A day passed by after the shocking revelation of Duke Theodore, but Sydnee was still skeptical and did not believe it fully. She wanted to ask Lady Geneva if it was true, or she might ask her foster mother, Dianna. But the problem with Dianna was the woman's madness, she might kill her on the spot before she could ask.
Thinking about Dianna, Sydnee could help but to sigh. She had not received any news about her from the duke and after visiting the broken palace, the duke left because of some state matters that the king gave to him. So she was still thinking where Dianna had gone into. And whether her father was buried somewhere near her former house.
The wall clock ticked by and Sydnee was still standing at the veranda of her room. It was daybreak. The sun rays brought warmth on the sorrounding.
It was a perfect morning if not due to a lone car's arrival. She peeked from the railing and her eyes blinked when she saw a girl around seventeen to eighteen years old, climbing down from the passenger door. A few seconds later, the driver's door opened and a woman whom face she recognized appeared.
"Mama, I want to marry him!" the girl yelled while following Lady Geneva whose brows were creased in annoyance.
The woman looked over her shoulder before she snorted. "Catarina, do you want me to abduct that young man for you? Don't forget that he is the current duke of Consolacion and his father is the king's closest aide. We should not do anything that will displease him."
The two walked towards the entrance of the mansion. Two maids followed behind them while the butler parked the car on the garage.
"But he fit my taste." Catarina grinned and giggled while daydreaming about the young man. "He is handsome, tall, sturdy, and... he is a noble. See? We are perfect match for each other! Mama, I'll definitely marry into his household in the future!"
"Lower your voice! If you want to marry him, you must uphold the virtue of a lady. Or else he will not even look at you!" Lady Geneva said, reprimanding Catarina for her misbehaviour.
Catarina lowered her head and silently followed Lady Geneva inside the mansion.
Watching the whole scenario from her room's balcony, Sydnee bit her lip as her heart thumped wildly inside her chest. Her mind raced as she was contemplating whether to present herself in front of Lady Geneva or just ran her way to school and wait for Duke Theodore's arrival before introducing herself to her... mother.
She sighed before she ran towards the bathroom and prepared herself for school. Duke Theodore had bought her another set of school uniform yesterday even though she still have her old school uniform. He reasoned that it was nice for her to dress properly since she would officially enter his household as his heiress. Sydnee thought that it was reasonable so she wore the new school uniform.
Sydnee watched herself in front of vanity mirror. Her cheeks flushed when she saw how well-dressed she was. It was the first time for her to appreciate her beauty. She lowered her gaze and sighed before she stood and reached for her new backpack.
She walked out of the room and silently travelled along the silent hallway until she reached the staircase. She climbed down and took a step towards the kitchen, where she could hear Catarina's giggles and hushed whispers of Lady Geneva. Perhaps, they were having their breakfast, oblivious to the fact that someone had entered their family of three. Actually, she was not an official heiress yet since the duke would yet to start preparing the papers for official adoption. But sooner, she would eventually join them.
The maids standing near the dining hall looked towards Sydnee and they whispered among each other. She lowered her gaze, somewhat became hesitant for a moment. She gulped and sighed. Then she walked right into the dining hall while mustering her courage.
"Good morning, Lady Geneva. I-I am Sydnee Lurica," she said while her gaze was focused on the shiny white floor.
Catarina's giggles stopped and there was silence in the dining hall. Sydnee could feel the burning stare from someone in front of her. She was not clear whether that gaze was from Lady Geneva or Catarina. Her tiny body trembled under that scrutinizing gaze before she heard someone cleared a throat.
"Sydnee Lurica?" It was Lady Geneva. She nodded. There was a pause before Lady Geneva spoke again. "Raise your head. Let me take a look on your face."
She raised her head but kept her gaze low. She did not have the courage to look at her straight in the eye specially when she saw at the corner of her eye how sour Catarina's face was.
"Who is this peasant? Someone, come! Throw her outside! I don't want someone to interrupt my breakfast!" Catarina yelled.
A series of footsteps were heard behind her. Sydnee's body tensed but she could not find her voice to stop the two guards from dragging her out of the dining hall.
"Wait," Lady Geneva said, stopping the two guards. Sydnee silently let out a sigh of relief and tried to straighten her body and stood silently in front of Lady Geneva. The woman's brows were creased as she looked at her from head to toe. "Your name and face are familiar. Who are you?"
Sydnee gulped hard before she looked at Lady Geneva. "We had met before in Consolacion, my Lady. I am someone whom Duke Theodore brought with him the other night. I-I am living here for a day and two nights. I am waiting for your arrival before I present myself in front of you."
"My husband brought you home?" Lady Geneva's brow raised.
Catarina was bewildered hearing the words coming out of Sydnee's mouth while a glint flashed through Lady Geneva's eyes.
Lady Geneva snorted. "Basil!" she called. A woman in her 40s walked quickly towards Lady Geneva. "Give me my phone! Quick!"
"Yes, madam." The woman briskly walked towards somewhere. A few seconds later, she returned and handled Lady Geneva a phone.
Lady Geneva called someone over the phone. A few minutes passed before someone from the other line answered the call. "Lady Geneva," the man on the phone greeted. It was the voice of the butler whom always by Duke Theodore's side.
"Give the phone to Theodore," Lady Geneva ordered between her gritted teeth. A few seconds later, she cursed out loud. "Husband, you are so diligent to find me a young replacement." She huffed. "You actually brought your mistress home!"