The Villainess's Secret Bedroom Service
Chapter 91: A New Adventure?

Chapter 91: A New Adventure?

Rosalie gazed up at the Duke’s face, and a subtle change overcame his features. A deep crease etched between his furrowed black eyebrows, and his formidable fists clenched, trembling with a surge of emotions that remained a mystery. Despite his evident distress, Damien stood unwavering, his luminous golden eyes locked onto the enigmatic figure ahead.

Laith, too, remained in a state of immobility, her black left boot tapping nervously against the ground, as though she anticipated someone’s arrival. Finally, another tall figure materialized beside her, as if emerging from the shadows themselves. This newcomer was garbed in a simple black attire, concealed beneath a large black hood that shrouded his head. A silver sword hilt discreetly peeked out from beneath his flowing cloak.

The newly arrived individual remained an enigma to both Damien and Rosalie until a lengthy strand of silver hair slipped from beneath the black hood and this unexpected revelation instantly exposed the person’s concealed identity.

"Felix?!"

Lady Ashter couldn’t contain her astonishment, her hands briefly covering her mouth in an attempt to stifle the unintentionally loud exclamation that had escaped her lips. In reaction to the young woman’s outburst, Damien finally turned his gaze toward Rosalie. His countenance retained an air of bewilderment, yet his eyes bore a faint glimmer of subtle disappointment.

Initially, Rosalie struggled to grasp the full weight of the Duke’s reaction. However, it did not take long for a profound realization to dawn upon her – Laith was Damien’s unwavering shadow, a devoted servant who had pledged her life to him, obediently executing every order without question and her presence in the Capital without express permission from the Grand Duke was a rarity, if not a breach of protocol.

As Damien’s discontent became increasingly evident, it was clear that Laith was not adhering to his directives. Adding to the intrigue, she was accompanied by none other than Felix Howyer, Damien’s trusted aide. This was a surprising turn of events, as Felix, at least as far as "Acme Fever" readers knew, had never been associated with swordsmanship skills.

The two of them began to move, prompting Damien to take a step forward as well. However, he quickly halted, a reminder of his fiancée’s presence sinking in. He cast a somewhat bewildered, vacant look in her direction as his mind grappled with the dilemma of his next actions. It was Rosalie who decided to assist him in resolving this internal conflict.

Stepping boldly forward, she positioned herself alongside the Duke and firmly grasped the sleeve of his uniform jacket. With unwavering determination in her voice, she inquired,

"Should we follow them, Your Grace?"

Damien’s eyes widened, seemingly taken aback by her suggestion.

"You want to follow them with me? Why would you do that, Lady Rosalie?"

Lady Ashter squinted at him, regarding him as if he were missing something obvious.

"What do you mean, ’why’? What other choice do I have? Come on, let’s follow them, or we will lose them!"

Rosalie urged, her grip on Damien’s sleeve firm.

Leading him forward, Rosalie’s determination left Damien momentarily speechless, though his concern still managed to break through his slightly parted lips,

"Hold on, Lady Rosalie, it could be dangerous! I cannot simply let you get involved in this."

Undeterred, Rosalie shrugged her shoulders as she continued her brisk pace.

"So what? Are you suggesting I stay here alone, on this deserted street, at night? If you are thinking of calling for Sir Logan, we will lose sight of them. I am with you, Your Grace; I believe I will manage just fine, no matter what!"

As Lady Ashter spoke those resolute words, an unexpected sense of relief washed over the Duke. It was not just Rosalie’s unwavering trust that touched his heart, but also the revelation of a side of her he had never before witnessed – a bold and adventurous facet that set her apart, making her shine even brighter in his eyes. He could not help but wonder if he were the first to uncover this hidden aspect of her character.

With a subtle yet contented smile curving his lips, Damien gently released his sleeve from her grasp, intertwining his fingers with hers as he took the lead in their unfolding adventure.

As they discreetly trailed Laith and Felix through the Capital’s shadowy alleyways, Rosalie could not help but experience a mix of fascination and unease. The once lively streets, now deserted, exuded an eerie silence, intensified by the faint yellow glow emanating from towering lampposts. These feeble lights added an extra layer of mystery to the city’s darkness, casting long, twisting shadows on the pavement, resembling enchanted serpents in their sinuous movements.

The farther they ventured, the deeper they delved into the inky blackness, each new street seeming even darker than the previous, leaving Rosalie to ponder whether Laith and Felix were conceiving something rather audacious, hidden from prying eyes.

"Your Grace, do you have any idea where they might be headed?"

Rosalie’s quiet voice brushed gently against Damien’s ears, barely above a whisper.

In a similarly hushed tone, he responded,

"These alleyways lead to the restricted area... Viscount Kaylen is the owner of those derelict buildings, but there should not be anything of note there."

Rosalie returned her gaze to the path ahead, her thoughts now occupied by the unfamiliar name.

’Viscount Kaylen? That name never surfaced in the novel. I wonder who he is.’

While Rosalie was immersed in her own thoughts, Laith and Felix abruptly halted in front of an ancient, half-demolished stone building that resembled a fractured tower. A narrow metal door, serving as its entrance, beckoned them. Without a moment’s hesitation, Laith skillfully manipulated the small lock with the slender blade of her knife, producing a distinct clicking sound as it surrendered to her efforts. She then vanished into the shadows of the tower, her movements stealthy, and Felix followed after her with quiet precision.

Rosalie turned her gaze to Damien, who was doing the same, his eyes scanning her face with a hint of anxiety, as if seeking even the faintest trace of panic or fear. To his immense relief, he found none.

With a firm nod of affirmation, Damien tightened his grip on Rosalie’s hand and led her after the enigmatic duo, venturing deeper into the unfathomable darkness that lay ahead.