Chapter 43 Declare it to everyone

By the time it came to evening the following day, Hazel had gotten a reply from Lucas and on reading the letter, it stated how happy he was for she had accepted to go with him. He also asked her to pack her things and also inform her master that she was leaving.

Two days in Hollowvale, she thought. She wondered if she was doing the right thing but then she realized that it was the only alternative. Maybe once there, she will find a good man and start a family.

With only two days left, Hazel realized that it would be responsible if she informed the Duke such that they find her replacement soon if needed.

She walked towards his study after finding out that he was there. Standing outside the door, she raised her hand to knock when she stopped midway and she dropped it. She could feel the nervousness that crept inside of her and she dried her sweaty palms on her dress.

Perhaps, she should talk to the butler who will deliver the information to him. That's right, she thought.

She turned to leave when the door opened and she internally gasped. Turning to look at him, she was relieved to see that it was Rosalie.

"What are you doing here?" she asked carrying the plates the Duke had used for his lunch.

"I-I wanted to speak to his grace. Is he free?" she asked. "I think so. What do you want to talk to him about?" she asked. "Something," she said before walking forward and knocked on the door. When she got no reply, she opened the door and peeked inside. She caught sight of him sitting in his chair and she stepped inside before closing the door behind her.

She walked to stand in front of him before bowing her head. "Good afternoon your grace," she said and he nodded his head.

"What brings you here Ms Winston?" he asked, without looking at her and she pursed her lips. "Uh, I need to tell you something your grace," she said and she watched him lean his back then crossed his legs.

"What do you want to say? Are you here to tell me how you are leaving for Treadstone with your lover?" he asked and her eyes widened. News travel really fast, she thought. "Am I right?" he asked. Gaining her composure, she said," No. Lucas is only a friend and yes, I am leaving for Treadstone."

"Well, that won't happen," he deadpanned.

"But I have the right to do what I want," she said. "You're staying here and that's final," he declared and a chuckle escaped her lips.

"You have no right over me your grace. I am leaving," she said. He stood up and walked to where she was as he lowered his head to look at her.

"I will say this for the last time. I am not letting you go. And even if you escape, I will look for you everywhere and see to it that you are back here." "What do you want me to do? You want to see me completely destroyed? I am getting an opportunity of getting a decent life where I won't be looked down upon,"she said.

"That's not how I see you Hazel," he said, his voice softening. "It is not about you. It is about the status I hold in society," she said. "I will make you a lady then. You won't be a servant anymore," he said and she raised her eyes to look at him. "What will I be then?" she asked. "My woman. And I will declare it to everyone," he said.

She took a while to say," That's not what I want." "I know. Just be mine," he said and she looked away from him. "I have to leave," she said. "It won't help anything trust me. You won't be able to forget about me," he said and she stepped back. "I have done my part," she said before quickly walking to the door and she opened it. On stepping outside, she caught sight of Rosalie who had been eavesdropping on the conversation, with her eyes wide in shock at the information she had just heard.

Hazel who realized that nothing could be done to reverse the situation as she had already found out walked away from the place.

As she walked outside, she heard Rosalie call her and she turned to look at her. "So, you've been lovers all along?" she asked the moment she reached her. "No Rosalie," she said. "Don't dare deny it! I clearly heard the whole conversation," she hissed. "You didn't get the whole thing." "I didn't have to. So you were already lovers by the time you came to work here?" she asked. "No. We are not lovers and I ask that you don't go on spreading false information which you will regret later," she said before walking away. Everything was getting messy. First it was Charlotte and now Rosalie.

During the rest of the day, Hazel caught Rosalie glaring at her as though she wanted to kill her.

When it was only the two of them, Hazel went closer to Charlotte and said," Rosalie found out." "What?" she asked. "About the Duke and I," she said and her lips parted in disbelief. "How?"

"She eavesdropped on our conversation. She heard everything," she said. "That is bad then. She will tell Emily and before you know it, the whole manor will be knowing it," she said.

"I don't know what to do." "Tell me, are you leaving?" she asked. "I don't know. Everything is complicated," she said.

Rosalie looked at Hazel as she remembered the conversation she heard her exchanging with the Duke and she couldn't help the jealousy that consumed her. She has always desired the Duke and she didn't care if he bedded her just once. She didn't give a damn if she was to be dumped tomorrow yet Hazel was making him plead, as if she was special to him. In her eyes, she was not that beautiful and nothing was special about her. Her red hair and green eyes were prettier, she thought and she took a mental note to do something about it. "What is it?" Emily asked as she followed her line of sight.

"Nothing," she replied looking back at what she had been doing.