Chapter 17

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The hunting competition was rough. My fate was changed and now I can live a problem free life. It was all because of Rose. Now, Lily won't have a reason to let Lewis depend on her either.

The fireworks show was the best and worst part. Rose was strong. Really strong! The girl could be mistaken for a machine. But, even she has problems. I realized it then. A tear fell from her face suddenly when we were watching the fireworks. She is the type to cry without making a sound. The polar opposite of me.

Her shaky breath and breathing control exercise caused me to hug her tight. I gave her the hint that she can let it all out. I made a promise to myself that I should always be there for her like she had been for me.

The first time I cried was when I first entered this world. I knew I had to change my fate at every means possible but seeing the Crown Prince in person somehow reduced my self esteem to a minus degree. It's more ironic since I was the number one fashion designer in all the charts.

What did I do next? I did everything so that he would start hating me. I put salt instead of sugar in his tea. I wrote one whole document in the wrong way. I even match-made him! All to what? For him to fall even harder than what the novel had described.

What's more stupid is me having a teeny crush on him. I thought it would blow over. But, this teenage body said otherwise.

I knew I will die soon and even resigned from the secretary position. Guess what happened next? The Crown Prince chased me to my house and begged me on his knees. If I hadn't fallen in love, I would have laughed at him for his stupidity. I guess that's the power of a male lead.

I had hugged Rose till the firework show ended. She cried a lot. When she was done, she went to apologize and I lifted my thumb and smacked her, on the head. I complained that friends are there to help each other out and she looked surprised at that. I wondered if she ever had any friends before.

The rustle we heard before was the only problem. I was really suspicious of that but I left it there for the time being. The Crown Prince's work was piled up as usual. Lewis smiled up at me as I entered the study.

"You and Rose are quite good friends now, huh?" He asked.

"Yes, we are." I said. The study door banged open letting me curse, freely. The whole night before, I kept going back to the fireworks incident with Rose. I really hope she's okay. It was a third order knight. Third order knights always wore a black waist band to hold their swords while the color varies with the other orders.

"Lady Rose is here to annul her engagement!" He said with a loud voice. Lewis stood up and collected some papers.

"I'll be right back." He told me and left in a rush.

It didn't take him 5 minutes in the least. He was right back as he said so. I clapped my hands at him. He gave a huge grin. The study door banged again. Ahh, why can't people open it normally?

A hurried but bright faced Alvin popped.

"I heard Lady Rose came to the castle?" Was he panting? I've never ever seen him panting like this before!

"Yes, she's at the first parlor. She came to annul the engagement. What's got you so worked up?" Lewis asked with a smirk on his face. *gasp *No way, has this baby bro developed a tiny crush on our Rose?

"Nothing. *cough* She promised to duel with me." He replied with a blushed face. OMG! I have to tell Rose now. Oh, wait! Maybe, I should be patient on this one.

"Anyway, I have something to ask you, Carlisa." He asked me with a frowning face.

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I heard that Rose was here and I came running from the training grounds. There was something bothering me. The firework show was amazing, but unluckily, I had to watch from the tree.

It was uncomfortable but I guess that was the result of my sneaking tendencies. I didn't realize that Lady Rose had joined Carlisa till I saw brown hair, shining with firework, next to Carlisa.

The problem was that after a few minutes, she started to cry. She had cried without making a single sound and that worried me. What happened to Lady Rose? Since I sneakily listened to their conversation with Dad, I knew nothing had seemed to happen there.

Carlisa had whispered something in her ear and that made a whole river fall down her eyes. My forehead slouched and I felt terrible. I came to the study to ask Carlisa about it. Just as I opened my mouth to ask a knock on the door surprised me.

"Anybody home?" It was Lady Rose. I'm pretty sure I was gaping.

"Welcome! Did you find back your light in the tunnel?" Carlisa chirped. What in the world did that mean?

"I'm good, now." she turned to me, "You are the one who asked me to duel. Aren't you going to come?" She asked me. Oh yes!

"Ladies first!" I said with one of my prominent smiles.

"Flattery will get you nowhere. Let's see how good you are with your sword." she challenged me.

"You should have sharpen your double-edge sword a little sharper today. I'm feeling extra lucky here!" I remarked.

"Don't you dare insult my baby!" She told me with a fiery expression. Her sword is her baby huh?

"Carlisa, come on! I need a fair judge here" I called out to her.

"What about me?" Brother Lewis asked.

"You fill this. I'll be right back!" Carlisa handed him a paper and scooted us out. Lady Rose winked at her and Carlisa turned ten shades red. What is with these girls secret language?

"To the training grounds!" Rose and Carlisa cheered on. I wonder who will win? I don't think I can bet on this one.

Hello everyone,

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