"I have maintained silence, but that is no longer possible. As a member of the House of Battenberg, you have not only rights, but also corresponding duties."
The Duke's voice no longer seemed cautious or warm, but distant. His face even appeared quite annoyed when I looked at it closely. While it lacked the sharpness and disgust of that time, he seemed more than just unhappy with me.
I couldn't care less.
"Not only are you being disrespectful to the servants. Questioning your mother is going too far."
I guess that was the crux of the matter. So it was about Morgiana.
"Pardon me, are you talking about my birth mother or stepmother?", I spoke up for the first time in the last few minutes and could hear the common chatter of the bystanders in the next moment.
Apparently, my question only confirmed my current behavior, but in reality, this fact played into my hands.
"Morgiana is the Duchess of Battenberg and your legitimate mother, Inés. You are thus trampling on her sincerity and love by calling her stepmother.", the Duke now replied, more than just enraged, which was clear from his voice and face.
"Are you implying that I should not acknowledge and forget my birth mother along with her kindness and love?"
I didn't have to turn around to see who was gasping so indignantly. It was none other than the current duchess.
"No one said that, Inés. Don't try to put words in my mouth that I never said or implied.", the Duke rumbled, yet I found the fact that he actually dared to say that out loud more than hubristic.
"Then I offer to enlighten me again, your Highness.", I retorted challengingly and could watch with moderate interest as his hands clenched into fists. Apparently I was really pushing him to the limits of his patience.
I wonder if his hand would slip or did it remain with hurtful words?
"I'm really disappointed, Inés.", the duke murmured to my surprise even a bit sad, causing me to just look at him questioningly.
"Morgiana really tried hard so she could get closer to you. She even sent her own servants for you while you were still asleep.", the elder let me know, so I had to bite my tongue to keep from laughing out loud or throwing a comment at his feet.
"Then, of course, I have to thank you in return.", I said with a narrow smile and turned my attention to the person I was addressing, who probably hadn't expected it. Instead, she looked at me from narrow eyes, before she gave me a shallow smile. She regained control of herself remarkably quickly.
"However, I am equally worried.", I now announced with a furrowed brow and looked again at the duke, who also didn't know what to do with me and my words since my reply.
"What do you mean?", it therefore inevitably escaped him.
"After all, despite the Duchess's concern, I haven't been able to eat anything properly for days.", I said concerned, before a soundless sigh left my lips.
"Pardon?", escaped my counterpart, while even the Duchess let out a surprised sound.
"What are you talking about, Inés?", the Duke replied, no longer skeptical, but thoroughly confused.
"In each of my meals was something to which I must be allergic."
"Allergic? You don't have any allergies listed in your file, do you?", the duke opined, eyeing the blond man next to him with a demanding look.
"Miss Inés has never shown any allergic symptoms, according to her medical records and regular test results.", the blond secretary answered immediately, while bowing slightly.
The Duke's demanding eyes were on me the next moment while I, however, looked at the Duchess quite confused. She returned my look with the same perplexity, but I only pursed my lips in response. Touched my upper arm, before lowering my gaze.
"That was probably a mistake on my part.", I conceded and was already making moves to end this topic, but the Duke prevented me from doing so with a wave of his hand, therefore I immediately remained silent.
"Why did you turn to the Duchess?"
I made an effort to answer before closing my mouth again. Briefly glanced at the older woman, but she only returned the look with a furrowed brow.
"I asked you a question, Inés Battenberg.", my counterpart rumbled, causing me to immediately seek his gaze. He literally pierced me with his eyes. In the past, he would have been able to more than intimidate me with it, however it no longer impressed me.
"Because I once suffered an allergic shock as a child.", I replied after a moment's hesitation, which caused the corners of the older man's mouth to tug even further downward.
Again a demanding look followed to the blond man next to him.
"Nothing was noted in Miss Inés' file about an allergic reaction."
"Are you possibly confusing something?", asked Morgiana the next moment, causing me to immediately shake my head.
"You must remember this as well. At that time we had lunch together. It was only after two days that I was able to regain my senses.", I said, addressing the Duchess, who fortunately spoke before I did.
Again the question followed whether I was sure. This time, however, from her husband.
"I remember it clearly because I thought it was strange that the doctor forbade me to eat artichokes and carrots.", I simply said in response. It was a good objection, since the two in combination seemed quite random.
"Do you possibly have an allergy to mugwort?" asked the Duke's secretary, still standing like a statue next to him.
"I don't know.", I declared after another fleeting glance at the Duchess, before lowering my gaze.
"Speak with your head held high, Inés. You have nothing to fear, as long as it's the truth.", the Duke ironically let me know, which was the reason I grabbed my upper arm again. He followed my hand movement, therefore I immediately let go of my arm.
"I told the servant several times that I had problems with the food.", I explained after two more breaths. Again, my eyes darted to the Duchess.
"That's a lie!", she immediately replied, causing me to stand a little straighter than before. This didn't seem to have escaped the Duke's notice either, who now seemed a little more mild-mannered towards me.
"Is there more?"
Because of his question I grabbed my upper arm again, however, I denied his question in the same gasp.
"I don't tolerate lies in my house, Inés."
Because of his harsh tone and my following silence, the murmur of the servants was even louder. I hesitated for another moment, however. Only the scowling face of my counterpart was crucial.
"While bathing, I was accidentally scalded again."
"Again?", the Duke lurked, which caused me to lower my gaze.
"How many times?", the elder inquired more concretely, when I didn't come up with an answer even after the first question.