Rosie's Games

Rosalind's anticipation grew as she walked towards the grand balcony, each step resounding on the gleaming marble floor. The hours of waiting had tested her patience, but the opportunity to finally speak with the formidable Patriarch was worth every moment of anticipation. She understood the Patriarch's reluctance to involve his son in their conversation, and she respected his decision.

As she neared the balcony, the allure of the view ahead beckoned her. The rich tapestry of colors and beauty that unfolded before her eyes erased any lingering doubts. The Korusta Empire sprawled beneath her, a breathtaking amalgamation of nature and human ingenuity. The landscape was a living testament to the grandeur and opulence that the Blaize Family had painstakingly cultivated over countless generations.

From her elevated perch on the balcony, Rosalind's gaze swept across the panorama, taking in the pulsating heart of the empire. Towering structures reached for the heavens, their architectural magnificence rivaling the surrounding mountains. Palaces adorned with intricate carvings and glistening in the fading light stood as symbols of power and prestige. The sun's golden rays kissed the rooftops, casting a mesmerizing glow that seemed to breathe life into the structures below.

The streets hummed with ceaseless activity, an intricate dance of lives intertwined. Merchants peddled their wares, their stalls bursting with a kaleidoscope of goods. Pedestrians meandered through the bustling streets, their footsteps blending with the symphony of the city.

Lost in the magnificence of the scene, the deep voice of the Patriarch abruptly interrupted Rosalind's thoughts. She turned her gaze to her left, meeting the piercing eyes of the older man who stood beside her.

"What do you think of Korusta?" the Patriarch inquired, his words cutting through her reverie.

Rosalind took a moment to collect her thoughts before responding. "It was undeniably hot," she stated. Was there a need to lie? This was pretty obvious, no?

The Patriarch let out a gruff chuckle, his amusement tinged with a touch of cynicism. "Indeed," he remarked, his tone laced with a mixture of pride and resignation. "I cannot deny the truth in your words. Korusta is a place of intense heat, especially for someone accustomed to the cool northern regions."

Rosalind nodded in agreement. She couldn't help but wonder why the Patriarch had brought her to this particular spot.

It was evident that they stood at the highest point of the family mansion, granting them a breathtaking panoramic view. However, it also meant their proximity to the edge of the volcano's crater, where scorching heat radiated with an almost palpable intensity.

"Now tell me, why would someone who had been pretending to be a sorceress personally come here?" the Patriarch asked. "Are you not aware of the seven mutual families' dislike of the ones who could use darkness?"

"I am well aware," Rosalind spoke. She did not miss how he said she was pretending to be a sorceress.

"And yet you still dared show your face to talk about business. Did you truly think we are fools?"

"I assure you, Patriarch, my purpose here is purely for trade. His Blessedness Lachlan expressed a genuine interest in establishing a prosperous trade alliance with the Wugari kingdom. I am merely the emissary entrusted with the task of discussing the terms."

The Patriarch's eyes narrowed, his skepticism evident. "Sending a representative would have sufficed, so why did you personally venture into our territory? Are you seeking refuge from the chaos that engulfs the North? Or perhaps you have come to beseech Korusta's aid?"

"Let me assure you that the North is capable of managing its own affairs. In fact, it was not us who wanted to seek alliance but His blessedness Lachlan who showed interest as it is the Blaize Family that stands to gain from this partnership, as our lands possess valuable resources that could greatly contribute to the growth and prosperity of the Korusta Empire."

She could feel the weight of his scrutiny, his piercing gaze attempting to unravel her true intentions. Yet Rosalind remained steadfast, refusing to waver in her conviction. She knew that the Korusta Empire needed them now, as much as they needed them.

"I heard that Lachlan offered to sponsor some portals," the Patriarch spoke.

"Indeed," Rosalind replied, her tone dripping with intrigue as she met the Patriarch's piercing gaze.

"But you are not just here because of mere portals, are you?" the Patriarch asked, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. "Tell me... why would the Duchess herself visit Korusta? Are you bearing a message from the Duke?"

Rosalind's lips curled into a knowing smile, a glimmer of mischief dancing in her eyes. "It seems that his Blessedness is not only strong but wise," she remarked, her tone laced with admiration. "You manage to guess my true intentions. Indeed, I have come bearing a message from the Duke himself," she lied with calculated ease, not batting an eyelid.

"A war is coming," Rosalind continued. "Soon, the others would choose a side. The Duke, however, is not one to be swayed by the whims of fate. He is choosing his own path, his own allies, and his own destiny."

Rosalind's smile widened, her eyes ablaze with a mixture of confidence and mischief, as if relishing in the tension that now enveloped the room. The Patriarch's senses were heightened, attuned to every word and gesture that fell from her lips. His mind raced to decipher the true meaning behind her cryptic message.

"And I believe," she continued, her voice trailing off for a moment, drawing out the suspense, "That he chose well."

The weight of her words settled heavily upon the Patriarch's shoulders, sending shivers down his spine. The realization dawned upon him. Rosalind's mere presence in this place, her deliberate visit to Korusta, spoke volumes about the Duke's allegiance.

The Duke, the enigmatic figure from the distant north, had chosen to throw his support behind the Blaize Family.

A sense of awe mingled with disbelief swirled within the Patriarch. The north had always been distant, detached from the political squabbles that plagued the southern territories. Theirs was a land of mystery, veiled in secrets and guarded by their own enigmas. The sudden involvement of the Duke, with all his power and influence, was like an unexpected gust of wind that threatened to overturn the established order.

"Are you saying that the Duke will support us in this matter?" he inquired, frowning.

Rosalind shook her head slowly, her gaze piercing through the Patriarch's wavering composure. She had anticipated this reaction, knowing well the skepticism that would greet her words.

"The war. This war against the Fleur Family..." she spoke, her voice carrying a solemn weight, "has nothing to do with the Duke, your Blessedness. I am talking about something else. A different war that might come anytime now."

The Patriarch's brows furrowed in confusion, his mind struggling to grasp the gravity of her words. "Another war?" he stammered, surprise apparent in his gaze. "Are you — Are you trying to create problems out of nothing, Duchess of Wugari?"

Rosalind's eyes bore into the Patriarch's, her gaze unwavering. She knew the skepticism that would greet her claim, the disbelief that would cloud their minds. However, she held the truth, a secret burden that compelled her to act.

"Your Blessedness," she spoke with a measured tone. "I am talking about demons."