In the morning I was getting ready to go out when I saw the commotion again. What were they taking the palace for? All this time they cry and scream like crazies here.

Should I pass a law that there will be the death penalty for the trespassers?

"What is happening here?" I asked impatience was placed in my voice.

I have to go personally check all the preparations done for the new trades in the common and royal market. It would take the whole day and yet I could not even cross the road due to the bunch of foolish people.

"Your highness, lady Isabella is here. I told her that you are going out to work. But she said she would not leave without meeting you, even if she had to spend the whole day waiting here." he was looking like crying. The girl must have tormented him.

I sighed, now it was my turn to get tormented.

"Call her in the sitting room, I can spare 5 minutes, but then do not let her stay here for the whole stay."

With that, I walked out of the carriage towards my chamber.

As I reached the sitting room, she was already there. But it was a sight to behold. Her whole face, hands have small red blisters and pimples. She was looking miserable. For once I wanted to go and thank Marianne.

"Oh my, lady Isabella. Are you suffering from chickenpox? You should not have come here in this condition." I faked worry but I was gloating internally.

What made Marianne this angry? I needed to do those things often

"Your highness, I don't have chickenpox. You don't need to worry so much about me," she replied with a gleam in her eyes and her face turned redder.

"Lady Isabella, how could you say so. Look your face is turning redder.'' I chided, as I took my seat.

"That's because-because" she bit her lip.

I knew very well what she was indicating, after all, it was not the first time, she had been trying to be shy, coquettish and sweet to me even before the funeral of Elizabeth was completed.

But I had turned blind eye to it for a long time.

"Yes, lady Isabella '' I asked innocently and she bit her lip further.

"Your highness, last night, a servant gifted me white roses, you used to give to my sister. I thought you were the one who presented me, but later I developed an allergy from holding them," she replied sobbing as she sat at the closest seat possible and leaned further.

If anything I just wanted to push her at the farthest corner possible, but for that also I needed to touch her. But how could I do that to such a filthy being?

"Oh my, I would try to find that servant as soon as possible." in your dreams' i added in my heart as I faked sympathy.

She shook her head, "that's not all, your highness. I was also served a pie that had a lot of peppers in it. My throat and stomach burnt by eating it."

"Then why did you eat it in the first place, you should have thrown it just after tasting it,'' I spoke out loud this time. As I was both amused and amazed at the idea.

"Your highness, it was because lady Marianne said that I was confused with the taste so I need to eat it again," she replied with teary accusing eyes as if I was also bullying her.

Oh, how I wish I could do that. The nerve of her, she even called Marianne without her duchess title.

"Oh, I will ask about it from the chef of lord Killian's chamber. Maybe she was worried about you, that's why she said so.`` I tried to hold my last bit of patience as I continued doing all the fake promises to her.

She shook her head again, what was she a rattle drum!

"Your highness, I am here to plead for justice, lady Marianne has tried to kill me," she replied, still a sobbing mess.

I clenched my fists under the table, if the case was followed, that would be trouble.

If I took Isabella's side to continue my facade, I will lose my respect as the duchess would be punished,

But if I took the side of Marianne then marquees would be alerted, I wanted him to rely on me for everything so that I could cut his roots. I am almost there, I could not afford mistakes right now.

"Are you sure, lady Isabella? It would turn ugly. Why not finish the matter privately." I asked suggesting and when she looked at me with surprised eyes, I added,

"I do not want people to point a finger on you if proven wrong." my reply pumped her ego as she smiled brightly.

"Oh, your highness, I know you worry a lot about me. Alright, only for you, am ready to forget everything and forgive lady Marianne," she replied in a very sweet voice that I felt I would have diabetes.

But thank god, at least the problem was solved. I took the glass of water from the table and took a sip in relief when she added,

"If only she would apologize to me"

The grip on the glass tightened, I guess, I thanked God too early.

"But we both know that she would not do that. You know how short-tempered she is, your highness. Last time she tried to push me from the stairs. Forget about me on the day of your reception she even pushed Killian who was just going to congratulate her. Poor boy, he was not getting motherly love... If only I could spend more time with him.

But now even the duchess duties were taken from me and I was assigned just a clerk job." she continued her sobbing as I rubbed my head. How in the name of christ now this matter would be solved.