Chapter 37: First things First.
Chapter 37: First things First.
" And yet you ended up ultimately failing." Roseline said, sounding disappointed.
" As the son of a baron, I expected you to be more in tune with your fellow nobility, but it would appear that I might’ve overestimated you."
" Where exactly is this conversation going." Osborne said, even more annoyed.
" You’re blaming me for her crimes?!" Osborne yelled and yet the pressure on him increased even more, forcing him down on all fours.
" I’d appreciate it if you watched your tone." Roseline sighed. " The main reason I called you here was to first apologize, and let you know I have no such intentions of interfering with whatever you three have going on."
" "If you have the ability to settle your grievances without creating problems for me or the household, I won’t interfere."
" You’re saying you have no intentions of saying or doing anything about what she’s done so far." Osborne said, his gaze turning even more intense.
" Yes, And I’m aware that the only course of action you’d be satisfied with, would be taking their heads yourself. So let me ask you, if you’re own family ended up tormenting the life of another, would you gladly hand them over to be executed?" She said.
"...." Osborne turned silent, not knowing what to say.
" I believe that answers your questions." Roseline said before the pressure in the room vanished in an instant.
Osborne who was finally free, slowly got back on his feet, his breath a bit rough.
" Then I take it your earlier words still hold." He said. " If I can avenge myself, you won’t interfere."
She merely nodded her head. " Of course you’d have to make sure I don’t catch you using any underhanded means." She added.
Osborne didn’t reply, instead turning around and heading for the door.
" I didn’t say you could leave just yet." Roseline suddenly said.
" What else would you like to say." Osborne turned around and said, still very much unhappy.
" You’re still my husband as the case may be, the fact that one of my sister’s harmed you is still unacceptable, I’ve already dealt with her in my own way, but with that being the case."
" In sight of all the grievances you’ve suffered. I shall grant you one thing you may ask of me."
Osborne turned silent as he thought it over.
While he hated the idea of coming off on her, having her grant one of his requests would really be a big help to him.
" I’ve thought it over." He said.
" And what will it be?" Roseline supported her chin with one hand, waiting to hear what he’d say.
" Grant me permission to roam about as I please, that also includes roaming rights in and outside of the estate..." He said with a straight face.
’ What? That’s what he wants?’ Roseline was intrigued, though her external features didn’t betray a thing.
" And why is it that you wish for that alone."
" You told me earlier that if I wanted justice, I needed to achieve it by myself." Osborne said. " To do that, I need to be unrestricted, to roam about as I please."
’ Well he’s not exactly dumb. It is reasonable.’
" Fine, I’ll grant you that, but on one condition." Roseline said. " You’ll be accompanied by someone outside the estate."
" Afraid I’ll run off?" Osborne sneered.
" Not at all, after all. No matter how far you run, or where..."
" You’ll never be able to escape me." She said matter of fact.
" Since all has been said and done, may I leave now?"
" You’re free to go." Roseline said.
"..!!" Osborne’s pupils constricted when his dagger came flying back at him.
But he was still able to catch it at the last second.
" If that really is the weapon you’ve chosen, then you’ll need to bond with it as soon as possible. Carrying an unbonded weapon isn’t advised."
" Pardon?" Osborne was taken aback by her words.
" Your weapon." Roseline said. " Don’t tell me you didn’t know?" She added.
Seeing him trying to hide his confusion, she let out a helpless sigh.
" In order to gain complete control over it, you need to first bond with it." Roseline explained. " Earlier, you saw how easy it was for me to take it from you. A bonded magical weapon would never leave it’s masters side unless their bond is broken."
" Once you’ve completed the bonding process, you’ll gain full control over it."
" Though some weapons are stubborn when it comes to the bonding process, I take it that’s why you haven’t bonded with yours yet?"
Osborne stared at his dagger in silence, finding it hard to believe.
If what she was saying was right, could it mean that, his dagger wasn’t in fact, cursed?
’ There’s only one way to find out...’ Osborne gritted his teeth.
Swallowing his pride, he looked at Roseline.
" Could you please help me bond with it then."
" Oh?" The edge of her lip subtly curled upwards, she tapped her cheeks gently. " You want my help?"
Osborne felt annoyed, knowing what she was trying to have him do. But with the hope that she might be right.
" Yes... Lady Ro– No... Roseline, would you please help me." Since they were technically spouses, and because he needed her help, he knew referring to her in a distant manner wouldn’t be respectful.
Roseline stared at him in silence for some time.
" Fine..." She said. " I’ll help you."
" Meet me in our chambers in a few hours."
’ Our Chambers?’ Osborne froze for a moment.
" Is something the matter?" Roseline said when she noticed his brief reaction.
" No... Nothing." Osborne replied.
" Then please leave." She said before picking up the book she was reading earlier. " As you can see, I’m currently busy at the moment."
Osborne’s facial muscles twitched in irritation, but he didn’t say a word and complied, leaving her to her study.
*******
" Where is she." Osborne said the moment he reached Guinevere. " Where’s Anny." He said, his voice was unhappy.
He’d already gone to the servants quarters before coming here, and yet, Anny was nowhere to be found.
" It’s good to see that you’re in good health Young master."
" I don’t want your bullshit greeting! Where is my friend!" Osborne’s voice rose for a moment.
Guinevere didn’t seem offended, instead speaking. " I’m afraid she left the estate several weeks ago." She said.