“…What? ”

The Count was taken aback.

"Once you've calmed down and had a proper conversation with Lady Alicia..."

"You idiot!"

Count Kenboe clenched his teeth.

The old butler was a knowledgeable and nagging man who was a pain in his neck all the time, but he kept him around because of his loyalty. He did a good job, and his wife and daughter adored him.

"Are you saying you'll betray me and side with her?"

He laughed.

“Alright. I'll evict both you and Alicia! ”

In a frenzy, the Count walked up the stairs. He waved his hand at Alicia in a single motion. And she closed her eyes, expecting it. She knew it would come to this, but she didn't mind. His assault would make evicting him easier.

Boom!

Instead of the expected burning tingling sensation, she heard someone rolling around on the floor. When Alicia opened her eyes, she saw Latty lying on the floor.

“Latty!

”

The Count clicked his tongue as he realized he'd beaten the maid rather than Alicia. Latty unexpectedly stepped into the middle, striking the wrong person. He sighed and raised his hand again, but this time the old butler stopped him in his tracks.

"Count Kenboe, stop!"

”

Meanwhile, Alicia was tending to Latty. She was heavily bleeding. So... if Latty, an adult, was subjected to such harm, what more if she had been the victim? Before giving the Count a cold stare, Alicia took out a handkerchief and wiped the blood from Latty's cheek.

Count Kenboe was never a violent individual. He had flaws, but he wasn't that kind of man. He was, after all, a very important man. People respected him as a man of culture and decency. It was to be expected of a nobleman. When he was out in public with Alicia's mother, he would maintain basic manners. Those who didn't know their story would have thought they were a perfect match.

In reality, the Count was obsessed with wealth and the estate he believed belonged to him.

Alicia's mother saw only his charming side, not his greed and lust for wealth. So, when the chance of a lifetime knocked on his door, he, the son of a humble and lowly nobleman, seized it and achieved far greater wealth and fame than he could have imagined.

When it appeared that what he thought was his was about to be taken away, he lost all sense.

"Count Kenboe, why do you behave like this?"

The Count realized he had temporarily lost his composure and dignity as a result of James' rebuke. He was embarrassed because he had ruined the honor of a nobleman.

The Count stepped back.

James quickly built a barrier between Alicia and the Count.

"If you find anything wrong, we can debate the laws civilly in court, with truth and honor on our side. This is the virtue and pride of an Ehrlich nobleman, Count. Furthermore, you had beaten a woman, and no less a child, whom you had attempted to hit in a fit of rage and without reason. What would the public think if they found out? ”

The Count's face turned bright red as he noticed the shocked expressions on the servants below. Respect for a lady and his wife was also part of the basic culture of an Ehrlich nobleman.

However, based on what the servants had witnessed, the Count was mortified.

"Count, please step back from Lady Alicia." Keep your bearing and dignity as a Count."

“James.”

The Count clenched his teeth. He'd always thought of the old man as a thorn in his side. Always so self-righteous and arrogant.

"You appear to be desperate to be kicked out. If you believe I would turn the other cheek, you are mistaken. There's no need for me to have dogs who won't listen."

Alicia remembered her father saying something similar.

When Patricia's tyranny became unbearable, James advised the Count not to let her run wild. With similar words, the Count threatened him.

And James provided the same response.

"I'm going to leave." I'm already old enough to die. Yes, I'm afraid, but I don't want to live my life with my eyes shut."

Alicia gave a faint smile at his answer, which was the same as the previous one. James was ejected shortly after. No one dared to speak up again because the Count's chosen dogs had replaced the majority of the servants.

But now everything was different. Her mother's death had occurred only a day before. Many of the maids and servants were hired by her mother when she married Count Kenboe, while others she hired after seeing their poor working conditions.

And now that the Countess had died, their master was Alicia rather than the Count.

But, unable to comprehend the situation, the Count yelled.

"Why are you staring at me like I'm a fool? Get him out of here as soon as possible! ”

Some people winced at his words, but the vast majority remained silent and motionless.

When no one moved, the Count's expression changed.