Rosie's Games

176  Protecting his Person

"Get them out of the room," the moment Duke Lucas said this, two other men appeared from out of nowhere and quickly escorted the now deranged Countess and her soldiers outside.

"You have no right to do this! You are not from this kingdom! You— You let me go! Duke Lucas, I am warning you! Do not disrespect me—"

*BANG*

The door closed before the Countess could finish her words.

Rosalind stared at Lucas, speechless at his actions. He might be a Duke, but he was not a Duke of this Kingdom! Why was he acting so brazen?

"You have about ten minutes," the Duke said. "It seems that they want to get rid of the Count."

Rosalind stared at the now-dying man. Perhaps he knew something important that the others wanted to hide. That would explain why they wanted to kill him at all costs.

Still, this was no longer her concern. She wasted no time and immediately started doing her job. Right now, she was not just planning to absorb the curse, she was going to heal the Count. She was going to do everything that she could to heal him!

She concentrated on her past life. She had cured thousands of people yet none of them knew that she was the one who healed them. They all praised Dorothy and that made Rosalind happy. To her, being praised and recognized wasn't exactly what she wanted. All she wanted was to save lives.

This was the reason why losing her Blessing devastated her in her past life. Thinking back, the only reason why she was able to pull herself out of depression was that she had a 'loving' husband like Jeames. How comical! Now she felt like nothing but a pawn in their games.

She pushed the thoughts out of her mind and concentrated on healing the Count. She began by absorbing the curse. It took her a couple of minutes to finish removing the dark curse from the man's body. Then, she used her light Blessing to heal him. Since he was already old and had received another injury before this, it was taking her a long time to completely heal him.

However, she was not planning on giving up. Not now.

Her thoughts, however, were interrupted when she heard a commotion outside. She looked at Lucas.

"Continue, I will take care of everything," he reassured her.

That assurance was enough for her. Once again, she gave all her attention to healing the Count.

...….

"Let us in!" Countess Marchiana Caldarera ordered as she pointed a sword toward Denys. "How dare you do this while you are in front of me? This is my estate! You are not from Lonyth! There is no reason for you to be here!"

10:55

"We are going to heal the Count."

"Heal the Count!?" the Countess raged. "Heal someone who was affected by a curse!? I know why you are here. You must have wanted to talk to him before his death! I will make sure to tell His Majesty the King about these transgressions!"

"Mother, please calm down. They can really heal fathers. I can—"

"Shut your mouth, Leonardo! Your father raised you better than that! You knew that these people would—"

"They saved father!" Leonardo said. "Lady Rosie did it. She can heal father!"

"You dare raised your voice to me!?" Countess Marchiana raised her hand, wanting to slap the young man.

"Madam! Madam!" a maid's arrival stopped the Countess in her tracks.

"What is it?"

"People from the palace are here!"

The Countess glared at Denys before she left the hall without saying another word. It seemed that she had already expected the arrival of these people.

"It should be the prince and his people," Leonardo had a look of worry on his face. "Mother has been… has been close to the crown princess and …" he made a deliberate pause as he swallowed, concern flashed in his eyes. "They might stop Miss Rosie."

Denys did not answer him.

Not long after, footsteps approached the hall. The Countess came back this time, she had two royal knights with her. She marched towards Denys, her head held high.

"Take them out of the way. They are trying to end my husband's life."

Denys narrowed his eyes. He gestured for the other two men behind him not to take out their weapons. He must have noticed that one of them had already reached out for his sword, ready to fight against the knights.

"By the power vested by His Highness the crown prince we—"

"If the prince wanted to greet me, there is no need for him to send the head of the Royal Knights of Lonyth," a cold voice interrupted the man who spoke. Everyone turned towards the door where the Duke was now standing. Clearly, not one of them notice that the door had opened nor  seen the Duke earlier. A strange expression appeared on the knight's face.

"Your Grace, my name is Loyd from the Royal Knights order. His Highness, the Crown Prince is on his way here with the Crown Princess. He has instructed us to secure the area and that includes making sure that the Count is safe. We have heard about the unfortunate event and he magnanimously sent the Royal Knights to guard the Count's estate."

"So he wanted to imprison the Count." Lucas approached the knight. He towered over him. "Is his father aware that the Crown Prince is slowly putting pressure on the noble houses that do not support him?"

"Your Grace this is not—" before the man could finish his words, Lucas rested his palm on the man's shoulder and then he pushed Loyd down.

Loyd's face turned ugly. Not long after, his kneed buckled and he knelled in front of the Duke.

"Ah," Lucas smiled at the Countess. "That is how a knight greets a Duke. Isn't that right, Countess Marchiana?"

"I—"

"But yes, let us talk about the Prince. Tell him to come and greet me once he arrives. By then, the Count will be waiting to welcome him. For now... " Lucas smiled. "If one attempt to stop the healing is taken, I will assume that you want to kill my person." Again, his gaze landed on the Countess. "And I always protect my people."