"Child, no need to run," Lady Delphine said as Rose ca up the stairs, lifting her dress to make it easier to run.
But Rose didn’t stop until she got in front of her, taking the stairs too quickly causing Lady Delphine to wince as she feared Rose might fall. She got to the top of the stairs and curtsied, making Lady Delphine chuckle.
"My lady," Rose said with a smile as she bent her knees.
"Look at you, showing off what I taught you," Lady Delphine replied. Rose stood to her full height and took a step closer. Lady Delphine lifted her hand and lightly touched Rose’s cheek. "How have you been?" Her expression changed from amusent to seriousness.
Rose’s smile faltered for a mont, but she quickly composed herself—though Lady Delphine’s eyes didn’t miss this. The older woman watched her like a hawk.
"Just fine," Rose replied, but it was clear Lady Delphine didn’t believe her.
Her face showed concern, and then her gaze softened and she gave Rose a little smile. "Co join for lunch," she offered.
"I already had lunch but thank you for the offer," Rose replied.
"Who cares? If you’re too full, you can just opt for so snacks and tea instead. I’m sure we can find sothing you’d like."
"Very well, Lady Delphine," Rose replied, smiling back.
"Good, good," Delphine grinned and took a step to the side so she and Rose could walk side by side.
"Es, Kali, bring lunch to my room and bring so snacks for Rose," She called from the top of the stairs to the girls who were still downstairs. Rose noticed Thomas walking to the stairway.
"Yes, my lady," Es and Kali said simultaneously.
"Co," Lady Delphine said and slid her arm around Rose’s, gripping her through the coat.
Inside was warr, but Rose didn’t see the need to take off the coat just yet. Besides, if she returned it to the owner, there was a high chance she wouldn’t get it back—and she would certainly need it then.
As they walked, Rose could hear footsteps behind them. She glanced back and t eyes with Thomas. She smiled, hoping her expression didn’t give anything away, before she turned and continued with Lady Delphine.
"So how was that dance?" Lady Delphine asked.
"Dance?" Rose frowned at the sudden question as she struggled to figure out what Lady Delphine was talking about.
"The ball. The dance with the crown prince," she further explained.
Rose turned to look at Lady Delphine with wide eyes. "You saw that? I thought you left."
"And missed the chance to see you dance? Not a chance. I stayed till the end—and you did dance very well, might I add."
"Thank you," Rose smiled stiffly, recalling how that also got her in trouble. "Did you get ho fine?" Rose asked.
"Yes. As soon as you finished dancing, I left with Slade. And if you’re worried about the Lord, he didn’t bother anymore."
Rose already knew this; he was too unconscious to. She wondered if Lady Delphine knew this, but she didn’t want to discuss Lord Elrod further, as she knew it made Lady Delphine uncomfortable.
"I haven’t forgotten any of the things you taught ," she said, changing the subject.
"I can see that," Lady Delphine said with a smile as they got to her room.
They walked in, and Thomas attempted to go in with them. Lady Delphine blocked his path with her body, and he had no option but to step back.
"Just what are you doing, Lord Thomas?"
Thomas glared at her. "I am not to let Rose out of my sight. His Highness’s orders."
"That’s why you’ll stay behind the door, where you can see where she went in," Lady Delphine replied.
"Absolutely not," Thomas said stubbornly. "She must be in my sight at all tis."
"I won’t let a man enter my private quarters," Lady Delphine said.
"Then you can have your lunch outside!" Thomas stated.
"Absolutely not," Lady Delphine stated, throwing his words at him. "I always have all my als here, and Rose has joined during altis several tis. I won’t change that because you disagree. Besides, what are you trying to insinuate? That I would betray the crown prince? Did you forget the part where I found her and brought her to His Highness? Or perhaps you have so other ulterior motives, and you’re simply using the crown prince as an excuse?"
Thomas was fuming as she spoke, and he looked ready to attack at any given ti. But at Lady Delphine’s last question, Thomas was visibly taken aback. It didn’t help that Rose covered her face with her palm as she tried to stifle a giggle—and failed woefully.
"No, that’s not it. Of course not," Thomas tried to say, but the more he spoke, the guiltier he seed.
Rose whispered sothing to Lady Delphine, and the older woman laughed. He didn’t hear what she said, but sothing told him it might have sothing to do with what one of the courtesans had said earlier.
It annoyed him to no end—especially when Rose seed amused about it. He didn’t get why it was so embarrassing, and that pissed him off even more.
"Any funny business and you’ll have to deal with!" Thomas said and slamd the door.
Rose looked at Lady Delphine in disbelief. "I can’t believe you were able to do that. He is as stubborn as a mule."
Lady Delphine laughed. She had noticed how stiff Rose got against her arm when Thomas said he was going to co in with them. She had also seen her smile falter every now and then. Sothing told her this was not just a visit.
"Have a seat," Lady Delphine said, pointing to the opposite chair as she sat down.
"Now, what is this about?" Lady Delphine asked once Rose was comfortably seated.
Rose’s eyes widened in slight surprise, but it wasn’t completely unexpected that Lady Delphine noticed. "I can’t hide anything from you, can I?"
Lady Delphine smiled. "I wouldn’t say that, but this isn’t just a visit, is it?"
Rose slowly shook her head.
Lady Delphine’s expression soured. "What’s wrong?"
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