36 A bloody morning

It was a careless move but I knew that I had to it.. I would never allow anybody to spread malice on my tragic sisters' reputations.

Rasputin never touched nor molested any of us. He was never given access to our bedrooms and the only reason of his presence inside the palace's wall was to look after my brother Alexei because my mother was desperate and in complete hysteria to believe that he had supernatural abilities and divine healing powers.

I walked to the group of gossipers and knocked one of them into the ground.

" My apology, I didn't mean to bumped into you.. I wasn't looking at my direction." I said while pretending to help the lady.

She was visibly upset especially because she landed badly on the floor and poured her coffee on herself. They left after giving me a harsh look.

I immediately called my servant Amelie and instructed her to go down and inform me on the news about the ship's investigation about the dead body.. Nina.

I was about to return to Jose Manuel's table when Karl blocked my way..

" I see that you found a new male companion.." He said. " Indeed, I met a perfect gentleman." I replied while turning on the other direction.

Karl: He only wants your body.. He will get rid of you when he succeeded.

Me: Excuse me.. you have no right to insult me and him like that. Mind your own business.

Karl: Don't be such a fool.. Look at yourself.. You are on a ship with no guardian or any adult with you and you are dressed immodestly.. Every men here would want nothing but to use your body.. nothing more, nothing less.

Jose Manuel noticed the commotions and went into our direction.

" Is everything alright in here?" He asked. " This man told me that you only wanted me for pleasure and you will leave me once you got what you wanted. I replied.

Jose Manuel punched him in the face.. but Karl fought back and wrestled him.. Everything happened very quick and I saw chairs flying. The ladies were screaming in horror while the guys were cheering and having a good time.

Officials on duty broke the fight. I checked on Jose Manuel.. he had cuts on his face and he injured his left arm. Karl on the other hand had bloody nose, swollen mouth and got hurt on his back.

The Countess was in shock when she saw her son. She pushed me away from him and then she slapped me..

" I don't want you near my son you harlot!" She screamed as she blamed everything on me. Jose Manuel tried to calm her and immediately apologised to me.

Karl was stunned too.. I went back to my room and waited for Amelie to tell me about what was going on on the lower floor..

After several hours, she came back.. " They identified the body as Nina.. her friend was insisting that the death was not an accident but a murder because she saw her going up to the top floor several times." She narrated.