Claimed By The Tyrant King

Verity returned from the powder room humming softly under her breath as she walked past the rows of books until she reached the section where she had left Rosalind when she stopped abruptly...

Her eyes landed on the footman. He was adjusting the book in Rosalind’s hand with careful movement... But the way he looked at Rosalind after doing it didn’t feel entirely ordinary.

Verity’s eyes narrowed slightly, watching as he stepped back into place behind and stood still. When his gaze shifted and met hers, she quickly looked away as the brief exchange passed in silence.

They both exchanged slight bows as Verity returned to her seat without comment, although her attention lingered a little longer than usual before she lowered her eyes back to her book.

Rosalind was still asleep, unaware of what was happening around her.

When she finally stirred, her lashes fluttered open and she let out a small yawn as she pushed herself upright. Blinking slowly, she looked around and realized she was still in the library, the tall shelves of books surrounding her like walls. Verity was already back in her seat, and the silence made Rosalind assume she must have been asleep longer than intended.

She quickly wiped her face, a little embarrassed. "Did you sleep well?" She heard verity ask her.

"I guess" Rosalind said as she pressed her lips together. She couldn’t help but ask Verity "Did I sleep long?"

"I don’t think so," Verity replied calmly, lifting her eyes from the page. Her gaze drifted briefly toward the window where the light had begun to shift toward evening. "Its nothing to be ashamed about, Rosalind. Your body probably just needed it."

Rosalind gave a small nod in agreement before she broke the silence, "We should continue reading,"

Verity agreed, and they resumed reading.

But after only a few lines, Rosalind paused.

Her eyes narrowed as she read the page again carefully... This wasn’t the book she remembered holding earlier. Confused, she turned the cover just enough to check it properly.

’Protocols of the Eryndorian Court’

Her brows pulled together.

Was it still the same book?

Sigh... she didn’t even know the book she had been reading before...

’Let’s just continue’ she told herself.

Verity noticed the change in Rosalind’s expression and tilted her head slightly. "Is something wrong?"

Rosalind quickly shook her head, forcing a small smile. "No... I’m fine."

Verity had thought Rosalind would need help with the book as she had been looking confused and Verity had been ready to help. But after Rosalind said she was fine, Verity could only accept the answer without pressing further.

Meanwhile, Rowan remained silent, his expression unreadable as he watched Rosalind continue as if nothing had changed.

****

The next day, everyone was already gathered in the lesson room when Lady Evelina entered with her usual calm elegance and the atmosphere shifted immediately.

Sabine stood first. "Good morning, Lady Evelina. Your black dress looks lovely today." Even though Lady Evelina mostly wore black dresses...

A small smile touched Evelina’s lips before she composed herself again. "Thank you, Sabine. You look presentable as well."

Sabine straightened at once, clearly pleased, casting quick glances around as if to ensure everyone had noticed.

Rosalind barely suppressed an eye roll while Verity remained composed beside her.

"Good morning, girls," Lady Evelina said, clapping her hands once as she moved to the front. They all rose and bowed in response.

When they straightened, her gaze settled immediately on Rosalind. "I believe we’ve already discussed this arrangement," she said lightly.

Rosalind understood at once and without further explanation, Evelina stepped aside and motioned for her to come forward. "The rest of you, take your seats."

Rosalind walked forward, keeping her expression steady despite the tension building in her chest. She could already hear Sabine’s faint snort and her jaw tightened slightly as she ignored it.

Verity, however, gave her a small, encouraging nod.

Rosalind straightened her posture as instructed, hands folding neatly in front of her, "I read about court protocol within the Eryndorian palace," she began, her voice steady but careful, as if she were recalling it rather than performing.

She paused briefly before continuing, "It explained that every movement in the court carries meaning, and rank determines when one may speak, how one should respond, and even how long one is permitted to hold eye contact with someone above their status."

Lady Evelina’s gaze narrowed as she listened, her brows drawing together with each passing second...

Rosalind continued, "It also stated that mistakes in etiquette are not always treated as ignorance, but in some cases, they are interpreted as disrespect depending on who they are directed toward and the situation in which they occur."

"So... understanding court behaviour is not only about manners, but also about knowing consequence and position within the palace structure."

The room fell silent after Rosalind had finished speaking.

Lady Evelina had already prepared herself to hear nonsense along with stammering, but Rosalind spoke well, and even though she did not seem completely sure, she still did more than Evelina had expected.

’Protocols of the Eryndorian Court’, Lady Evelina thought as she realized it was the book Rosalind had spoken from, but she masked her expression and gave nothing away while Rosalind stood there waiting.

Lady Evelina began, "It wasn’t the best... however, you’ve shown that you can catch up, so I suppose the class can proceed."

"Yes, Lady Evelina," Rosalind responded, but there was a slight tick in her jaw.

Verity glanced at Lady Evelina, wondering why she had said that when it was clear Rosalind had done well.

She herself had not expected it because all the books she had given Rosalind were basic and meant to guide her as a starting point, so she would never have guessed that Rosalind had been reading something advanced.

A chill ran down Verity’s spine as she recalled Rowan standing beside Rosalind at the library yesterday, adjusting something in her hand, and the thought crossed her mind... It couldn’t be that the footman had changed the book...

Now that she thought about it, she hadn’t paid attention to the book at all, she had only noticed Rosalind looking confused.

Meanwhile, Rowan said nothing, and Rosalind remained unaware that her ability to give this wonderful presentation was because of him.

Shortly after, Lady Evelina asked Rosalind to take her seat before stepping forward again while the ladies watched her. "Today we will be doing something slightly different from the previous lessons... a short trip to the noble district where you will learn how nobles are expected to behave in public,"

"Without further ado, I believe we are all prepared." she added, her tone shifting as the lesson moved into something more unfamiliar for them.

At the mention of a trip to the noble district, the girls exchanged glances, the idea of leaving the lesson room for outside making the atmosphere shift slightly.

While Rosalind, upon hearing it, felt a small spark of excitement that she quickly tried to hide.

This was the first part of the lesson that truly interested her because it meant she would finally see more of the outside world, and at the same time learn routes that could be useful to her.

She wanted nothing more than to stand up and prepare immediately, but no one in the room seemed to notice the shift in her except her footman.