Rosie's Games

Chapter 55: The Beast 2

**BANG**

The large door leading towards the Emperor's study slammed shut just as Federico walked inside. He looked at the Emperor who was fuming then towards the Duke who was calmly sitting on a chair.

"You did it on purpose!" the Emperor said.

"Your Majesty—"

"I know what you lot do!" the Emperor pointed at the Duke. "You think that everyone else is weaker than you! You think too highly of yourself!"

"Your Majesty, what would your people say if they could see this side of you?" Duke Lucas mocked. "I just saved you and the nobles and yet all you do is shame me. If the Empire no longer needs the help of the North then I would be very glad to tell the King everything."

"You played with everyone! You dare—"

"Your Majesty, I never play with someone," the Duke said. "Everyone saw that the beast arrived and I killed it, saving everyone else in the process. Perhaps you saw something different?"

"Your Grace, I think this is not the best time to act sarcastic," Federico intervened. "We know that it was you who brought the beast to the encampment. It was your intention to show everyone what you can do under the pretense of saving my granddaughter."

Duke Lucas snorted.

"What is it that the Duke really wants?"

"Wheat and rice…and weapons."

"We cannot give you weapons that would be strong enough to fight against the beasts. As you can see, the weapons that our knights used during the fight easily broke when they hit the beast's skin," Federico calmly said.

"Granite…" the Duke stated. "Send us granite and I can assure you that there would be no beast like that in this part of the continent."

Federico's face turned morose. "Granite…"

"Yes."

"That is not our product."

"I am well aware," the Duke said.

"And you still demanded granite?"

"Yes."

"What made you think that the south is going to provide us with such materials?"

"Because— the beasts might come to their doors if they refuse to help." The Duke started drumming his fingers on the table. "The world is a mysterious place, your Blessedness. Right now, the beasts are staying in the North, but there are things that we cannot explain in this continent. We cannot be sure that— that the beasts will not be able to escape."

"What are you talking about?" Federico said. "Are you talking about a beast surge?"

"Perhaps?" the Duke said.

"The last beast surge only happened because of the birth of the Dark Lord! Are you telling us that the Dark Lord —" The Emperor scoffed in disbelief. "I did not think that the North would stoop so low as to lie to everyone. Are you and your kingdom that desperate?"

"Your majesty—" Federico chimed in. "I want to listen to what the Duke has to say."

"Your Blessedness, are you going to believe this nonsense? The man manipulated the beast and has been trying to manipulate your own blood for some wheat and granite?"

Federico pursed his lips. "The seven families sealed the Dark Lord, there is no way that a beast surge would happen."

Again, the Duke said nothing. Instead, he got up. "I still have some things to attend to. I hope His Majesty will think about the things that I want. The North is the only one that could block the surge. We survived the surge a long time ago, we will survive it again. Though… I am not quite sure if the South will without our help."

With that, the Duke left them inside the study.

"That arrogant —"

"There is no need to respond to his lies, Your Majesty. Let us not mind his futile attempts of stealing from the South. Tomorrow, send the Duke back from where he came from and declare Rosalind his fiance. We cannot let that man stay in this empire any longer."

"You are willing to let your granddaughter marry into that house?"

Federico snorted.

"The journey to the North will take months. Who knows what will happen in that time?"

"You—"

"All of his brides died a mysterious death," Federico said. "That Duke is cursed, just like his ancestors."

....

Meanwhile, the Duke's face was stern as he arrived at the palace where he was staying.

"How is she?" he asked.

"Stable," Denys answered. "That beast—"

"I do not know how it got here." The Duke remove his coat and handed it to his lieutenant. "Prepare to leave. The Emperor is going to get us leave as soon as possible."

"Your Grace, that beast— that beast shouldn't be in this part of the continent," Denys stated. "Something is happening."

"A beast surge is coming, just as I expected. However, I failed to predict how dangerous it was this time."

"How? I mean… why? A beast surge might be normal In the North, but those beasts wouldn't set foot here. Why would it come here?"

The Duke clenched his jaw. Then he walked towards the canopied bed where Rosalind was peacefully lying. He stared at her peaceful face.

"I would like to know that too," the Duke said.

Denys lowered his head. "What about our demands?"

"We are going to visit the other kingdoms of the North. A warning is in order."

Denys nodded. "What of the Young Miss? Shall I send her to the Lux Family—"

"There is no need to do that."

"Pardon?"

"She is to become my wife."

Denys blinked at him, then he blinked again. The young lieutenant did not hide the confusion on his face. "Wife?" he asked.

"Yes. I shall marry her."

"Your Grace—"

The Duke looked at Denys when he sense the confusion in the man's voice.

"This isn't the time to jest," Denys said. "That woman—" josei

"Is going to be my wife. Prepare a bride price, the most costly one in our possession."

"Is— Is she even worth that much?" Denys asked. "The woman was a waste. How—"

"This will be the last time that you speak about her that way, Denys. That woman that you are calling a waste is going to become your Mistress."

"I—"

"And she is worth more … more than you can even imagine."

....

Merry Christmas Everyone! Stay safe and healthy! Chose Gratefulness and Joy!

-Mitch