Opening my eyes, I pondered the significance of the vivid dream I had just experienced. The surreal scene of an angel descending from the sky to aid a bleeding knight left with unanswered questions. The dream, though lacking in recognizable faces, left an inexplicable connection that quickened my heartbeat.
A knock from the maid disrupted my contemplation. "Madam, are you awake?"
"Yes, co in!" I replied, settling on the bed as she entered with breakfast.
"Why did you bring it to my room? I could have eaten in the dining area," I questioned.
"Madam, you didn’t eat anything yesterday, so I was worried. I thought I should take the food to your room so you could help yourself," she explained while serving breakfast neatly.
"Madam, co, I will help you wash up," she suggested, guiding to the bathtub. The essential scented oil and her gentle massage created a relaxing atmosphere.
Concern etched on her face, she spoke, "I know Mistress is different, but you should not mishandle yourself because of her."
"I will," I assured her with a gentle smile.
As I prepared to eat, the tempting view of delicious food beckoned. The internal struggle of whether to attend the princess’s tea party occupied my thoughts.
"Madam? Do you need sothing?" she asked.
"Ah no! I’m fine," I spoke.
"Call the boutique head to co et . I have sothing to discuss with her," I said, grabbing a piece of smoothly lted butter bread.
"Sure madam, I will send soone to get her right this instant," she said before leaving the room, leaving to contemplate the preparations for the impending departure.
After finishing breakfast, I walked to the balcony, where everything seed perfect yet left feeling unsettled. I approached my desk, where paper and ink awaited, prompting to write a letter to my father.
Taking a deep breath, I began narrating my feelings on the paper, addressing the lies I had uncovered about my marriage to the Agnes family.
"Father,
I hope this letter finds you well, alongside Excalibur, your beloved son. I’m aware that you do not miss , nor have you ever intended to. Nevertheless, I pen down these words to reveal that, after years of marriage into the Agnes family, I’ve unraveled all the lies you’ve woven.
It’s crucial for to understand that the Duchess’s choice of among all the girls was not a result of so hidden secret. Instead, it was your sentints towards Excalibur that influenced her decision.
Had I been present in the Marquis mansion, questions would have naturally arisen about why a son, younger than the daughter, would be the heir. Your solution was to discard , a tactic I recognize as clever. I could have learned such manipulative tactics from you to use against you, but I abstained. Perhaps it was a conscious decision not to adopt those repulsive strategies that set apart from you.
Therefore, I conclude my writing here. To continue might lead to forgiveness, a sentint I’m unwilling to entertain. You needn’t respond, for I have no desire to hear from you. Consider this the final communication between father and daughter. Even if the Duke were to cast aside, I won’t return. Farewell, Father. I find no joy in being your daughter."
With that, I set my pen aside, signifying the end of our correspondence.
"Maid!"
"Maid!"
I shouted, summoning them to .
"Yes, madam! Anything I can do for you?" they asked.
"Send this letter to the marquis. It should be sent to him as soon as possible. No delay is required," I instructed, handing the letter to a maid, my eyes reflecting anger.
"I don’t want anyone," I declared as I walked outside, encountering the duchess.
"I thought you might have left the mansion in the night," she smirked.
"I have clearly said I will wait for the duke to arrive and reveal the truth to everyone in this household," I asserted, heading downstairs.
"Has the boutique head arrived?" I inquired upon reaching.
"No, madam! I have sent people to inform her. She might be getting late due to custors following her for her styles," the maid inford.
"Is she that famous?" I asked.
"Yes, Madam! She is so famous, even in the capital. People request dresses from her for various occasions, giving their asurents and pre-ordering to ensure unique outfits," the maid explained.
"Oh! I would like to go and et her myself," I said.
"Should I tell the driver to prepare the carriage?" she asked.
"Yes, do so! I will leave for the shop imdiately," I said, walking toward the carriage, where the driver awaited instructions.
"You have inford where we need to go, right?" I asked the driver.
"Yes, Madam! I will take you there safely," he assured, while my maid and I entered the carriage.
"I have so other business to do as well," I spoke.
"What is it, madam?" she asked.
"You will know!" I said as the carriage moved forward. Excitent built up as I set foot inside Ablia for the first ti in years, eager to explore its streets.
"How much longer?" I grew impatient.
"It is a bit far, madam! A little bit more, and we will reach there," the driver inford, with people outside the window enjoying their smiles and laughs.
"Stop here!" I exclaid as I got down.
"Madam, don’t go!" the maid pleaded, but my excitent blinded to the impending danger. A rock struck my head, causing bleeding amid the market chaos.
"Madam!" my maid rushed forward, attempting to stop the assault.
"Who told you you could co here?" The enraged crowd accused , believing I was there to shop after sending the lord to fight.
Certainly, let’s restructure this part of the Chapter for better coherence:
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A lady in the market, fueled by anger, shouted at , "After sending our lord to fight against those animals, you’re here shopping. Don’t you have a shred of sha, showing your face and ruining our day?" The accusation continued unabated, regardless of the fact that I was bleeding profusely.
In my defense, my maid intervened, imploring them to stop, insisting, "The Duchess is innocent of such actions!"
Undeterred, the accusers pressed on, questioning, "Then who did? His own mother? Should we believe that? This has never occurred before, but conveniently, it happens after she marries our Duke! She’s a witch, here to devour our Duke!"
The baseless accusations hung in the air, painting a distorted image of .
Accusations echoed in the air, the angry crowd hurling bla at . "You witch! Since your arrival, you’ve brought nothing but pain to our state. You’ve destroyed the Agnes family, built over decades. Our Duke, returned from war not long ago, sent away again for more than three years with no news. And what are you doing here?" The people’s voices intensified.
"Shopping? With the money our Duke set aside for us! No, you don’t deserve to be here! Get out! Leave our state! Die!" Rocks rained down on , causing pain from every corner of my body, leaving helpless.
"Stop it! The Duchess is innocent!" my maid pleaded, but the onslaught continued until she managed to pull into the carriage for safety.
In the carriage, the reality of my battered body sunk in, and we hurried back to the mansion. The maids, in a panic, rushed to bring assistance.
Inside the mansion, the urgency continued. "Duchess, what happened? We need to get you inside quickly!" The maids guided to a couch, where my bleeding wounds were tended to.
"Call the doctor! Hurry!" The maids worked to clean my wounds, offering reassurances. "They don’t understand who you are, but we do. We’ll defend you, stand by you, no matter what," they declared, attempting to provide comfort amidst my silent pain.
Eventually, I spoke up, "I want to go to my room."
"But, madam, you’re not—" they began, and I interrupted firmly, "I want to go ho." I rose from the couch and walked towards the stairs, the echoes of judgnt and disdain following .
"Yeah, go to your room. Hide your face!" I heard soone mock from the shadows.
As I turned, I caught sight of the Duchess mocking with a smirk etched across her face.
"The way you’ve ruined the future of our state, it’s no surprise you struggle to face the consequences. How can you show your face to these people after sending their lord to war?" she taunted.
"Mistress, the Duchess is injured! Could you ple—" the maid attempted to interject, only to be halted by the Duchess.
"You’re just a re maid. Know your place. This is a conversation between and the Duchess. Who are you to interfere?" she bellowed, souring my already ruined mood.
"Mother, could you please stop?" I implored.
"Why? Can’t tolerate it any longer here? If you can’t, then get out! You can return to your father’s place anyti!" Her words hit a nerve, and I clenched my fists in frustration.
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