Rosie's Games

Chapter 53: My Person

"The Prince has arrived!" the Herald announced in the middle of the tension. Rosalind immediately smiled at the sight of a confused-looking Prince.

The soon-to-be crown prince woke up with no signs of injury. Rosalind was certain about that as she had arranged it. Moreover, the man had woken up alone, without attendants or any bodies of the dead assassins around.

His confusion soon turned into fright as he realized that what he saw the other night might just be inside his head. But this changed when he stumbled into the body of one of his attendants.

The mangled body showed some signs of an animal attack and while Rosalind wasn't sure why the Duke did this at first, she could now clearly see its effects.

It seems that the man wanted to play with the prince's mind.

The prince, who was welcomed by attendants and servants, looked distraught. Despite this, his clothes were clean and his face was neat. It was as if he hadn't actually gone into the jungle.

"It looked like the prince arrived back safely," the Duke mused. "Thanks to his Blessedness, the hunt was once again a success."

Rosalind said nothing. She knew the Duke wanted to poke fun at the failed assassination attempt. She looked towards her father who looked as equally morose as her grandfather. Was he that disappointed that their plan to sacrifice her failed?

Rosalind took a deep breath as she snorted inwardly. Why was she acting as if she still had some hope left? Her family had never wanted her and would never want her in the future.

She shouldn't waste her time doing pointless things.

"Shall we go now, My Lady?" the Duke asked as he held a hand towards her. This time, she did not hesitate. She accepted his offer and the two of them walked toward his tent.

"I know that you value what I have," Rosalind said the moment they arrived inside the tent. She turned towards the entrance, making sure that no one was standing outside. "But you don't have to intervene."

She turned to look at him, only to freeze.

"What are you doing?" she asked, her eyes wide at his body. "You—" josei

"I reeked of blood," he stated as he put on another black shirt. He then smirked at her. "I was expecting a blush, My Lady."

"What?" Rosalind blinked, then turned around. She had seen a man's body before and while the Duke's body was definitely better than Jeames, she couldn't help but focus on his scars.

"I am leaving," she stomped and tried to walk out of the tent, but Lucas was quick to stop her. He held her arm.

"Where are you going?"

"Clearly, you are busy."

"Aren't you bothered by the blood?" he asked.

"I—" she was pretty occupied with her thoughts she did not even notice it. "No."

"And here I thought the smell would bother the delicate lady," he said as he let her go.

Then he added, "Stay."

She swallowed in response. For a moment, she hesitated as she really wanted to leave, but she decided against it in the end. Turning around, she realized he was already sitting on a throne-like chair, pouring himself wine. He leaned against the chair and rested his elbow on its arm.

"I appreciate your help, but I would like to deal with my own family from now on," she continued her previous thought. "I think you are going overboard. You are making enemies and doing whatever you want. I don't think it will do you any good."

"Is the Lady worried?"

"No," she denied. "Why would I? I know well that the Duke can take care of himself."

"You are lying."

"I am not."

"Is that what the Lady really wants?" he lifted an eyebrow.

"Yes." The man had already done too much for her, she couldn't think of a way to repay him. Rosalind didn't want to spend the rest of her life in the North serving him, so she could not accept any more of his help.

She didn't want to sound ungrateful, and she knew he was just trying to hide her secrets for his own benefit, but watching him do all these things for her while putting himself in more danger left a bad taste in her mouth. These people made her suffer in the past, revenge was her own business— a personal business.

It was something that she could never give up.

"And if I don't?" he asked.

"Pardon me?" she blinked, surprised apparent in her eyes. What was he talking about?

"I am not intruding, my Lady. I am simply helping my person."

"Your— Your person?"

"Aren't you mine?"

She gulped. She opened her mouth, wanting to say some words, but ended up not saying anything. In the past, many people have labeled her a lot of things.

The Queen's Sister.

Her Blessedness' Servant.

The Loyal Maid.

The Wonderful Wife.

The Cursed Child of the Lux Family.

But none of them had ever called her their person.

"Have a drink, my Lady, you are thinking too much about things." The Duke poured her a glass of wine. "And please do not misunderstand my actions. I am not just helping you. I only want to get you out of this place as fast as possible. Surely, you will not blame me for my greed??"

She shook her head.

"After all," the Duke took a step closer and instead of taking a step back, she stood as still as a statue. She didn't flinch or showed any signs of being flustered. Instead, she watched.

She stared as he slowly lowered his head. She blinked as his lip lightly touched her ear.

"This is the first time that the Wugari Kingdom would have a Blessed one. Your presence could change the lives or the people of the North… your Blessedness," he whispered.

Seeing her frozen, he leaned back and offered her a kind smile.

"Do not fret, my Lady," he added. "I will not harm them, I will leave that to you. And this— I can assure you that I am not doing anything that anyone would considered overboard."

He calmly went back to his chair, the smile on his face didn't change. "In fact, my actions are quite magnanimous. If those people were in my kingdom, they would have lost their heads a long time ago."