Chapter 22

Riche was in a purple, elegant dress with white lace and black designs.She had a red carbelian gem attached to the white choker she was wearing. She was wearing a corset, making her thinner than she actually is. 

Originally, I came to confirm if it was her that day because found a bouquet of flowers which the distinct smell of Riche's signature perfume in the trash near by. I did hear some hasty footsteps, attempting to run. I also saw a glimpse of blue locks. 

She looked at me with the familiar attitude Marquis Gorten did.

Hostility. 

She was also very distant before Lariette's execution even if Lariette did nothing wrong.

Riche sighed and got up.

"No, sorry," She massaged her temples. "I'm not in the mood to talk."

'Same, darling.'

"It's alright." I smiled. "I'll visit some other day."

I got up and carefully examined her body language before leaving the room. 

Stiff shoulders, a frown formed by her eyebrows, a look of irritation & nervousness on her eyes and her nervous tapping and scratching of fingers on the table. 

All are signs of hiding something and worrying about it. 

I walked throughout the market, finishing my errands, checking the ledgers and business. 

Then I left for the Imperial Palace and stopped by to get dumplings for Rupert. 

He liked the dumplings I bought on the day of Lehan's entrance ceremony. 

Winter had come before I knew it. 

Ever since the incident with Arnulf, Rue (Rupert) kept ignoring me but became kinder and didn't tell me to fuck off everytime. We got used to each other. 

Both of us turned 15. Rue will the Crown Prince soon. 

Little did I know, I would be bowing down before him, having a gun pointed at my forehead by the one & only Rupert with the dumplings now dirtied from being dropped.

I DIDN'T EVEN DO ANYTHING AND IT ISN'T MY FAULT!