Page 18 of Pawns of Fate
Rose opened her mouth a few times, but ultimately decided not to question it further. She’d run into a handful of shadow magesduring a few of her uncle’s ‘assignments’. The less one knew about them, the better.
After they unpacked, Betty insisted on helping Rose with a bath. Her uncle’s servants had never shown Rose half the attention or care Betty did. She massaged Rose’s shoulders, gently combed her hair, and attended to Rose’s bath as though Rose were at an expensive spa, not simply taking a bath at home. Between the hot water and Betty’s lavish attention, the stress and worries from the morning mostly melted away.
Betty dressed her in a simple blue gown with a fitted white bodice and a hem laced with pearls and white flowers, then showed Rose to one of the smaller dining rooms in the castle. The room was lit with candles and furnished with deep, rich textiles and furniture.
Ava was already seated at the table, next to a silver-haired, tall, broad-shouldered young man that Rose had to assume was her husband, York. Nicholas and Marquess Sharp made their way in shortly after Rose sat down. Servants appeared, carrying plates piled high with delicious food. Rose caught whiffs of roasted beef and honeyed carrots as they set platters along the table. Trays of steaming potatoes and bowls of gravy followed. She’d never smelled such divine food, and hunger pangs hit her. Rose realized that, with everything going on, she hadn’t eaten since breakfast.
“Rose, how are you recovering from this morning’s ordeal? I am sorry that your first impression of Onanish has been so terrible.” Marquess Sharp asked.
“I’m recovering well, my lord,” Rose answered. “You havean exceptionally wonderful staff at this castle.”
The marquess waved a hand at her formality as if he were swatting a tiny gnat.
“Oh, call me ‘father’ or even my first name, Matthew. You’re family now. Well, you will be soon enough. We don’t bother with titles among ourselves, especially when we’re only in front of the dinner staff.”
Matthew motioned to his family seated around the table, indicating they could begin eating. Ava, Rose, Nicholas, and York responded by eagerly helping themselves to the plates of food the servants had carefully prepared.
“Okay… Father.” Rose tried out this new way of addressing the marquess. It felt funny, but not unwelcome. Hector had barely tolerated her calling him ‘uncle’.
“That’s better!” Marquess Sharp smiled with delight as he helped himself to a serving of potatoes. “Did you have the chance to explore the castle? I know it can be overwhelming.”
“Betty showed me a few rooms when she guided me here from my room. I think I’ve seen most of the castle. Hopefully, I won’t get too lost in the coming days.” She popped a bite of sweet bread into her mouth, butter melting over her taste buds. Rose suppressed a moan. The food here was delightful.
“Rose, she only showed you the first floor. You’ve seen about half of the castle.” Nicholas grinned as he sliced a piece of roast beef.
“I got lost for months after coming here,” Ava chimed in, stabbing a potato with her fork. “I still get lost sometimes.”
The whole family laughed at that, then continued to chatter.It was so different from the handful of times she’d dined with her uncle’s family. Robson dinners were… quiet. Rose had always suspected Hector’s selfishness made him a poor husband and father. Watching the Sharps genuinely enjoy each other’s company while remembering how the Robsons couldn’t even maintain a conversation at dinner only served as more evidence to confirm her suspicions.
Nicholas and York playfully argued about whether or not York could take down a fire drake on his own. Ava happily talked with Rose about the castle’s different rooms. Upon learning that Rose was a bibliophile, Ava urged her to explore the extensive libraries—the idea that there was more than one library made Rose’s heart race. Marquess Sharp occasionally added a few lines to either conversation but seemed content to observe most of the time. Before Rose knew it, dinner was over, and the attendants served a light dessert.
“Rose, you must try this tea. I bought it from a tea house in Onanish Town. It tastes even better there.” Ava raised her brows encouragingly, waiting for Rose to take a sip. Rose lifted the cup and tried the warm drink. It was exquisite! Notes of cinnamon and vanilla with a hint of cloves—a unique blend she’d never had before.
“This is delicious,” Rose said, taking another sip. “Perhaps they have an earth or water mage that helps with the brewing process at the tea house. There’s a water mage at Robson Castle who brews an exemplary chamomile tea.”
Ava grinned. “I’d never thought of that! We should visit the tea house tomorrow afternoon. I want to show you aroundOnanish Town!”
“If you’re going to the Red Dragon, I’d like to come with you,” York said. “Nicholas, why don’t you come, too?”
“It could be a double date!” Ava’s face lit up with delight.
Nicholas looked slightly surprised and overwhelmed by Ava’s enthusiasm, but nodded in agreement.
“I’d like to tag along. I want to show my fiancée around Onanish,” he said, then gave Rose a shy smile that could melt stone.
Rose blushed and agreed that a double date to the Red Dragon sounded fun. Inwardly, though, she felt conflicted. How was she supposed to keep her guard when the Sharps wanted her around more than her uncle’s family ever did? It hadn’t been a full day—not even a full meal—and she already felt some affection for this family. Even Nicholas, the man who had blatantly told her she’d be a pawn, was charming her bit by bit.
She’d have to find a way to put the brakes on her feelings, or the walls she wanted so desperately to keep would crumble down, and there would only be heartbreak left in the rubble.
Rose was enjoyingher early breakfast on the terrace the next morning when Nicholas, shirtless, sweaty, and flushed from exercise, walked by. He waved at her, then disappeared into the castle, presumably done with his physical training.
Rose, in an attempt to distract herself from the way her heart raced at the sight of him, turned to Betty, who was cutting up a few strawberries, and asked, “Does Nicholas always train this early?”
York and the other knights were just now on their way to the training grounds, while Nicholas had already finished his exercise for the day.
With admiration, Betty explained, “Lord Nicholas is an early riser. He has the fullest schedule of the whole family. He is responsible for most of the late marchioness’s duties and many duties as the marquess’s heir.”
Betty’s voice was full of respect for both Nicholas and his family. From what Rose had seen, the other servants also had a favorable view of the Sharps. It was a good sign. In the castles Rose had visited, the servants’ opinions said more about the character of the lord they served than most nobles liked to admit.
