"Young Miss, we have been looking for you everywhere!"
As Roselia was about to enter the manor, a tall silhouette walked towards her, it was her father's secretary, "Mr. Noris?"
"Where were you?" He scanned Roselia from head to toe, "And why are you covered in blood?!"
"Ah, shit..." Roselia looked down at herself, cursing under her breath, quickly realizing that parts of her hands and her dress were covered in blood stains.
She had forgotten to wipe the blood away from helping the stranger, not that it would get removed by just a normal wipe-down.
"Oh- this is not my blood, I was assisting an injured guard with my magic." She quickly came up with a lie.
Mr. Noris sighed as he slowly wiped Roselia's hands with a cloth, "Young Miss, your father sent out guards to look for you after hearing about the barrier. Imagine what would've happened if he found out that you were injured. Not only will you be scolded but my job is also on the line."
He's right. Though Roselia's father is primarily kind-hearted towards people, after her mother became bedridden, till this day, he has become overprotective over Roselia's safety.
"Haa...I apologize if I worried you, is my father looking for me?" Roselia slowly released her hands.
"Yes, your father is still in the study, he would like to meet you as soon as possible." Mr. Noris guided Roselia back to the manor.
.
Roselia is back at the study again, though she had only been gone for an hour.
"Sir, I've brought the Young Miss."
As she entered the study, she saw her father walking back and forth frantically. He looked like he was in deep thought.
"Father, you were looking for me?"
"Yes, I heard about the situation with the barrier..." He walked towards Roselia but eventually stopped, "I smell blood, you're not hurt are you?!"
"I was treating one of the patrol guards affected at the barrier, Father."
"As long as you're not hurt, just in case I should call a doctor to check up on you."
"N-No, it's fine Father, I'm not injured at all, see..." Roselia spun to show her father that she was not injured, "And it's too late to call in a doctor for me."
"Alright, but where's Amy? Wasn't she with you during the stroll?" The Duke looked around.
"I-"
"Sir, Amy was not with the Young Miss when I went to pick her up." Mr. Noris cuts in.
"I sent Amy to prepare a bath for me, Father." Roselia couldn't tell her father that Amy was with Leo bringing the stranger into the manor right? He'll be mad so she came up with an excuse.
"If that's the case, you may be dismissed and Noris, I need you to stay." The Duke nodded.
"Yes, Sir."
"Yes, Father. Well then, I won't disturb you." Roselia turned and walked out of the door.
.
The Duke continued to stare at the door after Roselia left, "Noris."
"Yes, Sir?"
"I did not instruct the guards to patrol that close to the barrier." He stated.
"Do you want me to investigate the situation, Sir?"
"Yes. And Kain, you here?"
A man appeared out of thin air and knelt before the Duke. He was wearing full black from head to toe, with a hood and mask to cover his head and face.
"Anything you need, Master?"
"Was there anything that happened around the manor for the past few days?" The Duke questioned, seriously.
"Other than the blood moon and monsters lurking around the area, nothing dangerous happened Master," Kain replied.
"Were you with Roselia when the barrier cracked?"
"With Lady Roselia? No. You've stationed me to fend off the monsters outside the barrier Master." Kain looked up.
"Change of plans, I need you to be near Roselia. Be her shadow, protect her, and report her every move to me. Also, make sure she does not see you." The Duke ordered.
"Yes, Master!"
And with that, the man disappeared without a trace.
.
Roselia left her father's study and quickly walked towards her bedroom. She almost bumped into a few other attendees along the hallway.
As she walked past them, they started to whisper to each other. Roselia did not give much thought to them as her mind was filled with just trying to save the half-breed.
She eventually reached her bedroom door.
As she was about to turn the handle to her door, she was greeted by Amy on the other side. "Young Miss!"
"Amy, what's the situation on the man?"
"His breathing has gotten worse while you were away, I have asked Leo to get the medical first aid." She quickly explained the situation.
Roselia quickly went beside the bedside and placed her head on the man's chest to listen to his heartbeat.
No pulse.
She then quickly places her ear near his nose and mouth.
Nothing.
"Shit..." Roselia thought to herself.
"Amy, the first aid is not enough, get me my revival potions."
"Revival potions? Aren't those the potions you made for emergencies only?"
"Isn't this an emergency?"
"But the activation for the potion is your energy-"
However, seeing how panicked Roselia was, she quickly paused her sentence and went out to get the potions.
.