Her finger is up close to my face, almost touching my nose. I manage not to swat the appendage away, too focused on pleading my case with the only noblewoman who doesn't openly scorn me like the rest.
"You should have been left to die in the slums where you were found. If no one had brought you back, then... then my son..." she doesn't finish her sentence as she dissolves into tears again. Duchess Taylor looks up at me frantically and I step back instinctively thinking she is about to take another swing at me, but her eyes narrow on my ears hatefully.
Of all the days for me to wear those earrings, I think to myself balefully.
"Take them off. Take THEM OFF!" she shrieks. Her voice is so loud, it takes me a second to understand what she said.
I oblige quickly, my eyes finally prickling with warmth. I remember how fondly she smiled at me the other day when she handed them to me. How could it all change so quickly?
