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The Duke's Masked Wife-Chapter 10
Chapter 10: Last day (2)
βPlease be alright,β Alessandra chanted in her head over and over as she ran outside to check on the kitten. ππ§πππ¬ππππvππ.cπm
Kate reached a whole new low today for hurting such a small animal all over a conversation with the Duke. No one would believe Alessandra if she were to say what Kate had just done due to her jealousy. They would focus on the fact she was hiding a kitten when Katrina hated having pets around.
βW-Why is she running around?β
Alessandra ignored the whispers from the maids as she ran by. This was supposed to be her last day then she and the kitten would go live with the Duke. Why were things already going wrong?
βNo,β Alessandra teared up, finding the kitten trembling down below the tree Kate threw it against. It was so young she knew it wouldnβt be able to survive this but she was hoping for the best. She got down on her knees to try to help the small animal. βKitty, Iβm here.β
Her eyes filled with water hearing the kitten cry out and shake out of pain. βWhat do I do?β Alessandra asked herself. βI donβt want to hurt you any further. This is my fault. I should have hid you better or taken you with me.β
βWe have to take you to someone for help,β Alessandra gently scooped up the kitten in her hand.
.....
There had to be someone who would be able to help her. Her father should be able to pay for someone to help since this was Kateβs fault. Alessandra hurried back inside in search of her father.
βHang in there kitty. I will get rid of the pain. Have you seen my father?β Alessandra asked a passing maid but the young girl looked away from her to avoid looking at her face and refused to answer. βWhere is he!β She yelled out of frustration.
The maid flinched, taken aback by Alessandraβs loud voice. βHeβs not here. The baron left a long time ago.β
βWhy are you yelling at a servant? Have you lost your mind after your trip?β Katrina heard the commotion as she was heading in the other direction. βWhat is that thing in your hand Alessandra? I made it quite clear I do not want pets in this house.β
βFix this,β Alessandra showed Katrina the kitten. βKate threw it out my window. It just needs to be looked at by a doctor and then Iβll find a new owner.β
βYou want me to believe that my daughter did this? Why was it here in the first place? Throw it out, it already looks dead-β
βYour daughter did this! For once in your life hold her accountable for what she has done!β Alessandra refused to back down this time. It was alright for them to hurt and pick at her but the kitten was an innocent defenseless creature.
βYou insolent child,β Katrina walked up to Alessandra and slapped her in the face, almost knocking off the mask she was wearing. βNever speak of my parenting.β
Alessandra wasnβt phased by the slap as she expected it but she wasnβt going to take back her words. Kate did many horrible things but in everyoneβs eyes, she remained an angel while Alessandra was called a witch, demon, ghost, and more all because she wore a mask.
Alessandra started to laugh since life was nothing more than a joke. The action caught Katrina off guard and the maid thought Alessandra had truly lost her mind.
βThis house is frustrating,β Alessandra muttered after she stopped laughing.
None of them was going to make up for what Kate did. They didnβt have the heart to feel sorry for the kitten. Her father was not going to go up against Katrina and agree to get rid of the kitten.
βThis is pointless,β Alessandra realized. She felt stupid for thinking anyone here would be able to help her but she was so concerned for the kitten, she forgot the type of people she lived with.
There was nothing she could do for the poor kitten right now. She had no money to run away and find a doctor and upon seeing her mask, no one would let her into their business. The only thing she could do for now was to tend to the kitten and when the Duke arrives tomorrow, she would give him the kitten for him to help it.
βAre you not going to apologize for your rude words, Alessandra?β Katrina had been patiently waiting for Alessandra to say sorry like she always did but it was taking long.
If her husband had given her permission to raise Alessandra as she saw fit, they wouldnβt be stuck with her. Katrina had a plan to send her off somewhere to live alone. A relative had a small farm which would have been perfect for Alessandra.
There was also the option of marrying her off to someone who did not care about the rumors and just wanted a woman to bear their heirs.
βThere is nothing for me to apologize for,β Alessandra turned around to go back to her room. The Duke would be the only one to help the kitten. She needed to spend less time interacting with Katrina or Kate and more time tending to the kittenβs needs.
βYou there,β Katrina called to the maid. βTake that thing and throw it out or you will be fired.β
βWhat?β The maid did not see why she had to get involved in the feud the baroness had with the young woman. Alessandra was already angry and could curse them at any point in time.
βI made my order quite clear. Either you throw the animal in her hand out or you will be out of a job. Do it now,β Katrina folded her arms, waiting on the maid to do her dirty work. Thatβs why they were paid to do anyway.
βM-My lady,β the young maid turned to Alessandra. She was scared of both Alessandra and Katrina but her job was on the line.
βTouch me or this kitten and I will kill you. Mark my words,β Alessandra warned the maid. She did not care about anyone getting fired if she did not hand over the kitten. The kitten was her main priority above anyone else.
βYou are threatening our servants now? Good, you have officially lost your mind. I will make sure to inform your father of this. As your last order,β Katrina looked at the now fired maid. βInform the butler that Alessandra is to be locked in her room. No one is to interact with her and no food is to be sent to her room until she has learned her lesson.β
βBe sure to collect your last payment while you do so. It will be cut for you not being useful. Get out of my sight, both of you,β said Katrina. Today would be the last day she took any disrespect from Alessandra.
Katrina had a mission to get rid of Alessandra whether it be sending her away, marrying her off, or even poisoning her if needed. Alessandraβs rumors affected her husbandβs reputation along with the ones about his last marriage. She would help him by cutting away the last thing from that marriage.
Alessandra hurried away from the scene still not caring about what Katrina ordered the maid to do. She experienced having little to no food and being locked away in her room too many times for it to no longer be seen as punishment.
Katrina had granted her blessing without realizing it. She wanted to care for the kitten without anyone interrupting her. Until the Duke arrived tomorrow, she wanted to be alone.
βHold on till tomorrow little one. He will come for us.β