Rosie's Games

Chapter 126: Planting the Seeds 4

The Duke's action came as a surprise to Rosalind. She had never heard the Duke do anything like this, even in her past life. The Duke of Duance, despite his current inability to walk, never bowed his head, not even to the Emperor.

She frowned and just stared at the man. Just like the princess, the Duke had gotten skinnier, his cheekbones became even more prominent, and his eyes deeper. He looked like someone who haven't had any sleep for the past twenty-four hours or more.

Then she smiled inwardly. The Princess was the Duke's only child. Obviously, he did not want her to suffer and her condition affected the Duke's state of mind.

"There is no need for that, your Grace. Please I am not someone worthy to receive your bow." She glanced at Princess Isabel, who had not even bothered to lift her head to look at Rosalind. She just sat there, like a doll. Beautiful, yet looking so fragile. The haughty attitude that she used to have was gone.

Rosalind did not know if this was a blessing or another curse. The psychological effects of the curse were indeed different from its physical ones.

"She has tried to end her life twice." The Duke gritted his teeth. "After the first time, she started begging me to end her life as she could not take the pain anymore." He stared at the Princess before looking at Rosalind. "I cannot watch my child continue suffering. The curse is something that even the Blessed ones cannot heal. Miss Lin is my last resort."

Again, Rosalind nodded.

"This is the gold. Take it. Tell me everything that you want. I will do it as long as you help my daughter."

This time, Rosalind said nothing. She approached the Princess and held her hand. Then she closed her eyes.

Silence surrounded them and Rosalind did not hesitate to start absorbing the dark curse. She knew she had gotten stronger, yet she did not know the true extent of her abilities. She wanted to test it out and thought that this would be a very good opportunity for her to do that. Almost immediately, everyone saw a black mist rise from the Princess's body and move toward Rosalind's palm.

"That "

"Your Grace, please take a seat. This might take a while." Mr. Pratt said. "Ah why don't we talk in the other room? Let us give her some time to heal the Princess."

"I "

"Do not worry. I can assure you that Miss Lin would never hurt the Princess."

This time, the Duke nodded and they left Rosalind with the Princess's aide.

"When Miss Lin started treating my daughter, I also felt a little hesitant." Mr. Pratt said. "But I soon witnessed a miracle. Alma was born with the curse. Many said that she would not reach the age of nine because of her condition. I was prepared to accept that, however, Miss Lin came."

"Is it true that your daughter is now feeling better?"

"Better?" Mr. Pratt poured tea for the Duke. "My daughter no longer had the curse in her body. That was definitely far from being better."

"Are you telling the truth?"

"I would never lie just for the sake of earning money." Mr. Pratt said.

"Forgive me for insinuating that."

Mr. Pratt only gave the Duke a mysterious smile.

"I hope that the Duke would honor his words about Miss Lin's identity."

The Duke nodded. "But this ability once the world knows about this, they would surely ask questions."

"Those questions I am prepared to answer them. But Miss Lin's safety is the priority. She is here to help people and once those people hear about this, they would surely try to stop her. Miss Lin only wants to heal, and I hope that the Duke could help keep it that way."

The Duke said nothing as he lifted the teacup towards his lips, slowly sipping the hot tea. Despite the man's now calm expression, Pratt could still sense some anxiety coming from the Duke. He could not blame him for that. After seeing Alma suffer, Pratt understood the emotions that were hidden in the Duke's eyes.

"I will keep it that way," the Duke said. "I swear on my name. I will not try to find out her identity or try to compromise her practice. Although I am wondering if her words about healing me were true."

"Miss Lin would never tell a lie," Mr. Pratt said. "Since she claims that she could heal you then that might just be the truth."

"But even the Blessed one said that I could not walk again."

"Miss Lin is not a Blessed one. Her practice is different. I suggest that the Duke take his chances and try the treatment. It is not like it would do you any harm."

Again, the Duke was silent.

"I understand the repercussions that will come once the world knows your legs are healed," Mr. Pratt said. "I told Miss Lin about it, yet she insisted that she only wanted to help. At first, I dissuaded her from doing it. If I will be honest, I do not want to cause political unrest in the Empire."

"So."

"She insisted that healing you was something that her master would want to accomplish. Sadly, her master is gone. Now, she is simply doing it to honor the man who taught her everything."

There was another silence. The Duke was well known for his few words so Mr. Pratt just continued drinking his tea. The man must be thinking about the treatment and its possible effects on the Empire.

"This treatment is not just going to endanger my life," the Duke uttered. "It would put Miss Lin's life in danger too. Those people" the Duke took a deep breath. "They will not stop until they discover the identity of the person who treated me. Federico and my brother would not stop until they found her. And soon, they will discover that it was you who helped us. Are you prepared to drag the whole merchant organization with you?"

Pratt only smiled in response. "Your Grace did you think we would be having this conversation now if I was scared of the crown?"

....