Chapter 36: The Wrath of Von Jaunez House (1)

Gabriel, meanwhile, took a slow breath and pressed his fingers against his temple. "Why is it during dinner?" he grumbled. "Can't people plot during more appropriate hours? "How about after dessert?" He flicked his knife at his plate, disappointed. "This was very good venison."

Gabriel was attempting to calm his family by being careless, but it was not working. He could see how they were like hounds, ready to destroy anyone who touched him. He sighed. They would deal with the maid; this was their home and servers. 

Lucius exhaled sharply, his grip tightening around his fork. "This is not about Gabriel," he said, his voice measured but cold. "This is about someone believing they can use our home as a playing field."

Elowen's expression was unreadable, but the frost in her eyes made it clear; she was not amused. "You are way too calm about this." She addressed Gabriel and waited for his reaction. Sure, he toyed with the poor soul, but he showed no genuine emotion. To her, Gabriel looked soulless. He was like his machines, responding to the input in the best possible way. 

"Should I throw a tantrum, then?" Gabriel drawled as he took another bite of his food. "Slam my fists on the table; demand immediate executions? Please. That would ruin both my mood and appetite."

"Any reaction would be acceptable; you still do not trust us." Elowen said as she swirled her wine calmly. 

Gabriel raised an eyebrow and met Elowen's gaze with a gleam in his eyes. "Trust you?" He tilted his head slightly, wondering if he should tell them. "I decided to trust all of you, mother. It's why I'm so calm. I understand how you are, and there is no reason for me to become upset over a maid. To be honest, I believe this will happen more frequently in the future."

Gabriel hesitated and threw his cutlery on the plate before speaking again. "This is why I wanted to get away from you. All of this is pointless; you do not have to deal with this just because of me." His tone was bitter, and he resented a past that he couldn't remember and the people were targeting him. 

Charles let out a short laugh. "Now, this is more like it. We can deal with the likes of her and her backing. "Honestly, my palms are already itching." 

"Charles, you are a brute, always ready to fight." Alexandra spoke as she folded her lap napkin and placed it on the table. "We understand your point, Gabriel; we are just concerned that you forced yourself until now. You look even worse than the last time we saw you."

"Told you, you look like shit." Theo smirked as he watched his father and Gabriel roll their eyes. 

"You are a noble, for god's sake; let your family help you and your servers to the dirty job." Elowen said, taking Gabriel's hand into hers. He could feel the calluses of her palms and the power of them. He held his mother's hand back. 

"I think we ignored her long enough." Gabriel looked at the maid, who had retreated to a corner. 

The maid stood in the corner, her eyes wide with terror, shifting from one foot to the other as if hoping to vanish. Gabriel's gaze lingered on her for a moment before he turned his attention back to the family gathered around the table.

"This is not my fight," he said quietly, his tone calm from his resolve. "I will let the family handle it."

Charles's lips curled into a smile. "Finally, some action," he said, pushing his chair back. He rose from his seat with a kind of ferocity that seemed to make the very air around him crackle with anticipation.

The maid, feeling the full weight of their gaze, took a small step back, her face pale. "I... I... didn't mean any harm," she stammered, but the words fell flat against the cold air that surrounded her.

Gabriel allowed himself a brief glance at his family, the slight shift in his expression barely noticeable. He knew the maid wouldn't last long. 

Lucius's gaze shifted to Joseph, who had been standing quietly near the door, ever vigilant. Lucius raised an eyebrow, his eyes sharp and commanding. "Joseph," he said, his voice low but filled with authority, "I need the report on that man until this dinner is over. The sooner we know who's behind this, the sooner we can deal with it."

Joseph nodded immediately, his expression unwavering. "Understood, my lord." He gave a head signal to one of the servers to deliver the message to their spy. 

Lucius turned back to the maid, who was trembling more than ever under their collective gaze. His expression softened only slightly, a cruel smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Take the maid to the prison. If she did more than lie, she will be sent to court." 

The maid gasped, her eyes wide with terror. She tried to speak, but Lucius raised a hand to silence her, his sharp tone cutting through the air. "Don't bother. You'll be given no comfort, no escape. You've earned nothing but what's coming."

Charles smiled as Lucius issued the final orders for the maid's confinement. "One less problem to deal with," he muttered. "Good riddance."

Theo snorted. "Doesn't even deserve a trial. She's nothing more than a pawn, and we're taking her off the board."

Gabriel remained calm and composed, allowing himself to relax slightly. "Let's see how this report unfolds," he said. "And let's make sure no more of this... disruption happens in our home again."

The maid was escorted out of the room by Joseph and a pair of guards. 

Joseph will have to answer later why all of this happened and he will face his punishment too. He was responsible for the servants and their roles; he was aware that he had made a mistake, but he did not expect the girl to work so quickly.

With the matter swiftly handled, the family could now turn their attention to the their dinner.