Chapter 216: Is That So?
Rose opened the door gently, contrasting to the turmoil she felt inside. Her face was expressionless, giving nothing away. She brushed some hair away from her face as she opened the door and looked up to see who had knocked.
The knight, Thomas stood only about three feet away from the door. He was dressed impeccably, and his short light brown hair was parted at the side and styled. Rose looked up at him with wide green-hazel eyes.
"Lord T’omas," she said, taking a step closer as she peered at his face, shocked to see him in this manner.
She had seen him the night before at the ball, but she hadn’t paid attention—mostly because he avoided her gaze the entire time. He still wore his usual knight uniform, but something about his appearance seemed different as though he might have dressed for an occasion instead of duty. Rose couldn’t quite put her finger on it.
"Rose," he said curtly, immediately taking a step back, his expression stern, the color on his cheeks disappearing as soon as it had appeared.
It was hard to say if it was because of seeing her or because of the way she called his name. She knew he hated it, and she would often randomly call his name like that.
"What brings you ’ere?" she asked, looking up at his face with a smile. Somehow, seeing his stuck-up expression was comforting and she almost forgot the earlier feeling she had.
He glared down at her, but Rose didn’t back down. She was certain something about him had changed. She didn’t know when, but Thomas wasn’t as hostile as he used to be.
"What are you talking about?" He sounded irritated. "I’m here on the crown prince’s order, by your request!" He glared at her.
Rose’s eyes widened as she realized. "The wedding," she blurted out, a little too excitedly.
She could scarcely believe her ears, even though a part of her couldn’t help but think this was a bad idea. Still, she couldn’t help the excitement. It also meant that the crown prince had given her permission to leave for the wedding.
Rose couldn’t figure out why that made her happy, but when an animal had been caged for a long time, even something as little as this would feel grand. She was not only going into the capital but could freely attend Edna’s wedding.