Chapter 35

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It's been two weeks since Rose left. I tried my best to calm Alvin down. The guy's totally whipped. Our cunning Rose didn't mention when she's going to come back and so Alvin freaked out.

Somehow, Alvin opened up my eyes that day too. No commoner can achieve a feat like controlling the dark attribute. So, how did Rose snag that?...

Hmmm... I can't just say it was because she reincarnated. Only your mind will travel through dimensions, not the body. So, to answer that question, we are currently riding to the Eskater duchy on horse.

After Rose coming into our lives, Alvin had gotten seriously good at all physical activities. He was riding faster than me and I have to admit defeat for now. We entered through the open gates and got down from our horses.

The head butler escorted us into a exquisite room in the duchy and informed that duke is running a little late. I nodded and looked at Alvin. He had calmed down after a little while but even I could tell that he was giddy to hear anything about Rose.

"I'm sorry for the delay, Crown Princess and Archduke!" Duke Eskater ran into the room.

"Don't fret." I assured the duke.

"Actually, we are here---" Alvin started but was cut off by the duke.

"I know. Rose. There's something that we hadn't known since we returned from the celebration. Some rugged doctor! Ugh! I might as well tell the whole story. Rose has the legitimate blood of the Eskater duchy." The duke continued.

"Pardon?" Alvin coughed while I stared blank.

"Rose is our real daughter. Lily's twin sister. I can't believe that we've been so pathetic since the beginning. If you know, how to contact her, please let me know! I really have to get in touch with her as soon as possible."

"What?! So, you mean Rose has been of noble blood this whole time?" I stood up from my seat.

"Yes." The duke answered. It was now that I began to see the slight disheveled-ness of the duke. His clothes were scrunched and his brows were furrowed. I sat back down in curtesy of my etiquette.

"I wish there was a way to contact Rose. No matter how much we search, it seems as if she has disappeared all together. Even Robert and Richard were restless since the previous weeks." The duke continued on.

"Sir, are there any dark users you have contact to?" Alvin asked.

"Yes. My Aunt Lyra was a dark user but she isn't the most stationary person."

"I don't want to say this, but, I think, no, I know that Rose will comeback and that's why we should sit back for the time being. Of course, we can try all we can but Rose isn't the type of person who would rely on others. All I know is that, she will come back." I talked out loud trusting my best friend instincts.

"I heard that Sir Richard is preparing to ascend as the leader of the mage tower. So, the duchy should focus on that for the time be---" A door flung open. I cursed under my breath. Why can't people just open the door sensibly. Is it so much to ask?

"Daddy, look what I found!" A high-pitched sickly sweet voice busted my ear drums. I didn't even need to turn to look who it was!

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The truth was shocking! I always had a feeling when I was with Rose but I never thought that I'd find out that Rose was a legitimate daughter of the duchy. And ever since, I realized my embarrassing feelings, I can't seem to get Rose out of my mind.

I always wanted to get the upper hand but with Rose that stood impossible. I invited her to duels and even danced with her thinking that she would get flustered, at least a little. She did but so did I!

And so, here I am, at the Eskater duchy, trying to find a clue if I could contact her in someway. I dragged Carlisa with me to save my face. I knew she was busy balancing off secretary and Crown Princess duties, but still.

A door flung open and a radiated figure entered the room and rushed towards the duke. It was Lady Lily.

"Of course, this bish just had to crawl in here." I heard Carlisa uttering under her breath. I always thought that Carlisa was weird for using unknown verbs and nouns in her speech but lately, I realized that Rose also had the same habit.

Maybe it was a best friend thing?

Lady Lily ran towards the duke and shoved a white flower in the duke's face. I think she didn't seem to realize that we were in the room. I coughed and her attention flew towards us.

"Oh my! Prince Alvin, I didn't see you there. You have grown a lot, I see. Always steals the ladies heart, I assume."  Lady Lily smiled at me. A fake one. I could spot one a mile away. I gave her a fake smile back. I hate pretentious nobles and I'm sorry Rose, I don't think I can get along with your twin!

I sent a mind message to her even though I knew she will never hear it.

'She might!' Zag said.

Zag is my spirit guardian or that's what he call himself as. I just think he's an immature ball of fire that likes to play around with me. Even though, I use air attribute, my main element is fire. The very reason that caused me a lot of trouble since I was a baby.

'You can shut up!' I countered back and he laughed.

'If you keep acting like that, who knows when your Rose would get snatched up. She's one of a kind you know.' Zag scolded me in my mind. I slouched at the thought of Rose being engaged to another man.

A clap to my back pulled me out of my thoughts. It was Carlisa.

"Well, we better get going and we look forward to the ceremony held for Sir Richard." Carlisa elbowed me, hard. I bowed and murmured a quick 'thank you'. The duke looked stunned since we were in a rush. I guess Carlisa didn't have much time after all.

We passed a few rooms and Carlisa punched me hard on my arm.

"Ouch! What was that for?" I asked her.

"For you to not space out when we are outside. Seriously, what were you thinking?" She exclaimed and I heard a certain spirit bellowing at me.

"Doesn't matter." I muttered.

"Alvin, wait up!" Robert ran towards us.

"It's Archduke to you." I bragged.

"I don't care. You are still a little kid to me." Robert said and Carlisa snickered. I frowned. It was always like this with Robert and Richard. I'm still that clumsy kid who burnt down half a corridor to them.

"Anyway, I think Richard can find a clue after he ascends so meet us after the ceremony." Robert informed.

"Clue?" Carlisa pondered.

"Yes. If he takes full power, he said we might be able to track her down."

"So, are you doing this because you found out she is your real sister?" Carlisa asked, rudely. She really has no filter!

"No, Of course not! Even if she wasn't my real sister, I still would have searched for her. I'm not some heartless beast, you know!" Robert flared his temper.

I heard Carlisa muttering 'Yeah, right!'. I firmly shook my head at her.

"I believe you. But, I don't think Rose wants us to find her. Don't get me wrong, I do too. But, there are somethings that she declared that she should fix on her own. She did say that she would come back. We just have to trust her." Carlisa ended that heated conversation while Robert absently, nodded.

"We'll take our leave now." I called out to Robert and left with a wave.

Maybe, I should try something on my own.

Hello everyone,

-How was today's chapter? We got the duchy's POV here. And, what do you think will Alvin try to do? Comment and feel free to leave a vote! Happy reading!