9 Chapter 09: Snake Pit

"Auntie!" A cute little voice exclaimed and hugged her aunt Rose tightly, "you're here! You're really here!"

"Demi!" Rose and Ara giggled as the little boy jumped in excitement, she lifted him up, holding him in her arms, "your a big boy now!"

"Really? I am?" He asked as they spun in circles. Rose hummed in agreement while placing the boy down slowly and ruffles his hair.

"Dinner is ready!" Riza called from across the the hallway catching their attention.

"Well we better go ahead," Jeff said and took Ara's hand.

Rose nodded at them, "excuse me, Doctor Rose?"

"Yes?"

A timid brunette wearing a brown apron dress with a white collared dress underneath fiddles her fingers while looking down to the floor.

She bowed in greetings, "my name is Kari, a pleasure to finally meet you Doctor Rose."

"Auntie, papa said that Kari will be your personal servant." The five year old boy's voice turned called as he glared at the maid with such hate, "you should go on ahead and eat with mama and papa, I'll be going to my room."

The boy bid his aunt goodnight and walked away from the scene. Rose's eyes widen at the sudden act that unfolded in front of her, Demi suddenly went from childish to mature which surprised her.

"I'm sorry about my nephew, I guess he hardly trust anybody here." Rose smiled apologetically at the brunette, "Oh please stand."

Rose helped the poor girl stand straight, "it must be hard bowing for longer periods of time. Here take this ointment."

Taking a small round container out of her leather sling bag, Rose handed it to Kari. "Rub this ointment to your back every night before going to bed, am I clear?"

"Yes, Doctor. Thank you so much." She smiled gratefully, "let me take your cloak."

Kari helped Rose in taking off her cloak to hang, gasping in surprise on what the lady doctor is wearing. She have never seen a lady wear a man's clothes before, Rose's pants fitted her legs and the maroon shirt she's wearing fits her body.

Rose caught Kari's eyes staring at her, completely stunned by her outfit. Rose giggled and brushed the sleeves of her shirt.

"It's alright, I only wear this whenever I travel."

"I apologize for staring."

"Don't be," Rose smiled, "would you mind showing me the dining room?"

Kari led her to the dining room where the others were waiting for her. As Rose went inside first followed by Kari, the maid stood beside the other servants to the side while Rose went take a sit beside her brother, placing her bag beside her to the floor.

"Now that Rose is here, let us eat." David said taking a bite of his warm food placed in his plate.

The dishes in the table consists of pork knuckles that is clearly deep fried but the meat is tender and juicy inside, with a crisp, crackling exterior. Beside it is the pancit palabok–the noodle dish is layered with rice noodles, a rich orange sauce made from shrimp broth, pork, hard boiled eggs, shrimps and pork rinds. The Kaldereta or goat meat stew, commonly, the goat meat is stewed with vegetables and liver paste. Vegetables may include tomatoes, potatoes, olives, bell peppers, and hot peppers. And last but not the least is the white rice in front of her, placed hot in her plate.

The group talked while they ate, laughed and smiled recalling their memories from the past. As they finished and thanked for the food, David ordered his servants to clean the table and serve them drinks.

Wine glasses were placed in front of them and poured a red wine. Rose gave David a nervous look.

"Brother, you know that I don't drink." Rose said, refusing to hold the glass that is placed in front of her. She have drink before and after tasting the wine and drank lots of it, she caused havoc back in the Izamae household that she swore to never drink such beverages again.

"Just a glass." David shrugged at his sister's nervous state while Riza just giggled back at the memory.

"Anyways," Rose started while pushing the glass away, "Demi told me that Kari will be my personal servant, is that true?"

David nodded.

"Well then," Rose called for Kari and handed her the drink, "can you kindly get someone to give this to Sir Enno while you brew some warm tea for me?"

"What tea would you like me to brew for you, Doctor?"

"Chamomile tea will be alright." Kari bowed and went off to the kitchen with the wine glass in her hands.

David clicked his tongue while Jeff chuckled, Rose will always be this smart, she would dare to disobey any of them if she knows what's in front of her doesn't give her any good.

Minutes later, Kari arrived with a batch of cookies, ceramic teapot and a teacup on top of a wooden tea trolley. Setting the cup to the table, Kari poured the tea to it and handed it to Rose, after that she placed the cookies in front of her before taking the trolley with her and stand to the side.

As Rose took a sip of the tea, she hummed in delight and turned to look at Kari and thanked her.

"You will be staying here until you complete the mission," David announced.

Jeff, Ara and Rose's eyes widen in surprise.

"Are you sure, brother?" Rose asked setting her cup down, "it'll be alright if we stay here just for the night and then we'll find our own house to stay, maybe near the Royal Palace."

David shook his head, he ordered his servants to close the curtains, leave the room and close the doors shut. Riza turned her head to her serious husband with a confused look. Good thing their son is already tucked in bed, David must have something important to say.

Ara sat there nervously, not knowing what's going to happen, she took Jeff's hand beside her and held it tight. While this happened, Rose just sat there calmly, waiting for the room to clear out, as the door shut, she looked at David who took a sip of his drink.

"As you all know that the Crown Prince is poisoned," David started, "we need to take measurements and stay together. I cannot afford to loose one of you."

Riza held David's hand, "what do you mean, dear?"

"What David means is that how did the Prince got poisoned? Everyone knows to not touch a member of the Royal Family unless you are a friend, family or a noble." Rose said.

Jefferson nodded his head in understanding, focused on the General waiting for his orders.

"And all of us is already in the same snake pit Crown Prince Mark is in the moment Rose stepped foot in the kingdom."

Ara silent gasp made Jeff holds her hand tightly, he must stay brave and strong for them, carefully move in the shadows and to not attract attention.

"Jeff," David called, "I will give you men to help you investigate and you also must protect Rose and Ara. We never know when will the enemy attack, I assume that they still don't know that Rose will be the Prince's doctor. Can I trust you in this?"

"Yes, sir."

"Rose," He turned to his sister, "I need you to not attract much attention. Sooner or later the whole kingdom will know about Crown Prince Mark's doctor."

Rose nodded, she must obey her brother's orders to keep her and the others safe.

"Queen Rhea sent me letter four days before you arrived and told me that you don't have to stay in the capital or near the Royal Palace to keep you from any harm."

"You will have your own working area here in the manor for you to work on antidotes and all of that kind of stuff." Riza stated as she gave Rose a tight smile, clearly getting scared and nervous by all of this.

"Ara?" David called, "Can you keep all of this a secret?"

Ara slowly nodded, there's no turning back now and she must not let her guard down protect Doctor Rose and everyone.

"Thank you."