Rosie's Games

"I apologize, but none of you shall enter this room until the Duchess says so," Sir Bohan said, his face devoid of any expression, his tone firm and unwavering.

The medical personnel exchanged anxious glances, their desperation evident. They had witnessed the soldiers' deteriorating condition and knew that time was of the essence. Lives hung in the balance, and every passing moment could mean the difference between survival and tragic loss.

"Sir Bohan, these soldiers need immediate help," one of the medical personnel pleaded, their voice filled with urgency. "Please, we cannot afford to wait any longer. Their lives are at stake."

"None of you shall enter this room until the Duchess says so."

Sir Bohan remained resolute, unmoved by their pleas. He felt the weight of responsibility settled heavily upon his shoulders. How could he defy the Duchess's orders? Loyalty to the Duchy ran deep within him, ingrained in his very being. He stared into the desperate eyes of those seeking entry before he repeated his words for the third time. "None of you shall enter this room until the Duchess says so."

"Sir Bohan, do you truly believe that following the Duchess's orders at this moment will bring salvation to these soldiers? Your allegiance is to the Duchy and its people, not solely to the Duchess. Your duty should be to protect and care for those who suffer within these walls."

A murmur rippled through the crowd, the weight of Lady Dorothy's words hanging heavily in the air. Sir Bohan's resolute expression faltered for a brief moment, a flicker of doubt crossing his features. He had always been a loyal servant of the estate, guided by his sense of duty, but now the conflicting voices echoed within his mind.

"What can you do if I let you in?" Sir Bohan's voice resonated with skepticism. "The room is already crowded with medical personnel. Are you planning to pray to your goddess and hope for a miraculous healing? Do not forget that you and your people have long left the north, venturing to distant lands. Yet now you barge in, suggesting that I disregard the Duchess's orders?"

The crowd stirred, some exchanging uncertain glances, others frowning in disapproval. Dorothy's face reddened with frustration and confusion. She had not expected the conversation to take such a turn, nor had she anticipated the backlash from those she had hoped to aid.

"Sir Bohan, I was not suggesting..." Dorothy's voice trailed off, her words lost amidst the rising tension.

"The marriage of the Duke and the Duchess may not have been as grand as the unions you people are accustomed to, but it was a sacred bond. We pledge allegiance not just to the Duchy but to serve the Rothley Family for all our lives!" Sir Bohan's voice carried an edge of anger, a rare display of emotion. "Do you truly believe that your words can make us doubt our loyalty to the Duke and Duchess?"

The room fell into an uneasy silence, the weight of Sir Bohan's words hanging heavy in the air. The soldiers who had once admired and respected Lady Dorothy now regarded her with suspicion. Doubt seeped into their minds, fueled by the seeds of uncertainty sown by Sir Bohan's impassioned speech.

Dorothy swallowed her misgivings, her pride wounded but her determination unwavering. She took a step back, her voice tinged with a mixture of regret and acceptance. "I apologize for my words. It seems there was a misunderstanding. I did not intend for my words to disrespect the Duchess. All I was trying to convey was the urgency of the situation. Lives are at stake, and we cannot afford to delay any longer."

A soldier in the crowd spoke up, his tone accusatory. "If these soldiers are dying, why are you not helping them?" The soldier's voice carried a mix of frustration and disappointment. "Aren't you someone special sent from the South to aid us in times like these?"

Dorothy's heart sank at the soldier's words. She had anticipated fear and panic in the face of the disease, but she hadn't expected the soldiers to question her presence or doubt her intentions. The weight of their gazes bore down upon her, and she struggled to find the right words to regain their trust.

"Did you not receive the will of the goddess herself?" someone asked.

"I..." Dorothy stammered, her mind racing to form a coherent response. "I understand your concerns, but please believe me when I say that I am here to help. The disease afflicting these soldiers is a grave threat, and every moment we waste brings us closer to irreversible tragedy." She had been trying to act kind and gentle yet the north does not seem to appreciate her presence at all!

The place fell into a heavy silence, tension thickening the air. The soldiers exchanged uncertain glances. Dorothy's plea hung in the air, awaiting a response.

Just as despair began to settle within Dorothy's heart, a sudden disturbance shattered the stillness. Dark mist billowed into the infirmary, swirling and coalescing into a sinister form. Gasps of awe and disbelief filled the room as the soldiers pointed toward the manifestation.

"It's the Duchess!" a soldier exclaimed, excitement and relief evident in his voice. "She must be doing something!!!"

Dorothy's confusion deepened, her eyes widening in astonishment as she beheld the unexpected scene unfolding before her. The soldiers' faces lit up with reverence and hope, their faith in the Duchess unwavering. They saw her as a beacon of salvation, capable of wielding powers beyond mortal comprehension.

Had the North truly fallen to such depths of superstition and blind loyalty?

Dorothy questioned herself, her inner turmoil growing. Amidst the bewilderment, she realized that this was her chance to demonstrate the true gravity of the situation, to make them understand the dire consequences of their unquestioning devotion.

She narrowed her eyes at the darkness that seeped through the cracks and corners of the infirmary. She had known for so long that this woman was none other than her very own sister, Rosalind Lux. She was also well aware that she could use the blessing of light. She could heal people yet Dorothy was confident that the light would never be able to heal this disease.

So, the appearance of darkness was a surprise to her.

Was it possible that Rosalind Lux can wield both?