Rosie's Games

Magda's laughter filled the opulent room, an infectious sound that seemed unstoppable ever since they arrived in the grand carriage.

"I never expected my words to elicit such laughter," Rosalind mused, a small smile playing on her lips. She swirled the wine glass in her hand, admiring the rich, colorful contents that the King of Rakha had generously sent to welcome them. This trip was meant to be diplomatic, and in acknowledgment of that, the King had provided Rosalind with a lavish suite in his palace. Although the King himself hadn't personally welcomed her, Rosalind understood the political subtleties at play. Nevertheless, she was scheduled to have lunch with the King on the morrow, and that was her opportunity to broach the topic of the elusive Howling Mountains.

Magda's laughter finally subsided, and she asked Rosalind with curiosity, "Aren't they afraid that you might use sorcery against them?"

"Sorcery?" Rosalind raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"The rumors of you being a sorcerer have already reached this place. It appears that some noblewomen attempted to test your patience, but they clearly failed," Magda explained. "Do you think they were genuinely afraid of sorcery, or were they merely acting upon the Princess's words?"

Rosalind took a thoughtful sip of the wine and leaned back, closing her eyes momentarily. The banquet earlier had not ended on the best note, as many women had departed due to her dark and gruesome tales. She was almost certain that it had left the Princess infuriated. However, Rosalind had grown indifferent to the Princess's feelings; her focus was on the King and the Howling Mountains.

"It appears the Princess wishes to make you think she has given up," Magda remarked, her frown deepening. Her eyes shifted towards the large door. "Otherwise, why would she send two men to your room at this hour?" Magda's hand rested on her hip, where a dagger was discreetly tucked. "In Rakha, such an intrusion is scandalous. Whoever concocted this scheme must have underestimated the resourcefulness of the new Duchess of Wugari."

Intrigued and alert, Rosalind watched as Magda readied herself to confront whoever dared to knock on her door. The soft knock resonated through the room, and Magda's voice sounded outwardly cordial as she responded, "Who is it?"

"Good evening, my lady," came a woman's voice from the other side. "We are here to deliver some gifts that the King has prepared for the Duchess."

Rosalind exchanged a knowing glance with Magda. The situation seemed odd, but they couldn't afford to lower their guard. "Leave the gifts outside the door, please," Rosalind instructed cautiously.

"I will handle it. Leave the tray at the door," Magda's voice rang with authority as she awaited the woman's response.

"Understood," the woman replied, and Magda could hear the sound of retreating footsteps. She glanced at the tray left outside the door, feeling a sense of caution lingering in the air.

"I advise against opening that tray," Rosalind warned, her voice laced with concern. "I sense something off about it, a scent that could weaken you or even induce sleep. We must be cautious."

Indeed, everyone knew that Rosalind only brought two trusted bodyguards on this diplomatic trip: Magda and Huig. However, it was strictly forbidden for Huig to enter the Duchess's room, for it was considered taboo.

To avoid any rumors or gossip, Rosalind had arranged for Huig to stay in a separate room, while Magda would share the night with her to provide protection. But this meant they had to remain vigilant, especially when unexpected offerings appeared at their doorstep.

Who could have ever imagined that events would unfold like this? Rosalind pondered. The Princess's motives remained shrouded in mystery, leaving Rosalind cautious about making any hasty moves based solely on her instincts. Uncertainty lingered in the air, and Rosalind felt the weight of her responsibilities pressing upon her.

Deciding to take a moment to herself, she rose from the plush couch and gracefully walked towards her room. As the Duchess of Wugari, she knew the importance of security and privacy, especially in unfamiliar territory. "The room will be sealed tonight," Rosalind declared, making her intentions clear. "Rest well and feel at ease."

The master bedroom in the suite was a sanctuary that Rosalind found herself drawn to. Its opulence and elegance were befitting of a ruler, and she couldn't help but appreciate the Rakha Kingdom's unabashed display of wealth and luxury.

The centerpiece of the room was an enormous, inviting bed, adorned with soft, silk sheets and adorned with intricate patterns. Rosalind couldn't resist sinking into its comfort as she lay down, feeling as though she could spend an eternity wrapped in its embrace.

The décor was tastefully minimalistic, exuding a sense of refined elegance that complemented the room's grandeur. Gilded mirrors adorned the walls, reflecting the soft glow of the crystal chandeliers that hung from the high ceiling, creating an atmosphere of regal splendor.

She let out a contented sigh, appreciating the sense of tranquility that enveloped her in this luxurious abode. The Rakha Kingdom's affluence was evident in every detail, and Rosalind was grateful for the opportunity to experience such opulence.

Lying on the bed, Rosalind felt the weight of exhaustion on her body, expecting sleep to claim her quickly. However, to her dismay, slumber eluded her, and her mind seemed restless. It didn't take long for her to realize the reason behind her discomfort – she missed Lucas.

The bed that once felt inviting now seemed too vast for her small frame. The room, adorned with its opulent decor, appeared too grand and empty. Even the softness of the bed brought discomfort, causing her back to ache, and the silk sheets that once felt luxurious now lacked their allure.

With a sigh, Rosalind shifted, sitting at the edge of the bed, gazing out of the window into the night sky, wondering how much longer she'd have to wait before the sun graced the horizon.

Suddenly, a cold and familiar voice pierced the silence, startling her. Atior, the sorcerer who had been missing for weeks, stood before her. However, something seemed different about her – her voice deeper, her features more masculine. Rosalind's confusion grew as she struggled to understand what was happening.

"To be honest, I expected the Duke to be more cautious after you decided to consummate your marriage," Atior said, her words laced with a cryptic meaning.

Confused and intrigued, Rosalind inquired, "What do you mean?"

Atior explained the Duke's misguided belief that absorbing a demon's essence would prevent the awakening of the soul within Rosalind. "The essence of that soul fears demons," she added before disappearing and reappearing closer to Rosalind.

Instantly, Rosalind's stern expression intensified. "I have sealed the room with my blessing," she asserted, knowing that Atior viewed her as a goddess rather than Rosalind herself. The sorcerer's reverence towards her divine identity had thus far kept her safe from harm.

Despite her words, Rosalind remained cautious, realizing that her safety might be a temporary shield.

"Do not worry, I have no intentions of causing you harm," Atior assured with an eerie tilt of her head. Her gaze appeared increasingly peculiar the longer she stared at Rosalind. The sorceress pursed her lips, and her expression took on a mysterious air. "I would never do such a thing."

"Then why have you come?"Rosalind inquired, seeking clarity in the midst of uncertainty.

Contrary to Rosalind's belief, Atior replied, "I came to warn you."

"Warn me about what?" Rosalind pressed for an explanation.

"The demons have found a way to possess humans," Atior revealed, her voice laced with urgency. "Their numbers are increasing rapidly, and we cannot afford to wait any longer."

"Demons possessing humans?" she repeated, trying to grasp the implications of such a predicament.

"As the goddess, you must do something to stop this matter from escalating," Atior declared, attributing a divine identity to Rosalind.

However, Rosalind vehemently denied the title. "I am not the goddess you speak of," she interjected firmly.

Atior's lips curved into a sneer, seemingly unshaken by Rosalind's denial. "You know very well that it was all a lie," she retorted. "You can feel it coursing through your veins. You are the goddess, and deep down, you know it."

Despite Atior's claim, Rosalind resisted the notion. "The soul inside me may have belonged to the goddess once, but that doesn't automatically make me a deity," she stated, adamant in her self-awareness.

"Did the Duke fill your head with such doubts?" Atior taunted, seeking to sow seeds of distrust.

The mention of the Duke stirred a mix of emotions within Rosalind. She couldn't ignore the fact that his actions and intentions remained shrouded in mystery. But she wouldn't allow herself to be manipulated by Atior's insinuations.

"I have my own thoughts and beliefs," Rosalind replied, her resolve firm. "And I won't be swayed by anyone's words, not even his."

"The demons are on their way," Atior warned solemnly, her voice tinged with a sense of urgency. "Deep inside, you've always known they would come. It's time to stop denying it and start preparing for their inevitable invasion."

....

A/N: July is very hard on me. 1 of my close relative died and another one is one the hospital fighting for his life. To be honest, I am in a very dark place right now. T.T I decided to move back home to find some comfort.