The Villainess's Secret Bedroom Service
Chapter 96: A Ruined Face

Chapter 96: A Ruined Face

Laith took another step closer to the lady and politely inquired once more,

"My Lady, could we have a brief conversation, just the two of us?"

Rosalie hesitated, her gaze briefly flickering back toward the guest room door. She had promised Illai a swift return, so this unexpected interruption unsettled her, stirring up her anxiety. She did not want to jeopardize the trust the boy had in her word so soon.

Sensing Rosalie’s inner conflict, Laith endeavored to provide her with much-needed reassurance,

"Please, Lady Rosalie, I will not occupy much of your time. I would greatly appreciate it if you could spare a moment for me, just this once."

Lady Ashter could not overlook such an imploring tone, especially considering that Laith was not one to initiate such encounters. It carried an air of uncertainty yet held a certain intriguing allure that never failed to appeal to the girl’s hidden curiosity.

"Very well. Let us relocate to a more secluded setting, then."

Laith led Rosalie to the mansion’s library balcony, where they were enveloped by the elegant opulence of the resting estate. With a careful, almost hesitant manner, Laith closed the towering glass door, still maintaining a respectful distance from the lady. Although they were entirely alone and time pressed upon them, Laith found herself grappling with the words that had consumed her thoughts.

Finally, after a steadying breath and a subtle adjustment of her large black hood, she prepared herself for what seemed to be a daunting task and began to speak,

"Lady Rosalie, I wish to convey my deepest gratitude for the care you have bestowed upon the young child we rescued last night. Your unwavering dedication to all you undertake is truly commendable, and for this, I shall remain forever indebted."

Positioning herself squarely before Lady Aster, Laith executed an elegant bow, and continued,

"I acknowledge that I may be traversing a delicate boundary here, but given the uncertainty of His Grace’s decision regarding the boy’s future, I find it imperative to assert that this child simply cannot be left to his own devices. His prospects lie in shambles, and regardless of where his path may lead, his journey will be fraught with hardships unlike those faced by most."

Rosalie regarded the young woman with a perplexed gaze, utterly confounded by the somber words that had been spoken, words that had yet to reveal their full meaning.

"What do you mean? Why would you say that?"

With a reluctant hesitation, Laith’s gloved hands moved tentatively toward her face, as if contemplating a sudden change of heart regarding her forthcoming actions. Then, with another deep breath, she slowly unveiled herself from the encompassing shroud of her sizable black hood, and lowered the black mask, revealing her entire face. Revealing the same long pinkish scar carved across her youthful face.

Lady Ashter’s eyes widened, for Laith’s appearance had never been depicted in the narratives of the novel, nor had she ever unveiled her face to anyone save for Damien and Felix, following her salvation from the brutal confines of the gladiatorial arena.

She had not anticipated being taken aback by Laith’s appearance, yet the undeniable truth remained – Laith was a vision of beauty. Her chestnut hair, trimmed short and straight, elegantly framed her face, meticulously tucked behind her ears, forming a captivating contrast against her lightly bronzed complexion. Her eyes, substantial and dark, bore a subtle umber luminescence, their depths illuminated whenever the caress of sunlight graced upon them. Even though her skin bore the enduring mark of a long scar, it was effortlessly overshadowed by the beguiling radiance of her unique, youthful features.

As Rosalie found herself entranced by the girl’s striking countenance, Laith, possibly feeling a touch of embarrassment under the lady’s prolonged, scrutinizing gaze, awkwardly averted her own eyes and modestly lowered her head. She continued to speak, her voice carrying a faint note of timidity,

"A scar upon one’s face is not a mere brand; it serves as a poignant reminder that even when one manages to elude a wretched destiny, there often remains a stark limit to what someone in such circumstances can aspire to achieve. A marred countenance can spell an uncertain future for a child. I, more than most, am intimately acquainted with this truth."

Still reeling from the cascade of revelations that had unfolded so early in the morning, Lady Ashter found herself momentarily rendered speechless. Her racing thoughts returned to the pages of "Acme Fever," a literary work that had never fully exposed the true depths of cruelty that some of its characters endured as part of their daily existence.

To readers, each character, regardless of their significance, existed solely as ink on paper, mere words crafted by the author. Yet, as Lady Ashter had already repeatedly affirmed, these were living souls whose stories extended far beyond the confines of those pages. Such souls were numerous indeed.

’Never before have I asked myself this question, and yet the answer has revealed itself anyway – even as characters, mere products of someone else’s imagination, we must continue our existence beyond the prescribed plotlines. The relentless cruelty of this world never fails to astonish me. Now, as Rosalie Ashter, I find myself thrust into a personal hell designed exclusively for me. This cannot be right. It should not be. This is life, raw and tangible. And I am convinced that we all possess the power to influence it.’

The lady cast yet another compassionate glance toward Laith, and in a sudden transformation, the once formidable and resolute female knight morphed into a lost and solitary twenty-year-old girl, still in search of her rightful place beneath the sun.

’Could it be that all this time, Laith’s unwavering devotion to Damien was merely an endeavor to validate her worth in the eyes of another? A quest to prove that she, too, still deserves to live?’

Rosalie released a brief, melancholic sigh, her head shaking gently in an attempt to dispel the heartrending conclusion that had taken root within her constricting chest. Stepping purposefully closer, she positioned herself right before the girl, locking her gaze with unwavering determination, and finally spoke, her voice and countenance carrying both gravity and a compassionate kindness,

"Laith, what happened to you in your past, along with those of other children, is unequivocally unforgivable. However... I implore you to understand that your life remains untarnished despite the scar upon your face. You need not try to prove your worth on its account."

She momentarily halted, drawing in a deep breath, attempting to quell the impulse to shed unnecessary tears. Her voice quivered with a subtle undertone as she continued,

"This is not your error, nor should you bear the weight of fault. While we cannot undo what has been done, recognize that this scar neither alters nor defines your essence. You are a remarkable individual and a resplendent young woman. I fervently hope that you shall henceforth harbor greater self-assurance in this knowledge."

Laith, swept up in a whirlwind of previously unknown emotions, widened her expressive brown eyes, wearing an authentic expression of bewilderment. In response, Rosalie bestowed upon her a generous, radiant smile, accompanied by a reassuring nod, as she moved forward with her speech,

"I understand that life can, at times, prove profoundly lonely. Thus, if you ever find yourself in need of a confidante, know that you can always turn to me. I promise you that in my company, there shall be no need for concealment or feelings of worthlessness. Furthermore, I shall do all within my power to assist His Grace in ensuring that such an atrocity never stains our world again. You have my unwavering word."

With the initial shock of astonishment dissipating, Laith, too, managed to summon a delicate smile in response to Lady Ashter’s kind sentiments. Then, with a fluid motion of her entire form, she gracefully knelt before Rosalie, carefully taking the lady’s hand into her own, and reverently pressed it to her forehead, much akin to a knight pledging an oath of unwavering loyalty.

"Thank you, Lady Rosalie. Your boundless compassion and unmistakable benevolence will forever reside in my heart. I solemnly vow, here and now, to employ every means at my disposal to ensure that Your Ladyship never encounters hardship as well."

"Oh, my..."

Taken aback by the girl’s unforeseen declaration of loyalty, Lady Ashter momentarily found herself at a loss for words once again. Yet, as her thoughts regrouped, she swiftly aided Laith in rising to her feet, using her bare hands to brush the morning dust from the girl’s knees. A maternal reprimand gleamed in her gaze as she fixed it firmly upon Laith.

"Goodness, Laith! Such theatrics are entirely unnecessary!"

However, rather than cowering under her lady’s earnest reprimand, the girl emitted a gentle chuckle, finally unveiling her long-concealed youthful essence. This display of genuine youthfulness brought forth another affectionate smile to grace Rosalie’s beautiful face.

In the midst of this fleeting moment of shared warmth, Lady Ashter abruptly halted, another revelation taking root within her active mind.

"One moment, Laith. While I can understand your presence at that demolished tower last night, what about Felix? Why was he accompanying you?"

Rosalie’s inquiry promptly erased the smile from the girl’s face. She faltered once more, gathering her tumultuous thoughts, and then redirected her big brown eyes toward her lady as she responded in a subdued tone,

"Felix Howyer does not hail from noble lineage. Much like myself, he spent his formative years in an orphanage, and he... he had a younger sister who was also taken away by Lord Kemmerson. Unfortunately, when the man took me in, she was no longer there."