CHAPTER 3

“That’s fine, come here.”

While sitting on the bench, Zoey told Althea that she despised anyone below her and looked straight at her as if they

were at the same level. A year ago, there was a new maid who was too excited and looked Althea in the eyes. The consequence of that was a big punishment for the maid. She got beaten by the whip and expelled from Harrigan duchy.

Since that tragedy, no servants dared to meet Althea in the eyes. They preferred to bow as lower as possible in front of her.

“Does my father do nothing for that?” Althea asked in a disappointed look.

“The duke loves My Lady so much. He never complained about anything you’ve done, whether it’s bad or not, My Lady.” Zoey answered carefully.

“Alright, I understand. Zoey, did I ever lay a hand on you? Please be honest.” Althea asked softly.

“I never feel offended with your action, My Lady. Even if you slapped me or threw anything on me, I’ll always be on your side.” Zoey answered sincerely.

Althea stretched her hand to Zoey’s. “Zoey, I know what I’ve done wasn’t something worth only an apology. But I am really sorry for the hardships you’ve got from me. Will you forgive me?”

“My…My Lady, you don’t need to apologize. I am only a mere servant, I don’t deserve an apology from you, My Lady.” Zoey bursts into tears with her trembling body.

“No, you deserved it so much. Thank you, Zoey. Can I hug you?”

“S…sure, My Lady. Thank you.”

With Zoey’s permission, Althea hugged the crying Zoey in her arms. She could feel how trembling Zoey was. She patted

Zoey’s back to comfort her. They hugged each other for about five minutes until Zoey could calm herself.

“Uhm…Zoey, can you help me gather all the servants and bring them to me in this garden?” Althea asked.

“Yes, My Lady. I will call them here right away.”

“Thank you.”

Althea watched as Zoey ran to the servants’ quarters in hurry. While she was alone, she fell into silence contemplating all the bad deeds that former Althea had done. She let out a big

sigh.

'Really! I only wish for a peaceful life with this wealth. But it seems like I need to repair this body's former owner mistakes first.' She mumbled.

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.

There was the butler, Zoey, the chef, and about thirty female and male servants whose faces looked so pale. She could clearly see the big sweat on their forehead.

“My Lady, I’ve called all the servants,” Zoey said.

“Yes. Thank you, Zoey.”

Hearing the Lady thanked Zoey, all the servants looked surprised but still kept their heads bowed down.

“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 carefully.

“No, please look me in the eyes.” With her determination, all the servants started to look at her eyes. Instead of an angry look, Althea put on a warm smile.

“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 any apology from you. 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.

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, Loin?”

“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 forbid any servant to step on that garden.”

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

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

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

“Hah…it is a good thing. I don’t expect memory loss would change my daughter’s attitude this much.” The duke leaned on

his chair.

“Your Grace, still, the Lady’s memory loss is something grievous.” Mr. Loin nagged.

“Yes, yes, I know. You two can go.” Loin and Zoey bowed and left the room.

The duke lost in silence, thought about the butler and Zoey’s report about Althea’s sudden change. About fifteen minutes later, he called his aide.

“Evan, come in.” The duke called.

“Greetings Duke.” Sir Evan bowed in courtesy.

“How about the ambush investigation?” He asked.

“I’ve got the culprit, Your Grace.” Sir Evan replied.

“Who?”

“It’s His Highness Crown Prince, Your Grace.”

“That bastard! He dared to hurt my daughter. He must pay the consequences!” The duke gritted his teeth.

“Pardon me, but the Lady loves him, Your Grace. What can we do?” Sir Evan asked.

“My daughter has changed. I believe she no longer loves that bastard. Were all the witnesses still alive?” The duke said confidently.

He believed that with Althea’s memory loss, she wouldn’t remember anything about the Crown Prince. Her sudden attitude

change has also convinced him that Althea was a brand-new person from today onwards.

“They are all alive, Your Grace.”

“Good. Other evidence?”

“The evidence is in our hands, Your Grace.”

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

“I will.”

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