Chapter 65

"Regarding Melissa's punishment..."

A week ago, the former maid who attacked Amelia.

The moment Logan mentioned Melissa's name, Amelia's hand holding the teacup froze.

The various acts of harassment Melissa had inflicted upon her when she was at home.

And the memory of being pinned down last week and having the gemstone from the "Crown Blood" that Logan had gifted her stolen, resurfaced in her mind.

The surface of the tea rippled slightly.

Amelia's hand was trembling.

"Are you alright?"

"Ah..."

Gently, Logan placed his hand on the cup.

Thanks to Logan's subtle kindness, the trembling in her hand soon subsided.

"I'm fine... Thank you."

Slowly, Amelia placed the teacup back on the table.

Logan had a look of regret, but soon returned to a serious expression and continued the conversation.

"The interrogation is complete, and the charges are mostly set."

With an expression that suggested he no longer wanted to utter her name, Logan continued.

"After careful consideration..."

Logan looked straight at Amelia, who was holding her breath, and spoke.

"She has been sentenced to indefinite labor in the North Mountains."

"North Mountains..."

Amelia's memories were stirred.

"I believe there were mines there, right?"

"Yes. It is one of the leading domestic sources of ore, and it is also where bloodstones are mined."

Bloodstones – the raw material for the Crown Blood that Logan had gifted her.

"She will live surrounded by a quantity of bloodstones that a commoner would never see in a lifetime. Given her obsession with Crown Blood, she will likely be satisfied, though –"

Logan narrowed his eyes and said softly.

"The North Mountains are high, rocky peaks, and just visiting them is a harsh experience. The working conditions are terrible, and there are frequent fatalities. Moreover, the mines are filled with rough men who have committed crimes and been exiled, just like her."

What would happen to her if she were thrown into such a place?

Given her appearance, it's not hard to imagine what the sex-starved men would do to her.

"She will likely suffer a great deal of pain for the rest of her life."

Logan spoke the words calmly, but his hidden anger was evident, and Amelia swallowed hard.

"Is this... the right decision?"

Amelia said it as if trying to convince herself.

While she was satisfied with Melissa's punishment, her feelings were complex.

She wasn't thinking, "She got what she deserved," or feeling unbridled joy.

Melissa had treated her cruelly.

She was getting what she deserved, and that was all.

No other emotions arose.

Amelia didn't have the nature to laugh at someone else's downfall.

"As a person who assaulted the duke's fiancée, her crime is light enough to avoid execution. It's fortunate that she wasn't executed."

Logan was right.

By the actual law, Melissa would have faced the death penalty.

So, this outcome could be considered fair.

From another perspective, this punishment was what Charlotte had described as "a punishment worse than death."

Amelia hoped that Melissa would reflect on her actions in a distant land.

"By the way, what kind of notification will be sent to my family?"

This incident also reflected poorly on the Haggle family, who were responsible for supervising Melissa.

Therefore, the family that employed Melissa should also bear some responsibility.

"To Amelia's family, I sent a large bill for damages, including the destruction of the Crown Blood. It's so large that it dwarfs the engagement preparation funds... The Haggle family is likely scrambling to respond."

Logan said this matter-of-factly.

"A bill that dwarfs the engagement preparation funds? That's quite something. I'm not sure if they can pay it..."

Amelia's cheek twitched.

After all, she had been counting on those preparation funds.

Amelia, who was involved in the family's financial management, had a good understanding of the estate's financial situation.

Due to the extravagance of her mother Leiche and her sister Erin, the family was not in a comfortable financial position.

With the compensation now added to the mix... the situation would be dire.

Seemingly aware of her concerns, Logan said with a confident smile.

"We have a good understanding of the assets the Haggle family possesses. To put it simply, selling the assets held by the sister and the lady will be sufficient."

Amelia was taken aback by these words.

Indeed, selling the dresses Erin had collected and the jewels Leiche owned would likely yield a substantial amount.

Even if the value would drop somewhat, the family's finances had already been strained by these expenses.

"Given that you don't want your family to be ruined by this incident, Amelia..."

"Thank you for handling the procedures and showing such consideration..."

When Amelia bowed deeply, Logan said, "It's not something you need to worry about."

When it comes to giving up the wealth they obtained by indulging their desires, Erin, Leiche, and her father Cedric would likely be furious... but it could only be described as self-inflicted.

In fact, given the various mistreatments she had endured from her family, this outcome provided some relief.

In any case, it seemed that the aftermath of the Melissa incident was largely resolved, and Amelia finally let out a sigh of relief.

(While I would have liked to deal with the people who made Amelia miserable all at once... it's not too late to set things up properly first.)

Amelia was unaware of Logan's thoughts.