Rose sat in front of her dressing table, brushing her hair as she gazed into the mirror. The soft glow of the candles illuminated her face, highlighting the gentle curves of her features. As she worked out a particularly stubborn tangle, she noticed a figure standing behind her.
"Your here," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. She stood up, turning to face Matthias.
Matthias''s eyes blazed with intensity, his jaw clenched in frustration. "Why?" he demanded, his voice low and menacing. "You like him more than me?"
Rose''s hands reached out, cupping Matthias''s face as she shook her head. "I like you more," she said, her voice filled with conviction. "But we''re going to the Capital, and the Crown Prince and the Emperor will notice you if you go there."
Matthias''s eyes narrowed, his face twisted in anger. "I don''t care about that! They won''t notice me because I am different now." he growled, his hands grasping her wrists like a vice. "I care about being with you."
Rose''s heart skipped a beat as she felt a shiver run down her spine. This is the first time, she saw Matthias angry face. She tried to pull her hands away, but Matthias''s grip was too strong.
"I have some business to discuss with noble guests there," she said, her voice a soft murmur. "And if I let you come with me, you''d be noticeable. You looked new to these people and they will ask questions about you."
Matthias''s face contorted in rage, his eyes blazing with fury. "You''re just trying to get rid of me," he snarled, his voice dripping with venom. "You don''t want me around."
Rose''s eyes widened as she realized the danger she was in. Matthias''s grip on her wrists was tightening, his fingers digging into her skin like talons.
"Matthias, please," she whispered, trying to reason with him. "I''m just trying to protect you."
But Matthias''s anger only seemed to grow. His eyes flashed with fury, his face twisted in a snarl.
"I don''t need your protection," he growled, his voice low and menacing. "I need you to be with me, I should be the one protecting you."
Rose''s heart was racing as she realized that Matthias was capable of harming her if she didn''t favor him. She tried to think of a way to calm him down, but her mind was blank.
Just as it seemed like Matthias was about to snap, he suddenly released her wrists and stepped back, his chest heaving with rage.
"I''ll behave," he growled, his eyes still blazing with fury. "But you have to promise me one thing."
Rose''s eyes locked onto his, her heart still racing with fear. "What''s that?" she whispered.
Matthias''s eyes narrowed, his face twisted in a snarl. "You have to promise me that you''ll come back to me," he growled. "And that you''ll never leave me again."
Rose''s heart skipped a beat as she realized the true extent of Matthias''s obsession. She tried to think of a way to escape, but her mind was blank.
"I promise," she whispered, trying to placate him.
Matthias''s eyes flashed with triumph, his face twisted in a cruel smile. "Good," he growled. "I''ll be waiting for you."
As Rose watched him turn and leave, she couldn''t shake the feeling that she was in grave danger. Matthias''s obsession with her was growing by the day, and she had a feeling that he would stop at nothing to keep her by his side.
But even as she felt a shiver run down her spine, she couldn''t help but wonder...what would happen to the rebellion without Matthias? Would they still be able to succeed without his cunning and ruthlessness?
Was she willing to risk everything to keep Matthias by her side?
***
Two days had passed since Rose last saw Matthias, and she couldn''t shake off the feeling of unease. Standing in front of her long mirror, she gazed at her reflection, adorned in a stunning floor-length, strapless evening gown. The delicate, hand-beaded floral patterns sparkled in the light, and the sweetheart-shaped neckline framed her face perfectly. The overall effect was breathtaking, and Rose''s servants couldn''t help but gasp in admiration. The piece of necklace the White Lady gave her gleamed in the light, a reminder of the extraordinary event that had changed her life forever - the day she traveled back in time and received the necklace as a gift.
"You look stunning, Lady Rose," one of the maids complimented, breaking the silence.
Rose smiled lightly, her mind still preoccupied with thoughts of Matthias. "I hope he''s alright," she whispered to herself.
With a gentle nod, Rose signaled her servants to follow her. Together, they walked through the corridor, down the staircase, and finally reached the front door. At the end of the outside staircase, Daimon, Commander Demi, and a few guards on horseback awaited her arrival.
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Commander Demi dismounted his horse and approached Rose, his eyes scanning her attire. "You look stunning, Lady Rose," he repeated the maid''s compliment.
"Let me escort you to the end of our estate, Lady Rose," Commander Demi offered, his expression serious.
Rose nodded graciously, aware of the gravity of the situation. As they prepared to depart for the capital, the weight of her responsibilities and the danger that lay ahead settled upon her.
"From outside the estate, our Lady''s life is in your hands, Daimon," Commander Demi instructed, his voice firm. "Even in the Capital, your priority is Lady Rose."
Daimon''s expression turned resolute. "You can count on me, Commander Demi. I won''t let you down."
With a reassuring smile, Daimon offered his hand to help Rose into the carriage. "Let''s go, Lady Rose."
Rose took his hand, her slender fingers wrapping around his as she stepped into the carriage. Daimon followed, taking his place beside her.
As the carriage began to move, Rose gazed out the window, her thoughts drifting back to Matthias. Where was he now? Was he safe?
Unbeknownst to Rose, Matthias stood hidden in the shadows, watching the scene unfold before him. His eyes narrowed as he gazed at Daimon, his mind racing with thoughts of how to make Rose rely solely on him. He couldn''t bear the thought of her trusting anyone else, especially not Daimon.
"I''ll make sure she needs me, and only me." Matthias whispered to himself, his voice barely audible over the sound of the carriage wheels.
With a silent vow, Matthias turned around, leaving Rose to her journey, unaware of the secrets and plans that swirled in Matthias''s mind.
***
The silence between them was piercing, the only sound of the gentle rocking of the carriage. Since leaving the estate, neither Rose nor Daimon had spoken a word, each lost in their own thoughts. But as the carriage continued on its journey, Rose suddenly broke the silence.
"Have you been to banquets?" she asked, her voice clear and melodious.
Daimon''s eyes snapped towards her, his expression guarded. "Twice, Lady Rose," he replied, his voice measured. "When you hosted a banquet for your engagement to the Crown Prince, and on your 20th birthday. I was on guarding duty inside the guest hall. Anna also taught me proper noble etiquette."
"It was Commander Demi''s request," he added, his eyes never leaving Rose''s face.
R ose''s curiosity was piqued. "I haven''t asked you before, Daimon," she said, her voice softer now. "Where are you from?"
Daimon''s expression turned somber, his eyes clouding over. "I don''t know, Lady Rose," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "All I remember is escaping a burning house as a child. I heard a woman''s screams, but everything else is a blur. As I grew older, I assumed it was my mother''s scream."
Rose''s heart went out to Daimon, her eyes filled with compassion. "That must have been terrifying for you," she said, her voice full of empathy.
Daimon''s eyes dropped, his voice barely audible. "Commander Demi adopted me that day. He saw me escaping the burning house."
Rose''s curiosity got the better of her. "Haven''t you asked Commander Demi what happened that day?" she asked, her voice gentle.
Daimon''s eyes snapped up, his expression guarded. "I-I don''t want to go back to that memory, Lady Rose," he said, his voice firm.
Rose''s heart went out to Daimon, her eyes filled with compassion. She reached out, her hand touching Daimon''s arm. "You''re safe now." she said, her voice soft.
Daimon''s eyes met Rose''s, his expression softening. He reached up, his hand touching the locket that hung around his neck. It was a small, intricately carved silver locket, secured with a delicate chain.
"This has been with me my whole life," Daimon said, his voice low and introspective. "It''s the only thing I have left from my past."
Rose''s eyes widened as she took in the sight of the locket. "What''s inside?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Daimon''s eyes clouded over, his expression hesitant. But then, with a gentle touch, he opened the locket, revealing a small, blue gemstone nestled inside.
"It''s a Painite," Daimon said, his voice filled with a sense of wonder. "A rare blue gemstone. I''ve never seen another like it."
Rose''s eyes met Daimon''s, her expression filled with curiosity and compassion. She reached out, her hand touching the locket, her fingers brushing against Daimon''s.
Daimon''s eyes locked onto Rose''s, his gaze burning with intensity. For a moment, they just looked at each other, the tension between them palpable.
Rose smiled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. When Daimon saw Rose''s genuine smile to him, he suddenly realized that he is loving Rose from the very beginning, with their two different worlds. He is secretly loving her from afar, just by having a glimpse of Rose would satisfy him, and marrying her is too much to ask for the gods.
"Thank you, Lady Rose," Daimon said, his voice low and rough. "Just talking about it...it helps." He said and closed the locket and secured it inside his suit.
"You know," Rose suddenly changed the topic, "if only I wasn''t betrothed to the Crown Prince at a young age, maybe we could have been friends."
Daimon''s heart skipped a beat as he listened to Rose''s words. He felt a surge of hope, a sense that maybe, just maybe, he had a chance with her.
"When I was young, my mother and father didn''t want me to talk to another young noble son or even locals," Rose continued. "It was also the same with the Crown Prince. The two families assured that the Crown Prince and I would rely on each other''s company."
Daimon''s eyes met Rose''s, his expression filled with longing. He couldn''t believe what he was hearing.
"I''ve been eager to talk to you since I was a child," Rose said, her voice filled with sincerity. "I kept asking myself, ''who''s the other young boy roaming around my palace?''"
Rose looked at Daimon, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Maybe this is the right time for us."
Daimon suddenly felt his heart was racing, his pulse pounding in his ears.
"A-Actually, I am also eager to have a conversation with you when I was a kid, Lady Rose," Daimon said, his voice barely above a whisper. "But Commander strictly told me not to talk to the Young Lady. That''s why when I see you passing by, I turn from the other way to avoid conflict."
Rose''s smile faltered, her eyes filled with a deep sadness. But then, she looked at Daimon, her expression softening.
"I''m glad we''re talking now," Rose said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Daimon''s eyes met Rose''s, his gaze burning with intensity. He felt like he was drowning in her eyes, like he was losing himself in their depths. "I am glad, too."