Rosie's Games

Chapter 247: The Green House

Rosalind stood in front of a large wooden door as she waited for the herald to announce her arrival. Earlier, Miss Monoroe already informed her that they were not allowed to enter the chambers where the Royalties ate. It was only Rosalind.

However, they would be waiting for her in the garden outside.

She looked at the man wearing a mixture of red, gold, and black clothing. The flag of Wugari had the colors red, gold, and black and every servant was wearing those colors as well. Of course, this was not something new as the Aster Empire had the same customs.

"Entering Duchess Rothley!" the Herald announced before he clapped his hand twice. Then the two knights that were standing by the door slowly opened it.

Almost immediately her eyes marveled at the grandeur and opulence of the space. The walls were lined with ornate tapestries depicting scenes of battles and triumphs, while the ceiling was adorned with intricate carvings and gold leaf accents. The room was dimly lit, with chandeliers full of candles, casting flickering shadows across the marble floors.

At the far end of the room, two massive thrones sat atop a raised platform, flanked by tall columns and guarded by a pair of armored knights. The throne itself was carved from dark wood and adorned with precious gems and metals, with velvet cushions and a high backrest. The air around the throne seemed charged with a sense of power and authority, as though it was the very center of the kingdom's might.

This was within Rosalind's expectations. After all, this was Wugari- a Kingdom that had fought against the beasts for years.

This was not the Aster Empire where one could only see the beauty and grace of everyone inside the room where the Emperor sat.

Rosalind walked towards the two majestic seats. Each of her steps was slow and careful.

"My name is Rosie, it is my pleasure to be invited by Your Majesties," Rosalind curtsied, her gaze lowered.

"When they said that Duke Rothley would marry someone of his own choice, I doubted it." A woman's voice echoed. "But seeing the new Duchess of Rothley is enough to convince me that this was indeed the Duke's choice. You look dashing, to say the least, Duchess Rothley. Don't you agree my dear?"

"She is indeed beautiful. However, were you expecting someone mediocre? Lucas would never allow that to happen."

"You may straighten your back. Let us forgo the ceremonies," Queen Aurinda Marlin said. "I want to have some time to talk to the Duchess before we have our dinner."

"You know that is not appropriate," King Zadock Marlin said. He then gave Rosalind a kind smile. "How about we visit the greenhouse?"

"Why don't we ask Duchess Rothley?" Queen Aurinda said.

That was when Rosalind lifted her eyes. She expected the King and Queen to be middle-aged with a few strands of grey hair, but she was wrong. The two looked to be in their twenties if not in their thirties. Both had black hair, deep-seated eyes, and beautiful smiles. While the King had light brown eyes, the Queen had dark brown ones.

"A greenhouse sound's lovely, Your Majesties," Rosalind said.

"Please cut the cordiality," the King got up and held his hand towards his wife. "Lucas and I grew up together. Albeit younger, Lucas has always been better than me at anything. To some, that might have caused some jealousy, but I can assure you, Lucas was just like the brother that I never had. I admire him and his talents."

The two walked towards her.

"These are mere formalities. While I told Lucas that this is not necessary, he insisted that I do this to avoid questions from the nobility. Not that they would ask anything of him." King Marlin held the Queen's hands as they walked down and slowly approached Rosalind. Not long after, the three started walking towards the greenhouse.

As they stepped outside, a pathway that had been illuminated by the torches greeted Rosalind. A blanket of untouched snow could be seen on each side of the winding pathway. To make itself safe from the snow, there was a transparent roof that was supported by large columns of black stones.

The same black stone relics that they used to make the walls of the Rothley Estate.

"What do you think of the black stones?" Queen Aurinda asked.

"It's beautiful, Your Majesty."

"Please call me older sister."

"I'm afraid I cannot do that," Rosalind refused almost immediately. The last woman who insisted on calling each other sisters betrayed her. She would rather not call anyone a sister in this lifetime.

Hearing her answer, the Queen stopped walking and stared at her. Since Rosalind was a step behind them, the Queen had to turn around so she could look at Rosalind.

"You are not jesting," Queen Aurinda said.

"No. I am not."

"My it seems that Lucas has found someone who knows how to say no," King Marlin chuckled. "The wind is cold, Aurinda. I would rather not stay in this place and make the Duchess ill. He would have my head."

Aurinda smiled at Rosalind. "You are right. I was surprised to hear someone that sounded just like him. We should hurry, the winds are getting stronger.

Soon enough, she walked in on a greenhouse covered with transparent walls. Contrary to the air outside, the air inside the greenhouse was warm and humid. She looked around and could not help but smile as her gaze landed on the array of plants inside. The floor was made of polished black stone with benches and chairs tucked in its cozy corners.

In the corner of the greenhouse was a small pond with lilies and what seemed like colorful fish. Next to it was a small table and chairs with various pastries and steaming tea.

'This was heaven,' Rosalind thought inwardly. Should she ask the Duke to make something like this for her?

"Are you not wondering why the cold is not able to penetrate the walls of the greenhouse?" Queen Aurinda asked.

"Sorcery," Rosalind answered casually. Her answer made the two people chuckle.

There was no way that the cold could not penetrate this place without the help of a sorcerer. This only proved one thing. Sorcery was even more rampant in the North than she originally thought.