that you attempted to hit in a fit of anger and without reason. What would the people think were they to find out?”

nThe Count’s face turned red seeing the servants below watching them with shocked faces. To show respect to a lady and his wife was also the basic culture an Arundell nobleman should hold.

nBut from what the servants had seen, the Count was mortified.

n“Count, please back away from Lady Rihannan. Do not lose the bearing and dignity of a Count.”

n“Jeffrey.”

nThe Count gritted his teeth. He had always regarded the old man as a thorn in his side. Always so righteous and stuck-up.

n“It seems like you’re dying to get kicked out. You’re making a big mistake if you think I would turn the other cheek. There’s no need to have dogs under me who won’t listen.”

nRihannan heard the similar words her father once said.

nWhen Leticia’s tyranny grew to an extreme, Jeffrey advised the Count that he shouldn’t allow her to run wildly. The Count threatened him with similar words.

nAnd Jeffrey, he replied with the same answer.

n“I’ll leave. I’m old enough to die anyway. Yes, I’m afraid, but I don’t want to live with my eyes closed.”

nRihannan smiled faintly at his answer that was no different than the last. And right after, Jeffrey was kicked out. No one would dare to speak up again as majority of the servants had been replaced with the Count’s chosen dogs.

nBut things were completely different now. Only a day had passed since the death of her mother. Many of maids and servants were employees her mother brought in when she married Count Alessin while some she picked up seeing their unfavorable conditions.

nAnd now that their Countess had died, their master was now Rihannan, not the Count.

nBut the Count, unable to grasp the situation, shouted.

n“Why are you looking at me like a fool? Get him out of here right now!”

nThere were some who winced at his words, but the majority remained silent and unmoving.

nThe Count’s face changed when no one made a move.

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