So much shocking

So much shocking news greeted Mariette as soon as she woke up.

First, the perpetrator of the attack was indeed a mad woman who was madly in love with Anatole. The woman hired someone to attack her.

Second, Elroy and Anatole fight. Louie and Louisa witness the fight. Ferdinand separates them later.

Thirdly, Anatole is now on probation. He is now locked up and suspended from his duties as a knight.

Actually, what happened while I was unconscious? Mariette thought to herself confused. As far as she could remember, she was only unconscious for one night.

"Things outside are not too big, but in the Palace, many people question Sir Valent's sentence. It seems that the news about the fight between Sir Valent and Sir Elroy is only known by a limited circle," Linda reported.

"Have the two of them gone mad, fighting in front of Prince Louie and Princess Louisa?" said Mariette breathlessly.

"I heard from Sir Ferdinand, it was Sir Valent who started the fight. After all, rather than fighting… Sir Elroy put up not fighting back. Sir Ferdinand said Sir Elroy kept quiet when he was beaten."

Looks like it's Elroy who's crazier. "Then how is Sir Elroy's condition?" she asked.

"Sir Elroy is still at Palace, not coming home like he was when he was ill some time ago. So it looks like he's fine," Linda replied.

Well, it was the great knight Anatole Valent who hit him anyway. Elroy must have been bruised in several places.

Mariette let out a long breath. "I have to go to check on Princess Louisa. She must be shocked to see the fight," she said. Besides, she was sure that Louie felt guilty about what had happened to her. Louie's self-esteem is very high.

"Right now?" asked Linda, who hastily helped Mariette up. "You got sick because of the assault. Can't you just rest at home, My Lady?"

"I can't, Linda. Precisely the attack occurred because of my negligence. I had to make sure yesterday's invited guests weren't hurt. After all, I organized the debutante party yesterday."

"But-"

Mariette persists and Linda loses an argument with her. So even though it was a bit late, Mariette arrived at the Palace.

Several people greeted and asked how she was in a surprised tone. They were surprised to see that Mariette was able to roam around. Mariette responded casually and quickly processed everything that happened last night.

Mariette began listing the names of the invited guests who had complained about the inconvenience last night and asked the responsible Palace workers to take care of them. Write them a sincere apology and give them a small gift, so to speak.

Mariette also briefly inspects the ballroom and its surroundings. Luckily there was no damage there. The housekeepers have cleaned and tidied it up from last night's decorations.

Mariette also did not forget to come to the knight on duty last night and apologize for her negligence. The knights also apologized in return and they started discussing the assailant.

"Right now, our knights are fetching the mastermind, My Lady. A trial may be opened on charges of assault and threats against members of the Royal family. As an injured victim, maybe you will be invited as a witness," explained the Imperial Knight.

"Has the warrant been filed? I don't make any demands," said Mariette.

"It seems that His Majesty the King himself fulfilled the demands."

That's weird. The attack was clearly aimed at Mariette even though Louie was beside her. Usually, the Palace will immediately give a sentence without a trial process because the reasons are clear. But…

"Yes, as you might have guessed. The trial was opened only to create a big sensation and cover up the fight between Sir Anatole and Sir Elroy," said Count Lavaud when Mariette asked.

"I don't want to be a witness in a long trial," Mariette told him.

"Take it easy, My Lady. The judge and I will work on it," said Count Lavaud amused. "Rather than that, why are you back at work already? If His Majesty the King finds out, he will be angry."

"I came to appease Princess Louisa. I already met her earlier. And well… she looks gloomy," said Mariette. "It's just that I haven't met Prince Louie and Sir Elroy yet. How are they?"

"Prince Louie's is as grim as Princess Louisa's. As for Sir Elroy… Since last night he has shut himself in the library translating those books," told Count Lavaud. "He's been like that since having an audience with His Majesty the King and Duke Valent."

"I will try to meet him later. Those two men…" Mariette shook her head. "They must be fighting because of me, right?"

"Unfortunately, yes," sighed Count Lavaud. "I don't know what really got into Sir Anatole at that moment."

"It would be hard to just meet him," muttered Mariette.

"You better rest, My Lady. You don't have to go to everyone and try to calm them down."

"But all this mess happened because of me." Mariette stared off into the distance. "Just because one person gets cursed… It feels better to die than to be cursed like this. How many lives have been sacrificed?"

As she said that, Mariette didn't know Count Lavaud was looking at her with pity. What a poor young lady, thought Count Lavaud.

***

By evening, Mariette had received encouragement from many Palace workers to return home immediately. Mariette was starting to get distracted by the order to go home. Besides, she had yet to meet Elroy.

I used to tell him to stay away, now I'm looking for him, Mariette thought as she started to tidy up her desk. She's getting ready to go home now.

If she didn't meet Elroy today, it didn't matter. There is still tomorrow.

If tomorrow is still there.

"You still haven't come home yet?"

"Here I am going home, Madame."

"Yes, yes. Come home soon. For God's sake, Mariette. You shouldn't have come in first."

"Thank you for the concern, Madame."

Mariette deliberately went through the streets that Elroy usually walked. But already turned twice, she still could not find it. Mariette became suspicious that Elroy might actually be watching her from somewhere. He was deliberately hiding from her.

Normal people would generally feel disappointed, thought Mariette. She decided to really go home this time.

"Viscountess Tierney?"

Someone calls her name.