Chapter 41: Chapter 41

However, the Grand Duke merely glanced between Kirsec and the butler indifferently and then pointed at the envelope with his index finger.

“That is the contract of immunity I gave this child.”

The one who immediately reacted to this was neither Kirsec nor the butler, but someone else.

“Your Grace! Immunity?”

“When did you issue such a thing, without us knowing?”

The two people who were looking over documents and quietly observing the situation suddenly jumped up and shouted at the same time. They looked alarmed that the duke had done such an important thing without even a word of discussion, but the Grand Duke replied calmly.

“It is Sir Aide’s reward for protecting my life.”

It was recognition for saving the duke’s life, so what else could they say? They glanced at my father once, and sat back looking frustrated. Still, one added in a low voice.

“Even so…why did you not tell us about it? We needed to know in order to deal with it accordingly.”

“Didn’t I just tell you?”

Looking at the Grand Duke’s dignified expression, the two vassals appeared to have a lot in their mind to say, but they knew their arguments would fall on deaf ears. They turned to me mournfully, appearing to blame my wasteful behaviour.

“Anyway, there will be no more talk of punishing this child for hitting Kirsec.”

“If possible, please disregard everything related to this matter.”

I added as soon as the Grand Duke finished speaking.

“Everything?”

“Yes. Pardon everything, including the actions of the maid who made the mistake in front of your son.”

The duke’s eyes sharpened at my request. ‘First the immunity, and now this? What is this kid up to?,’ seemed to be his question.

‘Oh, but I’m just a harmless seven-year-old.’ I only responded with a smile. I should stop overusing this and save it for later, unless it becomes less convincing.

“Why should I do that? You’re the only one I gave immunity to.”

“This is the matter of a woman’s future. And this is immunity we are discussing— isn’t it too wasteful to use on a single slap? Since you have granted it, be generous in your decision.”

If I had known this would happen, I would’ve hit a few more times.

“Sigh, you really are nothing like Hertman.”

Faced with my boldness, the Grand Duke sighed and smiled helplessly. The others who heard this nodded and agreed with the duke. My father looked really uncomfortable.

Kirsec seemed stunned by his father’s reaction, surprised that the duke could make that kind of expression. This father and son were much more detached than I expected.

Seeing Kirsec’s obvious shock, I felt a little sorry for him. Even now, the Grand Duke was ignoring his son and solely focused on me.

“Fine. I would pretend that today’s events never happened. Happy now?”

“Yes, thank you.”

I sincerely thanked him since it was true that he did more than was strictly agreed upon. The Grand Duke leaned back in his chair and beckoned us to leave.

“All right. You can go now.”

It was an unsatisfactory end, so everyone looked perturbed. I was the same too. Moreover, my business was not yet done.

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“Now I will tell the reason.”

The ones who were preparing to go back to work and those who were about to exit the room all froze at my words, confused. Since they didn’t seem to understand the common language, I explained more clearly.

“The reason I hit him.”

Only then did they recall that, when the Grand Duke asked me why I hit Kirsec, I bought up immunity instead of explaining myself.

The Grand Duke seemed to be asking me why I would bring this up when everything was over. So my next words hit him squarely in the face.

“Your Grace, how much do you know about your son?”

As if throwing stones at a calm lake, the air in the room suddenly rippled and then sank heavily.

The spectators, the butler—all stared at me sharply. The atmosphere changed in an instant.

The butler, in particular, seemed determined to stop me from spouting any nonsense.

Their gazes stabbed at me like knives, but I kept my focus on the Grand Duke. The duke’s eyes gleamed coldly.

“Are you implying that I do not know my son very well?”

How arrogant! The Grand Duke’s voice burst out, filled with anger. He was a very difficult person on any given day, but right now, I felt like a single careless word could put me in serious danger.

My every instinct told me to grab my father and start running. Instead, I stood my ground and pressed on.

“No. I am asking because I do not know.”

“I’m getting regular reports.”

Just the kind of answer I expected.

“Is that really sufficient?”

“What do you mean?”

Are you asking because you really don’t know? Then you’re a complete fool.

“Then let me change the question. How much time does the Grand Duke spend with your son? Do you know what kind of character your son has or what his likes and dislikes are?”

Of course, he had nothing to say. The Grand Duke stared at me for a moment and then turned to Kirsec. Kirsec seemed to shrink under his father’s gaze and was unable to meet his eyes.

It was partly because there was no bond between the two, but Kirsec wasn’t a fool either. He knew he was in a disadvantageous position and behaved accordingly.

“Is that why you slapped Kir?”

The Grand Duke did not make excuses. He just asked a question with hidden meanings.

“When a child makes a mistake, it is an adult’s duty to correct them. A child needs an adult’s guidance to cultivate a good personality. If guidance fails, I think they should be taught what is right, even if it means giving punishment.”

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That child turned out like this because his guardian failed to properly guide him. Hence, you are disqualified as his guardian. This is why I came forward and hit him.

I simply told the same thing in a roundabout way.

The duke’s eyes cooled further. He calmly looked at people in his office one by one. As his eyes moved from person to person, his face gradually hardened.

Eventually, it rested on his son, and Kirsec shivered under his regard, looking ready to burst into tears. The butler was unable to raise his head. Even the vassals looked down with bitter expressions.

*****