"Actually... I..." Elisa stammered, her heart racing as she struggled to find the right words. The weight of the truth bore down on her, threatening to spill out, yet she knew she couldn't reveal everything. Not to the Duchess, not now. The consequences would be dire, not only for herself but for Adela as well.
Veronica regarded Elisa with a mixture of concern and skepticism. The Duchess had a keen intuition, and she sensed that there was more to Elisa's words than met the eye. Elisa's attempt to smile did little to convince her otherwise.
Veronica stepped closer, her expression softening as she reached out to place a comforting hand on Elisa's arm. "Elisa, you've been with us for a long time. I know when something is bothering you. Please, you can confide in me."
