Chapter 22

No way is that...'

"Mathieu?"

"Hm?"

Roesia internally shook her head. She was surprised to see someone who almost had the same features and demeanor as him, and that's why she mistook him for Mathieu.

'Mathy can't be here,' She thought.

The man smiled.

"Mathieu? Did you perhaps mistake me for someone, milady?"

"I apologized," Roesia replied.

"It's alright." The man gestured for her to take a seat on the sofa. "However, I am curious who is this man named Mathieu and why you mistook me for him."

Roesia sat on the sofa and looked at the man standing walking toward her, "I believe that I don't need to answer that, Sir?"

"Nur. I go by the name Nur, Lady Blackwell."

"Right." Roesia nodded. "However, I can tell you who is he, if you are that curious. In exchange, Sir Nur should also give an equal value for it. What do you think?"

Nur was momentarily stunned and suddenly broke into laughter.

"Hahaha! I think I underestimated the lady a bit. Please, forgive me for my rudeness," He said and bowed. "Would you care for a beverage, milady?" asked Nur and took the bell from his table and rang it.

"Honey lemon with mint."

A servant entered the room, and Nur ordered the man to bring the beverage that Roesia requested. He came back quickly carrying a tray with two glasses of honey lemon with tea and a plate of sweets to pair it.

"What can I do for you, lady Blackwell?" asked Nur as soon as the servant left.

Roesia brought the glass to her lips to quench her thirst before putting it back on the table. The minty sweet, and sour cold drink was so refreshing it cleared her mind.

"I want you to gather evidence of Killian and Amira's affair and spread it around before the party of Marchioness," her lips curved slyly, "The more scandalous, the better. Make the public sympathize with me. I don't care how much they cost. Do it by any means you deem necessary."

His eyes gleamed amusingly, "I didn't expect the lady to have a change of heart. It was quite well-known how you favored your fiancé Lord Kaillan and your friend, Lady Amira."

Roesia snorted, "Isn't it obvious? They betrayed me, that's it! Besides, I'm a Blackwell, the daughter of Duke Blackwell, the Kingdom's war hero. I don't think I need to lower myself by associating with filthy garbage like them, don't you think?"

"Indeed. You are right, milady." Nur responded with a laugh. "Then, please expect the result within this week," He said with confidence.

"I look forward to it," Roesia smiled.

She stood up from her seat with a satisfied look after dealing with the head of the information guild.

"It's good doing business with you, Lady Blackwell." Nur extended his hand for a handshake.

"Likewise, mister Nur," Roesia responded, accepting his hand.

Nur looked at the closed door after Roesia left. He didn't expect the sudden change of the sole heir of Duke Blackwell. Nur met Roesia at the imperial ball before, and he could tell that Roesia, was being overshadowed by Count Rowan's daughter. Lady Blackwell is a gorgeous woman. However, it was hard to approach her because of her quiet and distant nature, compared to Lady Rowan, with a bright personality and is great at socializing.

"Interesting..." Nur whispered as he remembered the current Roesia. He likes her confidence and arrogant gait, far from her past demeanor. "I look forward to our next meeting," said Nur, curving his lips into a wry smile.

* * *

Roesia spent her days idly in the mansion and refusing to attend tea parties with the excuse of not feeling well.

"To think that Amira looks like Marianne," She sighed. She remembered when Amira stopped by the mansion to invite her to the commercial district.

Sidereae was so shocked when she saw Amira. Her surprise was also accompanied by emotions such as anger and pain. However, thanks to Krynt's trait of tough mentality that she gained, and Roesia's noble pretense, she managed to compose herself and act naturally. Moreover, Sidereae noticed the discomfort in Amira's voice concealed behind her friendly act toward Roesia.

Grin formed on Roesia's lips. Amira must've heard of the rumors circulating the public. It's the reason why she was so eager to invite Roesia with her in an attempt to disprove the rumors about her and Kaillan.

"Milady!" Garvin called in a worried voice.

"What is it?" She responded, averting her eyes from the book that she was currently reading.

"The duke is calling you to his office."

"Father? Did he tell you why?"

"A rumor has reached the duke's ear. I-it's about Lord Kaillan's affair," Garvin reluctantly replied.

"Alright. I'll go," Roesia said, hiding her smirk.

* * *

The day of Marchioness Mydrede's birthday day party came by quickly. Roesia and her father, Duke Jarvis, arrived at the venue. The party is being held in the enormous garden of the Mydrede mansion showcasing the rare and exotic plants that the Marchioness collected.

"Announcing the arrival of His Excellency Duke Jarvis and Lady Roesia."

The crowd's attention shifted towards them, and the Marchioness quickly welcomed Rosesia and Duke Jarvis, along with her husband, Marquis Llywelyn.

"Happy Birthday, Madame," Roesia greeted with a smile plastered on her face.

"Thank you. I'm glad you came. I heard that you weren't feeling well lately," Madame Rowena said in concern.

"Yes, thankfully, my health improved," she responded.

On the other hand, her father, Duke Jarvis, and Marquis Llywelyn are also talking with each other.

"I see that you've gotten closer to your daughter," Llywelyn said smiling. He's a close friend and a distant relative of Duke Jarvis.

"Hmph."

Llywelyn laughed, "Is that a present from her?" he pointed out while looking at the emerald brooch attached to Jarvis's coat.

"Yes," Jarvis proudly answered with a smirk as if he's bragging about it to Llywelyn.

They were chatting pleasantly when the announcer announced the arrival of the new guests.

"Announcing the arrival of Lord Kaillan and Lady Amira."

"Tch! How shameless," Duke Jarvis's face was painted with displeasure when he saw the newly arrived guests.

The nobles started to whisper to each other while scrutinizing Kaillan, Amira, and Roesia.

"Oh my, I guess the rumors were true seeing that Lord Kaillan escorted Lady Amira instead of his fianceé," The noble lady said while holding a fan to hide her mouth.

"I thought that they were just close friends. However, when the rumor about their affair appeared, I began to see them in a different light. I felt pity toward Lady Blackwell. She's been betrayed by her close friend and fiancé. Tsk, tsk, tsk!" The other lady responded while shaking her head in distaste.

"It must be hard for Lady Blackwell. I'm sure Duke Jarvis won't tolerate this."

Roesia's lips twitched as she tried to suppress her forming smile while silently listening to the nobles' gossip. It was a good decision to make that deal with Nur seeing how well the result turned out.

"Father, I would like to have a little chat with the ladies over there," Roesia said while looking at the ladies who have the same age as her.

"Will you be alright?"

"Yes, father," Roesia answered with a smile.

"Call me if something happens." Duke Jarvis said before letting her daughter go.

Roesia left her father's side and went to mingle with the other ladies when suddenly Amira appeared, interrupting their conversation.

"Roesia! I'm glad to see you here," Amira said with her usual soft and cheerful voice.

"It seems that Lady Amira and Lady Roesia are still close," Lady Helina said, throwing a snide remark.

Amira's brows furrowed, "What do you mean, Lady Helena? Of course, Roesia and I are friends and are like sisters."

"So are you saying that the rumors weren't true?"

"Yes," Amira confidently said. "Whoever made that gossip is trying to destroy my friendship with Roesia and Kaillan. My relationship with Kaillan is nothing but brother and sister.

"Is that so? However, there are photographs of Lady Amira and Kaillan together," Lady Ophelia butted in.

"Those were all fabricated. I'm surprised that you believe those absurdities," Amira refuted, then she turned to Roesia, "I hope you didn't believe those.

She didn't respond to Amira. Instead, she pursed her lips and avoided Amira's gaze.

"Roesia? Don't tell me you believe those rumors?" Amira frowned, but Roesia kept her silence.

"We've been friends for so long! How could you not believe me?" Amira said feeling hurt.

Tears swelled in Roesia's eyes, "You don't have to deny it, Amira," she said in a feeble voice.

"I know that you and Kaillan are secretly seeing each other," Roesia paused as she tried to wipe her tears, "I-It's my fault for not noticing that you two have feelings for each other. I just thought... that Kaillan loves me because he accepted the engagement."

"Oh no, lady Roesia," Helena quickly came over to Roesia's side to comfort her.

"Haha. What are you saying, Roesia? Please stop lying like this? You know that Kaillan treasured you dearly," said Amira while trying to hide her discomfort and crumpled expression.

"Sob, sob, sob. If what you said is true, then why? Why is he prioritizing you over me? When I was sick, he never cared to visit me. Instead, he decided to go out with you. He even chooses to escort you to this party just because you couldn't find a partner."

"Roesia, stop this! It's just a misunderstanding. I didn't know that you felt this way toward my friendship with Kaillan. I'm just a close friend to him."

"Please don't speak anymore, lady Amira," Ophelia said sternly, "I don't know if you are stupid or just pretending to be oblivious. Can't you see that Lady Roesia was hurt because of you!?"

"P-please excuse me," Roesia said and ran off in tears.

"Lady Roesia!" Helena called her, but Roesia didn't stop in her tracks. Then Roesia sneakily drops her crystal necklace that contains the recorded affair of Kaillan and Amira that she previously witnessed.

The artifact activated automatically, revealing a video of Amira and Kaillan having sexual intercourse inside Kaillan's chamber.

The nobles became noisy as they watched the unfolding spectacle in the middle of the gathering.

"What is happening!?" Marchioness Rowena asked as she noticed the commotion. "Oh heavens!" Rowena exclaimed furiously, as she saw the scandalous video.

"Oh no, Madame!" The servant freaked out when she saw the Marchioness nearly fainting, "Quickly, take the Madame to the resting room!"

The glass on Duke Jarvis's hand shattered instantly as he witnessed the disgusting betrayal of her daughter's fiance. He was so furious that he failed to control his murderous intent.

"How dare they!"

Meanwhile, Roesia managed to run off a few meters away from the venue when suddenly Kaillan appeared and forcefully drags her,

"Let go. I said let go, you damn bastard!" Roesia yelled, but Kaillan didn't listen to her. Instead, he tightened his grip on her arm.

"What the hell, Roesia?" Kaillan growled. "What did you tell the duke?"

"What do you mean?"

"Hah! Stop playing innocent. You know what you did!" Kaillan clenched his teeth, "Why did the duke suddenly pull out his investments to my family?"

Roesia's eyes widened. She didn't expect her father cut off his investments to Count Arno without hesitation. Her beautiful emerald eyes bent smugly as her lips formed a crooked smile.

"How could I know? Maybe father thought that he was just wasting his money on your family's subpar businesses. Besides, I didn't know that Arno is so poor that it became so dependent on my family's wealth," Rosia answered with spite as she looked at Kaillan with eyes full of mockery.

"This bitch! After everything I did to you, you dared to mock me like this!"

"Did what?" Roesia asked innocently.

"Ah! Do you mean those fake affections that you showed me? Pfft, how foolish. Do you think you can deceive me forever?" Roesia laughs, "You're trash, my dear Kaillan. I wonder where will they throw a scoundrel like you now that you are broke. And Amira... I wonder if Amira will still stay beside you now that you don't have any money for her lavishness."

"Shut up, you fucking bitch!" Kaillan shouted as he put his hands around Roesia's neck to choke her.

Roesia coughed as it became harder to breathe because of Kaillan's tight grip. However, even while being choked, the mockery and disgust in Roesia's eyes didn't disappear.

It was just a few seconds away before Roesia closes her eyes because of her fading consciousness when suddenly a sword swiftly flew, stabbing Kaillan in the shoulder. His grip loosened as he began to scream in pain.

"AARRGGHHH!"

Roesia was about to fall to the ground when a pair of strong arms caught her, "You look a bit miserable, milady."

She looked up, and saw a man with golden hair looking down at her, "N-N...ur."

Nur smiled when she recognized him.

"Roesia! Roesia, are you alright?" Duke Jarvis, who has a distraught expression, appeared in front of her.

"D-Dad," She responded in a weak and raspy voice.

Jarvis's face darkened as he saw the red mark on Roesia's neck.

"I will kill that son of a bitch. How dare he lay a finger on you!"

He turned to the screaming Kaillan and kicked him in the stomach. Jarvis didn't let go of Kaillan until he made his face into an unrecognizable mess.

Roesia didn't avert her eyes as she watched her father beat Kaillan. She felt a tremendous delight in seeing Kaillan becoming a bloody mess. It was such great satisfaction to see him unable to fight and to see Kaillan curl up and cry in pain every time her father hit him without restraint.

"Ah, this is great," Roesia whispered elatedly.