But if they couldn't let go of their worldly grudges, Franz was willing to give them a chance.
Duke Vantro knew he could no longer persuade these people, so he turned to the butler who had served him for many years.
"Hermann! After all these years, look at how we've treated you! How could you betray me? You used to be nothing but a stray dog! If I go down, you'll be a stray with nowhere to go!"
The old butler turned to Duke Vantro and spoke with great respect.
"My lord, do you remember my two granddaughters?"
Duke Vantro seemed to recall them. His grandson had mentioned them before. They were apparently outstanding graduates of the Vienna Royal Women's College and had originally been planning to work for the government.
But it had long been customary for great nobles to poach talent from the royal family, so after graduating, the two had been sent to work at the House of Vantro's estates.
Later, his grandson had been unable to keep his subordinates in line. But the matter was over, and such things between maids, servants, and their masters were commonplace.
"That was their good fortune!"
Duke Vantro had never imagined that his old servant would betray him over this. He was instantly enraged.
Butler Hermann said bleakly, "They killed themselves last month."
"What!?"
Duke Vantro was also a little shocked. According to religious doctrine, believers could not take their own lives, because doing so meant they could not ascend to heaven.
Butler Hermann continued sadly.
"Perhaps I shouldn't have sent them to school. If they hadn't known any better, maybe they really would have thought what happened to them was a blessing.
"I'm the one who ruined them, but you murderers will pay, too!"
The old butler lunged at