Chapter 360: Give me a chance

Roselia pov contd

"See i knew it. I just knew it. So when are you bringing your parents to talk about it? No wait, when are you going out with her" she was looking so excited and i was looking so lost.

"Look, the man even likes you in this condition. I am sure even your fellow knights would not be able to recognise you this way. Yet he not only recognised you but also escorted you back safely." she told me wriggling her brows and for the first time in my life i wanted to beat her.

"Hey.. what are you both talking about? And you, did you even ask me if I like you? How did things reach to go out or call family? I have had enough, leave now." I did not want to shout but they both were making me exasperated.

But even after my outburst, the man continued to sit there calmly. 

"I apologize for my lack of knowledge sir Roselia. I am Edward Stanford, I am the  second son of Duke Stanford, the owner of the west estate. We have four towns under us, out of which the town you are in today is mine.

I will not get dukedom, my elder brother, Carl Stanford would be the one who will get the title of duke. But I am the personal knight of his majesty, and I am sure my wife would never have any lack of luxury or I would not force her to leave her work even if it is against the rule of the empire. 

So if you are worried that you would not be a knight anymore. Then do not worry about that. Now the ball is in your court, sir Roselia. Would you like to give me a chance to win your heart?" not even a single word he said was fancy. Yet I felt my heart beat faster. As if he had laid his heart bare in front of me. 

But was I ready for a marriage, for a relationship? I have never thought about it even once before today. 

"I do not know." I replied honestly, but the man just smiled.

"At least you did not say no. If  you ever want to think about it and give me a chance, write a letter to me. I will wait till you get married to someone else." he replied in the same poised manner.

I thought he would go but instead he moved back and sat in front of Marianne.

"Now it is your turn, your highness." 

She nodded her head in reply.

"Are you sure you want to tell her, Marianne? We are not bound to reply to him.`` I told her with uncertainty. I did not know why but she had always trusted him and his family without any rhyme or reason.

"As you know sir Edward, me and Cassius are having trouble in our relationship. I think it has a certain connection with Isabella and her family. So I have asked her to keep an eye on her and bring some information for me. I know I should not abuse my power as her mistress. But dire conditions need different solutions." she replied, bowing her head to him, surprising me again.

"Well if you think that something is wrong and information is needed then i can help you." 

We both looked at him surprised. 

"But the condition is that sir Roselia would never do this again." 

"You have my words, sir Edward." he nodded satisfactorily.

"I have my colleagues appointed under Marquees Wiltshire. I will request a few to pass me information if they see anything suspicious. Only if there would be something really wrong or illegal then I would pass the information to you."

"Would it not be an infiltration of privacy. It can destroy your career as knight and you could be ripped of your position.'' I could not help but interfere in between.

"Then I would spend time in the development of the town. But I can not see you covered in blood or injured." 

'Was he real? Did he not hear that i have denied him then why was he ready to take so much risk just for keeping me safe'

"I object" I said strongly and Marianne sighed.

"I apologise for including both of you in my personal problems. But you both did not need to do this. I will not put Roselia's life in danger, I promise." she looked at me apologetically.

"Then i shall leave." he stood up and she nodded, 

"Roselia, why don't you escort sir Edward. Take Daulla with you too.'' I sighed as I knew what she was trying to do. Even when the man had not declared his liking towards me, she was trying to match me with him.

I nodded and walked behind the knight.

We walked in silence the whole way until we reached the carriage which Daulla prepared for the man.

"Then, I bid farewell, my lady. Hope we will meet soon." he said, holding my hand and kissing my dirty and painted hands.

"Sir Edward, may I ask you one thing?" I asked hesitantly, but the man nodded with a smile.

Did he ever lose his calm!

"How.. I mean we have only met once. Then how did you start liking me?" His confession was no less than a shock to me.

"I did not like the prim and proper girls who didn't care about anything else except their clothes and show off. I wanted someone like me, who did not care she was covered with mud or dirt or did not think even before laughing. 

And if it's about knowing you, when we met last time did you not tell me everything about you, even the most embarrassing situation of your life." he asked and i did not even know what i was blabbering that day!

"Do not think so much, Roselia. I am not forcing you at all. I am just asking if you ever decide that you want to marry one day, give me a chance to win your heart. If it does not go well then you can deny any moment and I will leave silently." he asked again and before I could think any further I nodded.