Rosie's Games

KORUSTA EMPIRE

BLAIZE FAMILY MANSION

The atmosphere inside Patriarch Blaize's study crackled with tension as his voice boomed, filling the room. His eyes gleamed with an unsettling mix of determination and vindictiveness. The time for restraint had passed. It was time to unleash their true power upon those who dared to provoke them.

"Good! Very good!" Patriarch Blaize exclaimed, his voice carrying an air of malicious satisfaction. "Since those people have dared to challenge us, let us reveal our might to the world!" His laughter echoed off the walls, filled with a chilling sense of superiority. The audacity of their enemies, underestimating the Blaize family, only fueled his burning desire for retaliation.

"Do they truly think we would shrink back from declaring war merely due to the distance?" Patriarch Blaize scoffed, his tone laced with contempt. "They underestimate us greatly! We shall dispatch a message to all our loyalists near Sloryn. Let every merchant entering or exiting the empire become our target! Soon, the streets of Sloryn shall be devoid of any brave souls! Let them witness the consequences of their unwavering support for Brinley Fluer!"

The others seated at the table nodded in agreement, their expressions mirroring the patriarch's unwavering determination. The gravity of their actions settled heavily upon them, yet they understood the necessity of their mission. One among them swiftly rose from their seat, ready to carry out the old man's ruthless command.

"Summon the others and inform them to prepare for a direct confrontation with Sloryn!" Patriarch Blaize's voice boomed, filling the room like a war drum. "We shall show them the true extent of our power! Let their defenses crumble before our relentless assault!" The fire in his eyes burned brighter, an inferno of vengeance ready to consume their enemies.

In the midst of their planning, the Blaize family plotted to unleash a storm of chaos upon Sloryn, leaving no doubt in anyone's mind as to the price of crossing the mighty Korusta Empire.

......…..

ROTHLEY ESTATE

Rosalind let out a heavy sigh as she received the news, her face etched with concern. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on her mind. How could they be so impulsive? She never imagined they would actually plunge headfirst into war. Now, of all times, when demons threatened to invade their land. Another sigh escaped her lips as she contemplated the imminent danger.

As she glanced at the reports strewn across her desk, a throbbing headache began to take hold. She had no idea it would be this troublesome. All she had ever wanted was to escape the clutches of the Lux Family, not to become a territorial manager. She was completely unprepared for the responsibilities thrust upon her.

"Very well," she replied, her voice laden with the weight of the world. "Please give me some time to think about this." Denys nodded solemnly before leaving, leaving Rosalind alone with her thoughts.

"Please do not forget that you promised the merchants a solution," his words echoed in her mind, each syllable a reminder of the impending doom. She thanked him quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. The past few days had been consumed by this dilemma, and the pressure was beginning to take its toll. Rosalind gently massaged her throbbing temples, trying to ease the stress that had settled there.

But even as the deal with Rakha drew near, and the prospect of a teleportation portal loomed on the horizon, she knew deep down that it wouldn't solve her current predicament. The urgency of the situation gnawed at her, causing her to bite her lower lip in frustration.

"That look does not suit you," a voice suddenly broke the silence, jolting Rosalind from her troubled thoughts. Her heart skipped a beat as she turned to face the owner of the voice. It was Lucas, standing there with a mix of emotions dancing in his eyes.

Without uttering a single word, Rosalind felt a surge of emotion overwhelm her. At that moment, all the worry, fear, and uncertainty faded into the background. She approached Lucas and, unable to contain herself any longer, pulled him into a tight embrace. The weight of the world momentarily lifted from her shoulders as she clung to him, finding solace in his presence amidst the chaos that surrounded her.

…..

"So, you're not going to tell me anything?" Rosalind's brow furrowed as she held the delicate glass of tea in front of her, her frustration mounting. The joyous reunion with Lucas had been abruptly cut short when he revealed that his time was limited, and he would soon depart once again.

Yet, before delving into the reasons behind his sudden departure, he had whisked her away toward the palace, the rhythmic clatter of hooves filling the air as they rode in a luxurious carriage.

Her gaze was fixed on Lucas, her eyes pleading for answers. "Why are you leaving? How can you simply vanish without even explaining anything to me?" Her voice trembled with a mixture of confusion and longing. She had missed him. She did not even realize it until she saw him again!

"Belisarius has already revealed everything you need to know," Lucas replied, his tone guarded. It was the second time he had evaded her inquiries, leaving her frustrated and yearning for clarity.

"What?" Rosalind's voice wavered, her heart pounding in her chest.

"You possess a fragment of her essence within you," Lucas continued, his words carrying a weight of undeniable truth. "My presence, however, seems to be causing disruptions and exacerbating the situation. The dreams and visions were part of it."

Rosalind's mind reeled, struggling to piece together the fragments of her fractured reality. The dreams, the haunting visions that had plagued her for so long—were they somehow connected to Lucas? She found herself at a loss for words, her mouth slightly agape as she attempted to comprehend the implications.

"But... what does that have to do with anything else?" she managed to utter, her voice barely above a whisper. Why can't he simply stay? The dreams no longer bothered her.

Was it possible that he was doing this to prevent her from seeing the past?