Noises

It didn't take too long for Rosalind to realize that she had asked the wrong question. She immediately wished she had the power to take it back.

She offered a wry smile to the Duke.

How did he recognize her? She couldn't help but asked herself.

"I could ask you the same thing," the Duke said. "But that is none of my business. At least… not yet.," His lips lifted into a smirk.

She frowned and turned towards the array of books that were safely tucked onto shelves that were double her size. This bookstore was only small on the outside. She hadn't realized how big it was until she arrived on the second floor where she had the Duke.

She pursed her lips and started walking towards the next shelf.

"May I know what type of book are you looking for?" he asked.

She hesitated for a few seconds before she uttered, "I want to know more about the Dark Lord."

"The books about him had been banned and forbidden in most empires."

She nodded without missing the fact that he said the word 'most'.

"But this isn't 'most' empire," the Duke smiled. "I know where to find one."

"You do?" she wanted to ask how he knew about it. She thought that this was the Duke's first time in the Aster Empire. That means he shouldn't be that familiar with this place. However, she ended up deciding against asking any more questions that might offend him.

"Yes," the Duke said while laying his hand on her back, leading her downstairs and out of the bookstore.

"Is there another store nearby?"

"You can say that," he nodded. "I will guide you on your remaining trip. Asked the girl outside to leave." The man said. He wasn't asking for her permission. He was giving her an order.

While irritated, she agreed. After all, this man was going to be the one helping her escape this empire.

Walking in the streets, the two maintained a not-so-close distance from each other, and this was done on purpose.

The Duke was rather tall — taller than most people in this place. This meant that he was bound to attract the attention of everyone. Though the man was wearing a mask, anyone can see that he was good-looking.

Any woman couldn't help but take a second glance, while men couldn't help the jealousy in their hearts.

"Are you scared of me?" he suddenly asked, then moved a little closer. She took a step back on instinct.

"No. Why would I?" In fact, she wasn't scared of him. She just didn't want people to think that they were walking together. She didn't want to attract any unwanted attention to herself.

In response, he stopped walking.

"You are right. There isn't any valid reason for you to be scared of me."

Her lips thinned. She didn't know if he was trying to be arrogant or was simply jesting. His history alone would be enough to frighten many people.

"I didn't think that someone who stayed in the mountains since they were a child would know how to get into this place," the Duke said.

Rosalind didn't reply. It was not because she wanted to act mysterious, but because she didn't have any answers to his statement. She wasn't expecting to meet someone that would recognize her today.

The two of them soon arrived in front of another enormous building. Just from the flag outside of the building, she knew that this is one of the buildings owned by the Four Quarter masters merchant association.

It was an auction house.

"This— " She heard that getting into one would be very expensive. Even in her past life, she wasn't able to join an auction!

"Take me inside," the Duke showed something to the man guarding the door. To her surprise, the guard nodded and even bowed to them before leading them inside the building without asking any questions.

However, they had to stop walking when another man blocked their way.

"How come you let them in!? Don't you really recognize who I am?" the man said to another guard.

"I apologize, but only our most special clients can come inside during the day. We normally have our auctions during the night. If you want to— "

"Stop lying and take me to see your leader!"

Rosalind frowned. The man in front of them was wearing a mask, but he was too familiar. Then she realized something.

This man was someone that she knew in her past life, someone that she had seen wearing a mask before!

It was none other than her dear sister's future husband, the crown prince of the empire. If she was right, the crown prince was not yet the crowned prince base on this timeline.

Why was he acting too haughty in front of this merchant house? Was he drunk?

"Pardon me sir, but you are distracting our guest. Please move to the side," the guard who was leading the Duke and Rosalind respectfully said.

"What did you just say? Don't you know who I am?"

"Sir, your identity in the outside world doesn't matter inside this establishment. You can either move or I will throw you outside and banned you from the market, not just in this empire, but in the entire continent."

Even Rosalind was surprised to hear that. How could someone have that much power?

Was it because the guard was currently serving a special client?

"You— How about you give me a price," the prince uttered. It seems that the prince didn't recognize the Duke as he pointed a finger toward him. "Give me your VIP card. Name a price. What do you want? Golds? Lands? Women? Say it!"

Rosalind had to stop herself from rolling her eyes.

Now this was the crown prince that she knew. Someone arrogant and a little stupid. In her past life, Dorothy easily manipulated the man into thinking that she was the one who received the Blessing. Despite being together for years, the Emperor didn't even doubt Dorothy's words.

In the end, Dorothy became the secret ruler of the Kingdom while the Emperor became her puppet.

However, what happened next was something that Rosalind didn't expect.

The guard suddenly lifted the prince up using his collar and throw him out of the establishment! Rosalind's eyes were so wide, she almost couldn't believe it. That man was the prince and the future crown prince of the empire! Yet, they easily threw him out like trash.

Was this the reason why this man hated the black market and the Four Quarter Masters so much?

"Shall we?"

Rosalind heard the Duke's voice. She looked at him and realized that he was calmly smiling. "Empty minds tend to make the most noise," he uttered. "Do you agree?"

....

FL: 17

Duke: 24

Don't worry, this is going to be a very slow-burn romance. :) The revenge will happen first.