Chapter 28

Lily walked through the main entrance with a ray of light glowing around her.

Lily had sparkling blonde hair and she wore a white dress with flower petals. She was shining from head to toe.

Her face had the most gentle expression and her blue eyes shined brightly. Her rosy lips parted with a small nervous smile.

Everyone in the room gasped. Mum, Father, Robert and Richard had unbelieving eyes.

Their gazes were fixed on Lily. It won't be a surprise if everyone in the room fell for her at first sight. Literally!

I fixated my eyes on the golden chandelier in the middle of the room.

I turned to look at my family to see their reactions. Mum started to cry, pretty loudly. She ran towards Lily and hugged her tightly in between some hiccups and slender arms.

Robert as well as Richard ran towards their precious sister and shed a few tears. Father was still standing in horror of surprise. I bit my lip.

Finally, he too sprinted towards Lily. They did not look back. They did not need to.

I stared at the wholesome sight in front of me. The lovely daughter of the Eskater duchy arrived back at her rightful home. I smiled with goodwill that my parents are happy.

I glanced at Lily who seemed to be in a stance of crying as well. A few seconds passed and her eyes landed on me.

She looked around unknowingly at first but recognition flashed soon in her face. She stared at me and formed a satisfying smirk.

HUH?!

'Rose, I think it's time to go.' Erebus snapped.

'What the hell---' I couldn't believe my eyes.

'We can focus on this later. We can catch the early bird if we go now.' He wisely instructed but I understood he was just trying to help me.

'Did you see that?!' I asked in disbelief.

'U-uh...'

I looked at Carlisa but apparently she had a sad look. She hadn't seen that vile smirk.

'After we solve the problem and bring an end to the suspicious freak show, we will come back. I need my hands on that authority. I can't let my family get hurt. I'm going to stay. I'm not letting this bish get to me. There's no way in hell am I letting this fricking female lead---' I stopped short.

My conscience stimulated with all my hard training.

Wow, author, congrats! Making me the villain, huh? Nuh-uh man! You have no authority to control me. Like I have said before, I'm the one who will be playing you!

I smiled wholeheartedly at Lily who was still staring at my face guessing whether I was some naïve creature who would step down at her convenience.

Little did she know that I'm a no-nonsense girl. Too bad for her! Hehe...

I felt a piercing stare from my left and I turned my head to see Carlisa shaking her head violently at me. I smiled at her care for me.

I sent a heart from my fingers. She was shocked at my change of face. In return, she sent me triumphant eyes.

I sent a slyly pointed finger towards Lily and winked at Carlisa. She slapped her hand over her mouth in realization.

I made a deep bow to express my thanks. She sent me a flying kiss, fully knowing that I will return.

I gave an unheard chuckle and forced my legs to move at her instruction. I looked at all the nobles gathered in the room. Their eyes were too fixed on the unimaginable situation to notice me.

I came up to the small exit Carlisa pointed at me and looked back once more. I saw Alvin staring at me with a confused expression.

I gave him my best genuine smile. I hoped my letter would calm out the situation that was about to follow.

'You are forgetting something.' Erebus reminded me.

'Hmm?'

'Shouldn't you change the letters? You just said that you would be coming back right?'

'I wrote what I was always supposed to write.' I assured him with a grin. He chuckled.

I recognized one of the knights of the duchy standing guard. I went up to him and said that I was tired and was going back to the estate to rest.

I asked him to relay the message to Father if he asked. He saluted me with a hint of blush on his cheek.

'Are you okay?' Erebus asked me, concerned.

'I'm doing totally fine. You trust me right?'

'I trust everything but your cooking.'

'You don't have to rub it in. Anyway, how is the situation?'

'Not good. I could only get a hold on Nidas but that was also only for a few seconds.'

'Okay. I'm in with your plan for me to gain authority. I don't trust Lily anymore.'

'Good! I guess we'll be visiting my birthplace then.'

'Oh, that would be cool. How long will we be gone?'

'Half a year. It was initially a month but if you want to build your authority, you have to face your fears. And that is going to take time.'

'Fears?' I asked a little hesitantly.

'Don't play dumb with me. I know you are strong but you...I'll leave it for later.'

'Seriously?'

'Yes.' He declared, firmly.

'Okay then. We better get a move on.' I dropped the problem. Fears? What kind?

'You are pretty calm.'

'This is my preface. Lily motivated my killing intent. I'd be deadbeat soon after we enter an inn at least.'

'We've got better places than an inn.'

I shrugged and got up on the carriage Carlisa arranged and asked the coachman to drive to the Eskater duchy. He nodded his head, immediately.

It took a little while but I arrived at the duchy and asked the carriage to be parked under some huge trees. My mind was made-up.

I looked at my hands. They were a little scrawny from practicing my sword skill but they weren't bruised or in pain. I felt grateful for the duchy and here I am taking a leave.

I ran up to my room. Most of the maids were surprised at my sudden arrival but I waved them off. I quickly changed my glamourous dress to a comfortable one.

I took out the letter that I wrote to Mum and Father along with everyone in the estate and walked to the dining room. I was careful to not mention a fixed date regarding my return.

The head butler was cleaning up the dining table for the night. He greeted me with a pleasant smile and I copied him.

"Today, you will be receiving very good news. Look forward to it! And I have a request to make." I chirped, bluntly.

"Oh my lady, you have no reason to make a request to an old butler like me." He answered modestly.

"I have an urgent matter to attend to and if you may, please give this to the family when they arrive." I subdued the bile in my throat.

"Huh? I don't understand, my lady?"

"You don't have to try to understand, really, just make sure they receive this. And one more thing, thank you for taking care of me for all these years. I am truly grateful! I'm sorry that I was never upfront but I hope I'm changing for the good." My mouth moved on it own in the last part and I wondered if that was 'Rose' speaking.

"My lady, what are you saying?" He asked me epically confused.

I bowed to him and handed him a red jewel that I made infusing a little bit of my dark energy the other day.

The wearer will be protected by any danger at all costs. I even put a few of them on each of the letters I wrote. I had already handed one to Carlisa long ago and she admired it.

"I'm actually leaving for a while. I wasn't planning on telling anyone but your face makes it harder... Me being here will only be a burden and threat from today onwards. I have to fix that so I will have to leave here, temporarily. Please stay safe and take care of my family."

"M-my lady, why are you leaving? T-there is no reason for you to...The duke holds the most authority among nobles. There is no way anyone would ever plan on rebelling or harming you."

"It's not myself that I'm worried about but you all. Please, don't hold me back. You know more than anyone that I'm stubborn."

"My lady---" I summoned the dark energy, interrupting the butler, to teleport and in turn to show the dangers of me staying here.

I saw the butler's face finally understanding my previous words before my body diminished from the dining room.

It took me to the carriage under the trees. I got on it and asked the coachman to drive me to the outskirts of the capital. He nodded again. I took one last look at the duchy.

Memories since I reincarnated here flashed through my mind. As my final farewell, I whispered leaning out the window. My eyes stared at the huge castle.

"I'll be back soon."

Hello everyone!

So, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I just wanted to wish it again. Anyway, thank you for reading! What did you think about the story so far? Was the smirk Lily's true nature? And I have a feeling the Rose is going to come out invincible. Stay tuned and feel free to leave a vote. Happy reading! Stay safe everyone!