Bab 38: Confrontation (1)
Her words also reached annalise's ears. Even if she did not want to believe, she had to, as the duchess clearly did not hide her disdain for her presence in the duchy. Indeed, the duchess was the only one who would benefit the most if she had lost her child.
Annalise calmly looked at everyone with a smile. ''I have to apologize, but we have to stop here, ladies. I hope that we can keep quiet about today. There might be a mistake somewhere, as her grace is not someone like that.''
The best she could do was to tell Dante. She, as a second wife, could not directly question the original wife, and what if she was wrong? The duchess already made it clear that they would never be close. Jumping to conclusions might make the relationship worse than before. She might also lose Dante, and that must never happen.
''Okay madam.''
''The tea party was great.''
''I enjoyed every moment, madam.''
Though the noblewomen wanted to stay and watch the full drama, they had to leave as the hostess wanted them out of the duchy. In their hearts, they strongly felt that it was the duchess.
''Someone who takes care of the beautiful garden that you speak of, is not a true lover of flowers.'' The viscountess said her words, ''if the duchess is truly the culprit, then I am disappointed.''
''The viscountess is right, madam. You have the find the culprit, and if the duchess is the culprit, it is truly a disappointment.'' Marchioness shook her head as if she was already disappointed in the duchess.
''Thank you, madams.'' Annalise smiled sadly at their words.
She was unhappy that her tea party came to an end because of a complicated matter and the suspect was the duchess.
—--
''Amelia?''
Isla, in her usual simple gown with a thick shawl shielding her from the cold, stayed in the garden throughout annalise's tea party.
She knew the latter would not dare bring those ladies to the pavilion, and she did not want to see any of those women. One of the reasons is her pregnancy and another is that the society stresses her a lot and pregnant women must avoid stress.
''It is I, my lady.'' Amelia stood by her side as she watched the big tree that had slightly closed buds. The flowers that her husband partly destroyed, put her mood down as they remind her of annalise's wedding day. They remind her of how he used something that she cherished and wanted to show her unborn child, for another woman.
''Is it done?''
''Yes, my lady.'' Amelia nodded, saying, ''The knights have prisoned the maid.''
''That's good.'' Her words satisfied Isla.Things were going her way and she was pleased about that. If Olivia thought she was in control, then she thought wrong. Olivia might control the scheme, but she oversees everything. She will make sure the scheme is done perfectly, and the schemers will bear the consequences, not herself and her child.
Although, she would not have predicted Olivia's scheme if not for memories of her second life.
'Apart from meeting you again, I am grateful that I remember Olivia's scheme.' Isla rubbed her belly as she continued to watch the white buds of the tree.
'I hope it blooms on time before we leave this place, my son.'
''...When the duke comes to my room, go to the dungeon and let the knight bring the maid,'' She said without removing her gaze from the tree.
''Yes, my lady.'' Though Amelia had her suspicions about how her lady knew of the scheme, she would keep quiet and do her duties as the personal maid perfectly.
As long as the baby and her lady were fine, nothing else mattered to her.
And so, Isla spent her day watching the trees with her precious little one while enjoying the nature that the heavens blessed her sight with.
Meanwhile...duke hayes was currently looking at the pot of red flowers on his table in his office. He could not believe what he heard from annalise. He knew she was not one to lie, but still, his heart was unable to accept her words.
''Spencer, what do you think?'' He looked at his butler from the corner of his eyes.
Spencer, standing at the frontal side of the table, gave an answer, ''Your grace already has a decision. There is no need to ask for this old man's opinions.''
''So you want me to accuse the duchess? I know you like her, and I can see that you dislike annalise.'' Dante knew Spencer, who watched him in his parents' absence, like the back of his hand. If Spencer does not like something or someone, he knows very well, and he could tell that annalise might be his second wife, but Spencer had never taken her as someone who he would serve like the duchess.
''Your grace..'' Spencer sighed, ''Even if I say something, you would not listen to me. Then what is the use of my words?''
True. Dante knew that Spencer was right. Annalise was not the one to lie to him and in this case, the duchess was the suspicious one. Annalise and her child are threats, and to eliminate threats, you must uproot the source.
'' I will see the duchess tomorrow morning.'' He decided to believe annalise. She will be his only wife and the mother of his future children. As her husband, if he does not believe her, who will?
'But why?' He thought as his hand went to his chest.
Why does it feel that he is about to commit a sin? A sin that he would never be forgiven for and will regret for the rest of his life.
Spencer then shook his head with a sad smile. He knew...he knew the duke would never listen. What is the point of talking to someone that has a decision in his heart?
In the end, he could only advise and pray that his grace would not make the same mistake as his father.
''Your grace, I know her grace is someone who will not do something like that. They might be something that we missed.''
''She is the most suspicious one, Spencer, and you are on her side. Your words don't matter now,'' said Dante.
''Then this old man prays that you won't regret anything,'' Spencer said with a melancholy smile.
Ever since that day the duchess asked for those keys, he had a feeling…just a feeling that she might disappear soon.
Honestly, he thinks it is the best decision for someone as innocent as her.
—---
The next day….
Knock
Knock
''Come in..'' Isla, on her usual chair by the window, turned to the man who had never come to her room for months.
The door closed, and the duke passed the big bed to meet her. He did not get too close and stood at a distance, just like their cold relationship.
''Duchess…''
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