Chapter 15: THE HIDDEN TRUTH
"Still remember going home, you apparently. You cheap woman, how could you stay in a man's castle for days. No noblewoman behaves like you," said Lady Taylor to her daughter.
"My apologies, My Lady. I had an accident in the woods and Lord Albert Louis helped me. Even I was unconscious in his castle for 5 days. I didn't do anything inappropriate with Lord Louis," Annabelle replied defensively.
"Is it true? I can't believe what you're saying. You are not much different from your mother. Even if you were raised as a noblewoman, if the blood that flows through your body is the blood of a cheap woman, you will still become a cheap woman."
"What do you mean? My mother is you, why do you speak such strange things, My Lady. Is it because of your poor health?"
"Who said I was your mother? I've never given birth to a cheap woman like you. The woman who easily opens her legs for all men."
"Your words have gone too far, My Lady. You hurt my heart so much."
"Do you think you didn't hurt my heart? Even every time I see you, my life is like hell. Looking at your face, reminds me that my husband, whom I love, sleeps with another woman, and gives birth to you."
"You lie! I will accept if you insult me, but Papa would never do something like that," replied Annabelle who was already in tears.
"If you don't believe me, just follow Thomas to hell. Ask him who your real mother is. I'm sure your mother was a slut standing on the side of the road, peddling herself. I can forgive Thomas, maybe at that time he was tired and needed warmth, but until I die, I will not accept you as my daughter."
Lady Taylor's words, undermined Annabelle's confidence that she had built up. Was she really just Lord Taylor's illegitimate daughter? Annabelle's body slumped to the floor of Lady Taylor's room realizing this fact.
With a cry, he hit his chest that felt tight. Why is life, as if toying with him?
Annabelle's crying stopped as Lady Taylor began to speak again. "It was raining heavily that night, it was very cold outside. My stomach suddenly felt very sick, I who was pregnant at the time had contractions."
Hearing the story, Annabelle looked at Lady Taylor from where she was sitting and noticed the story that came out of Lady Taylor's lips. A story he had never heard in his life.
"Thomas tried to call a doctor, but the exit from the estate was cut off due to the storm. If there was another way, it would have to be through the forest and around. The time will be very long. Thomas decided to return without a doctor. At that time I was not strong anymore. Griselda helped me to give birth to my baby. The baby I gave birth to was very beautiful, unfortunately no tears came out of her mouth, even her lips had turned blue. I realized that my beautiful daughter was dead."
Lady Taylor told this story with tears in her eyes. Annabelle could feel the pain that Lady Taylor felt when she lost her daughter.
"Suddenly, the next morning, Thomas took you. He handed you over to my lap tearfully apologizing that he had done something wrong. My heart broke at that moment. Even Thomas buried our daughter, without me being able to see her," Lady Taylor continued.
When she heard all these stories, Annabelle's body trembled violently. A noble man who he respects a lot, turns out to be a big mistake. No wonder Lady Taylor hated him so much. Annabelle might have done the same if her husband had suddenly arrived, carrying a child that had not been born from her womb.
"My apologies, My Lady. I've hurt your heart deeply," said Annabelle, lowering her head.
"On top of that wooden cupboard, you can take your things when you first came here. Take it! Who knows with those things, you might find your mother. Although I'm sure he must have been with Thomas in hell," said Lady Taylor.
With her limp body, Annabelle got up and walked over to the wooden cupboard that Lady Taylor pointed to. He took a small dark brown box, with strange carvings around the box. It was obvious that the box was the same age as him. Thick dust covered the box.
"Get out of my room, I don't want to see you again!" expelled Lady Taylor.
Annabelle looked down and took a step back. With the box, Annabelle went away from Lady Taylor's room. Annabelle opened the box she had brought in her room. A baby blanket that resembled a small robe, red gold and very soft, was at the very top of the box.
Annabelle opened the blanket and traced it with her hand. His hand movements stopped when he touched a name embroidered on the blanket. Annabelle's name could be read clearly by him. Annabelle smiled, she was sure it was the name her mother had prepared for her.
Annabelle's hands began to open all the things stored there. Baby clothes, gloves and various other baby equipment. Annabelle was surprised when her eyes saw something sparkling at the bottom of the box. He opened the box deeper and took what he saw.
Annabelle found a gold chip with incomplete carvings, lying in the box. The gold shard seemed to break in two. Annabelle pulled everything out of the box, hoping to find the pieces of her broken pieces so she could put them back together. Unfortunately the fracture was not found. Perhaps the fault had disappeared without his Papa or Lady Taylor noticing.
Annabelle put everything back in the box. Right now, only the box was precious to him. The box that from the baby is with him and who knows who he is. He hugged the box and cried. All night long, Annabelle lay hugging the box.
***
The announcement of the hunting season regulations was out today, which meant that her wedding day was drawing near. A few days after the announcement, a horse-drawn carriage bearing the Louis family's coat of arms entered the estate. Annabelle was not surprised when the Duke with his handsome and charming appearance got off the carriage, because he had already prepared for the arrival of his future husband.
With a bow, Annabelle greeted Albert. "Welcome to our estate, My Lord," said Annabelle
Albert smiled happily, when he could see his future wife he had not seen for a long time. "Your face shines even more, like the sun that warms the earth, My Lady. Are you ready to go with me, to prepare for our wedding?" said Albert which made Annabelle blush.
"Of course My Lord, but there's something I want to talk to you about, before we get married," Annabelle said.
"What is it about? asked Albert in surprise.
"We can talk about it inside. Besides, I know you must be tired from your journey here. You can rest first inside."
"Okay," said Albert who then entered the Taylor family residence.
After they sat down and rested, Annabelle began to speak. "Forgive me if I was being rude, My Lord. I do this to protect all the servants I work with. I know that you have paid off this estate's debt from Lord Falkner, but I would like to make a pact."
"What's in the agreement, My Lady?" asked Albert. He was sure that the agreement would not be easy, Annabelle was not an easy woman to conquer.
"After we get married and I do my duty as your wife, I want full ownership of this estate. That means, there will be no interference from you in this estate."
Hearing this, Albert's body froze. His eyes narrowed at his future wife. Annabelle bravely returned Albert's gaze. They were both silent for a while.
***
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Misel09
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