Rosie's Games

"The Queen summoned you to the palace," Magda hurriedly relayed the information to Rosalind as soon as she arrived inside the infirmary.

"Why didn't you inform me earlier?" Rosalind sighed, hoping to avoid any further complications.

"The four noble families wanted to ensure you received the rest you needed. They're still outside, surrounding the infirmary," Magda added, her tone filled with urgency.

Rosalind's mind raced, trying to make sense of the situation. The leaders of the four families were standing guard, ready to confront the Queen and her knights on her behalf? This was beyond anything she could have imagined. "Surely this extreme measure is not necessary," she muttered in disbelief.

"You've just saved the lives of those close to the four families. It's no surprise they are willing to go to such lengths, even against the Queen," Magda explained. "Please let me know when you're ready to leave. I've prepared the carriage and some nourishing porridge for you."

Rosalind nodded, unable to find the right words. The whole situation felt surreal.

Since her rebirth, she had encountered many new people she had never met before, but none had treated her with such reverence. These people must know that she possessed powerful sorcery, right? After all, she had let everyone believe she could wield darkness. She should inspire fear, not loyalty. Yet here they were, defying the Queen for her sake.

The mix of strange and warm emotions overwhelmed her. She couldn't ignore the feeling welling up inside her. After a few more minutes of contemplation within the confines of the infirmary, she made up her mind to leave. Instructing Magda to inform everyone that she would join them after breakfast, Rosalind acknowledged that she had been through a lot. While she not physically tired, her hunger gnawed at her insides.

Hungry indeed.

When Magda announced that the leaders had departed, Rosalind stepped out of the infirmary and found herself face-to-face with Lucas inside the carriage. Her heart skipped a beat, memories of his promise on their wedding day flooding her mind. He had vowed to return on her birthday, and today, of all days, was her birthday.

Could he be here to consummate their marriage?

Maintaining her composure, Rosalind calmly entered the carriage, seating herself across from Lucas. But before she could settle, he gently pulled her onto his lap, causing her cheeks to flush with color.

"You silly girl," Lucas chuckled, his eyes filled with joy. "It's your birthday, and yet you've exhausted yourself."

Their wedding had taken place just two days ago, and while he hadn't treated her poorly, she sensed a certain aloofness. She attributed it to their dire circumstances and didn't dwell on it too much.

Lucas appeared different now, and Rosalind couldn't help but wonder if the matter at hand had been resolved.

She blinked, her irritation growing with each passing moment. "Did you want your soldiers to die?" she asked, her tone tinged with frustration.

It wasn't just the soldiers that bothered her; her grumbling stomach only intensified her mood. The least this man could do after abandoning her on their wedding night was to bring her some food. She scowled when she realized her thoughts were still dwelling on their wedding night.

To her dismay, Lucas responded with a laugh. "How could they die from a simple flu?" he retorted.

"Simple flu?" Rosalind narrowed her eyes at him. "Denys must have already informed you about the demon situation. What flu are you talking about?"

Lucas's eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint. He stroked her hip, and a wave of warmth coursed through her body. It was a conflicting sensation—just moments ago, she had been contemplating their wedding night and yet now, with his touch, she felt the urge to slap his hand away.

What was she thinking? She needed to compose herself. This wasn't how a seasoned woman who had experienced much in her past life should act.

"But we're not here to discuss that matter," Lucas murmured, his hand gently caressing her cheek as he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. The action caught her off guard, and she swallowed hard.

"Happy birthday," he whispered, revealing a small box in his left hand. Her attention shifted to the box that was a bit bigger than his palm.

She looked at the box, her mind yearning for something more tangible—like food. She had no interest in jewelry or trinkets. All she craved was a morsel to satisfy her hunger.

However, how could she refuse a gift? With a hesitant smile, she accepted the box and slowly opened it, only for her eyes to widen in astonishment.

It was a cake.

The cake lay before her—a simple confection, yet its significance was profound. It was something she could actually eat, a luxury she had been deprived of for far too long.

Rosalind's eyes lit up with anticipation as Lucas's voice broke the silence. "Blow it," he instructed, and suddenly, a single candle materialized atop the cake.

A genuine smile spread across Rosalind's face. "For seventeen years, I never had a cake on my birthday," she confessed, her voice tinged with nostalgia. "In the borderlands, Milith used to catch rabbits for me. They weren't anything extravagant, but they were larger than the ones we usually had." She blinked, a hint of melancholy flickering in her eyes. Without waiting for Lucas's response, she leaned forward and gently blew out the candle, her wish carried away on the flickering flame.

He didn't utter a word, but instead, he enveloped her in his arms and pressed a tender kiss to her temple. It was a gesture filled with warmth and comfort, something she had come to appreciate in his presence.

"What are you waiting for?" Lucas's voice broke through the stillness. "Shouldn't you be indulging in it right away?"

"Is that so?" Rosalind replied her voice light with a touch of amusement. Dispensing with formalities, she accepted the fork he offered and dug into the cake. The room was enveloped in silence as she savored each bite, savoring the sweetness and texture. Before she knew it, the cake had vanished, consumed with almost ravenous hunger.

At that moment, as she wiped the last crumb from her lips, Rosalind realized that it wasn't just the cake she had devoured—it was a taste of freedom, a reminder that life held simple joys even in the midst of turmoil. And for that brief moment, she allowed herself to revel in the pleasure it brought.

......…

"This situation cannot go on," Queen Aurinda's voice dripped with icy disdain as she locked eyes with her own husband. Her expression hardened, revealing her deep-seated frustration. "I went to deliver a gift to the Duchess, and not only did she refuse to see me, but she also dared to send the leaders of the four great families against me. Husband... have we truly fallen so low?" Her words hung in the air, heavy with accusation.

"What do you mean by 'fallen so low'?" The King's voice held a touch of irritation. "You were well aware that the stability of the North relies on the support of the four great families. It's common knowledge that the pillars of Wugari serve only the Rothley family. There's nothing unclear about this matter."

"I understand the politics, but I'm talking about her arrogance," Queen Aurinda retorted, her voice tinged with indignation. "Do you not see it? How could she allow those leaders to disrespect me? Being the wife of the most powerful man in the North does not grant her the right to treat me in such a manner!"

The King's brows furrowed, his gaze narrowing in contemplation. He was in the midst of his breakfast when Aurinda stormed in, declining his offer to eat and launching into her grievances instead. "Is this about Lady Dorothy?" he inquired. "I've noticed your irritability ever since her arrival. Now, you've left the palace for an extended period just to visit her at the walls. Without informing anyone beforehand, might I add. And now, you're complaining about the consequences. May I know what were you expecting?"

"You— You truly don't care about me, do you?" Anger flared in Aurinda's eyes as she glared at her husband. "They insulted me, and yet you're so quick to place blame on me?"

Without uttering another word, the King calmly finished his bitter tea, a bitter taste lingering on his tongue. He sighed deeply, his expression burdened with weariness. "Do not touch the Duchess of Wugari," he finally spoke, his voice filled with a rare seriousness. "Heed my words."

"Or what?" Queen Aurinda's tone trembled with a mix of defiance and desperation. "Are you threatening me, Marlin?"

"No, this is not a threat," the King's voice softened, revealing a hint of sadness. "Consider it a warning. You fail to grasp the essence of it all. Just because she wasn't originally a Rothley, you think it gives you the right to create trouble?"

"Think about what this could lead to, Aurinda," the King continued, his gaze filled with a mixture of concern and disappointment. "You have a position of power, but with that power comes responsibility. It's not about bullying or asserting dominance. It's about fostering unity and strength within our Kingdom."

"Strength and unity?" Aurinda's eyes narrowed with fury, her voice laced with bitter disbelief. "What unity are you referring to? They disrespected me, the Queen, and yet you speak of strength and unity as if it justifies their actions?" She did not wait for him to answer her words. Instead, she marched out of the room, her face grim.