Playing the Game 1

"They told me that the bastard of the Lux Family deserves a banquet," a man said with a condescending tone. He then laughed, "I disagree. I would not be at that banquet if my father didn't force me to send the presents under his name."

"Whatever do you mean?" the woman responded.

"You know very well what I mean. Aren't you here hiding because you want to avoid the menace? The curse of the Lux Family?"

"Sir Anthony, please mind your manners. Anyone in this garden can hear you."

"No one is around," the man named Anthony said. "Aren't you confident in my skills?"

The woman giggled. "I heard that Sir Anthony is going to have his knighthood ceremony very soon?"

"It seems that the rumor— "

Rosalind frowned. She looked at Milith beside her and silently told her not to disturb whoever it was that was talking in the maze garden.

The walls of plants that separated them were about two meters in height. This meant that if they did not intentionally reveal themselves, the other party wouldn't know that they were there.

Of course, there were other methods to sense someone's presence. And usually, knights were very good at this skill. However, it seems that the man on the other side of the wall wasn't as skilled as he believed he was.

Rosalind frowned before she turn away with Milith quickly following her. If she was not mistaken, the person on the other side was Anthony Delibar and he was the son of Count Delibar, a close ally of the King. The man had no real talent aside from his arrogance.

It was said that no one in the Capital could beat him in his ability to boast.

There was no point in listening to people like that. She came here to rest and wanted to stay away from the nobles that had started to arrive, bearing gifts from their families.

She knew very well why those people were sending her gifts, it was because it was Victoria who invited them. In fact, the only reason why those people even dared to come and show themselves was because it was the current Matriarch of the Lux Family who invited them.

"Young Lady, those people— "

"Let them be, Milith," Rosalind murmured as she decided to go back to the banquet. She had lost interest in resting as she didn't want to overhear another conversation about her being the curse of the Lux Family.

She had a lot of things to think about, future events that she needed to sort out, and plans that she needed to finish.

So far, everything has been going well, but she couldn't help but think that something terrible was bound to happen soon.

Dorothy must be very happy to hear that her beloved was able to convince her to marry the Duke instead. Right now, her actions were still a bit limited and, to be honest, slow. This wasn't something she could control.

She wanted to be more careful as she didn't want anyone of them to suspect her motives. She didn't want to make mistakes.

"Miss, I am so glad that I found you."

"Lellana, did something happen?" Rosalind frowned at Dorothy's maid. Lellana's sky-blue dress immediately caught her attention. Both Dorothy's maid, Lellana, and Victoria's maid, Grace, always wore dresses that looked even better than Rosalind's dress.

She wasn't exactly sure if these two were doing it on purpose.

For instance, Lellana was currently wearing a beautiful sky-blue dress that seemed to sparkle under the orange hue of the sunset. Rosalind could only sigh inwardly. She wonder what they were up to this time.

Jeames told her that Dorothy tried to end her life because of her sadness, but Rosalind knew that would never happen. Still, she would never show them that she knew about their lies.

"The Young Lady heard about what you said and— "

"And what?"

"She wanted to invite you to have some tea."

"But the banquet— "

"The Madam is already aware and has given her permission."

"Is that so?" Rosalind still looked worried.

"Don't you want to have some tea with the Young Lady?"

"No, it's just that— Mr. Sencler told me that she had not been feeling well lately and wanted to be alone."

"You no longer have to worry about that. Please follow me, the Young Lady wanted to see you and personally thank you for the huge favor."

"Alright then… please lead the way. Ah, Milith, you don't have to follow me. I will be fine. I am certain that my sister would ensure that someone will be here for me."

"Yes, Young Miss." Milith bowed and left them.

"It seems that you did not tell your maid about your plan?" Lellana asked.

"No. I believe it would be better for my sister if fewer people knew about the plan." This plan was just actually Rosalind asking her father and grandfather to marry the Duke. Obviously, this wasn't going to be enough.

She was in no position to actually marry the Duke or ask for any request from her family. Because of this, she was certain that Victoria and Dorothy would plan something else to make this marriage happen.

Just a little more, she thought inwardly as she followed the maid into a remote area of the maze garden.

"The Young Lady insisted that she join the banquet just to see you. However, the matriarch wouldn't allow her to leave her room. So, I arranged a meeting in this place. I really hope the Young Miss doesn't mind."

"No. Of course, not." Rosalind smiled when she saw Dorothy waiting for her. A beautiful iron table with pastries and tea can be seen in front of her.

"Sister— " Dorothy tried to stand but quickly staggered, making her maid assist her so she would be able to stand up straight.

"Young lady, there is no need for you to do that. Your health is— "

"Are you telling me not to at least make an effort to hug my sister, Lellana?"

"No— No— It's not like that My Lady."

Rosalind was speechless. This performance was pretty good, but then again, Dorothy was able to fool her for more than four decades in her past life. She gave her sister a hug, but soon, her face changed.

She eyed the tea and immediately notice something.

So… is this how they want to play the game?