Chapter 5

>

Rose was sharper and cleverer than I assumed. She played a trick on us and fancied it. Oh, heavens, when did I get so dull?! We were just following her to know her whereabouts and she had already noticed our movements through the path.

What's more worse, was that I hid in a bush with poison ivy. How did I not notice that? The knights would make me a laughing stock if they heard about this contraption. I glanced at Richard who quickly made up a fake excuse which mind you was not effective in the least. It only made Rose question us more. Is this really that pitiful Rose who always avoided my gaze? Or did she hide this personality the whole time?

A rumbling noise from the dense forest interrupted my confusing thoughts. I looked up. The trees started to shook and an envoy of birds flew by from all the habituated oaks. A silence rapidly followed the noise. I turned to Richard who was equally spooked and confused.

Unconsciously, I glanced up at Rose. She had readied herself for defense already. When did I become this slow or was our sister just too fast?

A dark atmosphere invaded the forest, only leaving a few edges of sunlight creeping through the trees. The environment became silent. I pulled out my sword and Richard copied me. I walked forward to get in front of Rose but at that precise moment, a creature pounced at our direction.

>

I saw through my good eye that Robert tried to get in front of me. Trying to be the gentlemen, ho ho! I would have tried to tease him, if it wasn't for the creature who pounced at us. This was by no means any ordinary creature. It would have existed in Greek mythology (that's for sure) but I believe that this was a type of monster that reigned terror in the last event of the novel 'The war'.

To be honest, the writer created that incident to improve the male lead's image but what was one of them doing at the duchy estate. The creature had some amazing fangs that I really did not want on my skin.

Let me demonstrate another example of the gods making my situation even harder. Did they want me to die here?  But, oh no no. Hun, I will not faint with whatever beast you throw at me, I will play with it. I took out my sword confidently.

Let's see how much of an endurance this creature has, shall we? I smirked.

Was it too late to reduce the pressure of my previous statement? The creature seems to have endless energy. I guess that's why they call them 'monsters'.  I clashed my sword about twenty-five times with the creature's horns and only once, cut one of its horns straight off. That may also have riled it up even more.

I can't say that my brothers were helpless, they kept their ground stable. I decided to end it. Dragging this fight on will only make the damage much worse. I tried to come up with a strategy to end this shenanigan when five more monsters materialized out of nowhere.

I heard Richard cursing under his breath. They couldn't get close to me now because they were too occupied. I pointed my sword at a smaller version of the original time-wrecker, panting. This creature didn't seem to want a fight. Ironically, it looked like it was trying to tell something.

I lowered my sword, reducing my guard a little. The ominous energy I felt back at the training grounds occupied me once again. My sword's blade darkened and a black substance wrapped a thin film r on it. In contrast to my fear, I felt myself getting more powerful. Almost as if, the unidentified substance found its rightful place. I breathed in forcefully and let out a relaxed exhale.

The mini-monster was still staring at me, intently. I wonder if it was my imagination but the guy looked like he was really pleased. Right, it was definitely my imagination! How can a silver lined black monster-creature be even called cute?! (Then again, I had weird tastes since the beginning.)

The black blade eloped to a dark purple cover around my sword. The color suited me but the unfamiliar feeling still kept bugging me. The whole mechanism faded when a huge bubble divided the monsters and us. This was definitely Richard's doing. I remembered that he protected Lily, when Rose (*cough * currently me) tried to throw a wine glass at her face in the same way.

The aura disappeared as fast as it came and I felt my body returning back to normal.

"Hey Rose, you all right?" Richard's voice came from afar even though I felt his presence right next to me. I didn't answer at once but when I came back to my senses, I realized that both the brothers were looking at me, quite concerned.

"I am good. What about you guys?" I asked as nonchalantly as possible. In any case, I will be leaving the duchy, so I don't think I'd have to be chummy with them.

"Yes, no injuries. But how did monsters get into the duchy estate?" Robert asked.

"It doesn't matter now. Let's go back" Richard declared for all of us. As much as I want to find out what that earlier feeling was, I knew I should keep a low profile as much as possible in order to execute my plans. I left with them, with one more glance at the forest where I received a carved white smile with two blank eyes from a green bush as an answer.

***

When I heard a carriage is ready for me for an audience with the crown prince, I didn't expect a lavish, luxurious, all synonyms applicable, carriage to be shining outside the gates. Maybe, Rose always used to doll herself up to receive affection from the crown prince. Too bad she failed every time.

True to myself, I wore the most comfortable dress and shoes I found in the wardrobe. Some maids from wardrobe cleaning came and held frilly dresses which were so laced, I almost passed out.

I got onto the carriage in a swift move and sat myself near the window. I looked out at the mansion of the duke. How lovely would Lily feel having all this to herself! But, living in a quiet warm house is better than a mansion with a cold shoulder everywhere you go. Especially, the maids' chilly glares. Even though my previous actions caused them to be more assertive, they still hadn't fully wrap their heads around the respect I deserved. And honestly, I prefer it this way.

***

The castle looked gigantic. Every corner held some sort of statue or garden art just like the museums in my previous life. I walked through the stoned-path the young butler pointed me to meet the prince.

A tea table was set at the foot of three huge mango trees which were facing each other. The Crown Prince was sitting on one chair, head under a book, fully-focused. Once, I passed the entrancing tree, I felt a gaze from somewhere. Most likely from above the tree. Rose's sharp eyes and my (not to brag) adequate understanding (from being a capitalist) made it easy as pie to comprehend the surroundings.

I wondered which rat would spy on me like this, or was it an assassin spying on the prince. Should I tell him?  Maybe after I discuss my business. First come first serve, you know. Though I doubt the spy would get served anything other than death.

"Hello, your highness!" I decided not to be too formal. Why waste my masseter muscles?

He looked up and went back to his book. Wow, this freak show really ignored me?! But then again, original Rose was portrayed as an A-grade nuisance. Even so, I don't feel the need to tell him about the spy on the tree anymore. Since I am at it, I might as well hit the nail on the head and leave.

"Your highness, I came here to annul our engagement."

The Prince mumbled a 'sure, do whatever you want' before realizing what I said. In about three seconds, he got up alarmed causing the book on his hands to drop to the hard ground.

Hello,

This is the author. Ahh, poor book!!! It did nothing wrong! Feel free to comment your thoughts (Not just about the book though ) and leave a vote.

See you all in the next chapter!