“Good day, Dania. It’s been quite some time since we last met,” Lady Charlotte greeted nonchalantly.
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“Tch, what are you doing here?” Dania clicked her tongue, blocking the entrance.
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“You need to fix that attitude; won’t you invite me in?” Lady Charlotte said, feigning innocence.
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“Lady Fiona isn’t home,” after saying this realizing “You set her up! Why are you here?” Dania demanded, feeling a surge of anger. These kinds of actions were the reason she disliked her, to begin with. Always plotting something without her lady’s knowledge.
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But Lady Fiona and Lady Charlotte shared a very close bond, Fiona trusted her so much that she considered all her properties as Lady Charlotte’s own too, that included her servants. This meant that Dania had to treat Lady Charlotte as her lady Regardless of how much she was against it.
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“I have my own reasons that I don’t need to explain to a mere maid,” she said dismissively, ignoring Dania and trying to push past her to enter the mansion.
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“As I said-” Dania was about to protest trying to make her leave when a loud crash interrupted her. It sounded like glass shattering.
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‘Bingo,’ Lady Charlotte thought, her intuition was right. Fiona’s behavior has been unusual lately and she believed the answer could be found here. “What was that just now? Now I’m very interested,” she said with a grin.
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“It’s just Lady Fiona’s new pet...” Dania half lied, trying to downplay it.
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“Really? And what is it? A dog? A cat?” Lady Charlotte asked, scrutinizing. “Or...?” she added, implying that she knew what the maid was hiding.
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Dania sighed, defeated. “This way, my lady...” reluctantly leading Lady Charlotte to the great hall. It was evident she sent the letter to lure Fiona out and do as she pleased in her absence.
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“Bring me the pet, I want to meet it” said Lady Charlotte, like mocking Dania.
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Dania clenched her teeth and left the room, returning soon with a naked girl crawling behind her. Bella had no idea who this woman was or what she wanted from her.
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“Well, well, what do we have here?” Lady Charlotte cooed. “Come closer, darling, don’t be shy. I want to have a little chat with you.”
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“What is the meaning of this?” Dania snapped in an accusatory tone.
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“I just want to be acquaintances, that’s all. Why are you so on edge?” Lady Charlotte said, feigning innocence, like she was offended by Dania’s distrust.
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“She’s a slave, she doesn’t need acquaintances, much less from a duchess” said Dania irritated, wondering why Lady Charlotte was so interested in a slave.
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“You sure are talkative today, but I’m not here for you.” After this turning to look at Bella, reaching out and grabbing her chin, forcing her to look at her. “Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Charlotte Vandenberg, the Duchess of Westwood. And I’m very close to your mistress, Fiona. Pleased to meet you.”
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Bella couldn’t believe what was happening. She had never met a noble before, not even when she was free, let alone a duchess. And this one was being nice, formal and cordial to her. Bella felt a lump in her throat as she answered. “T-the pleasure is mine.”
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“And who would you be?”
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“My name is... was... Bella Ellsworth.” Bella could feel Dania’s stare burning into her from the other end of the room as to not say anything she shouldn’t.
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She had never seen Dania so expressive before, she could tell Dania hated this person with passion, she could only wonder why. She had to watch her tongue around Lady Charlotte, she was friends with her sister after all.
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“Beautiful name... Bella Ellsworth, I see, so that’s how it is...” she said like talking to herself, musing. “You were close to Fiona before she bought right?”
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The question stunned Dania. how did she find out? She was sure Fiona didn’t talk about Bella to anyone, not even Lady Charlotte, but despite that she had shown up at the mansion and tricked Fiona into leaving, and now she was asking something so specific and dangerous. Dania shot Bella a fierce look, warning her to keep her mouth shut.
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“Umm...” Bella hesitated, unsure of what to say, melting by the pressure of Dania’s gaze.
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Lady Charlotte sighed. “Dania, why don’t you be a dear and fetch us some tea?” she said in a patronizing tone forcing a fake smile.
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“I don’t know what you’re up to, but you better quit it.” Dania said, glaring at her.
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Bella flinched but was also shocked by Dania’s rudeness. She had never seen her act so defiantly, and wondered how Dania could get away with it, especially with a duchess. There was a huge gap between their ranks, but Dania didn’t fear Lady Charlotte at all. She just walked out of the room without a word.
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“Forgive me,” Lady Charlotte said, sighing dramatically. “I’ll never get used to a commoner, much less a maid, defy me like that. Dania always goes too far.” They both loathed each other, but they were powerless to act on it. Fiona would be livid with either of them if they did, so their relationship was always tense like today.
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“Well, now that she’s gone, did you want to tell me something?” Lady Charlotte asked, her tone suggesting she had sensed something amiss.
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Bella was torn. She wasn’t sure if revealing to Lady Charlotte that she was her mistress’s sister was a good idea. But this was a unique opportunity. She was short on information and couldn’t predict the future, but she was resolved to take the risk, even if Lady Charlotte was her sister’s friend.
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As Bella wrestled with her decision, Lady Charlotte spoke up. “Don’t worry, I won’t breathe a word of this to Fiona. If I did, you could expose my actions today as well, couldn’t you? Let’s keep this between us,” she suggested, trying to put Bella at ease.
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Bella hesitated for a moment, then confessed in a whisper, “I’m…I’m her sister.”
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Lady Charlotte gasped, her mouth falling open, quickly covering it with her hand. She had speculated about the changes in Fiona’s behavior before. She got notice of her little incursion to the auction, and was present at the pivotal tea party where Fiona had mentioned a commoner girl. Fiona’s plea for help with the Baron, just to get some extra free time, was also uncharacteristic. Bella’s confession was beginning to explain it all, but it was no less shocking.
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“I see... That explains a lot,” Lady Charlotte murmured, her voice distant as she was lost in thought.
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Just then, Dania rushed back into the room, panting, and began to pour tea for Lady Charlotte. She didn’t want to miss any of the conversation.
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“Wouldn’t you serve some for my dear friend as well?” Lady Charlotte asked.
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“Are you joking?” Dania retorted, clearly irritated. She couldn’t afford to be seen giving special treatment to a slave in her lady’s absence. That’s why she played her part, even though she had already fed Bella expensive food in secret.
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“I’m not. So, hurry up,” Lady Charlotte insisted.
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With a huff, Dania poured tea for Bella too as instructed.
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Lady Charlotte decided to break the silence. “...So, Bella, how have you been faring since your purchase?” Lady Charlotte inquired. Bella appeared to be in a pitiful state, and she did notice the scars marring her back. “Wouldn’t you prefer to come and live at my estate?” she teased, casting a sidelong sly glance at Dania.
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“STOP THAT! HOW DARE YOU?!” Dania exploded, her anger flaring.
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Lady Charlotte burst into laughter. “Oh, don’t be so mad, Dania. I’m just messing with you. I wouldn’t dare do such a thing; Fiona would have my head. After all, you are very precious to her, aren’t you?” she said with a grin turning to look at Bella.
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She was taken aback by Lady Charlotte’s words. She was precious to her sister? She didn’t feel like that at all. More like a disposable tool for her amusement. But deep inside her she didn’t dismiss those words, she wanted to hold on to them even if it was just foolish hope.
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“Hmph, isn’t it about time for you to depart anyways?” Dania interjected.
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“You’re always so eager to get rid of me, Dania. It wounds me,” Lady Charlotte replied, feigning to be hurt by Dania’s words. “But you’re right, Fiona could return at any moment.” She then turned to Bella, “It was a pleasure, Bella Ellsworth, until we meet again.” She bid Bella farewell before departing, with Dania accompanying her to the mansion’s main gate.
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“I trust I don’t need to remind you, but just in case, don’t trouble Fiona with something as trivial as my visit, alright, Dania?” Lady Charlotte said as they reached the gate.
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“Yes, I understand...” Dania replied, her tone laced with annoyance. She had to follow her orders, since she was her mistress too. But if Lady Charlotte posed a real threat to Fiona, she would certainly inform her. Her allegiance was, unquestionably, with Lady Fiona.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9cZohYtlk
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AUTHOR'S NOTE:116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5dc2W93g1
I won't be updating my book here anymore. If you want to keep reading it, you can find me on Inkitt. Shigaisa_Kaname's Profile - Inkitt116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknzZcxo2vU
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Thank you for reading <3
