Chapter 10: You're a woman (II)?
The servants of the house of Green were all looking at the handsome stranger walking in the halls of the estate.
"..."
Rowan left all of her things in the guest room, including the sword that Sir Arthur gave so she really hoped no one would tamper with her things while she was away.
It was the only thought that was closing her mind.
"Is he new around here?"
"Perhaps-! Have you ever seen such a dapper man walking around with such an expensive suit?"
"No goodness me, is this another one of Miss Charlie's bachelor of interest?"
"..."
Rowan could only walk in silence hearing every whisper and gossip, they might be talking in a low voice but they were still at arm's length.
This suit wasn't hers, and already the maids were mistaking her for a man. To those who had never seen the woman before, they all thought this was a noble lord visiting for business or for a courting plan for their young miss.
"Oh- Miss, you have finished getting ready." The maid from before eyes her up and down before raising an eyebrow. "Pardon me, but are you the same miss from before or did I not realize that she had a brother?"
Rowan shyly scratches the back of her neck, replying. "I-I am the same person from before."
The same person?
Her and this- are they really the same?
"I see." The maid looks disappointed as she said that and that only made Rowan more confused. "Please, both the Lord and Young Miss Green are waiting for your presence."
"Um… I'm sorry to ask but is my… clothes alright? This is the first time I'm wearing something like this." The red-haired girl asks for reassurance to which the maid simply replies-
"It is perfect." The maid even gave a good nod, admiring her for being so flexible in changing one's look. One moment you're a woman then the next you can come out looking like a nobleman.
"Well then, let us be on our way, please follow me."
Rowan follows obediently, the maid shows her the way into the office, opening the door and letting her inside the office. "I will leave you now."
The maid curtsies as a goodbye and closes the door leaving the three of them alone to talk privately.
"...gulp." (Rowan) loosens her coat and inside the office she could see two people laughing together on the couch. It was Miss Charlie Green, with a man that was almost the splitting image of her. They heard the door closing and slowly saw Rowan's figure at the entrance.
Miss Charlie gaps, standing up from the couch, it was a long hour wait but it seemed to be worth it. "Ah! Daddy the person who saved me is here! I want you to meet them!"
Percy Green, her father, held his belly and laughed, standing beside her to greet her daughter's savior. After hearing the story of how she was almost hurt by the man she introduced to him before- he boiled with anger at how someone could do something like that to his sweet daughter but was thankful when it was a happy ending that happened.
"Oh sweet pea' I can't wait to meet the woman who protected my daughter." He says with a smile on his face but stopped momentarily when Lord Percy Green saw the handsome figure of the woman thinking it was a stranger that got into his house.
"Who… What in tarnation?" (Lord Percy) kept his guard up protectively towards his daughter, thinking this might be another one of those man sharks that got in by accident or the companion of their guest. "Honey, you didn't tell me the woman who saved you had a handsome fellow with her. It's. very. nice. to. meet you, young man."
He eyed the stranger rather cautiously, women were one thing but men inside the house were a no deal for all men were all wolves-! Surely they're here to take his sweet pea away from him and make him his bride!
Charlie walks over to Rowan and holds her arm happily smiling seeing her savior suited neatly looking like a fine gentleman. "Ah no this is her, say hello to my daddy, Miss Rowan!"
Lord Percy blinks his eyes in confusion, the tall figure of this stranger was a woman's but-
"This is… the woman that saved you?"
The lord of the house gives another look at her up and down, he was not expecting a very… well built and charming woman coming into his home.
"Good afternoon, Lord Percy. My name is Rowan Bonheur. I saved your daughter this morning from an unfortunate predicament and Miss Charlie offered me to stay in your home until I can leave tomorrow." (Rowan) nervously curtsies but realized that she wasn't in a dress so she quickly moved her body to a bow. "I hope it is alright for me to stay for the night."
Lord Percy had long brunette hair tied into a ponytail, with a diamond beard and freckles that matched exactly like his daughter. "It is alright for you to stay the night… as long as you won't steal my daughter away from me."
"Daddy-!"
"I know' I know sweet pea. It's just I can't be too trusting with both men and women' for your heart. You know how your mama gets and she would've told me to shoo those youngin' you're not ready for anything intimate I tell ya." (Lord Percy) teased his daughter who punches him weakly by the arm.
As Rowan observed he seemed like a down to earth person who cared for his daughter very much. Even if Rowan was a woman- he did not hold back with the warnings.
"I… um… I just met her today. I don't think that would qualify me as a thief, Lord Percy. I would never do anything like that to your daughter- sir." The sixteen year-old girl felt intimidated being observed around like a puppy and a bear.
"Oh you youngin's but much obliged for saving my sweet pea. Charlotte told me everything and I heard what you did, it was very brave, I tell you." (Lord Percy) already has someone dealing with the problem as we speak, it won't be easy for him staying in the village because of his influence.
Let's just say he's going to make sure he's not going to punch someone anymore. "Pah and my sweet pea Charlotte she's easy to fall in love with a young fella or lass you can't keep telling who she'll bring home the next day but look at you- you're dapper, have manners and one of a kind."
Rowan blinks, hearing the name Charlotte. Could it be the full actual name of Miss Charlie?
"Um… thank you?" The compliments went over her head.
Lord Percy covers his mouth looking teary eyed, walking over to Rowan and patting her shoulder. "You gotta forgive my harsh approach. It's hard to let your little girl fly and then she comin' back with new birds to fill up the nest."
The girl would only tilt her head in confusion, "...nest?"
Miss Charlie Green slaps her father very hard the next, seeing that he's just taking this opportunity to tease his daughter why she's still single and hoping to get grandchildren. "D-Daddy! You know I ain't playin'! Don't tease the guest and come help me properly welcome her! She said she needed a place to stay and a horse."
With the topic of horses mentioned the mood immediately shifted, after all the Green family's pride and joy was their livelihood of breeding and taking care of horses. "Oh? A horse?! Well then little lady y'all just got into the right place. My estate has hundreds of horses, the military actually takes the cake on the cavalry here. We got some fine new breeds that just came."
Rowan ears perked up at the mention of horses too. In the Duke's mansion their training consisted of horseback riding which she did and enjoyed the most out of all of her given regimen by Sir Arthur.
The Lord catches the glint of interest of the lady's eye, "One fit for a knight, of course, I expect nothing less for our family honor of horse breeders."
She was happy to hear that but remembered that she had to live a bit frugally. After all she still needs a place to stay once she gets into the academy, the dorms would require payment, food, clothes and other necessities. Military school is more or less three to four years.
"Um… I don't have much on me. I was hoping I could buy the cheapest horse that you have." (Rowan) mutters out weakly, a little worried that a lord might think lowly of her for not being able to buy a good horse.
"The cheapest?! You should take on an A grade military horse and I'll give you a discount for saving my daughter-!"
"Daddy…"
"Well now apparently it's free, says my sweet pea." He chuckles nervously, not being able to be immune to the little puppy dog eyes of his daughter. "I just can't stand to see her frowning face. When you get your own little ones you'll just turn so soft you don't even know what the hell happened."
"..."
"Daddy! Quit making my guest uncomfy!"
"Alright, alright just sayin' I'll leave you two to it. Get some lunch, it's on the house and go off, let my daughter take you horse shoppin." (Lord Percy) waves them off giving the spare key to the stables. "Delighted to meet you Miss Rowan, this might only be a one time meeting but hey you seem like a nice gal."
"Thank you, sir."
"Whatever my daughter wants, my daughter gets."
The brunette girl hugs her father tightly before saying goodbye with a wide smile. "Thanks daddy! Come on, Rowan, I'll show you where we keep the ones with good stamina!" (Charlie) opens the door and drags Rowan out of the office.
…
The two walked together outside the office. Making a bit of a ruckus because the little young miss of the estate was a casual and free spirited child. "Excuse me- coming through!"
All of the servants evaded the young miss and her companion, it was the same handsome man they saw just this morning! Apparently it was a woman!
Rowan, who was being dragged around by a small figure with monster strength, wondered what they had been feeding her to make her physically strong. "Miss Charlie-! W-We can walk… We don't have to run."
Charlie, who was excited, stopped dragging her and realized that she must've done it again! "Oh I'm sorry I'm just so excited to see you pick one of our horses! It's like fate meeting you, saving me- then needing a horse but then it turns out I have the horse you need!"
"A little romantic don't you think?"
Rowan shakes her head, she was not into beastiality. "I am not into horses in a romantic way."
Charlie had to stop and stare at Rowan's figure who thought of her words in another way. "That is not… what I… oh you poor thing." Perhaps in that part of her personality and brain- Rowan hasn't fully developed nor could pick up things like these.
"Tell you what, I'll give you the saddle for free too."
…
Miss Charlie Green, another professional at making sure of checking the quality and health of their horses. They went into the far back of the estate where almost a long stable building with horses was inside.
"First you're presentable and equipped to ride so that's a plus." (Charlie) opens the gate of the stable using the key her father gave her. "It would be troublesome if you rode in a dress."
"Oh um… I hope it's not a requirement to dress formally for the horses in your estate rules."
The girl shakes her head, "Oh no silly, I just think it would give off a good first impression for the horses. You know so they can read your background to me- many horses have different personalities and if I know which one to choose I can go ahead and prepare everything you'll need."
"I have rode a horse before, Miss Charlie. I think I'll be fine but I thank you for your concern."
"Oh lovely-! Well then you may take your pick!"