To be fair, she had every right to be confused.
With the number of questions piling up in her mind, she had to decide what to address first before she actually exploded.
So she started with the most immediate issue.
The Duchess reached out and pried her husband's hands off the poor Count's collar, then made sure he offered a proper apology.
In the form of a crate of freshly caught fish.
"!!!"
A vein nearly popped as she heard the scandalized gasps, but she held on like a trooper.
The Duke, of course, followed through, though he looked just as gray as the man he had been holding hostage moments ago.
But for a brief second, he even seemed to regain some color because of the kind and wise words of the Count.
"Your Grace, there's really no need for apologies," Alexander said politely. "We rushed because my ability seemed to be time-sensitive. I believe Duke Leander was simply being… efficient."
Leander perked up immediately, looking like a hopeful dog waiting to be forgiven.
