Anastasia did not know how she left the study and returned to her courtyard. Although she wanted to believe that her dream was just a dream, her father's news made it impossible.
Rosa looked at her lady, who seemed lost.
Since she came out of the Duke's Study, she had not been herself.
She wondered if the punishment from the Duke was too much for her to bear.
As long as Anastasia did not say anything, Rosa sat by her side.
Meanwhile, outside the courtyard, the gossip continued. "I told you she was going to be punished by the Duke. Look, she seemed like someone whose spirit had left her body," Hazel said.
"you did, " the first maid nodded her head. The second maid was unconvinced, but she said nothing since Anastasia looked like someone whose spirit had left her body.
"I think that Rosa should leave her; why would she be so loyal to her, " the third maid said.
"I think she is a fool, " the first maid said.
In a short while, the gossip spread all over the residence. Some people even said the duke planned to send her to the chapel to become a nun.
Some people were pleased to hear this 'news', especially Elizabeth. "Are you sure? " Elizabeth asked her maid, who brought the news. She was the same maid she had slapped earlier.
"Although I am not sure if His Grace is going to make her a nun or not but, it is a fact that she was called into the study, and her appearance was not good when she came out, " The maid said.
"That's great, " Elizabeth felt pleased. She did not have to worry about Anastasia following her and Miss Maria to her friend's party anymore.
As long as her father was the one making the move, even Miss Maria could do nothing.
...
When the Duchess returned to the house, it was already time for dinner.
Leah was the first to get the news; she happily went to share it with her madam, who was getting ready to go for dinner.
"Your Grace, gossip is going around the house that his Grace called for that girl today," Leah said. She did not mention Anastasia's name because she knew it annoyed the duchess, and neither did she refer to her as 'lady' as any of this would bring the duchess out on her.
Leah was very eager to tell her madam everything she had heard, but she knew better than to continue without permission.
The Duchess frowned when she heard this. She felt that nothing good would come out of her husband paying attention to that dead woman's daughter.
Although anxious, she gestured with her hand that Leah could continue. She looked uninterested, but Leah knew that her madam would not waste her time on something she was not interested in. So, as soon as she saw the gesture, she answered immediately.
"it is said that this evening, as soon as his Grace returned from the royal palace, he sent for that girl. Although no one knew what happened inside, that girl did not look good when she came out. Many are saying that His Grace punished her. Some even said that she might be sent to the chapel to become a nun, " Leah paused to catch her breath.
"I have investigated. This afternoon, Lady Elisabeth had instructed the kitchen to add some 'good' ingredients to that girl's lunch, but that stupid maid ruined it. She was even stupid enough to threaten to beat the gong, " Leah explained. She knew the Duchess did not care about rumors, so she investigated clearly.
The Duchess's frown deepened; the more she listened, the more she realized that the rumour was far from the truth.
"I bet that maid would not escape either. The Duke must be furious. She is only the daughter of a mistress; she should learn her place, " Leah said. She was already thinking of how to go and cause trouble for Anastasia. 'So what if Elisabeth wanted to prank her(Anastasia), she should happily comply,' Leah mused in her head.
The Duchess could not hear anything that was being said. She got up suddenly. She had thought of waiting till after dinner before asking her husband, but she could not wait.
Leah was surprised by her sudden action.
"Mother, " at that moment, Elisabeth met her mother, who had just hurried out of her chamber.
"How do you do, dear? " The Duchess forced a smile. She was hoping agaist hope that her intuition was wrong.
"I am fine, " Elisabeth responded. She was still in a good mood and had no idea what her mother was thinking.
"Did your father ask to see you earlier? " the Duchess asked. She was hoping for the best while preparing for the worst.
"No, " Elisabeth shook her head in response. She knew that her mother would not ask any question without reason.
"let go eat dinner, " the Duchess said, realizing that going to meet the Duke to question him would not be a rational cause of action
"yes, mother, " Elisabeth nodded and followed her towards the dining room.
That evening, the Duke did not show up in the dining room. He instead instructed that his food be brought to the study.
This action further worried the Duchess; although it was not the first time the Duke would have his meal outside the dining room, she felt that her sixth sense had never failed her.
The only problem was she could not pinpoint what was wrong.
"Mother, are you fine? " Sam, the Duches's first son, noticed that his mother would frown from time to time. Moreover, she was playing with her food. She did not eat much.
"of course I am fine, son, " The Duchess composed herself. She was never someone to raise a false alarm.
Sam looked at his mother; he did not believe her, like everyone else; he had also heard the side talk in the resident. He was more worried about his mother's well-being.
That woman had died, leaving only one daughter; if his father suddenly made her a nun for no reason, the person who would suffer would be his mother if the situation was not adequately managed. No one would believe his mother had nothing to do with it.
He also suspects his mother must have complained to his father about Anastasia, leading to such a situation.
There were already murmurs of his mother deliberately suppressing Anastasia. So he was sure that once the news got out, many people would say she(the duchess) was vicious and could not even tolerate a daughter. Not only would his mother's reputation take a hit for It, but even his sister might suffer some setbacks. So, he was more worried about the situation.
Sam wanted to confirm the rumors from his mother, but he knew he would not get any answer. After all, he was expected to maintain a strict table manners.
.....
Meanwhile, at Anastasia's courtyard, Rosa was pacing up and down. She was feeling very guilty when she heard the rumors. She knew that her lady never fought back. She had assumed that the reason was because she did not want to disappoint her father.
Moreover, Rosa thought that since she were the one who made the threats, those maids would not report it, at least her lady should not be punished for her(Rosa) behaviour.
She felt stupid for thinking that the Duchess dared to be so mean because the Duke was ignorant. She thought she had found a loophole that would help improve her lady's life; she did not expect to have dug a pit, instead.
"Should I go and explain the situation to the Duke? " Rosa thought. She wanted to take responsibility for her actions."No, I might create more problems for my lady, " Rosa shook her head.
She felt that the Duke was heartless; it was understandable that the Duchess did not like Anastasia. After all, she was not her daughter, but what about the Duke?
His blood flowed through Anastasia's body; why would he be so wicked? "It must be that Duchess. She must have whispered many lies to him," Rosa concluded.
"If My Lady is sent away, I must look for an opportunity to avenge her. I would spread the word of how a certain Duchess of Melany is petty and vicious with no virtue of a kind mother and virtuous wife. Her reputation would be ruined; I will see how the mighty fall, " Rosa clenched her fist as she swore deep in her heart.