Rosie's Games

Chapter 327: Attraction

The library that she turned into her study was dimly lit. Rosalind sat there frowning as she stared at the map that Mr. Montgomery gave her. This was a different map from what Federico Lux had gotten.

This one was a map of the nearest ruins in Wugari.

It was located between Lonyth and Wugari.

They said that all of the ruins had been engulfed with dark mists lately and she had been very curious about it.

"The sun is about to rise," Lucas's voice made her flinch. She turned her head and saw him standing by the door.

"How did you know I was here?" she asked.

"Are you perhaps trying to hide from me?" He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms across his wide chest, his blue eyes sparkling with mischief.

She hated how he looked like he knew everything.

"Why would I do that?"

"I get the feeling that you are trying to stay away."

"I am not." She lied without batting an eye. All she wanted was a peaceful place to think about things. She knew that he would visit her room so she decided to come here, thinking that Lucas would not be able to sense her.

She thought he would simply think that she was still in Aster.

She was wrong.

Was it possible that he actually had a way to track her?

She narrowed her eyes at him. This was definitely suspicious.

"Why?" he asked while smirking at her.

"What are you talking about?"

"Why avoid my company?"

"Has it occurred to you that I am just here to… read a map?"

"In a dimly lit room?"

"I like it that way."

"Is it so? I thought you just avoided making the room brighter inorder to make me think that you were still in Aster?"

Rosalind frowned. She was convinced that this man could really read minds.

"Do you want me to guess or will you tell me and avoid embarrassing both of us?"

Rosalind composed herself. She cleared her throat.

"You are too distracting," she answered. She always wondered why his presence made her act like a young woman in love when she was not actually so young anymore.

She also had some experiences that… he might not have. Yet.

She lifted her chin and bravely met his gaze.

"Distracting?" his eyebrow lifted. "Would you like me to assume the worst or are you willing to explain?"

"You are giving me no options," Rosalind gritted her teeth. He could guess and say something embarrassing or she could tell him and embarrass herself. Either way, she was losing this game.

Her mouth went dry and she reflexively swallowed.

"You, Sir, are too distracting," Rosalind reiterated. "We should leave it at that."

Just as he was about to open his mouth, she added. "Do not force a lady to reveal her secrets."

His laughter rang out like the chiming of a thousand silver bells, its melodious sound echoed inside the room. Strangely it filled her heart with warmth.

Was that logically possible?

The simple answer was no.

But Rosalind could not think about logic right now.

His eyes were sparkling with amusement and she could not help but frown even more. Those two blue eyes looked like sparking jewels. It was captivating.

Why was she praising him again?

Rosalind immediately chastised herself.

"Do you want me to leave?" he asked.

"No," her answer came as a surprise. She wanted him to stay away from her because she found him too distracting. Yet, she immediately said no when he asked her about it.

How pathetic.

Of course, Rosalind did not show any of these on her face.

"I— I need your help," she lowered her eyes to the map as she silently thanked the heavens for the map's existence. What would happen if she was here without the map?

It would have been very… very awkward and embarrassing.

"The ruins in Lonyth?" he approached her. Immediately, his scent reached her. He smelled of warm breeze and fields of blooming flowers with a hint of lemon and wood. He smelled like a hint of summer amid the winter's chill.

She hated how she liked how he smelled.

Just what was happening to her?

This sudden attraction was unexpected.

She always knew he was good-looking. He was a very handsome man. He was mysterious and strong and scheming. Did she forget to include his cruelty and ruthlessness?

If she was smart she should try and avoid falling for him like a plague. However, it seemed that she was not that smart after all.

"Yes. I heard that dark mists suddenly covered the whole area. This map was when there were no mists and this little one was after the mist covered it." Rosalind shook the thoughts out of her head.

"And?" He sat next to her, making her more conscious of his warmth.

"I am curious. They said that it started about… nine months ago." Rosalind forced herself to focus. She could not do this now. She needed ways to get stronger.

"Yes."

"And it is still in the ruins after all these months. Isn't it very interesting? Are you not curious at all?"

"So you wanted to visit the ruin?" josei

"Not now. Perhaps when I am strong enough."

"There is nothing in the ruins."

"What about the mists?"

"A phenomenon. It will disappear."

"All of the ruins have that same mist."

"It will disappear soon."

"You seemed so sure about it?" He must have known something.

"I am certain that there is nothing in the ruins but… ruins. It was a dilapidated reminder of the past."

Rosalind frowned. Somehow he had a point.

"Federico is showing interest in the ruins in black forest," she said. "I want to know why."

There was silence. When he still said nothing, she looked at him. She wanted to know what he thought about this.

"If you want him dead, I could kill him," the Duke said. "Just say the word and it will happen."

....

I am currently away with my family. I will be publishing 2 chapters everyday until I am back. Then I am going to start hustling. I have a new patron and I owe her a mass release. Special shoutout to Cricketeer! Thank you for subscribing!