Rosie's Games

Chapter 461: Tainted

Exactly one month after the secret wedding of Rosalind and Lucas, an unexpected announcement echoed through the halls of the Rothley Estate. The once-debilitating disease that had plagued the estate's inhabitants had miraculously vanished.

The news spread like wildfire, igniting hope and relief among the people. However, this newfound joy was overshadowed by a storm of drama and intrigue that was about to unfold.

Within a day of the Duke's proclamation, a number of invitations and extravagant gifts flooded the estate. It was not just the noble families of the north who sent their offerings but also the prestigious Families of the Seven Empires.

The sheer volume and opulence of these tributes spoke volumes about the magnitude of this union.

Hearing the reports from the Queen's servants, Dorothy poured a cup of tea for Queen Aurinda as she remarked with a smile, "It seems the Duke and Duchess's marriage has garnered immense favor. Even the elders of the Seven Families have sent their lavish gifts." However, her words were met with an unexpected reaction from the Queen. Aurinda's usually composed expression contorted into an ugly mask of displeasure.

"I apologize for my nonsensical outburst, Your Majesty," Dorothy hurriedly apologized, sensing the Queen's dissatisfaction.

Waving her hand dismissively, Queen Aurinda acknowledged her knowledge of the gifts but made her resentment known. "Those people send their gifts to the estate without even bothering to show a shred of respect to my husband and me. We are the rulers of this Kingdom, and they should have at least had the courtesy to inform us of their intentions."

Her once serene greenhouse, a sanctuary that soothed her troubled mind, failed to calm the storm brewing within her. Anger bubbled beneath the surface, fueled by a sense of injustice. It wasn't the gifts themselves that bothered her, for she cared little about material possessions.

What she found intolerable was the blatant disrespect shown to the Royals of the Kingdom. Powerless to take action against them, her husband, the King, was forced to swallow his pride and smile through it all.

But why should she remain silent? What right did she have to complain about such matters?

"Your Majesty, the Duchess of Wugari requests an audience," an attendant informed her, breaking the tense silence.

A scoff escaped the Queen's lips, her bitterness palpable. She narrowed her gaze at the once beautiful flowers in front of her, now tarnished by her turbulent emotions. They no longer held the power to calm her troubled nerves.

Dorothy immediately offered a word of caution. "Refusing to see her might anger His Majesty." Lately, the King and Queen had been fighting a lot and Dorothy immediately reminded the Queen of the past matters.

Queen Aurinda's eyes flashed with defiance as she replied. "And what can he do about it? Let him be angry. I shall not bow down to their disrespect."

However, after a few tense seconds, the Queen's curiosity got the better of her. "Let her in. I wonder why she has chosen this moment to grace us with her presence, after refusing to see me for an entire month!" As if in response to her words, the greenhouse door creaked open, and Rosalind's footsteps reverberated against the floor.

Rosalind entered, gracefully curtsying before the Queen. A smile graced her lips as she greeted both the Queen and Lady Dorothy. "Your Majesty, Lady Dorothy, I trust that both of you have been well."

Ignoring pleasantries, the Queen gestured for Rosalind to take a seat. "These desserts are from Rakha. They are quite exquisite. You should try them," she remarked, her tone laced with an undercurrent of challenge.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Rosalind replied, surprising everyone with her warm demeanor. Without waiting for further words or offering ambiguous excuses, she confidently helped herself to the delicacies before her, indulging in the flavors with genuine enjoyment.

The Queen fell silent, unable to find the words to express her thoughts. Her carefully crafted plan to unnerve Rosalind had seemingly backfired, as the Duchess remained composed and unaffected by the Queen's attempts to unsettle her.

Lady Dorothy, with her customary sweet smile, seized the opportunity to break the tension. "Your Grace, it has been far too long since our paths last crossed. We are truly grateful that the estate has been blessed with the disappearance of the disease. It seems that the heavens have indeed smiled upon us."

Rosalind, still savoring the dessert, chimed in with enthusiasm. "Your Majesty, this particular treatment is exceptional. What is it?"

The Queen gritted her teeth in silence, struggling to maintain her composure. "That," she finally managed to say, "is a gift from Sloryn. It is called Zephyrberry Delight."

Surprisingly, Rosalind played ignorant, nodding as if unaware of the Queen's piercing gaze. "Sloryn? I had no idea they possessed such culinary delights. This Zephyrberry Delight is truly remarkable. The balance between tanginess and sweetness is exquisite, with just the right amount of icing to tantalize the taste buds. Truly impressive."

The Queen's eyes narrowed, caught off guard by Rosalind's genuine praise. She had hoped to unnerve the Duchess, to expose her as an imposter in the realm of sophistication and refinement. Instead, she found herself facing a woman who not only possessed grace and poise but also a discerning palate.

The Queen's words dripped with icy disdain as she extended an offer, "If you like some... you can take some." Her irritation only seemed to grow with each passing moment, and for some inexplicable reason, Rosalind's response only fueled the fire burning within her.

A mischievous smile danced upon Rosalind's lips as she met the Queen's gaze with unwavering confidence. "Hmmm... Magda will definitely do that. I apologize in advance for any intrusion." Her casual demeanor and unbothered expression stirred a deep sense of irritation within the Queen. Was this woman merely here to freeload on the delicacies offered, as if she had no regard for royal protocol?

The Queen couldn't help but let her mind wander, contemplating the circumstances of Rosalind's presence. Could it be that the Duke had kept her in a state of hunger and deprivation within the confines of their estate? The thought gnawed at her, fueling her anger and deepening her disdain towards the Duchess.

"Well, Lady Dorothy is indeed correct. It has been an eternity since your grace last graced us with your presence," the Queen remarked, a thin smile playing upon her lips. Her words dripped with a hidden hatred that she made no effort to conceal.

Curiosity danced in the Queen's eyes as she continued, her voice laced with malice. "May I inquire as to why the Duchess has chosen today to pay us a visit?" The Queen's smile belied the venomous intent behind her words.

Rosalind's eyes widened in disbelief, tears shimmering on the brink of spilling over. "Your Majesty, how can you speak of my visit in such a manner? It is as if you believe I had a choice in the matter. This..." Rosalind's voice trembled, her emotions raw. "This was a sacrifice I had to make to keep Her Majesty safe. I could not bear the thought of tainting the sanctity of your palace. Moreover, I wished to spare you from any potential contagion. The disease that ravaged us was beyond deadly. I could not risk exposing you."

The Queen fell silent, her heart heavy with the weight of Rosalind's words. A surge of guilt threatened to break through the icy facade she had constructed. She once again questioned why this woman had chosen to come here. Was her intention truly to inflict unbearable torment upon her, to slowly gnaw away at her sanity until she crumbled beneath the weight of her own anger?

Lady Dorothy, unable to remain silent any longer, interjected with a forced smile. "Your grace, you should not speak in such a manner. It almost sounds as if you are intentionally wishing ill upon Her Majesty. I am always by her side, caring for her physical well-being."

"You are correct, Lady Dorothy did reside within the palace," the Queen acknowledged, attempting to regain control of the situation. How had Rosalind managed to turn the tables once again?

"But," Rosalind quickly retorted, her voice filled with conviction, "Lady Dorothy should not boast of her abilities. How can you claim to care for the sacred body of Her Majesty when you failed to heal a single soldier at the estate?"

Dorothy's once confident smile faltered, her composure momentarily shattered. Rosalind pressed on, her voice unwavering. "Lady Dorothy was present during the outbreak of the plague. The people within the estate know full well that she was unable to bring healing to even a single soldier. How, then, can she proclaim to be capable of caring for a royal body blessed by the heavens themselves?"

Silence enveloped the greenhouse as Dorothy struggled to find a suitable response. Her voice remained trapped within her throat, leaving her defenseless against Rosalind's piercing accusations.

"If normal people hear this matter they would think the Lux Family is truly unreliable. This would not only taint your reputation but Her Majesty's eyes for letting you stay by her side," Rosalind smiled before she took a small sip of her bitter tea.

As always, bitter tea is still the best.