Chapter 118
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The next day, during the meeting, Ivan smiled contentedly, unlike the day before. Although there were still a few who opposed, the conclusion was ultimately satisfying. It had gone just as he had intended.
Now, once the meeting ended, he planned to go straight to see the bunny who would be lying in bed. Just thinking about her cute, drunken voice and slurred words from last night made him smile without meaning to.
As soon as the meeting wrapped up, Count Morado caught him in the hallway.
“I have one suggestion, my Lord.”
“What is it?”
“How about appointing Lady Rosa as a maid?”
Ivan immediately grasped the meaning behind Count Morado’s words. It took him by surprise.
He wasn’t in favor right away. At the moment, he was much more content with the thought of Ruby waiting for him in his room.
He thought so even though there were more days he went looking for her than there were days she waited for him.
“Why should that be necessary? Ruby is doing just fine as she is.”
“It may have been fine up until now, but if her position remains uncertain, it could turn out poorly for Lady Rosa as well. The recent unfortunate incident was likely a result of her ambiguous position.”
”I believe what happened then was the maid’s fault.”
“Not entirely. It was only possible because that maid dared to look down on Lady Rosa.”
“…So you’re implying that there are those within the duchy who are disrespecting Ruby? They must already know she is under my care, don’t they?”
“You know well the nature of our clan. While most tribes are not fond of outsiders, our wolf clan is even more so.”
Count Morado pressed on firmly, despite Ivan’s objections.
“This is going to take some time to work through. It’s better to instill a sense of belonging as soon as possible. So the sooner we can instill a sense of belonging, the better, both for your sake and for the sake of the people in the duchy’s employ.”
“Hm… Your words have merit. I’ll consider it.”
“There’s one more thing I must bring up.”
“…What else?”
Ivan had expected the events of yesterday’s dinner to change the attitude of his vassals, but Count Morado’s proactive stance was unexpected.
“Forgive me for speaking out, but I ask that you give Lady Weaver just one more chance.”
At his following words, Ivan’s expression darkened.
“The maid has clearly violated the rules of the duchy.”
Count Morado tensed at the sound of Ivan’s voice, which had dropped to an eerie pitch, but he had valid reason for his request.
“This is all for Lady Rosa’s sake.”
“Why is that?”
“As I just mentioned, she needs to feel a sense of belonging here. If one maid is punished and another maid is placed in her position, how do you think the other maids will view that?”
“Is that something I need to be concerned about?”
“…I’m not suggesting we let Lad Weaver’s actions go unpunished. I’m only asking that she not be thrown out of the estate, my lord.”
“Hm.”
“If we properly reprimand the Weaver family, demote Lady Weaver to a servant, there should be no future conflict with Lady Rosa.”
“Why the sudden change of attitude? I’m sure just yesterday, you had a bad opinion of Ruby.”
Count Morado couldn’t hide the sullenness of his response.
“…Both of my children are precious to me, but my heir has always been frail, which has caused me much worry. No matter how many skilled physicians I sought, all they ever told me was that he was simply born with a weak constitution.”
As Count Morado observed Ivan, who showed not the slightest interest in Isabelle at this moment, he reaffirmed his belief that his decision was the right one.
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