Chapter 30: Rosella

"So the perfume was meant to create an allergy," I nodded my head.

"You did good, Norma. Have you taken care of the pie too," I asked again if someone tasted the pie things may get complicated.

"Yes, your highness. I threw it into the dustbin," replied Norma with a nod.

"Good, that's for you,'' I replied, giving her pearl earrings.

Her eyes gleamed looking at the earrings, as she bowed taking them.

"Now you can leave too, I would like to rest," I responded leaning on the sofa.

She nodded, bowing she left the room.

'So you intentionally gave me the perfume which would create itching all over my body, very well. Since you are so thoughtful towards me, I shall return the favour soon.' I stood up and walked towards my bedside drawer and took out the parchment of papers.

These are the same papers I had prepared the day I came back to life. It has the steps written, on how to improve my life this time.

My next goal was to get permission from his majesty to get my inheritance back.

'Isabella is just the start, Cassius, soon I will reach you.'

Finally, after a very tiring day, I laid on my bed with a smile.

As the morning rays bounced in every corner and the fresh smell of roses filled the room. I opened my eyes looking at the same silver web structure on the ceiling.

But God knows why today it was looking less complicated. Just like my life which was slowly sorting out.

"Your highness" I heard daisy the new main walking in and addressing me.

"Yes," I asked, still lying there in a hazy state.

"Your highness, lady Rosella is here. She is requesting an audience." she notified me, bowing her head.

All the haziness of my mind left my body when I heard that, I sat with a start.

"Penny, ask her to sit in the parlour and serve her with the best tea and chocolate cake."

"Daisy prepare my bath, hurry"

"Yes, your highness" they both bowed and sprinted from there.

Standing up, I walked towards the window. Looking at the bright sun I smiled, 'Rosella, the one person who stood by me, even when I was wrong. I wonder how things would be in this lifetime.'

Quickly taking a bath and wearing a simple peach gown, I walked towards the parlour in hurried footsteps.

There she was sitting in a proper knight uniform. She was invariably beautiful in her armour instead of the dresses she usually wore.

Hearing the footsteps, Rosella, turned and looked at me. I saw the glee in her eyes, but next her face turned calm as she became aware of my position now, and greeted me with the manners of a knight

"Your highness's servant, Rosella Warrington greets you."

"Sir Rosella, please rise," I spoke following her tune.

It was still awkward to speak this way with her, as I only wanted to hug and apologise with her but we have no choice.

There were many other knights standing there, and I had to manage my image as a haughty duchess.

"These are the two knights, sir Blake and sir Cian, that would serve you this year, your highness. As you wished, we had added sir Rosella among them."

I nodded my head, "thank you, sir Simon, I know I can trust you."

"It's only my job, your highness. Tell me if I could serve you in any other way," he said in a stoic commandant voice.

"No sir Simon, that is more than enough. I would expect both of them to follow me and lord Killian tomorrow to the royal tea party.

But for now, since I am going to stay in the palace, only sir Rosella is fine." I stated indirectly, asking them to leave us alone.

He looked at me and then Rosella, rather reluctant to leave me with only one night but we both nodded giving him assurance. At last, he nodded and left the parlour room with two other knights following him.

Only then did Rosella let out a breath of relief, she looked at me and smiled, "you became more beautiful this year."

"What are you saying, it's you who had turned more stunning in this armour.'' I looked at her as if I had seen her after a lifetime.

She averted her gaze from me and looked around, as the maids were standing in every corner, she whispered, "Ah, it's awkward. I don't know when this will begin to work"

My eyes welled, as I heard the same words she had said in the past. That time instead of supporting her in adjusting, I reprimanded her for not being able to handle her work well. Yet like a fool, she supported me in everything.

Her eyes widened as she looked at me, "what happened Marianne... I mean your highness." she corrected her words in haste, afraid of getting chastised.

I shook my head, blinking my eyes, "just missed home," wiping my eyes. I continued "Of course it's awkward because it's the first time. But we will get used to it in time. And when we are alone, please treat me the same. I am forgetting how to stay informally here. This place is nothing but a beautiful cage."

My last words hurt her, I could see the pity in her eyes, which I had always used in the past for my benefits. She cleared her throat and spoke in a cheery voice, "don't kill me later because I am being impolite then" with that, she hugged me.