Chapter 316 - Sleeping belle
Scarlett sat in her quarters, Arlene’s journal resting on her lap, slowly flipping through its pages. A knock at the door pulled her from her quiet reverie. She lifted her gaze, her hand pausing mid-turn.
She had settled most matters for the evening, so she wasn’t sure who it was.
“Enter,” she said.
The door creaked open, and a freckled face framed by waves of brown curls peeked inside. “Why, hello there. I heard a rumour about a paragon of imperious sophistication roaming around these parts. You wouldn’t happen to know where I might find her?”
“Rosa?” Scarlett asked, a flicker of surprise entering her tone.
“That’s what they call me,” the bard replied, with an expression that was far too serious to be genuine. “Apparently, it’s what people refer to as a ‘name’.”
“I thought you were still asleep.”
“‘Was’ being the operative word there.” Rosa stepped fully into the room, her movements light but deliberate, as though she were testing her own balance. “I woke up just a bit ago feeling like I’d danced the Moonveil Minuet with Lord Sleep himself. Imagine my surprise when I found out I’ve been unconscious for three whole days! Naturally, I assumed you might be worried sick without me, so I asked Allyssa where you were hiding.”
A frown appeared on Scarlett’s brow. “You only just awoke, and you are already wandering about on your own? Have you no regard for your condition?”
Rosa waved a dismissive hand. “Bah, what’s the worst that could happen?”
“You die,” Scarlett said flatly.
Rosa blinked, her eyes widening as if the thought genuinely hadn’t occurred to her. “Wait, really?” She stared at Scarlett in mock horror. A grin soon replaced her expression, though, followed by a light chuckle. “No, I’m just fine, Red. Trust me. I know my body better than anyone, and right now, I’m as fit as a well-loved but still-kicking fiddle.”