Rosie's Games

"I did not expect you to do that…"

Rosalind heard the Duke's voice before she could see him. Was he here to scold her for what she did? Was it because she scared Fraunces too much?

If the man really cared for Fraunces then why not just marry her?

The sudden influx of thoughts surprised Rosalind. She could feel her face turn hot from her embarrassing thoughts. What was happening to her?

"Are you here to tell me not to do that again?" she asked.

"The opposite."

"Pardon?"

"I expected you to do worse."

"Did you want me to kill one of your people for simply taunting me?" she asked. Did he think she was that petty?

"No, but I expected you to be colder."

"Colder…" she snorted. She sat down opposite him. The carriage's warmth immediately made her comfortable. She glanced at the tea in the Duke's hands. It looked hot, but when did he brew it?

She only left the carriage for a couple of minutes to confront Fraunces.

"She's your person." Isn't that the only reason why she was hesitating to hurt Fraunces? Moreover, the woman hadn't really done anything that would warrant her ire.

Rosalind felt like she was an old woman bullying someone not even half her age. To her, Fraunces was simply having a crush, however, the moment that woman did something that would put her in danger, Rosalind would punish her.

"I am planning to stay in the North for a very long time, your Grace," she said. "I do not want to offend anyone." And be dragged into a world of scheming and petty tricks by people who wanted to bring her down. She did not want to be that jarring to the eyes of the Northerners.

After all, she was considered a tourist, someone who was not born in the North.

"So, it was because of her father?"

"No. I simply don't want to deal with petty squabbles among women. As I said, she is your person, you deal with her. However, please do not wait for my patience to run out." She was not taking a step back, she was simply trying to integrate into her surroundings before making a move.

She never had the chance to visit the North in her past life, so she did not have any idea how the people there really lived. She came to the North to hide from the Blessed family Lux. She had no reason to fight against the North, at least… not now.

"The only way to get rid of her is death or marriage. Her father has been looking for another marriage partner, but all of them refused because of her dominant and unladylike traits. I thought it would be good to keep her by my side to let her scare the women who wanted to get close to me."

Rosalind lifted an eyebrow. Did he just give her an explanation? She wasn't exactly asking for one, was she?

"But you should not worry. She is not going to be a problem soon," the Duke smiled a smile that made her shiver. Something about the man was different. Was he planning to do something to Fraunces?

She wanted to ask him, but decided to bite her tongue in the end. There was no need for her to involve herself in matters that involved the Duke's people.

"But I did not come here to talk about her," the Duke said.

"Are you leaving?"

He scoffed and shook his head.

"Not this time. However… a sorcerer? That is an interesting excuse."

"What did you expect me to say? That I received both the dark and light Blessing and watch them laughed at me?"

"Not quite. But to let them think that you are a sorceress was something that I did not expect."

Rosalind pursed her lips, then crossed her arms against her chest. Letting Fraunces think that she was a sorcerer was the best way to stop her from digging into Rosie's past.

Sorcerers had great dark magic. Albeit forbidden, it would not stop them from using it to change their appearance and perform some sinister acts to get what they wanted.

Rosalind did not stop Fraunces from thinking that she was a sorceress simply because this was the only thing that could explain her abilities. Moreover, it would be better for her to think that the Duke married her because she was useful to him and his plans.

She made this conclusion after knowing that the people were more aware of sorcerers in this part of the continent compared to the Aster Empire and the entirety of the south.

"You have changed," the Duke said.

"Pardon?"

"Your hair… it was no longer as white as before. It is now gray. I believe it would change from time to time especially after your abilities improved."

Is it?

She immediately held her long hair. She did not notice it as she was not staring at a mirror all the time. She had been thinking about the vision that she saw in that temple and mostly spent her time with the Duke practicing various ways to protect herself. That… and not one of her maids mention anything about her hair.

"Why do you think it changed?" she asked. Actually, the change that the Duke was talking about was very subtle. It would be something that one would only notice after staring at her previous hair color and this color for a long time.

The thought of him staring at her made her frown. Somehow, the idea made her feel irritated.

"Give me your hand…" the Duke said before he used a dagger to cut his own palm

"What are you— have you lost your mind?"

"Heal it," the Duke said.

Without saying a word, she held his palm and immediately used her light Blessing to heal it. To her surprise, she found it easier to use the Blessing this time. It felt like warm water, harmonious and one with her intentions.

"This— "

She let go and stared at his palm. The wound was no longer there.

"It seems that once again, you have gotten stronger."

...

I still owe everyone a mass release! Thank you for your support!