Rosie's Games

"The incident the other evening..." The King began, drawing Rosalind's attention as she gracefully settled into her chair. "I must express my deepest apologies for it. Rumor spread like wildfire that an assassin lurked among us, causing unrest and fear." As he spoke, he signaled to the waiting servants to commence serving the meticulously planned five-course meal. "I trust the Duchess isn't too perturbed by the inconvenience."

Rosalind, her gaze drifting towards the first dish being presented, replied, "I understand that maintaining the safety of the castle and its residents is of paramount importance." The delicacy presented before her was named the Ethereal Puff of Crimson Dragonfruit.

A delicate puff pastry, it was filled with an exotic and tantalizingly sweet Crimson Dragonfruit, and was accompanied by a hint of the elusive Silvermoss cream. This cream was said to be harvested only under the beguiling glow of the Whispering Forest's luminescent moon.

Admittedly, the Duchess found herself in unfamiliar territory. The name Silvermoss was entirely new to her, and while she might have heard tales of the Whispering Forest, she had never ventured there herself. But, there it was - a masterpiece of culinary art.

The puff pastry's golden-brown hue looked almost too good to eat, its flaky exterior promising a burst of flavors within. Yielding to temptation, she sampled it and was rewarded by a sensational taste that mirrored its visual appeal. It was a splendid start to the feast.

"Your understanding is greatly appreciated," the King responded, taking a bite of the puff himself. "I sincerely hope our starter meets the Duchess's refined taste. My daughter, in her meticulous manner, oversaw the preparations of this meal, ensuring that each ingredient was handpicked and treated with utmost care." Of course, what he didn't mention was that it was his express request for his daughter to design such a menu.

The King recalled a previous visit by the Duke, who had made an offhand remark about preparing some snacks. Initially, the King had assumed it was a mere whim of the Duke of Wugari.

But in time, he discerned the true recipient of that request: the Duchess. The Duke's loving gesture for his wife was evident. The King deduced that the new Duchess had quite the palate!

And so, without hesitation, the King instructed his cherished daughter to curate a menu, hoping it would leave a lasting impression on the Duchess. Many wondered about the King's fervor to please a Duchess of lesser political weight. The Duke of Rakha, the Crown Prince, and even the Princess herself questioned his motives.

To their inquiring gazes, the King had a straightforward answer. He was still grappling with the sudden marriage decision of his beloved daughter to the Duke. In the midst of this mystery, if he could win over the Duchess's heart with a feast, then he would certainly attempt it!

In response to the King's words, Rosalind offered a diplomatic nod before the conversation organically shifted toward the state of the teleportation portal. The benefits of its existence were becoming increasingly apparent.

Merchants from the Kingdom of Rakha now had unimpeded access to Wugari, leading to a significant boom in trade. Rosalind felt fortunate to have absorbed considerable business acumen during her time with Dorothy; this knowledge certainly was not wasted in her current role.

Listening to her astute observations and informed responses, the King couldn't help but admire this young Duchess. Despite her modest upbringing, she displayed an impressive depth of knowledge and a keen understanding of complex affairs. The King found himself conceding that they had indeed underestimated this woman significantly.

"The current prosperity of Wugari is undeniable," Rosalind affirmed, her eyes gleaming with conviction. "Now would be the optimal time to invest. Ever since Rakha and the Empire of Korusta established their portal, various Kingdoms and Empires have been in talks with the King. Their intentions are transparent. The North— well, the majority of it remains largely uncharted, its abundant resources untouched." Rosalind's voice fell into a measured cadence as she moved on to the second course.

Before her lay the Sapphire Sea Leviathan Bisque. The soup was a mesmerizing blue, mirroring the hues of the Sapphire Sea Leviathan from which it was made. The bisque boasted a complex flavor spectrum, beginning with the robust taste of the sea, carried by the Leviathan meat, then morphing into the aromatic subtleties of the Elventide herbs. The soup possessed a luxuriously smooth texture, punctuated by the succulent morsels of Leviathan.

To put it simply, Rosalind was utterly smitten by this dish. She found herself contemplating the thought of requesting the chef's presence from the King. Although poaching the chef seemed a bit ambitious, she could not dismiss the notion of whisking them away to her own household. Shall she… take away the chef? Perhaps threatened him a little?

Catching herself, she realized the audacity of her thoughts.

"I understand," the King nodded, his keen eyes taking in Rosalind's not-so-subtle hints. The King was no fool. He quickly discerned that Rosalind's underlying intent for this visit was to seek investors.

The King and Crown Prince had been contemplating this potential for a while. As Rosalind suggested, the North was a land filled with untapped potential. Its main shortcoming was its inaccessibility due to the dangerous journey and the vast amounts of time it consumed.

However, imagine if they could install teleportation portals in every Kingdom, connecting them directly to Wugari?

That possibility promised to change the course of their world forever.

"The Duchess's proficiency in commerce is even more impressive than we initially presumed," the King mused, admiration creeping into his tone. The transformations Rosalind had brought to the Rothley Estate were no secret to those who paid heed to the Duchy's affairs. The palpable shift in the estate's operations convinced everyone that the Duchy sorely needed a woman's touch to truly flourish.

Rosalind, in her characteristic modesty, brushed off the King's praises, "You flatter me too much. I merely have a penchant for books. What can a person like me truly comprehend?"

"The Duchess is genuinely a breath of fresh air," the King remarked, a warm chuckle escaping him. They delved into further discussions about the King of Wugari's ongoing projects with the Duke and the newly crowned King of Lonyth. Gradually, the topic shifted to the mysterious beasts that had recently started terrorizing the North.

These beasts had forced Rosalind to dispatch Elias and Valentin to investigate their origins. So far, the news had not been encouraging. The pair had been battling these ferocious creatures without being able to locate their breeding grounds.

However, Rosalind exhibited remarkable patience, understanding the complex nature of their task. Had it been an easy undertaking, the culprits behind these creatures wouldn't have been able to conceal their operation for this long.

The conclusion of the main course – a sumptuous serving of Embergrilled Drakon Steak with Moonroot Vegetables – provided the ideal segue for Rosalind to broach the primary purpose of her visit. The rich, hearty meal had left them satiated, and she felt the moment was opportune.

"I wish to discuss the status of the Howling Mountains..." Rosalind began, her voice steady and serious.

The King's demeanor changed abruptly at the mention of the mountains. The true reason for Rakha's wealth was the abundance of relics they discovered in the Howling Mountains. This bounty had previously brought intense pressure from several Empires and the Seven Families, each desiring a larger share of the spoils. This greed nearly led to Rakha's downfall, only to be salvaged by the timely intervention of the Duke of Wugari.

"Why has the Howling Mountains suddenly piqued the Duchess's interest?" the King questioned, his worry palpable. He feared that the Duchess might demand additional compensation, or perhaps access to the secluded Howling Mountains. An even worse scenario would be Rakha being obliged to pay Wugari tribute as gratitude for their past aid.

The King of Rakha held immense gratitude for Wugari's assistance but simultaneously wished to keep the secrets of the Howling Mountains confined to his own realm. This was his well-guarded secret, after all.

"There is no point in obfuscating matters from His Majesty," Rosalind began, her voice carrying a note of grave seriousness. "Recently, the estate has unearthed some ancient documents that allude to the Howling Mountains. These manuscripts depict hideous creatures, referred to as demons. These beings not only savored human flesh but were also immensely powerful, relishing the act of toying with their prey before their final kill," Rosalind explained.

"My husband shared with me that during his last expedition to the Howling Mountains, he witnessed creatures resembling those mentioned in the ancient texts. Therefore, I felt compelled to discuss this matter personally with you, primarily concerning our security. I seek to understand if there's a possibility that these horrifying creatures could infiltrate Rakha."

"Which documents are you referring to?" the King queried, a sense of unease enveloping him. His past experiences and encounters had acquainted him with the monstrous creatures that lurked within the mountain's shadow. However, with the lurking danger also came immense treasures. He had made the choice then to disregard the old texts and set his sights on unearthing the valuable relics instead.