Chapter 37 - You Are The Princess
Chapter 37 - You Are The Princess
"You look very much like the princess," Mr. Harts said standing beside Rose with his eyes holding more mysteries in them.
"No, I don't. The princess died when she was only a child," Rose replied smiling despite the fast beating of her heart and the need to leave his presence she felt knowing that someone recognized her resemblance to the princess.
"You do because you are the princess," he told her plainly rather than beating around the bush. As much as he liked teasing her to hear her speak, this was a serious issue and he was not going to play with his words.
"I have heard a lot of people commend my comportment and elegance. It is not surprising that Mr. Hart think I am the princess," she decided to play the innocent card since arguing with Mr. Hart was going to do her no good. It was obvious the man knew about her real identity and she wondered what his intention was towards her.
.
Damon stared around at his son and the Whitfred couple, Jace was doing a good job keeping them all occupied especially Anna who seemed to want to stick to Rose every time of the day. "You know very well what I am talking about and if anyone is your enemy, it can't be me. I know your mother was killed and I am carrying out an investigation. I will also try to protect you. When you need my help, tell Jace and I will offer you any assistance you need."
Rose gulped as she froze. At this point, she knew she was not as hidden as she thought she was. Long ago, someone knew and he was doing a good job watching her closely through his son and his son's guard. "I really don't know what you are talking about Mr. Hart," she continued to deny her true identity. Even if she gets tortured to death, at this point she could not accept her identity it was too much of a burden for her to bear.
She had thought of seeking help from the Harts before but when the help was offered to her freely, she felt it was very suspicious and could not trust the person offering it. She was not offered help in her past life till she died, then why was he offering her help now?
"I know you do. Just remember I will be of help whenever you need my help," he reminded her.
"Please excuse me," she replied hastily as she walked away as elegant as always despite the hell of a battle she was fighting with her emotions. Why? Why did no one offer her help before she died in her past life? There had to be a reason. She went into the nearest bathroom on the ground floor.
With door closed behind her, she leaned against the door and sighed. She had never been so confused in her life. She was offered help by someone she once thought to seek for help and she no longer trusted that person. Was that the right way to react? Shouldn't she be jumping up happily? Shouldn't she accept the help immediately and get the vengeance she always dreamt of since her rebirth?
"Rose, are you okay?" Anna asked knocking the door of the bathroom softly. She knew things were not good from the expression Rose gave why talking to Mr. Hart.
"I am fine," Rose replied taking deep breathes to relax. She splashed cold water on her face and mopped the water off before opening the door of the bathroom and stepped out with a sad smile on her face. "I really thought he was going to come," she murmured pouting her lower lips.
"Oh my poor sister," Anna softly as though she was trying to coax a child. She pulled Rose into her embrace and rubbed her back gently. "Should I go and beat him up?" she asked with a determined tone and she really intends to do it if her sister says yes.
To play her present role well, Rose nodded. "Yes," she murmured resting her head on Anna's shoulder.
"Don't worry I will. I will go and beat him up tomorrow," she promised her sister sincerely. Whoever tries to mess with her sister was going to get some beating from her.
"You can't beat him up. He is member of the Hart family," Rose told her sister as she pulled away from her sister with a gentle smile.
"Don't think I am joking," Anna replied with a frown. "Or should I start with Jace?"
"Your boyfriend?" Rose asked as she began chuckling. "Remember Mr. Hart and his guards came along."
"I should just start with Mr. Hart. I saw him talking to you and you did not look too good."
"It was not him. I only wanted to find out if young master Liam was feeling okay. I thought he did not come because he was not feeling well but Mr. Harts said he was fine," Rose lied hoping her sister will believe her without any doubt.
"I thought you said you did not like him," Anna asked with her brow wriggling teasingly.
Happy that Anna believed her lie, Rose decided to keep playing that role. "Hey stop it. I am only concerned about a friend's brother," Rose answered shyly and turned away to avoid her sister's gaze as a tint of pink appeared on her cheeks.
"You are blushing," Anna continued teasing her sister. "They are leaving by the way. Do you want to say good bye to them?"
"No. I am going upstairs tell Jace to keep out of my sight," she replied and headed towards the elevator by stopped. "No, it is only proper I go to say good bye," she murmured and followed her sister to the living room.
"Remember," Mr. Hart reminded Rose when he passed by her into his car.
Rose ignored him as though she did not hear a thing from him.
***
Throughout the ride back home, Jace was calculating whether to tell his brother about what happened at the dinner and after careful consideration, he decided to keep quiet about it. Liam was still eating his late dinner when they got back home and he went to greet him as usual.
"Why are you having dinner late?" Jace had to ask his disciplined brother after greeting him.
"Busy," Liam answered with a frown as he continued eating his dinner.
"Oh," Jace said as he fought the urge he had to tell his brother he was actually expected to come and he had disappointed his sister-in-law.
"How was the dinner?" Liam asked.
Jace opened his mouth and looked at his brother unwilling to be the one to tell him when he remembered the look he got the last time. "It was fine," he answered sharply when he glanced at his father who ignored him immediately and went upstairs.
"Okay?"
Jace found himself at a corner unsure of what to do. He was not sure if that okay was meant to be a question or an answer. He hoped it was just a simple statement but he knew very well that it was a sign for him to go on. He glanced at his brother and immediately dropped his gaze.
"We had steaks and the dessert was very sweet," he told his brother hoping that would give him an escape route despite the little voice urging him to say the truth. She smiled awkwardly when his brother kept looking at him unblinking.
Will anyone blame him at this point for wetting his trouser? He had not spoken yet but already suffering under that gaze. He might as well just say it. "Rose asked about you and dad said you did not want to come," he said hastily in an almost illegible manner. He began shaking as his mouth went completely dry.
He knocked himself mentally over and over again as he watched his brother still waiting for him to keep speaking. "I cannot remember what happened next."
" . . ."
At this point he could not keep the truth any longer. "She said it does not matter if you come or not."
"Sleep earlier," Liam ordered with a big brother tone.
"Uh?" That was unexpected.
"We will play gulf tomorrow," his brother continued.
"Uh?" Jace had to ask again. Was his brother going crazy?
"We leave at noon for lunch outside," Liam continued making Jace feel a lump in his throat. He was going to eat lunch with his brother for the first time. Not just that alone, he was going to play gulf with his brother. Hurray!!
"Yes!" he shouted with his fist thrown up into the air. "Don't back out later," he warned his brother as he ran to his room to prepare his outfit.
Liam shook his head when his brother left. He felt guilty because he was actually planning to use that lunch as an opportunity to tell his brother he was living again and might not be back in a while.