In the end, I don't get out of my chambers for the whole day. Except for a fast walk in the garden that I can't skip without alerting everyone.
Seeing my bad mood, the maids don't come too close.
I change into my nightgown as soon as the sun sets, and I cuddle near the chimney, wrapping myself with a cover. I look at the flames for an hour or two, until the Duke walks in my chamber with his usual, relaxed demeanour.
«How is my Duchess feeling?» he asks, noticing that I'm rolled on an armchair like a cat.
«This Duchess is indisposed,» I inform him, my eyes shining because of the tears.
The Duke lifts his eyebrows for a moment, and I have time to consider whether to explain to him what it means. Maybe, he doesn't know that women bleed once a month.
Before I can open my mouth, though, he turns on his feet and leaves the room without a word.
