33 Playing the Game 5
10 minutes ago
Rosalind frowned the moment she opened her eyes.
Submerged in the memories of what had transpired before she fell down, Rosalind sat up and quickly realized she was currently outside in—
"I thought you died."
Rosalind looked at the man sitting next to her. Her eyes widened when she realized that she— she had just used the man's lap as a pillow. She was comfortably lying down on his lap in the garden, wearing a coat that was six times larger than her frame. She blinked at him.
"You—"
"Not even a trace of gratitude, I see."
"What happened?" she ignored the sarcasm in his voice.
"You tried to pull a stunt and failed. I do not know if you are simply lucky or stupid."
"Failed?" If she did, then why was she here? With the Duke nonetheless?
"I haven't met someone who used their Blessing as carelessly as you," he mused, turning towards the walls of plants in front of them.
"I did not have a choice."
"Did you not?" he asked.
In response, she pursed her lips.
"Thank you."
"I didn't hear you."
"I said—" she stopped talking when he looked at her.
"What?"
"I am grateful for your help."
"As you should."
"Saying you are welcome isn't too hard."
"Maybe it was because I don't see this as something amusing?"
"I—"
"If you want to leave this place… leave it with your head held high."
What was that supposed to mean? She frowned.
"That way, losing you would be more devastating for them."
She swallowed. He had a point. She took a deep breath. "I will keep that in mind."
"Good. You are young, keep on learning."
"You are not that much older than I," in this time and age, a seventeen-year-old marrying someone in their thirties was considered normal.
The Duke should be in his early twenties so a marriage between them was completely acceptable. However, she shouldn't be thinking about this in front of him.
The man said nothing in response.
Suddenly, someone appeared next to the Duke. Rosalind recognized him as the red-eyed man. She turned her head away as she wondered how the Duke was able to save her. Was it really just luck that he saw her when she fainted?
"We should go now," the Duke said. "They have already found your sister's body. There is no point in staying here."
She didn't miss the fact that he used 'body'.
"I did not kill her."
"I know," he got up and held his hand out towards her. When she hesitated, he smiled. "Some people are just better off dead. Don't you think so too?"
Rosalind accepted the Duke's hand. She got up and the two made their way towards the corner of the maze.
.....
Current time.
"Your Grace—" Princess Isabel immediately greeted the Duke as the others curtsied.
"You are—"
"I am Princess Isabel. We met at the palace?"
"Ah—" the Duke turned towards the Marchioness and ignored the smiling Princess. "We were walking when we heard the commotion." His gaze landed on Dorothy and Anthony. "It seems that this has nothing to do with me. As someone who isn't a member of the Lux Family, it is only right that I take my leave now."
His words were directed toward everyone who had just come to watch the show. This was the Young Lady of the Lux Family. This was something that the Lux Family should discuss with each other.
Before anyone could answer, he looked at Rosalind.
"Lady Rosalind… shall we go now?"
"Your Grace wait!" Princess Isabel grabbed the Duke's arm. In response, the Duke lowered his gaze and stared at the Princess's hand.
"The only reason why I am allowing you to touch me is because of the Emperor. The next time you try to touch me, your fingers will fall off your hand. As the only Princess in the Empire, I am certain that you understand my words. Isn't that right, your Highness?" His words were spoken so calmly, slowly, and gently that no one would think he was actually threatening someone.
"I—" Princess Isabel's face paled. This was actually the first time that someone dared to threaten her, or even refuse her touch. Everyone who witnessed the scene knew that. She immediately retracted her hand and looked at Rosalind who was silently standing next to the Duke.
"Is there something stuck in your throat?" he asked coldly.
"No. I just… Rosalind is someone from the Lux Family, she should stay here. Moreover, this — Lady Dorothy's maid insisted that the last person who was with Lady Dorothy was Rosalind. She needs to tell them what happened."
"Lady Rosalind has been with me for the past few hours now," the Duke said. "Isn't that right, my lady?"
"Yes, I accidentally bump into the Duke earlier and we have been talking. I didn't notice that it has already been hours," Rosalind smiled, her cheeks tinted red.
"But—"
"Are you calling me a liar, Princess?" the Duke asked.
"No. I just— it was the maid's fault. She told everyone that Rosalind—"
"Lady—"
"Pardon me?"
"In my kingdom, we call every unmarried noblewoman, Lady. Is the custom different in this empire?"
Almost immediately the Princess's face turned ugly. She glared at Rosalind.
"No, I misspoke just now. Lady Rosalind has been absent from the Capital for more than five years, I have forgotten about her being a member of the Lux family. I am certain she wouldn't mind. Isn't that right, Lady Rosalind?"
"Forgotten?" the Duke smiled. "Didn't you just point out that she was a member of the Lux Family?"
"I—"
"Your Grace, I think we should focus on my older sister for now," Rosalind decided to intervene. For some reason, the Duke was very articulate in insulting someone. But what of Dorothy? This was her show!
The Duke and the Princess had nothing to do with this.
"Elder sister… what happened?" Rosalind innocently blink. She tried to approach Dorothy but was quickly pushed away.
"Get away from me!"
"Ah— " Rosalind fell to the ground. Almost immediately, the Duke helped her up.
"This is all your fault!" Dorothy screamed. "You — How dare you do this to me!?"