NIGHTS OF HALLOW

Perdita’s face was still looking flushed as she tried to control the thoughts that swirled in her head.

By the time Perdita and the maid reached the room which Lady Rosamonda was in, Perdita managed to get a hold of herself. The thoughts Sthena had initiated in her mind were replaced by questions of why Lady Rosamonda wanted to see her.

The maid knocked on the door once and announced their arrival, and they heard Lady Rosamonda allowing them in.

The maid opened the door and walked in and was followed by Perdita.

”My Lady,” The maid bowed. ”I brought the Lady as you instructed.”

”Hm,” Lady Rosamonda waved her hand, dismissing the maid while she and Perdita were left in the room.

Perdita stood still watching the woman who had called her with a cup of blood tea in her left hand.

Lady Rosamonda took a sip from her drink and used her hand to push her black long hair behind her shoulders. Her face and the skin not covered by her clothe looked smooth and soft. It was no doubt she was a beautiful woman, but her beauty couldn’t cover the scorn and malicious intent that glinted in her dark red eyes that turned to look at Perdita.

”Have a seat,” Lady Rosamonda said to Perdita and continued to drink the blood tea.

Without a word of thank you or bowing of her head, Perdita sat gracefully and stared at Lady Rosamonda while waiting for her to start speaking.

Lady Rosamonda’s lips pursed in displeasure, but she didn’t voice it out at the way Perdita rudely sat down.

She finished her blood tea and sat upright with her chin raised in arrogance before she began to speak.

”I see the rumor of you being the King’s woman is true after all, for you and your brother to share the table with the royal family members.”

Perdita did not reply or made an attempt to correct her. She just stared at her with a disinterested look that was masked by the coldness of her face.

Some seconds passed and Lady Rosamonda did not hear Perdita’s reply. This made the displeased look on her face turn more sour.

”Are you not going to say anything?” Lady Rosamonda asked between clenched teeth.

Perdita’s lips stretched into a small that widened as she spoke, ”There’s nothing to comment on what you said. It is obvious that I’ve made a huge impact in the castle since I came here, and I know you couldn’t agree more with it. Hm?”

The glare from Lady Rosamonda turned more hostile seeing the smile and the way Perdita spoke. She snorted and responded, ”I guess I’ll agree with you on this.”

”Of course,” Perdita chuckled. ”The truth always speaks for itself.”

”I see you’re also sharped mouth like him.” Lady Rosamonda leaned her back on the couch she sat on.

”Sharped mouth?” Perdita questioned back in confusion. She touched her lips and muttered, ”I didn’t know my mouth was sharp. I think I’ll have to check this in the mirror.”

Though her voice sounded low as if she was talking to herself, Lady Rosamonda clearly heard all she said making her more furious.

”What do you want?” Lady Rosamonda suddenly asked, subtly diving into why she had called Perdita.

”What do I want?” Perdita questioned back in confusion. ”Are you planning to spend some of your gold coins on me?” She taunted with a smile.

”Oh,” Perdita waved her hand and continued to speak, ”You don’t have to be so generous. I know you have always been a kind-hearted woman who thinks about others. If you’re asking how much I need, I need quite a lot.”

Perdita exhaled with a thoughtful look on her face, ”You see, the village where I come from is quite poor with substandard living conditions. It would so appreciative of you if you would lend your generous hand to the villagers.”

Perdita didn’t hide the fact she came from a poor background from Lady Rosamonda. She had said it for one reason which she knew was why Lady Rosamonda had called her.

”I am not talking about your village, Lady.” Rosamonda’s voice sounded more confident now she heard that Perdita was not from any high-class family.

It would have been hard for her to do what she wanted if Perdita was the daughter of some minister or was from a very influential family.

She saw the oblivious look on Perdita’s face and continued to explain, ”What I meant was, how much do you need to leave this place? I’ll give you any amount you want. You just have to say it.”

The smile on Perdita’s face flattered. She asked, ”Is this some trick, Lady Rosamonda?”

”I do not waste my time on something useless. What do you say?”

Perdita smiled and rubbed her jaw. ”I cannot deny that your proposal is not tempting. Do you have a million gold coins?” Perdita asked in a hushed tone and waved her hand in dismissal with a small laugh.

”Of course not, I don’t think you have up to that amount being the mother of the Prince only.” Perdita took another jab at Rosamonda with an oblivious look as if she didn’t know the meaning behind her words.

”You!” Lady Rosamonda raised her right gloved hand in an attempt to hit Perdita.

Perdita slightly shifted backward and at the same time, her eyes fell on the dark-colored hand of Rosamonda that was not completely covered by the glove.

She averted her gaze, but from the corner of her eyes, she saw Rosamonda slowly lowering her hand.

Perdita cooly questioned Lady Rosamonda in fake sadness. ”Oh my. Please forgive my rude self, Lady Rosamonda. I forgot to ask how your hand is.”

”Ah, I see you’ve covered it with a glove. Honestly, that was the first time for me to witness someone’s hand being frozen in the air. That was so magical. But I hope it didn’t hurt you like it appeared that day?”

Though the question of Perdita came out to be concerning, she was subtly telling Rosamonda what will happen if she dared touch her again.

And just like how Perdita expected, Lady Rosamonda swiftly lowered her hand with a glare.

Perdita knew she was taking advantage of the rumor of being Sthena’s woman to speak as she did with Lady Rosamonda. Taking the privilege also meant she was inviting trouble to herself. But no matter what she did, this stepfamily of Sthena wouldn’t leave her alone.

”Lady Rosamonda,” Perdita gently called, ”Why do you want to give me money?”

”To leave the castle.” Lady Rosamonda spat. ”Go far away, this is not the life for you and your brother young lady. It will be best if you left the...”

”The king?” Perdita completed her statement. ”Wouldn’t that cause you and I more trouble, Lady Rosamonda?”

”You will face more trouble if you continue to stay here,” Rosamonda warned. Her voice was hard as it could be.

”Oh.” Perdita nodded. ”I thought the castle had always been secure. Don’t worry, Lady Rosamonda, I’ll think about your offer and also relay to the king that you said the castle is not safe. Perhaps he would add more security?”

”I don’t know if you’re acting dumb or was born stupid. Every reasonable Lady would grab this opportunity to live a comfortable life, yet you want to stay where you can be easily eliminated.” Lady Rosamonda chuckled like she said something funny.

”I’ll keep what you said in mind, in case in the future I would want to run, I hope you will still give me half of your earnings?”

”I have to go now, Lady Rosamonda. Please be careful, your hand is still in a delicate state. Also, help me greet Prince Regan when you visit him in the cell.”

Perdita stood up and gave a small bow to Lady Rosamonda who looked as if she would burst into flames because of the rage boiling inside her.

”Don’t say I didn’t warn you, young lady.” Rosamonda spat before Perdita finally stepped out of the tea room.