Duchess Not By Choice

9

It's been a year. Vince and I were getting along well after our silent confession when I was injured. We even acted like we'd been together for years. I don't take his stepmother and sister bullshits since Vince always backed me up and told me I was the lady of the house. I ran the show and had the power. Today was my birthday, which I declared to never celebrate, and I intend to keep it that way. I was currently in our room wanting to be alone to my grief. I asked no one to disturb me. I didn't want anyone to wish me a happy birthday. Suddenly, I heard a commotion outside. I didn't want to go see what was happening, but Vince wasn't here. I was the lady of the house. It was my duty to handle all house affairs, so I had no choice but to go check it out. I went out of the room, hoping no one would say anything about my birthday.

"Good evening, my lady," all the maids I passed by greeted me with a smile, not even mentioning anything about my birthday.

"Good evening," I greeted back with a small smile.

"Lilly must have told them about my birthday," I thought as I kept walking to where the commotion was. I saw Catherine, my mother-in-law, arguing with a maid.

"Give me the letter," Catherine said, raising her hand.

"I'm sorry madam. I can't. Letters sent need to be handed directly to the Duke and if he's not here, they need to be given to the lady of the house," the maid replied. Then, Catherine slapped her. The maid held her cheek.

"How dare you lousy servant refuse my order! I am the lady of the house. Give me the letter now!" She shouted at her. The maid shook her head. I decided to intervene.

"Lady of the house? Last time I checked you no longer held that title," I said walking to them as I helped the maid stand up, before glaring at Catherine, "You don't have rights to be punishing Bella."

"Bella did nothing wrong. You should know the rules on letters being sent here. You need to apologize to her for wrongfully punishing her," I continued.

"I will not apologize to a servant who is beneath me," She refused.

"It doesn't matter your level of status. If you are in the wrong, it is only right to apologize," I argued. Catherine was going to reply, but was interrupted by Vince showing up.

"Dria, what's going on?" He asked, walking to us and standing next to me. He had a feeling it had something to do with his mother.

"Well, a letter came and Bella, knowing the rule with letters, was going to take the letter to me since you weren't here, but your mother stopped her and demanded she give it to her. When Bella refused, she slapped her. I asked her to apologize since she was in the wrong, which she refused to do," I explained.

"I was right, it had something to do with my mother," He thought. He turned to his mother.

"Mother, you should apologize since you were wrong to punish her," He said.

"Vincent-" She started to say, but he interrupted her.

"Mother, please," he begged.

"Fine," She said harshly, before turning to Bella, "I'm sorry." Bella nodded. Then, Catherine walked away, stamping her feet.

"I really hate that stupid girl. She turned Vincent against me. I really need to get rid of her," She thought as she continued walking. I turned to Bella with a gentle smile.

"Bella, give the letter to the Duke and go put an ice pack on your cheek, so it doesn't swell," I instructed her. Bella nodded as she gave the letter to the Duke, who took it, before walking away with the thought,

"The duchess is amazing and sweet unlike that woman. I'm so glad she became our duchess."

"It looks like this letter is from the King," Vince said as he opened the letter. I stood next to him to read the content.