CHAPTER 3 - Engagement Annulment (1)

Then, she rose from the bench and walked around to admire the flowers while waiting for all the servants. Not long after, a big crowd approached her in the garden.

"My Lady, I've called all the servants," Zoey said.

"Yes. Thank you, Zoey."

Hearing Althea thanked Zoey, all the servants looked surprised yet still keeping their heads bowed down. There was the butler, Zoey, the chef, and about fifty female and male servants whose faces looked so pale. She could clearly see the big sweat on their forehead.

"Everyone, please look me in the eyes." There was a long silence. No one dared to look her in the eyes because they were too terrified.

"My Lady, how dare mere servants like us to meet the Lady's eyes." The butler spoke up in respectfully tone.

"Look me in the eyes." With her determination, all the servants started to look at her eyes. Instead of an angry look, Althea put a warm smile on her face.

"I gathered all of you here because I want to apologize for every hardship you've got from me this whole time. I truly apologize to all of you." Althea bowed to all servants. Hearing Althea's sincere apology and even bowing to them, all the servants fell to the ground.

"My…My Lady, we don't deserve an apology! P...please don't do this!" One of the maids said in a trembling voice.

"Please, rise. Like what I've told Zoey, all of you deserved it so much. I will be very happy if you could act comfortably whenever you see me in the future." Again, Althea bowed her head. "I am in your care." She adds.

"Of…of course, My Lady. We will do our best!" The servants exclaimed in joy. Althea felt relieved about that.

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At night, the duke called Zoey and the butler to hear Althea's current condition. Ever since she woke up and experiencing memory loss, Zoey and the butler should observe and report Althea's doing to him.

"How's my daughter doing?" The duke asked.

"Your Grace, a miracle has happened in Harrigan's mansion!" The butler exclaimed in excitement.

"What do you mean? "The duke narrowed his brows.

"Your Grace, the Lady gathered all the servants this morning. We were gathered at the Lady's favorite garden." Mr. Loin the butler said.

"I thought she forbade any servant to step on that garden."

"Yes, Your Grace. More than that, the Lady gathered all of us to ask for apology. She even bowed to us." Mr. Loin said.

"Do you speak the truth?" The duke narrowed his forehead.

"I swear upon my life, Your Grace." Mr. Loin said confidently.

"The Lady also personally apologized to me, Your Grace. She even hugged me to comfort myself." Zoey said.

"I didn't expect memory loss would change my daughter's attitude this much. Bowing to servants? Make sure she won't do that again or all of you will be beheaded." The duke said as he leaned on his chair.

"Of course, Your Grace. The Lady is someone precious to us servants too. We will never let that happened again in the future." Mr. Loin nagged.

"You two can go." Mr. Loin and Zoey bowed and left the room.

The duke lost in silence about Althea's sudden change. About fifteen minutes later, he called his subordinate.

"Evans, come in." The duke called.

"Greetings duke." Sir Evans bowed in courtesy.

"How about the ambush investigation?" He asked.

"We've got the culprit, Your Grace." Sir Evans replied.

"Who?"

"It's His Highness Crown Prince, Your Grace."

"That bastard! He dared trying to kill my daughter. I know I must kill him since the beginning!" The duke gritted his teeth.

"Pardon me, but the Lady loves him, Your Grace. What can we do?" Sir Evans asked.

"My daughter loves him? Tsk, It's an old song."

He believed that with Althea's memory loss, she wouldn't remember anything about the Crown Prince as well. Her sudden attitude change has also convinced him that Althea was a brand-new person from today onwards.

"Were all the witnesses still alive?" The duke asked.

"They are all alive, Your Grace."

"Good. Other evidence?"

"All shreds of evidence are in our hands, Your Grace."

"Good. Keep all of them safe. I am counting on you."

"I will, Your Grace."

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On the next day, the duke came to Althea's room. He planned to inform her about the culprit of the ambush that happened a month ago.

"Greetings Your Grace." Zoey bowed. After the greetings, she left Althea's room.

"Athe." The duke called.

"Father, you came!" Althea responded with a bright smile.

"I am glad you look so healthy."

"It's all thanks to the servants, father. They took good care of me every time." Althea replied with a smile.

The duke smiled for a moment before he put a serious look, "Athe, I have something to tell you. It is about the ambush investigation result." The duke let out a sigh. He felt a bit hesitant thinking about what Althea's reaction would be. "...and I hope you could think of this with clear mind."

"Sure, father. Please feel free to tell me." Althea said.

"Athe, the culprit behind the ambush is the Crown Prince. I know you love him and he is your fiancé. But…" The duke said carefully.

"Hmm…apparently he is," Althea responded briefly with no affection.

"…Athe, please tell this father. Do you still want to be with him after knowing this fact?" The duke asked.

Althea smiled so brightly. "No, father. I don't want to be with anyone else but you. Please annul the engagement."

"…my daughter is back to her senses, at last. I'll strike the Imperial Family and annul the engagement right away." The duke looked at Althea with a proud look.

"Thank you, father. From now on, I'll do my best to be worthy as your successor." Althea spoke with full determination.

"I am glad, Athe. Right, I'll go now." The duke stroked Althea's hair before he headed to the Imperial Palace.

"Anyway...I have one condition for this matter, father." Althea said as she put a devil-like smirk on her face.

"Tell me." The duke asked.

In the main hall, with a pile of documents on his hands, Sir Evans has been waiting for the duke's appearance. "Everything is settled, Your Grace." Sir Evans said.

"Let's go." The duke answered with his murderous aura.

Both of them went straight to the Imperial Palace. Behind the duke's carriage, there were two carriages covered in black robes followed. Both carriages carried the evidence of the Crown Prince's guilt. And twenty knights rode their horses to guard the carriages.

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About thirty minutes later, the duke and his commotion arrived at the Imperial Palace. The commotion brought attention to everyone around the palace.

"His Grace Duke Harrigan entered the Imperial Hall." The servant informed the duke's presence.

Inside, there were the Emperor, Empress, Crown Prince, and some houses that supported the Crown Prince for the throne. Basically, the House of Harrigan was one of those supporters since Althea engaged to the Crown Prince. Yet, everything would change sooner or later.

"Greetings Your Majesty the Emperor and Empress. Greetings Your Highness Crown Prince." The duke greeted courteously.