Leaving

"WAAAAAA!"

As the red mist dissipated from in front of them, Roland and Veronica looked up to see the shocked expressions of the live-in staff.

"WAAAAAA!"

And, of course, the sobbing, distraught Maggie.

"WAAAAAA!"

Veronica flashed Roland a look and the dashed up the stairs to comfort Maggie.

"WAAAAAA!"

"Shhh. There, there. I'm sorry."

The wailing stopped, but tears continued to stream from Maggie's eyes and a sniffing sound would occasionally come from her downcast head.

"We're sorry, Maggie, we didn't mean to be so loud. It was just a small argument, nothing serious."

With both arms wrapped around the shivering little girl, Veronica rested her head on Maggie's as she tried to comfort her.

'Of course, her father killed her mother in a case of domestic abuse; we must have brought up some old memories. Oh, Maggie, you poor thing…'

"…I'm sorry." The end of her thoughts slipped out of her lips as she gazed both lovingly and apologetically at her ward.

Roland, being the gentleman that he was, was utterly embarrassed that their row had been watch by so many people, like they were part of some TV drama.

What's more, his shouting, his selfish release of pent up anger, had made a little girl cry. He felt disgraced by his behavior.

"I…" A small word came out, but it wasn't heard by the others. He'd let his words trail off as he didn't know what to say. 'I ought to apologize to the staff and that little girl. Who even is she anyway? Tsk, now's not the time for that.

'I have to apologize—it's the decent thing to do—but I have nothing left to say to Roni, and she might start arguing again if I say anything.'

A few of the house staff crowded around Maggie and Veronica to comfort them both. The others turned their gazes to Roland, glaring viciously at the man who had made the two princesses of the manor cry.

None of them had understood what they were arguing about. They gathered than Roland felt betrayed, but he wouldn't let Veronica explain… Regardless of the reason for the falling out, they were confident that Roland was the one in the wrong.

They all knew that Veronica was head over heels for the man, so how could she betray him?

Their glares intensified as Roland took a quiet step backward, inching his way toward the door.

"I apologize that you all had to witness that unsightly display," he said, loudly projecting his voice to those on the floor above. "Little girl, I'm sorry for making you cry, please don't worry, I'll leave right away; you won't have to see me again."

Roland turned around to leave.

When his hand was on the door handle, someone stopped him in his tracks.

Veronica, having left a few of the maids to continue comforting Maggie, had rushed back downstairs to confront Roland.

"Don't shout, for Maggie's sake, but please stay. Let me explain everything to you, then you can go. I won't stop you if you still insist on leaving."