»"Why don't you want to get tested?", mom inquired. Frowning. Looking more than a little displeased.
"Because I don't need it.", I growled defiantly.
I could be sure, no matter how my father treated me, that I was my parents' child. Taking a test to determine paternity was out of question for me. I could then immediately doubt my mother's trustworthiness.
As long as she didn't suggest it on her own, I wouldn't do it.«
"I was so stupid, Mother.", I murmured softly as I thought back to all those conversations.
I spent most of my time arguing with her than being a support to her. If I had taken the test then, we could prove to everyone that I was the Duke's legitimate daughter. It wouldn't change much, but at least I would have been able to protect my mother at least a little.
"But you can't kill an idea.", I muttered softly. While my birth father's question would have been answered, the accusations of infidelity would never dry up.
A deep sigh escaped me before I finally decided to stop muttering silently to myself. After all, I had a lot of work to do.
"I have a question!", I shouted, forcibly destroying the silence in the room that dominated, which is the reason why I inevitably had to clear my throat. It inevitably ached, however, the sound of the door opening quickly caught my attention.
"You called, Miss Inés?", the brunette middle-aged woman replied before bowing briefly, only to look at me expectantly the next moment. I couldn't help but notice that she seemed tense.
After all, I forbade anyone to enter this room and talked to everyone as little and briefly as possible.
"Have they tested the Duke and me in my coma?"
As expected, the elder immediately stiffened and no longer dared to look directly at me. The dusty floor seemed to have suddenly become incredibly interesting.
"I beg your pardon. I don't understand the question that was asked.", the woman said under her breath, which was obviously a lie. Especially because she had been by my side since I woke up. Apparently, she had been in charge of me for the last few years, which the duke still refused to change.
"Did a test take place due to paternity?", I rumbled more than just disgruntled that I was not only being lied to directly to my face, but also taken for a fool.
"That question... I am not authorized to answer."
Apparently my counterpart had regained both her voice and courage, as she was now looking me straight in the face again, even appearing almost defiant.
"A pity, really.", I therefore said with a thin smile, not meaning my words, nor smile, in that way.
"Your services will no longer be needed.", I therefore let the older woman know plainly, and after a dismissive gesture with my hand, I turned my back on her.
Apparently she seemed certain that her challenging behavior was not entirely legitimate, but would also cause little trouble with the duke if it came to his attention. It was probably much more likely that she received the support of the duchess. After all, the rights and duties regarding the entire staff belonged entirely to the Duchess.
"Miss Inés?", the older woman murmured, puzzled, but I just clicked my tongue in annoyance. I guess she really did belong to the older generation. Especially considering her long conduction.
"I have no use for someone like you. Get lost.", I therefore let her know quite clearly. That's why, in the next moment, I could see exactly how the blush crept up her cheeks. Whether it was from anger or shame, however, I could not tell.
There was not much time for it, because she turned back in the next moment and even dared to let the door fall loudly into the lock behind her.
I did not pay attention to her behavior and her general attitude any longer. Instead, I looked one last time out of the window, while the familiar uneasy feeling spread in my stomach.